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PBS Oscars: Best Debater 08 Oscars: Best New Member 2007
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HoudiniDerek
Capital Idea!
33,291
August 2006
houdiniderek
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Oct 20, 2006 9:21:21 GMT -8
As of late, I too have been neglecting my forum. With such a limited amount of information to discuss, it all becomes old pretty quick, especially when members only come around for a few minutes and just view...not respond. I have tried going back and filling in the gaps...making new challenges and contests...and that works for the members who come by, but does not bring the board membership back as a whole, which is too bad. There were times when the forum would go crazy in one afternoon, everyone supplying input to different threads that they wanted to discuss. Now it is lucky to see one or two posts every day at times. Granted, I know that if I was more active, others would be too. The co-admin has her sections that she focuses on and they do decently, so I should keep mine up to par too. I have the content, just not always the time to do it in, nor the desire to converse with myself. I did a lot of that in the beginning. I have been working to get better and keep adding new content and new ways to both advertise to potential members and retain the old ones, but it is a slow process, especially now. For one, I just got married and my wife is not the computer person I am I guess. Second, I was in a severe car accident a few weeks ago and I am only now getting back the use of my right arm...and that makes it hard too. I don't use these as excuses, but these, coupled with lack of interest and continuous new content makes it hard to fill in the zeros and supply fresh topics...so I know what you are going through. My advice: Take a week COMPLETELY off from it and just do other stuff...sometimes the break gives you that needed perspective on how to come back stronger and more efficient.
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racinfan88
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Apr 20, 2024 3:17:57 GMT -8
racinfan88
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January 1970
GUEST
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Post by racinfan88 on Oct 20, 2006 15:11:48 GMT -8
I poste fresh topics in all of my boards on Turn4 and before that it was averaging about 5-10 posts a day. Just during the time I went to school, I think like 15-20 posts were posted which wasnt bad for my small site. Anyway, posting fresh topics daily is extremely important if you are trying to keep your forum active. Its a fact not an opinion!
RF88
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Jun 14, 2011 12:12:39 GMT -8
Kaythara
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December 2006
kaythara
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Post by Kaythara on Dec 10, 2006 19:33:18 GMT -8
When it comes to forums such as Harry Potter, there are different things that need to be considered when filling in blanks. From experience as both a member and an admin, I know that "students" are not very likely to post with "professors." Imagine grade school, would you make it a habit to randomly strike up a conversation with a teacher? Wouldn't you feel uncomfortable if a teacher invaded your group of peers just to join your conversation? If you're an admin who wants to fill in zeros outside of staff areas without bugging other members, the key is to create your own student character to post with.
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Starlight*
Junior Member
*Life is a journey, it's love that makes it worthwhile*
Posts: 212
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Aug 20, 2007 4:21:45 GMT -8
Starlight*
*Life is a journey, it's love that makes it worthwhile*
212
May 2004
starlightt
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Post by Starlight* on Dec 13, 2006 8:55:21 GMT -8
Here´s one idea:
Make a board where you can post tutorials. Like : graphics, some kind of hobby, crafts... use your imagination ! That always attracts new members, apart from the endless possibility of fresh topics. It is also a good way to let someone find you through search engines.
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PMD
New Member
Posts: 49
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Dec 9, 2012 10:54:19 GMT -8
PMD
49
September 2006
pmd14
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Post by PMD on Oct 28, 2007 15:11:26 GMT -8
Here's an idea for RPG boards. If you have an RPG site, it is likely you will have loads of boards of different places. For example I have a Marvel RPG site and it is filled with different places in the Marvel Universe. So some of those will probably have zero posts. To get rid of that zero why not post a thread giving information on the place. For example: There's a place called Latveria in the marvel universe. So in the Latveria board, I create a thread called Latveria Information and fill it with some info off Wikipedia and my head. So this not only gives the site a post but informs the member about that place.
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Weasley Twin
New Member
Once a Hunter, Always a Hunter
Posts: 102
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Jan 6, 2008 11:16:24 GMT -8
Weasley Twin
Once a Hunter, Always a Hunter
102
December 2006
punkyfish
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Post by Weasley Twin on Oct 29, 2007 6:54:28 GMT -8
I always feel that the simpilest questions put forward to members are the best. For example if you are a fan of an actor, ask the members how long they've been a fan? Or the same for musicions, then the member or members can go into a detailed description of, how long they've been a fan and when they first started liking the actor/actress/musicion etc.
