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Hey guys
We've been working vigorously on the new site and hope to launch within the next couple (or few) months. About the Community, what do you guys think about merging the "General Discussion" and "Women's" forums?
Please share your opinions, pro or con... 'cause we're just not sure. In concept we like the idea of keeping them separate but when it comes down to it, are the issues men and women face with hair replacement really that different? At least enough so that it's worth splitting up readers and forcing members to jump between rooms to stay in the conversation on both forums? (Plus, the women's board is less active so female users who think they can only benefit from that area risk missing out on lots of good stuff in the general forum)
Whatdya think?
HD Marketing Guy... Please buy hair from us. :-) brandon@hairdirect.com
I've been thinking about this. Off the cuff, I would say it doesn't matter to me. However, it is nice knowing that when I go in the women's forum there will be issues that I can relate to as a woman with hair loss, as opposed to a person with hair loss. Does that make any sense?
Honestly Brandon, the differences between men and women in the technical aspects of wearing hair are few but the sociological impact of hair loss in men and women is different. Some would disagree I'm sure, but no one is going to double take at a bald man walking down the street but everyone would stare at the bald woman. If anyone out there says they wouldn't, they are kidding themselves.
I think for "newbies", seeing a place for just women is a relief. It's a place they can reach out to other women for advice on a taboo subject that they may not be able to talk to anyone else about. Also, I would NEVER have wanted my initial contacts regarding hair wearing to have been with a man, anonymous or not. Now I don't care all that much, but in the beginning it would have been really hard to reach out to what I perceived as a "man's world" let alone expect a man to understand where I was coming from. When I first came on the HD site, I had to call your office to see if they seriously served women or if it was just a side gig because there were so many more pictures of men. I wanted to make sure that HD would know the challenges that face women in wearing hair because there are some differences.
Point being, is the separate forum necessary? No. Is a value-added service? Yes. I think it gives peace of mind to some women to have their own "space" to share with mostly other women, even if the guys come to visit once in a while.
Oh, and I almost forgot...I have had several women tell me outside of the forum that they wish HD had a whole separate website for women. Whereas I don't agree that this is necessary, I think based on that sampling many women would be disappointed if the women's forum was gone.
Sue
I have to say I completely agree with CurlySue. While I have not received my first unit yet, I really don't think that I would have felt as comfortable posting in the general forum, as a woman. I think now that I am a little more comfortable, I would post there - and I do read there.. however, when I have a question I post it in the women's forum, because I am still more comfortable doing so - I feel that there ARE differences that I like posting to the group under the "women's" title.
I realize many guys read and post there - which I feel is completely awesome and so valuable - I still value the forum specifically addressed towards women who are hair wearers - or are considering becoming hair wearers.
I am still quite apprehensive and not quite comfortable with my hair loss and the issues it has presented and the fact that I really can't hide it well - even with the assistance of hair loss concealing products. Though I am SO grateful to HD and to Margaret, and the forum members.. I think it is still going to take some time for me to feel comfortable in all aspects of my hair loss. I am ashamed of it, and hindered by it.. and HD has given me the freedom to move beyond it - even though I have to shave my head, which took a LOT for me to come to terms with, and I still don't know the full impact that will be for me.
I understand it can be psychologically, socially, and personally difficult for both men and women to lose their hair and find themselves in need of help - I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I discovered this site at the "womens board", because I felt like it was such a blessing to know I wasn't alone.
Thank you HD, Thank you members (men and women), Thank you all so much for giving me the strength and courage to move on and provide me with the tools, experience, and understanding to help me in this area.
(I hope I worded that all OK, and that I did not offend anyone, as it is not meant to be offensive)
One day at a time..
OK, thanks for your feedback folks! Looks like as of right now, most prefer these two forums to remain separate. Please, if you're seeing this for the first time we still want to hear your feedback!
We're still several weeks away from needing to make the final decision so there's still time to weigh-in! What do you think? Should the "General Discussion" and "Women's Hair Replacement" forums be merged into one or not?
If we do keep them separate... we'd also welcome your ideas on how to increase exposure and activity with the women's forum. Right now it only gets a couple posts a day max and we KNOW we have more women than that visiting out site everyday.
Thanks!
Hey Brandon-
I've noticed that women often start their posting efforts in the Women's forum and then toggle back and forth between that and the Gen Discussion forum once they are comfortable. However, a few months ago some people were saying in the Gen Dis forum that they didn't realize there was more than one forum. I admit the forum options get lost in the design up there in the purple bar. Perhaps it is just a design issue and you can feature the different forums more prominently in the new design?? Maybe people just aren't seeing that there is a women's forum.
I actually think the Local Stylists and Services is the one to go if I had to pick one. It would be better if they were organized in a list by state and people could submit their resources for you guys to add to the list. Right now it's just too difficult to search through and it's very haphazard. People are often asking for stylists in the same areas and obviously don't realize they can search or are not finding what they need in those searches.
Thanks for listening.
Susan
Hey b
To be honest I didnt know there was a separate forum for women lol. In all fairness though thanks to the ladies who contribute on the other forum. Its nice everyone pitching in their thoughts. I will check out the womens forum now its been mentioned. There are things that I havnt even checked out probs cos im having so many bonding difficulties im just trying to get into the comfort zone which is slowly happening though,
I think the forums should be separate so its easier for people to get answers from the male point of view and the female. At least everyone can comment on each side though.
Cant wait to see the final product
Rio
~ Danielle ~
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