Why I'm editing topic titles

redlinederby Thursday, 6/12/2014
Site manager

As it has seemingly become a point of concern lately, here's some insight as to why I sometimes edit topic titles...

The short answer, I edit titles so it's easier for people to see what topics are about and find us.

The long answer, more descriptive titles make it easier for people inside and outside of the site to find a topic they're interested in. They also make it easier for search engines like Google to find our content so people searching will get to the web site.

While the Redline Derby regulars are pretty tight, having discussions here everyday, many more people are stopping by the web site from Google searches, YouTube, links on other web sites and wherever else...these are the non-regular visitors. While a topic title like "This one is for Smitty" makes sense to people inside the RLD community, it's not a good label for people outside of the community. And if the topic is something non-personal that would be of interest to any diecast collector/racer, I want them to be able to find the post and hopefully join the conversation. In cases like that, I'll edit the title to be more descriptive.

When you stop and ask someone for directions, you want to hear something like "go 2 blocks north, then turn right at the light." What you don't want to hear is "go that way." All I'm doing is making directions more clear for those driving by.

Nobody is doing anything wrong. I don't expect members to worry about Google searches when they're writing their topics. That's my job as site manager and overall editor. Very rarely I will edit a post to add a photo or extra link that readers will find valuable, but otherwise I don't alter the content of the topics/posts as all. I don't want to change the intent of your posts...the exact opposite, actually. I want people to read every post here because they're all great topics and a lot of fun...but people can't join in if they can't find us.

Redline Derby is a little bit like Cheers...everyone knows your name and says "Hello" when you walk in the door. This is what makes the web site fun and is why people stay, but people have to know the bar exists before they buy a drink. Search engines are the #1 method by which people get to our web site and thus I need to make sure our site is tuned to those needs.

Editing titles is the simplest thing I can do help your topics get more readers and participants, which is something we should all want.

If anyone ever has a problem with an edit I happen to make to your post, just let me know. You regulars know that I am very accessible and open to complaints as well as suggestions and ideas...just mail, PM or post.



Discussion

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KandORacing 6/13/14

Brian, here is my personal opinion on the current situation:

I do fully understand that you are trying to make everything easier for guests / new members to find what they are looking for, but I feel that topic titles should be up to the member making the post. It is a little more difficult for guests / new members to find what they are looking for this way, but like anything, it takes a little time to get used to something new. That being said, new members will explore the site and get the feel of things after a little bit even if they don't quite understand topic titles at first. I believe that the website's confusing new design, and the Fantasy League being down may have caused some of the original members to visit the site less often, and even possibly leave all together. I know you are trying to make the site perfect for everyone, but you can't always please everyone and sometimes it even ends up going the other way when you think you are doing something for a good cause.

I hope my feedback helps.

      -Keith

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redlinederby 6/13/14
Site manager

Thanks for the feedback. I agree that a lot of factors have played into things since the site redesign, it's not just this or that - it's really the sum of all the changes hitting at once. The Fantasy League being on hiatus doesn't help things either, that's for sure.

I'm not necessarily trying to make everyone happy (clearly) as I know that's not possible. Would I like it everyone loved every little change? Sure but that's not realistic and frankly, feedback from members is what helps be decide where to put effort and make changes. Part of the fun for me is creating something and then evolving it based on how people use it (or don't use).

Contrary to popular belief, this isn't a dictatorship...but it's not a democracy either. There's has to be some oversight and governance, especially online, otherwise it just ends up in chaos.

All that being said...one other reason I forgot to mention about topic titles is that since topics are now used in other places within the site, like the event calendar, the titles need to make sense in that context too. If you have a title of "Racing next month" that is a mail-in tournament, when that gets added to the calendar it doesn't make much sense.

Every topic goes into one big pot and then I pull items out of the pot to use in different ways throughout the site, but the source never changes. Therefore the source needs to include as much useful information as possible. And the number of places where topics are used is only going to increase as more things get added to the site (like the Fantasy League). 

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redlinederby 6/13/14
Site manager

Had another thought over in another thread regarding title editing.

Rather than me just editing titles on my own, would authors prefer me PMing you, asking you to update your title? I can certainly do that if it's a little less "big brother" to everyone. You can then choose how you want to change the headline. 


  • I like that idea alot better than the current process of doing it without asking the author. — KandORacing
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redlinederby 6/16/14
Site manager

If anyone would prefer to be notified when their titles need improved, you can now subscribe to an email alert. Read more here.

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