Todd Herman asked:


Well, it would be an uphill climb provided the new member had little new to offer. This is why discussion websites have proven successful. These sites are innovative enough to provide something new to those looking for a reliable format for discussions. Actually, Drupal databse websites are among the most user friendly and innovative discussion sites on the net. It is because of this adding discussion websites to a commercial website can prove significantly helpful.

Simply put, the addition of discussion websites can work wonders as an ancillary component to a commercial website. Regardless of the focus of your business, if you add a message board that ties in with the business, it will complement the site immensely.

That is why this is a proven technique and strategy that is often employed by online companies. Some discussion boards are employed to promote a business exclusively. However, there are those online businesses that understand such an approach can be a little too narrow. That is why they provide great leeway on their discussion websites. So, what would these discussions entail?

Discussion sites have many values. For some, it can be a fun way to interact with others. Usually, the various discussion sites follow particular themes. Some enjoy the discussions centering on entertainment, others enjoy those discussion websites that deal with sports, and then there are those who enjoy discussions surrounding hobbies. Really, there is no limit to the vast array of discussion websites. No matter what your interests may be, there is a discussion going on that shares these interests.

Discussion websites can also provide an excellent source of information on a variety of topics. Many times, people who are experts on various subjects can offer their detailed opinions and insights. This can prove very helpful for those who need a little “extra help” on a variety of topics and subjects.

Really, there is no limit to the topics that take place on discussion websites. This had the positive effect of drawing in various visitors from all over the internet. Some may become members of a particular discussion which, in turn, may convert them into paying customers. That would probably be the most lucrative benefit of the discussion websites.

Also, any time a discussion occurs on one of these discussion websites, the “conversation” will be crawled by the spiders of the various search engines. That means there will become part of the search engine landscape perpetually drawing in targeted traffic to your primary business.

This would also provide yet another critical source of conversions to paying customers. As such, there are a multitude of benefits that discussion websites can provide to an online business. That is why they are so valuable and will remain popular for a long time to come.



Caffeinated Content

Paula Marolewski asked:


Why include discussion in a Bible study, small group, or Sunday School class? Why not just lecture, or watch a great preacher or teacher on DVD, then call it quits for the day?

Discussion is an essential part of every Bible study or teaching time for six important reasons:

1. Discussion keeps people attentive. It’s easy for listening to become a passive activity. If a class is composed of pure lecture (including DVDs or videos), people can tune out at any time. Discussion encourages people to listen actively because they don’t know when you might ask a question and request their input on the topic at hand.

2. Discussion lets people actively participate. People want to be involved. Discussion opens the floor to let people share their wisdom, talk about themselves and their experiences, and help others.

3. Discussion helps people make principles their own. By talking about a topic, discussion helps people make the movement from hearing facts (head knowledge), to understanding truth (heart knowledge).

4. Discussion brings additional insights. Teachers are not magically gifted with all knowledge. The participants in the group or class will often be able to add examples, insights, and encouragement that the teacher simply doesn’t possess. By giving people a chance to speak, leaders allow God to get across everything he might want to say.

5. Discussion keeps balance in the group. Sometimes people are tempted to put a teacher or leader on a pedestal as “the keeper of all knowledge.” Discussion helps level the playing field: by inviting discussion, leaders affirm that they are also students of the Word, and that each person can learn from everyone else.

6. Discussion fosters relationships among members. When people talk and share, they build bridges between one another. Especially in a small group setting, discussion is critical for developing true relationships with one another.

© 2008 Paula Marolewski

You have my permission to reprint and distribute this article as long as it is distributed in its entirety, including all links and copyright information. This article is not to be sold or included with anything that is sold.

 



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