Keeping fresh topics everyday does seem easy but people have to remember even though you are the admin of the forum, you may not have access to your forum every day. Daily life does get in the way of running forums, so not all tasks are able to be complete.
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kelendria
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Apr 20, 2024 3:17:57 GMT -8
kelendria
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January 1970
GUEST
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Post by kelendria on Feb 10, 2008 0:26:35 GMT -8
I'm kind of guilty of supplying fresh daily topics, until someone here kindly gave me some advice & told me I didn't have to. On one hand I want to update my forum because I don't want a 'dead' site. But on the other hand I think I'm trying too hard to make it look more active than it is. Is there a fine line between supplying fresh topics daily so that your forum is active & overdoing it to the point that it puts people off?
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Sierra One
105802
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Nov 19, 2012 10:38:38 GMT -8
Michelangelo "Spike" Scarlatti
Dead To The World
6,224
June 2007
burbee34
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Post by Michelangelo "Spike" Scarlatti on Feb 19, 2008 11:42:11 GMT -8
For roleplay forums I find that kinda odd having topics started cause to me that would be like members cant choose what their character can start off doing. I can see having them on non roleplay groups though as of which I kinda veer away from doing that at times too I want my non roleplay groups to be where everyone can post something for a topic and not just have the admin/owner having to start them all. I want topics that members want to see there and not what I just want there I mean just cause Imade the group doesnt mean I should have to start topics I dont mind though but Id prefer where members can feel like that contributated to the group too And for my roleplay groups I would want each member to start threads to have what they want to happen and what not on the board
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Kami
Forum Cat
Posts: 40,024
Mini-Profile Theme: Kami's Mini-Profile
#f35f71
156500
0
Offline
Jul 24, 2021 11:48:29 GMT -8
Kami
40,024
July 2010
kamiyakaoru
Kami's Mini-Profile
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Post by Kami on Feb 19, 2008 11:56:37 GMT -8
It depends on the site. If your empty area is a topic-specific posting area like 'Harry Potter Theories', then make sure to keep coming up with more theories, no matter how crazy they are.
If you have a more general board, you might try starting up general *discussion* topics. For example, don't just create a thread that says 'favorite movies!' and post lists. If you want to discuss movies, perhaps pick your favorite and create a discussion on some aspect of it. For example, if you love the Lord of the Rings movies, make a thread such as 'LotR Movies - True to the Books?' or 'LotR Movies - Too Long?'
Overall, depending on the type of forum you have, you need to start threads with *discussions* Forums that just have threads with lists of favorites, or 'what are you listening to's.... these don't inspire responses from people, and are the kinds of threads where one post is all you can contribute, unless you start spamming.
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PBS Oscars: Best Debater 08 Oscars: Best New Member 2007
86462
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Apr 16, 2024 10:27:05 GMT -8
HoudiniDerek
Capital Idea!
33,291
August 2006
houdiniderek
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Feb 19, 2008 12:34:50 GMT -8
For roleplay forums I find that kinda odd having topics started cause to me that would be like members cant choose what their character can start off doing. I can see having them on non roleplay groups though as of which I kinda veer away from doing that at times too I want my non roleplay groups to be where everyone can post something for a topic and not just have the admin/owner having to start them all. I want topics that members want to see there and not what I just want there I mean just cause Imade the group doesnt mean I should have to start topics I dont mind though but Id prefer where members can feel like that contributated to the group too And for my roleplay groups I would want each member to start threads to have what they want to happen and what not on the board While I agree with that to some degree, I have to say that it is still better to have every board with at least one post in it starting off, even for an RP. Some members will get intimidated with having to post first and they may not; or you will get members thinking that the site is dead because there are zeroes in some of the RP areas. In my mind, if you cannot get a post in every board, then that board should not exist for a while.
