Something I'd like to see

[Eussbig]

When people promote their "general chat" forums, the first thing I want to know is what makes your forum unique. There are dozens of other general chat forums out there with the same basic format of a bunch of broad sub-sections like Movies, Food, Politics/News, etc and occasionally there will be a "members only" section. Still though, all general chat forums seem to follow about the same format. As a person already occupied with a general chat forum, I want to know why I should specifically join yours and what makes it unique. And no, your forum having a ton of posts doesn't immediately appeal me. Often times I avoid huge chat forums simply because it's hard to follow with a conversation or but at the same time I sometimes also avoid small ones because they end up being a clique where it's hard for newcomers to join in.

So tell me, why should I specifically join yours? To me, all chat forums currently look more or less the same. What's different about yours that makes it worth it?

 

[Shannon Apple]

I suppose ours isn't specifically a "general chat" forum. Although, it sort of is, with an emphasis on anime and gaming. And it's general in the sense that there are sections to talk about everything else including politics, although, I've hidden that section from public view. People can get too wound up on political discussions and sometimes have to be suspended from the section. Helps them to cool off if they can't just log out and read it. XD.

What I love about our community specifically is not the forum, the member count, the post count or any of that. It's the community themselves. They're a great bunch of people... well haha most of them. They're not elitist or cliquey despite some of them being around since 2002 via our old site. They have their own sense of humour, a lot of which involved razzing me. It's all in good fun of course. 🙂

I've never joined a forum that had no main topic. I dunno, for some reason I feel better in a community where most people have come there for the same reason and share an interest or two.

 

[Reverie]

I think each 'general' forum has something unique, whether it be the members, the way the staff run the forum, or perhaps by the way people post. Each forum has a different community, and sometimes you really have to search for the right community for you.

 

[Bryn]

You are very right about general community forums being "the same" to each other but as what Reverie said, it's the member base and management that makes it different. Even the one I had was different to others from how things were run there.

 

[Shannon Apple]

Okay, I get what both of you are saying, but... as a potential member of such a forum, how am I really to know what the community, or management is like without joining and spending time there? To the potential member, all of them look the same. They might have nice graphics, or something to catch the eye. I'm a graphic designer, so I definitely notice these things. A professionally or at least well-designed site may get me to linger a bit longer because I'm like "Ooh, this one looks like they put some work in." Beyond that, you're absolutely relying on some sort of USP, something that's immediately visible since you have about 30-60 seconds to capture your visitor.

I joined FP because it's an active admin forum. It is only afterwards that I saw what an awesome community is here, and it's the reason I stuck around. 🙂

 

[Reverie]

True, it depends on visual. But users typically look around before they hit register too. They'll view posts and announcements etc. Typically they'll see if members are really online or not. I think that can kind of show you how the forum is ran/feel of the community.

 

[Bryn]

One thing I should say is that, for any forum not just general community ones, is that they should at least have a "niche" to make it stand out more than others and perhaps attract people more to it. For example, if you look at The Friendly Bunch, this has theme/graphics resources which worked out very well to everyone around but is only viewable to members.

 

[Azareal]

As pointed out, general forums are usually best as side area with a main topic dominating.

It doesn't really matter, if the general section winds up as more active from time to time, but it gets somewhat annoying when you're on a site and you have nothing in common with just about anyone, why are you talking to these people then?

Just talking about the weather, pop culture, or some random thing you come up with on the spur of the moment has no intrinsic value and it's the most boring thing in the world, if that's all people talk about.

 

[Mozzie]

One thing I should say is that, for any forum not just general community ones, is that they should at least have a "niche" to make it stand out more than others and perhaps attract people more to it. For example, if you look at The Friendly Bunch, this has theme/graphics resources which worked out very well to everyone around but is only viewable to members.

Is it really, hmmm thanks for pointing that out for me Bry, ill go over and make our graphics section viewable for guests also.

 

[Bryn]

Didn't you make the graphics section hidden to guests for a reason, @Mozz? I mean just if anyone's sniffing about and may steal them. I remember Sarah once telling me that.

 

[Reverie]

@Mozz it makes sense to make the forum areas visible to guests, but do not let them read topics if that is an option. You can also hide images to guests usually. So that'll help.

I think general forums end up with a specific niche eventually due to the members they have and what they favor. 😛

 

[Mozzie]

Didn't you make the graphics section hidden to guests for a reason, @Mozz? I mean just if anyone's sniffing about and may steal them. I remember Sarah once telling me that.

Yes we did have it hidden completely at one stage, but then we opened it for the battle of the forums ages ago. I am only Admin there lol, i don't know what goes on when it comes to the girls changing thing around lol

@Mozz it makes sense to make the forum areas visible to guests, but do not let them read topics if that is an option. You can also hide images to guests usually. So that'll help.

I think general forums end up with a specific niche eventually due to the members they have and what they favor. 😛

Yes we did have it set like that, but we have realized that the graphics section and allowing guests to view it as been a great advertisement for the board and we have gained some members purely because of the offers the team make for all members when it comes to forum graphics and themes.