  Noticing Newbies
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Greetings, readers! I'm Jay's debut novel is out now! , and I'm guest editing for this week's Noticing Newbies Newsletter!
I see some variation on the following every day in my travels here on the site...
I have no idea where to get started!... This site is so big!... I'm really shy!... Where do I go to find other people who...
I've been a member of this website for a very long time, and of course the site has grown and changed so much that I could hardly compare my experience as a newbie to the experiences that a new member today must have.
To this day, though, I remember the feeling of being totally overwhelmed, and wanting to find a place to belong... that feeling of confusion and being a little bit lost. It wasn't until I started to find places I visited regularly and other members with similar interests, that I really felt like I belong here. And it didn't take long, either! Soon enough I was here every day... and we hope you will be too.
It's been my experience that the people who tend to get the most out of Writing.Com do so by actively participating in the different social aspects of the site. Some gravitate to discussion forums; others like to run groups and plan activities. Some participate in Scrolling IM or the Chatroom. Still others actively review on behalf of a review forum or group, or do other variations on these ideas, and some like to do a little of everything.
My best advice is not to worry too much about what other people think, and to just jump right in. All of us were new to the site at one time or another and we all felt nervous-- so we all can relate to feeling that way. Always try to put your best foot forward-- Golden Rule and all that-- and don't be discouraged... you'll find your way around in no time, and who knows where you could go from there!
Message Forums
There are many discussion forums dedicated to newbies, and there are also lots of forums dedicated to more specific topics. Be sure to stop in to the Noticing Newbies forum and say hello-- new member or old timer alike, it's a busy forum and a great way to see a variety of people posting on a daily basis.
Seek out forums on topics that interest you-- you'll have an excellent chance of meeting fellow writers with whom to connect and network. It can be a lot less nerve-wracking to introduce yourself and get to know other users with whom you have some common ground. Add the forum to your Favorites so you'll remember to go back often! Reply to other members' posts when you have input to share. 
When I started out on this website, there were three forums that I used to visit on a regular basis just to check in and socialize... and soon enough I was checking in every day!
Groups
In the same vein as Message Forums, Groups are a great way to meet new people with a specific goal or function in mind-- there are groups for writers who seek publication, writers who like specific genres, writers from different age groups... and that's not even taking into account the many different charity groups on the site who work hard to help out other deserving members of the site in all sorts of ways.
Groups also frequently have their own private message forums used for communicating about group-only events, news, and more. Every group has its own leadership system and rules so be sure to read them over thoroughly!
I made some really good friends that I still keep in touch with by participating in different groups and group activities that I discovered on here... perhaps through some of the aforementioned forums.
Contests and Activities
This is such a big part of the site that we have a whole newsletter dedicated to the organizing and advertisement of these. 
Many ongoing contests have players that return round after round, but in many contests there will be a blend of new faces and regulars. If you decide to enter a contest, make sure to follow all instructions given by the organizer of the contest. If you have questions, be sure to ask!
As a contest organizer, I have to say that the best feeling I've had is to have a member become a regular entrant to one of the contests I work with-- it's very gratifying to see a new face become a regular!
There are also lots of activities that don't necessarily have to do with contests.
There are members who host puzzle and word games in In and Outs-- sort of a miniature Message Forum with posts that trade off-- the oldest entry is bumped "out" when the newest entry is bumped "in." Since posts to In and Outs are limited to 255 characters, they are a short, sweet, low-commitment way to get involved in an activity here on Writing.Com... just read the instructions, follow the rules, and post away!
Reviewing is another activity that I think merits mention here as an activity, as there are lots of forums dedicated specifically to the task of reviewing. I hesitate to flat out recommend reciprocal reviews, as I think it's unrealistic to expect, but I will suggest taking a look at the portfolio of someone who's given you a review you appreciated-- at the very least, it's a way to get an idea of the types of people who are reading your work and commenting on it!
Notebooks
One of the newer additions to the Writing.Com portfolio is the Notebook. Every member has one, and most of them are public. It's a great place to ask a question, make an introduction, say thanks, offer congratulations or just pass by to say hello! I've found it is a great place to "visit" with new and older members alike. I love to post in these and think they are a great way to stay in touch with people you've met on site.
***
Of course, these tips certainly don't apply only to newbies, and for members who have been here a while, I would recommend dedicating a little time each day to review a newbie, say hello in their Notebook, and so on. It takes so little time, and really shows new members that our community is open and welcoming to everyone... and with any luck, those new members will be regulars in no time.
Thanks for reading!
~j
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Here are some great newbie items I enjoyed reading. Why not send them some feedback and welcome them to the community?
Some examples of active contests, topical message forums and In and Out activities:
Some groups for members with specific interests:
And some excellent links that should probably be in your Favorites if they aren't already:
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Noticing Newbies: September 15, 2010 Issue [#3970]
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