What makes you join?

[Reverie]

What makes you join a forum/website/Follow?

We see advertisements frequently especially on Admin Junkies, and other advertising/admin type forums. We see users have something in their signature. What truly pulls you in and makes you want to join and react to their community/website/content?

Is it appearance? Is it the content? Is it the personality/vibe you get? Are you usually a user that lurks before participating - what brings you out of your shell typically?

I think these are all questions we ask as administrators, and as fellow administrators and users, perhaps it is good to open this up for some discussion so we know what we can do better to bring you in.

 

[SDL]

If it’s a niche that I’m interested in, I’ll check out the community and get a grasp of the vibe to see if I’d fit in well. For example, there are many admin communities however AJ looked the most fitting for me personally. The content and design etc are also important elements as I don’t even check out the vibe if I’m not feeling the design or the forum is dead.

 

[Cory]

I think the following is what mainly lures me in:

• A niche I am interested in.
• A design that is nice enough to feel the need to participate on a weekly basis.
• Enough activity to warrant posting there.
• Content that I can relate to and sometimes has depth to it.
• Friendly staff that are active.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

If the niche interests me, I'll typically join.

I love joining smaller forums just starting out and struggling to get activity. I'm a pretty active poster when I want to be so the forum owner usually takes a liking to me being a member pretty fast

I will usually start posting right after I join and get a profile setup.

Friendly staff is a must. Cliques will ensure I never visit again.

 

[Paul]

E-Mails saying "Hey Atrium!"

 

[Ravenfreak]

It's a mix of things for me, if the forum has a nice layout and is a niche I enjoy I'll definitely join the forum. Also if the staff are active and friendly.

 

[Nomad]

I own multiple websites, I join forums so that I can connect with other website owners. I also join for promotion and marketing. I sometimes even get freelancing contracts from the forums.

 

[Debashis]

E-Mails saying "Hey Atrium!"

Definitely!!

 

[Kennysplash]

Less ads. When I see everywhere so clogged up with ads I take a U-turn, quite annoying.

 

[Empire]

Many reasons, but not all are based on options or I want to.

1. They offer something that I want and have no choice but to join
2. Paid to do posting on their site
3. It's gaming-related I might join in for the fun
4. The site makes me say WOW, that looks epic, going to join.
5. Promoting and helping based Fourms, get to learn and help others

Same I become active and stick around others I might not.

 

[~ True Legend ~]

• Lots of forum activity.
• Great content - variety is the spice of life.
• The ppl - being inclusive is a must.

 

[Empire]

How can a site get active and busy if no one doesn't want t join when it's not activity If people join and became active then others will join

 

[ZandraJoi]

I like seeing active Staff but more specifically the Admin/Owner being hands on. Listening to their members & acknowledging ideas even if they are not able to be implemented. Encouraging communication but discouraging disrespect.
I feel a forum is only as good as its members & the Admin has to recognize that. Too many lead with an iron fist & then wonder why members don't come back.