Getting members to return

[Katrina]

What has worked for you in getting members to return to your forum?

I'm constantly encouraging my members to ask newbies questions so they'll feel welcomed and want to return to answer them. But not many members make this a good habit.

I've put it to them this way...

If a new member does an intro thread and says, "I like dogs"...don't just say "I like dogs too" because the conversation will end there. Ask "What breed is your favorite?" or "How many dogs do you have?" Keep the conversation going. Eventually relationships get built up this way.

 

[Page]

Even then most don't even login to answer. Most people join become members do what they want then leave and that's it. Unless you dealing with an deal with them. You will get an odd when that will become active and positive. But for me I have no answer to the real deal as I have had hard times.

 

[Jerlene]

Sending out a mass email and PM usually works. Then top it off with an announcement on your site and a link to the announcement in your header, being shown sitewide.

 

[Page]

Even then emails can be sent into peoples spam emails. And most don't check there spam. SO have to be aware of that at times.

 

[Jerlene]

Of course you won't end up in everyone's inbox, that's an issue all email marketers have to deal with, but that's the quickest, most efficient and the best way to reach your users.

 

[Jon]

Offer something new. The best thing you can do is ask the members for feedback on what's working and what isn't and use that to your advantage in shaping the forum. Be unique, stand out, and give them content that's not boring and "same-old". Try a new modern twist, landing page, forum events. Basically, spice things up, stir the pot a little. Give them a reason to come back, show them something new and exciting! (Even if that is just a buttload of new, awesome content!)

Also, try and stay personal with your members, give them as much individual attention as possible. It's always easier coming back to a community where you've had a warm welcome and somewhat constant, consistent communication. You could even host awards as we do here at Forum Promotion, it's a great way to show members they're appreciated for their contributions and gives them recognition.

 

[Katrina]

Offer something new. The best thing you can do is ask the members for feedback on what's working and what isn't and use that to your advantage in shaping the forum. Be unique, stand out, and give them content that's not boring and "same-old". Try a new modern twist, landing page, forum events. Basically, spice things up, stir the pot a little. Give them a reason to come back, show them something new and exciting! (Even if that is just a buttload of new, awesome content!)

Also, try and stay personal with your members, give them as much individual attention as possible. It's always easier coming back to a community where you've had a warm welcome and somewhat constant, consistent communication. You could even host awards as we do here at Forum Promotion, it's a great way to show members they're appreciated for their contributions and gives them recognition.

If you don't mind my asking, what is the age group of your forum? I like your idea of trying new things and I've done that so many times but my forum is age 40+ mostly and they don't like change or new.

Maybe I need more moderators to help out with building personal relationships like you said in your second paragraph. I can't do everything on the site and it's my fault for not delegating more.

 

[Bella8000]

Aside from what you guys mentioned, I think site improvement plays a part too as well as user interface. For example, if I join a forum and I find it to be chaotic or I am having a hard time finding where the functions are, etc. then it's most likely I won't be staying very long.

Fostering an active community is key too. I have seen some forums slowly die because the members went somewhere where there are more active users.

 

[Katrina]

Aside from what you guys mentioned, I think site improvement plays a part too as well as user interface. For example, if I join a forum and I find it to be chaotic or I am having a hard time finding where the functions are, etc. then it's most likely I won't be staying very long.

Fostering an active community is key too. I have seen some forums slowly die because the members went somewhere where there are more active users.

Do you find that your members like upgrades (since you mentioned improvements)? We are on an older version of vbulletin and for specific reason...most of our active members came from a huge site that once used vbulletin and they're comfortable with it. They don't like change. How do we convince them that change is good?

 

[Azareal]

Do you find that your members like upgrades (since you mentioned improvements)? We are on an older version of vbulletin and for specific reason...most of our active members came from a huge site that once used vbulletin and they're comfortable with it. They don't like change. How do we convince them that change is good?

For starters, site performance is a big factor in SEO and getting users to convert.
You might get users who are used to vB come over, but that pool is always shrinking.