Once you’ve got a “stench” of skunks (yes, that is the collective noun for skunks), keeping their interest is a challenge.
If you haven’t read my last post, on how
Gist
nurtured their beta-tester network, go back and read it- they did it right. And deploy the measures below…
Top Ten Skunk Works Junkies Retention Strategies
- Don’t confuse usability testing with beta-testing. As Macintosh Girl in A Microsoft world
points out
- beta testers aren’t in the moment in the way usability testers are in the lab. They report of bug, but can’t remember every step they went through when the problem occurred. In my opinion, that’s a flaw in the app to be corrected, but it’s a frustration to the beta-tester. Tons of back and forth suppresses my interest. - Education- especially if your group of testers are non-technical, the more info/educational sessions you offer, the better.
- Give beta-testers lots of feedback and as fast as you can. Nothing is worse than giving your input and never hearing back.
- Connect your community of testers via an internal network, or twitter.
- Hold regular online chats/web sessions/call-ins to keep them posted and tidbits of what’s coming down the pipe.
- Responding publicly on Twitter and/or
Get Satisfaction
is great, but, lest I sound non-transparent, some things are better handled via email- like long, technical questions. Use Twitter as a way to build relationships and Get Satisfaction to clearly educate solutions. - Host Skunk-Ups for testers whenever possible. (You’ll remember that is a successful tactic that Gist used to express their thanks and connect users)
- Promote your SWJ via blog/Twitter. Post or link to video, blog posts, etc. about your app.
- Send food! T-shirts are great, but imagine what bacon, cupcakes or champagne would do for boosting loyalty.
- Finally, give them an easy, one-sentence pitch about your app so they can tell their friends. SWJs love to share the cool.
Did I leave anything out? Let me know here or on
Twitter
(Guest post by Deb Robison, Cloud Jedi-In-Training, baker, President of the Mile High Social Media Club and fluent in Japanese.)
