We typically only send out match invites to our players when we are trailing in player numbers or in the ratings. Most matches we do not send out invite messages. When we do send them, we usually only target a specific rating group like the 1200s. We do not send them to the whole team. If we do need to reach out to the whole team, maybe once or twice a month, I use the "announcement" mechanism.

I do not like sending match invites for 2 reasons: #1. I don't like to bother our teammates, and they don't like to be bothered (Although they are always very nice about it. I will get hundreds of responses saying "Thank you for reminding me", "I'm in", "Aye, Aye, Captain", etc. before I get a single negative comment. In the last 6 months I have had one person ask me not to message them about a match. They did so in a polite, friendly manner, and I responded back "OK" in a nice friendly manner...and we are still friends! ). #2. It takes some time and work on the part of the sender.

The match invites work. They are very successful. They are a a wonderful way to get more players out for a match!

1. click on members

2. click on highest rating. scroll/click down to 1299 for the 1200s, for example.

3. Only send message to those who have been on line in last 24 hours (they tend to be the more active ones and more apt to join the match) or to a bigger group, say 2 days, if you'd like.

4. Say that we need them to join the match with whatever words you want. You can do no wrong. We are just trying to have fun here and make friends and build a community of good people and bring some happiness to people's lives, and we are volunteers. Whatever you do on this team as an admin or player is awesomely awesome.

5. Give the match link. Only tricky part. Make sure you get the link from our page and not our opponent's, or our player will not be accepted when he clicks "join".

6. Also, if the match has more than 10 players already signed up, I think you have to click on "more players" right after player #10 on the roster, and get the full list of players who have joined the match on your screen. Then copy and paste the link into your invite message. I think it does make a difference if we send a link with the list of only the first ten players on the roster, vs. a link list with all players on the roster, when it comes to a new player clicking "join". (Kind of a confusing little side issue. Please don't let it be a worry.)

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