What Makes a New Member Feel Welcome?

[Maya]

When you find a forum, what makes you join it? Is it topocs, replies, structure, or simply clear expectations?

 

[Allenafaith]

I think it could be a mix of things. When I look at a forum, if it has active members and recent posts, it makes me feel welcome and prompts me to join. However, if I join and no one seems to want to interact with me or care about my thoughts and opinions, that's when I might leave.

 

[Gizmo]

I always feel welcome when people reply to my introduction threads. I've posted introductions on some forums and never got a reply so that's the last time I visit those ones. If admins are too lazy to reply to an introduction thread then I'll be too lazy to post on their forums.

 

[Allenafaith]

I always feel welcome when people reply to my introduction threads. I've posted introductions on some forums and never got a reply so that's the last time I visit those ones. If admins are too lazy to reply to an introduction thread then I'll be too lazy to post on their forums.

Totally agree on that one! Why have an introduction section for people to post in and then not respond to them?! That's just crazy to me.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

When you find a forum, what makes you join it? Is it topocs, replies, structure, or simply clear expectations?

The forum admin and community as a whole being very welcoming and trying to get to know the member.

This is rare on a lot of big forums.

But if you start this sort of expectation on a small forum, you might be able to accomplish it.

If I can join, be social, and feel like I'm part of the community during day 1, then you'll have a loyal member for life.

 

[Page]

Being yourself and they end up knowing who you are and loving you

 

[Baw$e]

Being friendly, and simply interacting with your members. A little communication can go a long way.

 

[Naza]

It starts with getting a series of responses on my introduction topic. If I join a forum and days after making an introduction topic, I get no responses on it, I will assume that the forum is not that welcoming even if other sections of the forum is bubling and active.

 

[malon66]

I want people to comment on your posts in a positive way, with a good attitude, and not to attack or respond toxically.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I want people to comment on your posts in a positive way, with a good attitude, and not to attack or respond toxically.

You definitely have to show up to the forum with that positivity and make sure everyone follows with it.

Create that vibe on a forum and it will lure those types of people in.

Once you start getting negative people in, and it happens to all of us, you need to take them off the forum quicker than they came in and wash your hands of that type of member.

Or the forum will become toxic.

 

[Blazing]

As an admin you Say thank you. Thanking new members for joining your forum can go a long way toward making them feel welcome right off they joined and also
Send a “welcome” email to them