Competitor Activity

[Martee]

Do you monitor your competitors activity? Do you look at what they're doing and try to see how you can improve your own site?

I got my inspiration from a competing site and I always knew I was at the bottom of the pile trying to compete with it. But who knows, if I stuck with it I may have caught up.

 

[flame]

i consider the ex member who set up a site on the QT then poached all my members when i tried to move the forum to be a competitor - and i intend to beat him on the come back

yes i monitor the site as a guest - i would not join as not all the stories about his dodginess with personal details are exaggerated lies. also because i know the members and their personalities i have a very good idea of what is going on - and right now the indications are that the honeymoon period where everyone behaves nicely cause it is a new forum is coming to an end - i have been there and lived through it and know the signs.

on april the 1st i will rejoin the battle older, tougher, and with new tools and skills thanks in large part to this forum. this time i wont be a total walkover nice guy - and i am going to be more worried about getting new members than pleasing the old ones

 

[Sam1]

I think it's personally a good idea to keep track of competitors. and to set your goals via them

i consider the ex member who set up a site on the QT then poached all my members when i tried to move the forum to be a competitor - and i intend to beat him on the come back

yes i monitor the site as a guest - i would not join as not all the stories about his dodginess with personal details are exaggerated lies. also because i know the members and their personalities i have a very good idea of what is going on - and right now the indications are that the honeymoon period where everyone behaves nicely cause it is a new forum is coming to an end - i have been there and lived through it and know the signs.

on april the 1st i will rejoin the battle older, tougher, and with new tools and skills thanks in large part to this forum. this time i wont be a total walkover nice guy - and i am going to be more worried about getting new members than pleasing the old ones

Will be interesting to see what happens here.. Forum battles often get ugly

 

[Allan]

I never compare myself to others.I think it makes for unrealistic measures.

 

[Sam1]

I never compare myself to others.I think it makes for unrealistic measures.

So how do you measure your success Allan? By setting goals or do you personally think that sort of thing is a waste of time?

 

[Allan]

I don't really measure it. I do the best I can do and hope that I help others.Which is the reason why I started my forum.

 

[Sam1]

I don't really measure it. I do the best I can do and hope that I help others.Which is the reason why I started my forum.

Sounds good It feels nice to help others! Although I don't think I apply of the philosophy of not measuring yourself- but that's me personally, setting goals is my motivation.

 

[xpl0iter]

yeah, I think alike too.
I mean setting goals will keep me motivating until that goal is reached.
Only one thing to remember though, one step at a time!

 

[otep2012]

There's a mix of things you can monitor, and one of them is competitor activity. You can definitely be motivated by what other people are doing, but I wouldn't rely on what only your competitor does.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Of course!

Competitive analysis is a great strategy for any business, blog, or even an online community.

You'll be gearing for the same type of audience in most cases. Their member are potential members of your community.

You can determine what works and what doesn't work for the community, and that will help you make strategic decisions for your community. Strategy is a good practice if you wish to grow, monetize, or something like that.

Otherwise, if it's all for fun, don't even worry about looking. Just do you!

 

[Ravenfreak]

It's good to monitor the competition, of course just don't copy off them! It's good to get some inspirations from other like minded communities, it can even help you come up with something unique to offer to your members.