Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Restocking the Exhibits Exchange


How do you build "critical mass" for an online project?

A year or so ago, I started a FREE Google Group called the "Exhibits Exchange"

The "Exhibits Exchange" group is a place to post information regarding the many well-used (but still usable) "retired" exhibits and/or components for sale, trade, barter, or exchange.   It seems like a no-brainer to me, given the requests for this sort of thing that continually pop up on the ASTC and CHILDMUS lists.  There are two great items (a double gravity well, and an entire exhibition!) currently on the Exchange.

So what's the problem?  Well, honestly,  numbers.  Even though we've had some good early success, and found homes for some exhibits, the whole concept of an Exhibits Exchange will work much better with a bigger group of members ---  more members broaden the potential pool of both exhibit offerers and exhibit takers.

I'm asking ExhibiTricks readers help in two ways:

1)  If you're not already a member of the Exhibits Exchange group,  please join up (and tell a colleague or two about the group as well!)  It honestly takes just a minute (did I mention it's FREE?)

2)  If you have any bright ideas for building up the critical mass of Exhibits Exchange, leave a comment below or just email me directly.

Thanks!



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