Invitation Only Communities

[Reverie]

What are your thoughts of Invitation Only type of communities? These are communities I used to see a lot of - typically they were like graphics forums.

What I noticed about these communities since they were difficult to join, people were so curious during that time and somehow it made them more and more big. Somehow they'd get larger than a new board opening to the public. I don't think we have the popularity in forums as we did then, but I wonder if one of these type of communities would do well. Especially if they are coming from perhaps a Facebook Group that has a large following.

I've also heard some of these where they'd have a maximum number of members, let's say 100 members, and if one goes inactive they'd go to the "inactive group" and it would make space for a new member to get to join the community. It's an interesting way to run a community in my opinion.

Do you think there are some genres where this might be more appropriate?

 

[Ravenfreak]

I came across a few invitation only forums in the past, and I always wondered what was behind those doors. I came across one that was very difficult to get in. I guess these people feel like their communities are like elite clubs, either that or they're participating in illegal stuff and only certain people can join.

 

[Reverie]

I know one of these invite only communities was hosting anime on their forum and you could watch it for free there. It was interesting. Also there were more mature discussions because most were 18+