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Command Post Improvement Contest!!! – Closed

Posted by Ricky on Jan 26, 2009 in Contests | 19 comments

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to start the new year off right! We’re going to do this so it benefits all of us. You see, last year was a little rocky here at the command post. A lot of time conflicts, money issues, personal things getting in the way of doing some good steady reviews really kind of put Cigar Command on the back burner for a bit. Well, it’s time to light this place up. It’s a new year and it’s time to get rockin’ and rollin’.

So, here’s the deal. I need some feedback from you as to how to get Cigar Command to the next level. I want your ideas, your bitches and complaints, and whatever else you have to say that will help take us to that next level. What do you think will help generate some discussion, some more activity, etc. What will get you to be a more active part of Cigar Command?

Every person who responds to THIS post with an idea for improvement will be entered into the drawing for a 5-pack of EO cigars. Two names will be randomly chosen, so get your entries in. The first winner drawn will receive a 5-pack of EO Cubao No. 5 and the second will win a 5-pack of EO 601 Maduro Toro.

This contest is only open to participants within the United States and you must be at least 18 years old. Remember: respond to this post with your ideas. Only one entry per person. This contest will run until Feb. 7th at 12:00pm CST. Only genuine ideas will be entered (that means have them be more than one or two words).

So, let’s hear it… WHO WANTS TO WIN SOME CIGARS?!?!

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19 Responses to “Command Post Improvement Contest!!! – Closed”

Matt says:
January 26, 2009 at 2:37 pm

If you want more comment activity, remove the requirement that you have to be logged in to leave a comment. Most visitors won’t bother to register or log in. Opening this up allows more people to more easily comment on what they see on the site.

-Matt
Matt’s Cigar Journal
Cigar Inspector says:
January 26, 2009 at 2:42 pm

1. Remove the requirement to register to comment.
2. Make better use of the header (add RSS subscription buttons for example) – you’re wasting space!
3. Personalize the theme a bit more – I had a client who used exactly the same WP theme. Play with colors, add some original graphics.
4. Most important – respect a certain posting frequency. It can be 1 post per week, just don’t let the blog float.
Hope it helps.
Ricky says:
January 26, 2009 at 2:45 pm

This is the kind of feedback I’m talking about. Thanks guys. Oh, the comment thing is taken care of. I never realized it was set since I’m always logged in. I’ll look into changing things up a bit too.
JasonT says:
January 26, 2009 at 4:23 pm

You can always try guest reviews and special features such as food and drink pairings. I enjoy reading the site. I’d just like more of it.
beezer says:
January 26, 2009 at 4:42 pm

First off, let me just say that I have enjoyed your posts and consider myself a regular visitor.

As far as suggested improvements:

1.) Add more surveys/polls or “interactive” style postings that solicit feedback

2.) Visit other cigar forums and cigar blogs and share your blog site with others who may not have been fortunate enough to stumble on it yet.

3.) Possibly consider mixing the colors up a bit to make them more friendly on the eyes.

Thanks again for all the time and energy you put into your blog site. Good stuff!

v/r
Beezer
Keith says:
January 26, 2009 at 6:26 pm

The one thing I could suggest is to maybe try video or audio reviews of the cigars, spirits and such.
Ryan says:
January 26, 2009 at 7:55 pm

I agree with most of what has already been stated.

I would like to see reviews on cigars in the lower cost range. That is always good for people who are new to cigars and do not want to spend a ton of money. I find it hard to find good reviews on the under $5 range. Thanks.
Jeff (JaKaacH) says:
January 26, 2009 at 7:59 pm

Like the site and the reviews.
I would suggest a little larger text size or bolder font.
Someday when you need reading glasses you will understand..
Thanks BOTL
Crazy
858 nick says:
January 26, 2009 at 10:51 pm

Hold contests like this.

Get on twitter, be in involved in the growing cigar community.

Make a iPhone friendlier version of the site.

That’s all I got.

-nick
Jim Euritt says:
January 27, 2009 at 7:31 am

Maybe a change of font and font color. It is a little hard to see for us with poor eyesite. Maybe a larger cleaner looking font and use colors that stand out a little better.
Ricky says:
January 27, 2009 at 8:04 am

Excellent feedback everyone. Keep it coming!
Phil says:
January 27, 2009 at 1:24 pm

I know that it’s a big time investment, but more frequent posts would improve the site. I check this site (among others) for updates and new posts. When I check it a couple of times and find nothing new, yours becomes a site that I will check once a week instead of every day.
Ethan says:
January 27, 2009 at 8:20 pm

Great site. I check in regularly. Some ideas, most have been said before.

Contests are great.

Reviews of products – cutters, lighters, etc.

Opinion polls
Ricky says:
January 27, 2009 at 9:16 pm

Love it. I’m taking notes here. As for the content, I’m going to be more active this year. Again, last year was so quite hectic and it’s going to be much more settled this year. Thanks and keep ‘em coming.
tobacmon says:
January 29, 2009 at 8:59 am

I also think if you do away with your log on requirement you would have many more comments being posted. Point being not everyone likes giving out their email and then they have emails piling up in their in box from all the sites they are members of.

*Reviews are a plus as I have purchased cigars from what I have read about them. So I say more reviews–detailed reviews are much better.

*Rating, tasting and flavor system that would be a way to pick out a new cigar to try. For instance I enjoy a more peppery, leathery smoke as oppose to a creamy, woodsy flavored cigar. So to have a tab with say peppery leathery at the top of your page would be much easier to navigate. Tabs I like.

* The font is a bit harder to see at times also–maybe a way to select different color fonts and backgrounds.

* Specials for members with manufactures if possible.

Thanks for the site!!!!!!
eShamus says:
February 4, 2009 at 10:43 pm

Ricky!!!!

Okay, suggestions:
1) your side bar is gar-normous: instead of two columns, make it one.
2) Consider adding a qualitative cigar review modeled after this: http://www.clerkdogs.com/ A visitor could select criteria and the site would return “close matches”.

semper fi,

jm
boomerd35 says:
February 6, 2009 at 11:15 am

Well, everybody seems to want you to remove the registration requirement. But I like to receive email updates with pertinent information. A fluff email is no good, but if you sent out an email to the members when you have something special like your interview with Pete Johnson- I’d certainly be faster to click on it and read it. So overall, my suggestion would be a quarterly or monthly email update listing some of the highlights from the site over the past quarter/month.
Alex Vazquez says:
February 6, 2009 at 12:35 pm

Agree with the registration removal for comments.

- I’d love to see some video / audio. A simple and quick vlog would add a new dimension to the written word. It tends to personalize and initiate interaction from the audience.

- I’d also look at changing your color scheme. A slightly warmer green would be more appealing, and tend to coordinate better with the Tobacco vibe in my mind.

vasypher
Ricky says:
February 7, 2009 at 9:12 pm

Winners announced here: http://www.cigarcommand.com/wp02/?p=423