A Forum Community is Not a Community When?

[AWS]

When is a forum community not a community?

Let us know what you think would cause a forum to turn into something else besides a community.

Is it bad if it transforms to something different?

[Immortal]

A community means a group of people who share their ideas because they care about these ideas. A community does not become a community when there are no organic activities. Interaction in communities needs to be voluntarily, when you have to pay someone to post or buy posting package, or even engage in post exchange, your community is not a community/

[Cpvr]

4 hours ago, Immortal said:

A community means a group of people who share their ideas because they care about these ideas. A community does not become a community when there are no organic activities. Interaction in communities needs to be voluntarily, when you have to pay someone to post or buy posting package, or even engage in post exchange, your community is not a community/

Post exchanges and posting packages can help new communities gain traction, especially given the competition from giants like Reddit, Quora, and Facebook. While some may argue that these practices undermine organic interaction, they don’t necessarily change the atmosphere of a community if used thoughtfully.

 

Years ago, forums didn’t need such strategies because they were naturally bustling with activity. However, in today’s landscape, where social media dominates, new communities need every tool available to establish themselves.

 

These methods are effective as long as they’re used to build momentum and attract genuine daily users. Ultimately, a community thrives when it fosters a sense of belonging—a space where people can connect, share ideas, and hang out. It stops being a true community when it loses sight of this foundation.

Edited November 27 by Cpvr

[Shawn]

On 11/25/2024 at 12:59 PM, Cloaked said:

When is a forum community not a community?

Let us know what you think would cause a forum to turn into something else besides a community.

Is it bad if it transforms to something different?

A community is not a community when the admin is inactive.

I see this so much. The owner just creates the forum and just wants to moderate and that's it.

It takes the owner to start the community-side of the forum. A community and a forum are two different things.

A forum is a platform. A community is culture of loyalty much like a friendship or family.

[Immortal]

22 hours ago, Cpvr said:

Post exchanges and posting packages can help new communities gain traction, especially given the competition from giants like Reddit, Quora, and Facebook. While some may argue that these practices undermine organic interaction, they don’t necessarily change the atmosphere of a community if used thoughtfully.

 

Years ago, forums didn’t need such strategies because they were naturally bustling with activity. However, in today’s landscape, where social media dominates, new communities need every tool available to establish themselves.

 

These methods are effective as long as they’re used to build momentum and attract genuine daily users. Ultimately, a community thrives when it fosters a sense of belonging—a space where people can connect, share ideas, and hang out. It stops being a true community when it loses sight of this foundation.

Well, I engage with post exchange, buy posting packages, and also sometimes hire paid posters. These are certainly great ways to bring in activities on forums. But if you do not have users who post voluntarily, if you don't get new registrations voluntarily and your activities are based on exchange, paid posting, and posting packages, your community is not a community. This is what happening in my community. There are no organic activities and the only users I have are from post exchange, posting package and paid posting.Exchanges and posting packages are good if you sometimes do it for activity boost but if you are depended on these things just like me, your community is dead.

[AWS]

9 hours ago, Immortal said:

Well, I engage with post exchange, buy posting packages, and also sometimes hire paid posters. These are certainly great ways to bring in activities on forums. But if you do not have users who post voluntarily, if you don't get new registrations voluntarily and your activities are based on exchange, paid posting, and posting packages, your community is not a community. This is what happening in my community. There are no organic activities and the only users I have are from post exchange, posting package and paid posting.Exchanges and posting packages are good if you sometimes do it for activity boost but if you are depended on these things just like me, your community is dead.

That happens at a lot of communities. You could advertise your site on places like Reddit, Experts Exchange or other sites. Posting the appropriate area will usually get you some traffic and users do convert. I've had good luck with Reddit before. 

[Immortal]

I have not used Reddit for forums but in the past I tried with blogs and I had a pretty bad experience. I am not active on Reddit but I am thinking to go back and start promoting forums.

[AWS]

You'll be surprised with the results. Just make sure you post a few times so everyone gets to "know you". Then drop a link in a topic that is relevant.

[Cpvr]

On 11/29/2024 at 8:00 AM, AWS said:

You'll be surprised with the results. Just make sure you post a few times so everyone gets to "know you". Then drop a link in a topic that is relevant.

This is exactly how I built my reputation on Twitter and other forums. Especially non webmaster forums. I’m also able to drop the link to my forum on some games that are relevant to my niche since my community is well known to the game owners.

It’s important to get to know others before advertising as it’ll help you gain the traffic and members.