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You get users. The most important part imo is the regulars who stick around and talk to everyone, answer everything. They make the core of a community and help
by bserge 6y ago
You get users. The most important part imo is the regulars who stick around and talk to everyone, answer everything. They make the core of a community and help turn others into regulars.
I used to have 2 small niche forums and there were always 2-5 people that created the bulk of the content (along with myself - I had to post a lot to start and keep it going, I was the first user!). Always making threads, checking in, answering questions, posting updates and pictures.
New visitors would read all that and either never return, lurk or join in. They were passionate about the topics. Giving them special/higher privileges helped retain them for longer, as well, but eventually they just visit less (or leave completely) and someone else takes their place.
- deedub 6y agoI think you really nailed this! I've built a couple forums, one which just hit 15 years and has around 6000 registered users. It is member funded, hosted, moderated etc. I have no part in it anymore really and it has a great culture. I've actually just launched a new forum for my current employer and our community members. Like you said, it takes effort from the person starting it to create activity and get people coming back / building a habit of checking for new content. Then you must empower the people that are passionate about what you're doing and treat them more like an equal / admin / mod vs a simple user. This ted talk explains how I feel about building a community really well: https://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement?language=en https://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_moveme...
- prox 6y agoHow do you jump from the initial tens, to hundred to thousands of users? How does the popularity scale in your experience?
- enumjorge 6y agoI think the OP wants to know how you get those initial users.