Private Forums

[HomerSPC]

On my forums (Link)I'm considering adding a special forum just for my VIPs. This change wouldn't be a quick change although because we only have one VIP, and he'd get kinda lonely.

We also, later on, wish to make a group for people that donated money to my forums. I might wish to incorperate this into the special forum for VIPs because the donors deserve something special for their donation.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how we could do this and make everyone happy. My one mod seems to hate this idea but the rest of my staff seems to want it.

 

[spyka]

In my experience the problem with private forums seems to be that it can cause a lot of jealousy and needless agro between those members that have been 'chosen' and those who haven't.

personally I don't see the need for private forums for chatting between members. I see the point for staff to chat about the forums, rules and ban and such but not for general chat. What is wrong with having it in the rest of the forum?

 

[Nathan]

If you see you have agro users then hide it from the groups that can't enter it and make it visible to the one that can ~wink~.

 

[spyka]

but why? why do I want to hide some of my members convos? that is what I don't get.....

 

[HomerSPC]

It wouldn't be right now, but when my forum gets Larger they could talk about anything really, and there wouldn't be as much moderation because they payed for it so they know if they get banned they will lose the privilages.

I've seen it done successfully on many forums.

 

[ℓєσ gнσѕт]

I have a special forum for my VIP members, but I do not take any type of donations. They must earn theyre way in, not buy it. Once they reach a certain number of posts (which increases over time) they are considered. A poll goes up in the staff forum and if they have a good record they will be accepted. It can seem almost random to the member, because we never tell what that post count level is.

 

[HomerSPC]

For my forum the VIPs are famous people in the Gaming Industry and very helpful members. The donators wouldn't have any special rank other than "Sponsor" but might still have access to this forum.

It still undecided if we should go that way or if we should just let the VIPs get their own forum.

Thanks for the feedback 🙂

 

[Murder he Wrote]

It would be fine if it were VIPs, an 18+ forum or a special forum for members with over say 100 posts, but other than that I wouldn't bother, specifically for the reasons Spyka said.

~smile~

 

[ℓєσ gнσѕт]

I also allow rules to be alittle more loosly obeyed in the VIP forum. Theres often times more profanity and things like that. Its also private for a reason, so not everything can be seen. I beta test new ideas on my VIP's, and get feedback before I put a certain rule into place, or make a major change. Im all for a VIP forum, but only if you have enough VIP members to actually use it. Until you get 10-15 of them just make a rank.

 

[HomerSPC]

Yea. Until I get more VIPS I will just let them have a cool name color and rank. But then the forum is going to be considered.

 

[Watch Me Sink]

I think a VIP forum is only needed if you have additional content to share with them. Such as on my forum, the VIPs get exclusive pictures of the band when they are on tour, and pictures of the original lyrics (the paper that the songs were written on), and other things that otherwise would have not been made available to them. It should be a place where it encourages more people to be VIPs, rather than just be a normal forum where people can talk away from normal members.

 

[UNIQUERIDEZ]

I have a full V.I.P area on my site, with a general chat lounge, and V.I.P member discussions. The V.I.P's get to decide on major changes to the site, and the rest of the members get to decide on minor changes. We discuss things like T shirt designs, and other items we would like to get done for the site.We also hold V.I.P at home dinners, at a different V.I.P's house each time. So we are a very social bunch of people as well.

I also have another sealed section just for the Ladies on my site. Being based on the automotive side of things, i thought this would be a good little area for the girls to get away from the main stream if they choose to do so. They can also discuss "forbidden" girl topics in there without any sort of snide comments coming from other members. I can not even see in the ladies section, and the two moderators i have for the "Ladies area" are both ladies as well.

I think it gives something for your members to work toward being. Whether it be by post count, or bought membership makes no difference whatsoever. Mine is run two ways. Bought with site upgrades, different user color, user title choice, and other bits, and a OFFICIAL site sticker for their cars. I also give away V.I.P memberships to those members that show not only an interest in the site, but go above and beyond that. It is not something i advertise either, but i always make a thread about it when i give a member that package.Again, gives the rest something to aim for and they can see their efforts will actually be rewarded on my site, not just taken with no credit given to them. Any money taken for V.I.P memberships is also listed in the V.I.P area, and all those members get to decide on what we spend it on, or if we put it into a big free x mas dinner for everyone ( like this year)


Both my V.I.P area, and Ladies section are very active, so it does work in that regards. If you did not have the need i wouldn't bother with it. But why not throw a poll up on your site and actually get your members thoughts on it. You would know straight away then if it is worth doing. Members may be waiting for something like that to happen on your site, but you will never know if you do not ask them.

Everything i do on my site is put before the members for votes BEFORE i do it. Members make a site, and without them we all have nothing, so why not involve them as much as possible..

Sorry for the rant, i just read a lot of negatives on sealed areas, and i know first hand they can and do work.

 

[Watch Me Sink]

Wow. That was one hell of a post. I think you had a valid argument there, as the VIPs getting a say in what happens with the site. The thing is since you have a big forum (over 20,000 posts) a VIP section will work for you well since there are tons of people that will be able to vote for the site upgrades or whatever. If a site with 3 members and 1 of them is a VIP, it won't work out as well, since the admin won't have many other viewpoints.

 

[UNIQUERIDEZ]

I completely agree with that too. But if these special little bits are already in place it gives new members something to aim for. I think the main trick is to get your members actively involved as much as possible. Then instead of "having to post" they actually "want" to post.

 

[inpaqt]

UNIQUERIDEZ, I couldn't agree with you more. Well said.

 

[Subz]

I think its a good idea for people that donate to the forum, as they should get something in return for donating money to the site.

 

[UNIQUERIDEZ]

But with that donation point , you can not make it the emphasis on the site either. I know of one site where the paypal donation button was in amongst the sign up page. I mean how do i know if i want to donate anything to a forum i can not even see yet ? To many people think their site will make them millions, and they can just sit back and watch the money roll in. If it was that easy, we would all be laughing now.

I pay for everything on my site out of my own pocket. Even the site stickers and such are paid for by me. So mine is probably running at a cost to me, but i never started it to make money off my members.

 

[ℓєσ gнσѕт]

I dont think people use the VIP for money really, maybe club websites and such, but not normal forums. You make more off ads (hopefully) than by charging. To me its more unfair to charge than to just select those worthy of it.

 

[UNIQUERIDEZ]

When i have given that money back to the site, and allowed those V.I.P's to select what it gets used for i think it is a great way to get those people even more involved with the site. Nnot dealing with none existant forum cash, we are dealing with actual cash. the V.I.P's vote on what gets done with it, and then it is done.

This year it has enabled us to throw a big BBQ lunch, which is NOT just for V.I.P's either, but for all general members, and friends. Can't think of a better way to get new members to a site like mine then to give them a free feed, soft drinks, play set up at the park for the kids, and prizes supplied by yours truly , just for attending.

It has , and will never be about money for me. Even our "SITE FRIENDS" are businesses that do our stickers, dinners, and shirts now. They get a free spot on my site, they do not pay for the spot at all to me. What they must do however, is offer my members something , just for being members of my site. Iif they do that, they can have their name there.

 

[Ascent]

Make "Private" forums only for people who've donated to the site (for example, a "Donator's Lounge"), or for Staff (Staff Room, etc.), and so on.

I personally wouldn't go about making a private forum just for people whom I like.