Shadowblast
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Karma: 39 |  | Running a Forum - How to do it
« Thread Started on Nov 28, 2009, 11:13pm » | |
Introduction
I have been running a forum since August this year, and I will tell you now, that with over 380 members - I like to think know about running a forum.
The basis to running a forum is to keep everybody happy. This can be difficult. First of all, many members of forums join and never return. What you need is ways to draw them in, the FIRST time they enter your site/forum. Things like special articles, with links on the homepage make them read into the site a little and then begin to enjoy it. Notice that word? ENJOY? Well, thats the second hurdle.
Enjoyment Level
To keep members, you need to have something which draws them back time and time again. Whether this be a game they can take part in, a chat box for them to speak to other users or just things which people are interested in. Half the trouble with this is how much can you have to please everyone at once? How do you make sure that everyone has something to occupy them. Well, what I did, was to run a poll which asked what people wanted. This may seem a little obvious but it proves you care about the forum and its users. Plus, if you do what they ask, then they will come back for more next time.
Man Management
Man Management is a vital part of a forum. The first thing you need is a steady base of Staff. If you have a staff list as long as your arm, then you are doing it wrong. There will be no order in your forum, and people who are not staff will feel left out. You must have some staff, but you have to control the limit. The second thing with man management is the set of rules you lay-out. If you set out tough and strict rules, then people will feel restricted and not want to be around. You need to get a balance between nice and nasty. If there is one thing you will not allow, then make sure it is known about! However if you are not bothered about another thing, then lay off people about it.
Excitment
One thing that a forum needs is excitement. If you announce something upcoming or about to happen, people will come back to see what it is. Also, unexpected things will bring a large excitement factor to the forum. One of the best ways to bring about excitement is a new version of the site. Even if it is just a new skin or store, if you call it a new version, they will expect a new version.
Posting
Posting is obviously the most important part of a forum. However, I think you would be suprised at some of the things people struggle with in their forums. One of them, is that there is one specific thread which the whole forum works around. Other boards are ignored and this does not do forum variety any favours. You need to keep posting happening on all boards - even if you have to start a thread yourself. The other problem is that there are so many threads on a forum, that people do not know where to start. Again, a perfect balance needs to be maintained.
Visuals
The visuals on a forum is what first draws you there. What you first see is what sticks with you. A good skin is a good place to begin with a forum site. Try to make it related to the subject and make it easy to use. The next thing, is signatures and avatars. One of the problems with signatures and avatars is that people seem to thing that enormous images are needed for a signature. These fill up the forum, and do not make for good vewing. The simpler you keep things, the better. An good way of showing who is who on a site, is staff signatures. These give the members an insight into who a poster is. These signatures should match your skin.
Conclusion
Overall, a forum needs that perfect balance of posting, visuals and management. You need a friendly feel and a comfortable atmosphere to be able to take on new members and eventually have a great forum community.
- Article by Shadowblast of the Art Forums - Please do not rip or repost
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applePAI!
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Karma: 8 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #1 on Nov 30, 2009, 11:23am » | |
Not a bad article, nope. Didn't really learn anything new, but it was pretty well-written, I'd say. It'd be nice if you elaborated on a few topics more, and I can't stand the bold text throughout the whole thing.
Also, the thing about one thread being the center... doesn't apply to all forums ;3
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Shadowblast
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Karma: 39 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #2 on Nov 30, 2009, 12:23pm » | |
Thanks, it was just a little bit of my insight.  Removed the bold - Just for you.
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iiPod
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Shadowblast
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Karma: 39 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #4 on Nov 30, 2009, 3:38pm » | |
Thanks iiPod -
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iDesign
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Karma: 206 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #5 on Nov 30, 2009, 3:45pm » | |
I think a lot of the points you make here are very valid. You're spot on about keeping forums exciting and things. 
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Shadowblast
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Karma: 39 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #6 on Nov 30, 2009, 6:19pm » | |
Thanks!
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Mr.Bob
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Karma: 62 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #7 on Nov 30, 2009, 7:14pm » | |
Maybe you could learn something from this iD. 
And I really like this article. Good job.
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Shadowblast
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Karma: 39 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #8 on Dec 1, 2009, 12:33pm » | |
Thankyou - I have found my bliss. hehe. Jokes.
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mikeeee
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Karma: 0 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #9 on Jan 20, 2010, 9:00pm » | |
Good info, I'll keep that in mind.
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Shadowblast
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Karma: 39 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #10 on Jan 23, 2010, 3:00pm » | |
Oh good, I hope you do
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GGoodie
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Karma: 0 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #11 on Feb 18, 2010, 4:24am » | |
I personally have had three faild forum attempts. One was a general forum, and two were coding/design forums.
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james83
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Karma: 0 | | Re: Running a Forum - How to do it
« Reply #12 on Apr 24, 2010, 4:49pm » | |
I've got one forum, that did OK, but it's now gone.
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