You created a forum - You did what first or stumbling block?

[Former Member]

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[vulpes]

If you're still collecting data... 

1) What was the some of the first things you did? (i.e. change title, add boards, choose theme, etc.)

Figure out my niche, title and then solidify what kinds of forums make most sense. The site went through a hiatus in the middle of its lifespan, so some of what I originally did is not what is presently there. I did a lot of categories and boards, trying to create a place of all types of conversation. 

What actually happened, due to these efforts, was a silo effect of too much conversation dispersed throughout parts of the forum, leaving other categories and boards to run thin. So in my revamp from our hiatus, I made everything minimal and kept it to a few sections, adding as I see fit. The layout/theme was last, but I usually had a good idea of what I wanted going in. 

2) What stumbling blocks did you run into at first, if any?

I cannot remember any real stumbling blocks, but perhaps selling my site as a discussion/chit chat place to hangout in a sea of Roleplay forums could be tough. I still struggle with that, to be honest, but we're slowly growing our community. I'm looking to do more morale-based events on the site to bring in traffic and a part of the community that may have been missing us before. 

3) What tips would you give a new forum owner?

Make sure that you know who you want to draw in and how you want them to draw in. Consider opening up social media pages that interact with the community there and bring them to you. 

[Mandoli]

I already knew what kind of a forum I was going to make, so the first real step towards making it was setting up the boards themselves. I wanted to put the content up in order of importance: All of the important topics first (mainly the rules and other announcements), followed by the actual topic-related content. Anything that wasn't on topic with the theme of the board would go after that.

The actual forum-related content was then split up into different categories (and still is): Based on era, and then based on what channel the show airs on. I put a board together for 50s-90s programming, then a board for anything in the 2000s. A third board was made for shows that air on specific networks. Finally, threads that were about the topic on hand but didn't have a place to go were lumped into a general discussion board.

I created the board in the v4 era (which was 2012). Back then, the only stumbling point I came across was trying to get the headers and footers to cooperate with me. These days, I think it's templates that kill my sanity.

To all new forum owners: Keep your forum clean. Don't put too many categories and/or boards up and then expect them all to be used. Advertise your forum wherever you can (start in places that fit the theme of your board; don't pop an ad for a general board up on a RP site). And unless you absolutely have to, don't change up the design of your forum. If at all possible, make minor changes.

[Maude Fealy]

Are you still looking for replies to this topic? If so, here's my experience.

1) What was the some of the first things you did? (i.e. change title, add boards, choose theme, etc.)

First thing I did was give my new forum the name I wanted. Then I created my categories and boards. Since my forum is a small, by-invitation-only forum, I then made everything invisible to non-members. Then I created my theme and my logo.

Once that was done, I invited my first member to join, since he was going to be my co-admin. I left it to him to send the invites for the first people we thought we'd like to have join us. Then all of us started populating the forum.

2) What stumbling blocks did you run into at first, if any?

From a technical viewpoint, none. But I already knew my way around Proboards because I'd been an admin on another forum (still am). My job on that forum was and is managing the technical aspects, so I knew what I was doing.

3) What tips would you give a new forum owner?

Before you actually create your forum, come here and check out the Help Guide so that you have an idea of what you're doing At the very least you'll need to add a theme to your forum so that it doesn't look bland.

Sign up to ProBoards support and don't hesitate to ask questions about stuff you don't know.

Figure out what kind of forum you want: will it be all public, partly public and partly accessible to members only, completely restricted to members?

If you feel the need to add staff (another admin and/or global moderators and/or moderators), make sure to pick people you trust. Also make sure to give them only the powers you want them to have and feel that they need to have in order to do their jobs. Keep in mind that you are giving them power over YOUR forum.

Find the right balance between freedom of speech and respect for others. This is probably the most difficult task you will have, as everyone has a different appreciation of what's acceptable and what isn't. Your very first post/thread on the forum should be a welcome post stating your forum rules. Don't make it a long list: you want to appear welcoming so stick to the things that are truly important. Tack that thread to the top of your main board so that it will remain visible and refer people to it when you feel there is a need.

Enforce your rules at all times. Otherwise they will mean nothing.

Have fun!!!

[xxOrigamixx]

You just created a forum.

1) What was the some of the first things you did? (i.e. change title, add boards, choose theme, etc.)

First thing I did was change my user name from "Admin" to my own. Next I went to the theme library and picked out the most appealing one. Then I customized the appearance to suit my tastes. On to building the structure and functionality from there.

2) What stumbling blocks did you run into at first, if any?
....


3) What tips would you give a new forum owner?

if you get frustrated take a break and go back to it later.