Hi, I've been trying to get a homeschooling group going in my town. There are many homeschoolers in my area as the schools are going to heck(don't even have bussing and more cuts on the way). I've started a Yahoo Group, just because it does not cost anything and I can't afford much at this time. Figure it would be a good way to exchange info and keep track of any kind of schedule we come up with. I've listed with about 5 or 6 different "homeschool group" search sites. I have had no response. I plan to actually advertise in a couple months, but really want to get people involved in advance. If any of you have time, could you please look at my site and let me know if there's anything that might turn people off??? Any input is appreciated!! I have it set-up where you don't actually have to sign up to post and look around. Thanks much................Jaime aka "getting worried"http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kalkaskahomeschool/
I don't think there is anything wrong with your site. It's just hard sometimes to drum up traffic online. I've even set up websites where I had an audience, but they just weren't the online types. I 'thought' it would keep our group of 40+ women well connected when we couldn't all get together in our regular weekly meetings, but found that only 4 people ever gave it a try. Those 4 other people were gung-ho for the site too, but still couldn't get the rest of women involved. Have you tried posting a free announcement at http://www.kalkaskacounty.com ? I looked around for other websites in your area that offer free classifieds, but not being familiar with the area I didn't come up with much. If you do advertise...you might look into advertising in something at a homeschool convention in your area.
Most of our local group's new members are from word-of-mouth, and that is often spread through the local school when a new homeschooler registers their kids or at church. Since yours is a secular group, you might want to put up something at the library and let the librarians know that you want to form a group. If you have a local Y or rec center you might want to advertise there as well. Try to think of other places homeschoolers have to go and get the word out there. I think you'll be surprised at how quickly word spreads. Our local group is a Christian group, but I know there are homeschoolers here who are not homeschooling for religious reasons. I'm sure they would love to find a group in their area...they just might not be online or have the time to check out online things. But they gotta go to the library, right?!
Thanks much you guys!! I'll do the online classified thing and keep at the networking! Suprise, suprise.......as soon as I start to worry, I get a member on the site!!! Talk about timing! It's like when you take your kid to the doctor to find he's suddenly healed on the way in!! Thanks Again!!!...............Jaime aka Bruegelfan
