Don’t ask newcomers to update their profiles, read guidelines, or tick some boxes to follow.
Can you think of anything more boring for newcomers to do?
You have a tiny window to convince members this is where they should spend their time. This is your one chance to make an amazing first impression. So give it everything you’ve got.
You want newcomers to think of the community as high-value, exciting, engaging.
You need to show the newcomers the best of your community. There will be plenty of time for updating profiles later.
You want newcomers to participate in the most exciting discussions today, follow the most interesting members, share challenges and problems to solve, talk about their goals/aspirations for the future etc…
Just because most communities are doing something doesn’t make it the ‘right’ thing to do. This is one of those times.