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Sierra One
105802
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Nov 19, 2012 10:38:38 GMT -8
Michelangelo "Spike" Scarlatti
Dead To The World
6,224
June 2007
burbee34
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Post by Michelangelo "Spike" Scarlatti on Feb 19, 2008 15:04:00 GMT -8
Here's an idea for RPG boards. If you have an RPG site, it is likely you will have loads of boards of different places. For example I have a Marvel RPG site and it is filled with different places in the Marvel Universe. So some of those will probably have zero posts. To get rid of that zero why not post a thread giving information on the place. For example: There's a place called Latveria in the marvel universe. So in the Latveria board, I create a thread called Latveria Information and fill it with some info off Wikipedia and my head. So this not only gives the site a post but informs the member about that place. I used to do it that way but I found it easier to describe places on my board on the outside of the boards such as shops and such and thats for my harry potter board so that didnt help for the zero posts on some of the boards although I do add in topics as whats sold in the shops now but its not that many posts still but then you still have to fill in the zeros on non roleplay boards
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Loucifer
New Member
Plurima Mortis Imago
Posts: 114
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107392
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May 3, 2009 2:30:12 GMT -8
Loucifer
Plurima Mortis Imago
114
July 2007
loucifer
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Post by Loucifer on Feb 22, 2008 6:37:13 GMT -8
This is a great topic! I've been put off from so many forums because the admin or other staff members haven't posted in the empty boards. I think it's important to have at least one post in each board, because there are very few things worse than seeing an empty board. When I first started my forum, I started off by posting introductory threads in each section - just to act as a way of explaining what each board was about. After that I posted the usual forum threads - eg; "What are you listening to?", "Where are you from?". While these threads may seem boring, they give potential members a place to post when they first join.
As for finding fresh content - I find it pretty easy to update my forum with something new each day. The topic of my forum is such that there's always something new to talk about. Bands are always touring, releasing albums and fans are always going to have opinions on those albums... So I'm very lucky in that respect.
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Dec 31, 2011 8:17:21 GMT -8
smexie
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January 2007
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Post by smexie on Jan 13, 2009 9:50:12 GMT -8
When I started my sites up, I made sure I filled in my Zeros and got topics started that would definetly get people talking. Of course, finding members to reply was difficult, so I submitted to lots of search engines and waited.
Whilst waiting, I started a new accoutn as a different 'person', and got my friend to sign up as well. Between us 'three', we started talking, and made the forum look active and like their were already members on there. Pretty soon people started joining in, maybe because there was already members there and it wasn't so new (I've found people don't seem to want to be the first person to post), and then we gently phased out the accounts me and my friend had (unless she wanted to keep hers), until I was back to my regular admin account. That seems to have worked pretty well for me.
Also, if you have a reasonable sized member base anyway, i've found sending around a mass PM/email helps bring older members back. Set it up with a catchy title like 'Chnagearound' or something, and they can't help but click on it and read about the changes, and then come back to the site. Or, if you're really desperate, say you'll be doing a spring clean, and anyone who hasn't been active for a certain amoutn of time will be deleated. That way, it keeps the members/board fresh, you get rid of accounts no one is using, and sometimes it prompts/lures members back who may have forgotten about the board.
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Nov 25, 2012 14:43:35 GMT -8
avanna
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January 2009
avanna
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Post by avanna on Feb 1, 2009 17:30:23 GMT -8
Back to the "filling the zeros" topic, i've got an idea for all of those new forums. It is just what I did in my rpg, and it seems to have drawn many people in, at least to check the boards out.
My rpg is based on a completely original world. Thus, the members do not know how the realms, the forests, the cities and rivers look like. I posted an image in each board to show the members the appearence of each place, and they have told me that it is a wonderful idea multiple times. They find making threads easier, because they have an image of their surroundings. Moreover, I search for the images in deviantart or webshots, so they are striking and beautiful, all of them.
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Jan 27, 2012 20:11:22 GMT -8
B R O K E N soul
.:Dazzle:.
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June 2007
misstrendy
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Post by B R O K E N soul on Feb 9, 2009 14:15:12 GMT -8
So I have an rpg site, and I'm trying to keep my members while also getting new ones.. How can I post content without having my character in every single rp thread? I don't want to be included in all of them but what can I do to get rid of my 0's?
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