BGray
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi Vickie, Julia et al!

One of your competing companies this week launched a Facebook "closed group" for travellers to chat, ask questions etc. which already is a great success.  This company also has a website forum, so it's not meant to replace that.  Given that JY have over 8,000 followers on your FB page, I was wondering would you consider launching a similar group.  The proviso is that to join the group, people must have actually booked a holiday with the company and have to submit their booking ref in order to register for the group.  I think it's an excellent idea and many people have already shared photos of their trips, asked questions, started debates etc.  The advantage is that people can "chat" and share much more readily.  The group has a list of rules which are sensible and there have been no undesirable postings so far....I think the idea that you must have already booked a holiday keeps the social media odd balls and spammers away....

I hope you pass this suggestion on to the powers that be and they consider it!

Best wishes,

Bob

Vickie
(Member)
Hi Bob,

Thanks for your message! This definitely something we'll look into 🙂

Vickie

jonah
  • (Member)
(Member)
I am not so sure about this.  I would be concerned that the more senior members of the Forum and therefore the experienced travellers desert the Forum meaning that a lot of useful information and reassurance is lost.  There are many posts on here from people who are nervous about travelling solo for the first time or looking for information prior to booking.  Where would reviews be posted for example?

Many people are also becoming uncomfortable with FB - did you see the programme last night?  Lots of personal information gathered that member s are completely unaware of.

Or could it be set up in such a way that anything on the FB page which fitted a category on the Forum is automatically posted?

Chris

Vickie
(Member)
Hi Chris,

All good points and things we need to look into before any decisions are made. We will of course be asking for forum members opinions too, once we've looked into this more.

Thanks,

Vickie

BGray
  • (Member) (Topic Starter)
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi Chris,

As I said in my original post, the other company is still continuing with their forum and I'm sure that regular forum users wouldn't desert the JY Community either!  So reviews, questions etc. could still be posted here as they always have been. In fact, I think that the two would complement each other very well.  Many people who don't use the forum, use Facebook and vice versa.  The big advantage of the FB group is that people can post immediately without having to wait for moderation, so that the conversation flows much better and can share photos freely.  

Best wishes,

Bob

SarahS
(Member)
I agree with Jonah. The Facebook page in question is currently being used as somewhere to post holiday pictures. The JY forum works well for me, it’s easy to follow up threads: the interaction between members giving help and advice and reviews plus the facility to ask the editor questions is a big plus. If it ain’t  broke JY, please don’t fix it.
sjm533
(Member)
Originally I was with Bob on this one, but having seen how it is going, lots of photos and many of them unedited straight off the mobile phone, I am now coming round to agreeing with SarahS and Jonah.   Yes, the forum takes time, but in general the questions and answers are more sensible and not statements of the "I am going to......, Yes so am I........ "variety.

I too have serious doubts about FB.

Sylvia

mikew
  • (Member)
(Member)
I agree with Sarah and Chris. I fail to see the point of such a group, or indeed what it could possibly provide that the forum in its current form does not. The current forum will work perfectly well, providing those who are charged with its upkeep do the job efficiently...and I’m very pleased to say that new moderator Vickie and the team are doing a great job in that regard so far.

By Bob’s own admission, the only ‘advantage’ of this idea is that messages wouldn’t have to go through moderation, but If that’s the best and only improvement that this idea can provide, then as Sarah says, ‘if it ain’t broke...’

Mike

RogertheRed
(Member)
I think the forum is sufficient. Your posts being moderated make you think before committing yourself to writing. I made the mistake the other day on Facebook, replying to a post by stating my son was overweight (which he is) but the post was from my daughter-in-law (who isn't). Think I might get a frosty reception when I visit later this month.
nixon
  • (Member)
(Member)
Having run a FB Page for a church group, it actually was only live for about 6 months as it became a magnet for not suitable postings. It sounds good in principle but it might not work in practice. I did in fact leave JY FB a long while ago as there didn’t seem much going on perhaps it is more active now.

Cindy

Vickie
(Member)
Hi Cindy,

Thanks for your feedback, it's good to know.

We are definitely posting a lot more on our Facebook page now, it would be great if you could head over and give it a like, if you're interested: www.facebook.com/justyouholidays - Today we're celebrating Star Wars Day with a post about six destinations that look like they're on another planet!

Thanks,

Vickie

janib
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hello All,

I find that the page at the moment on FB is enough. As it is open, I answered one ladies query on Walking Holidays and I hope she has looked at the web site to see what she likes. I have also replied to the Star Wars day too 🙂 

Jan

intrepid traveller
(Member)
Sorry to be an old ‘stick in the mud’ but am very happy the way things are.   

Had a look on FB to see what it was all about and it seems there are more messages from JY there than there are on the Forum page.  The Hamper competition for example.  So has JY already switched in anticipation of the opinions of Forum members.

manrod
(Member)
I think the JY Forum is enough, on Facebook we have a local community set-up but this now has to be monitored as some users post unsuitable things and can also be nasty, at least on here the posts are moderated
Nicki47
(Member)
I personally think that a group forum on Facebook would be a great idea. I have posted on here and had no response. I have commented on someone else's post who I think is going on the same holiday as me and had no answer. Facebook is a great way to chat, get to know people and ask questions and queries.

Nicki

Jaya
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hello everyone

I personally am not a Facebook user and would not use it either. I should have a look at Just You FB page one day to see what is there! I prefer the Forum where posts are moderated.

Regards

Jaya

Vickie
(Member)
Hi Intrepid,

Don't worry, we won't be switching to just Facebook, the forum will of course be here to stay. However, we are trying to post more on both the forum and our Facebook page, to keep everyone informed.

Thanks,

Vickie

sjm533
(Member)
'Jaya' wrote:

Hello everyone

I personally am not a Facebook user and would not use it either.  I should have a look at Just You FB page one day to see what is there!   I prefer the Forum where posts are moderated.

Regards

Jaya

Don't worry Jaya.  You are not missing anything worth bothering about.

Sylvia

nixon
  • (Member)
(Member)
Vickie

I did go on the FB JY Page and there is more life going on than in the past, so thanks for high lighting that for me. I will keep and eye on it from now.

Cindy

Vickie
(Member)
Thanks Cindy, glad to hear it - I'm also running the Facebook page now haha! 🙂

Please do, we're aiming to post much more on there.

Thanks,

Vickie

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