Any ideas for making a general discussion forum special?

[Fergal]

I've owned the domain name discusslife.com for quite some time. My plan was to start a general discussion forum on it, however, this is an extremely competitive area and the forum would have to be special in some way, if it was to grow and be successful.

So do you have any ideas for making a general discussion forum unique and special?

Thanks!

 

[agentmanningctu]

I've thought about making a GD forum, but I encountered the same problem. I couldn't come up with many original ideas. It's hard, as so many things have been done before.

 

[el canadiano]

You tell me. You run a very successful forum here, so I'm sure you can find something (NOTE: Doesn't necessarily have to be a forum).

I find it best if you surprise us rather than us spoonfeeding you. The same goes for anyone else. What usually works for me is just brainstorm in the real world. Find stuff that you might think it works and somehow integrate it on DiscussLife.com.

 

[agentmanningctu]

I like what you said about brainstorming in real life. Just be patient and ideas will come. That is how I do things.

 

[Cosmic]

If we had good ideas I doubt we'd want to share them in public. Firstly, anyone could see them, thus turning them from original ideas to popular ideas. Secondly, we would probably use them ourselves if they were very good. Odds are you will only find unoriginal ideas from a public forum, participially in a field with such competition in this community.

 

[timestandstill]

General discussion forums are better small. They're more about the community and less about the threads.

 

[Nebulous]

When I created my general discussion forum (Wober), I didnt really ask for advice because I knew everyone would say "There is millions of general discussion forums on the internet... We dont need any more."
I knew with dedication and hard work I could make it into something and thats just what Ive done.
My advice is avoid asking for advice and just do what you think is right.. Success will come if you work at it.

 

[golfbunny]

Mature, intelligent general discussion with a target audience of over 18-year-olds might work well.

 

[Fergal]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Zane, I have been thinking along those lines, if I do start it, the forum will probably focus more on advice and support than general chit chat.

 

[SL7]

It's a general discussion forum, so the best thing to do is to make it general and unspecific.

Basic things work. Not too many forums and sub-forums... One of the most annoying things is having to dig through categories, forums, then sub-forums just to find a thread you want to use for whatever. Keep it vague.

Other than that, seriously, just host occasional competitions one of the best ones is the basic 'Member of the month', can really boost some people's confidence on sites if they are thought highly off.

But yeah, follow basic advice and just do what feels right.

 

[Nebulous]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Zane, I have been thinking along those lines, if I do start it, the forum will probably focus more on advice and support than general chit chat.

Well if you are going to run a "general discussion" forum as mentioned in the topic title.. There is going to be chit chat. I doubt people will come back every single day to get or give advice.

 

[David]

I think daily discussion about world news would be appropriate for a mature discussion. It can have elements of general discussion within those threads and relate to the wider purpose of the forum.

 

[golfbunny]

Well if you are going to run a "general discussion" forum as mentioned in the topic title.. There is going to be chit chat. I doubt people will come back every single day to get or give advice.

I can point you in the direction of ten large communities on-spot (hundreds with more time) that manage to host serious off topic discussions with little chit-chat.

 

[AnAccount]

If we had good ideas I doubt we'd want to share them in public. Firstly, anyone could see them, thus turning them from original ideas to popular ideas. Secondly, we would probably use them ourselves if they were very good. Odds are you will only find unoriginal ideas from a public forum, participially in a field with such competition in this community.

That's actually a good point, Cosmic. Personally, I'd rather be surprised myself, then me telling someone how to come up with something in advanced. That's almost like the possibility of giving the surprise away.

 

[Nebulous]

Well if you are going to run a "general discussion" forum as mentioned in the topic title.. There is going to be chit chat. I doubt people will come back every single day to get or give advice.

I can point you in the direction of ten large communities on-spot (hundreds with more time) that manage to host serious off topic discussions with little chit-chat.

Sounds boring. Who wants to be serious ALL the time? 😕

 

[MissTake]

That's the exact same thing I had planned for MadDogz, diversity, relaxed, insane, funny and certainly not stuffy. The first 6 months took off like a rocket and people loved the place as it was totally different than the norm but even that novelty has worn off. It's very difficult to make something so unique and maintain the interest long term. I put an age restriction on the site due to some content and I'm always looking for ways to push boundaries without going too far but it's not easy, I've even opened up competitions and sent out real prizes to the winners......it's just a general fact of life now, people get bored far more easily. I wish you well in your venture what ever it turns out to be though 🙂