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| An idiot's guide to forum making | |
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| Topic Started: May 30 2008, 07:39 AM (282 Views) | |
| Hiddenzbu | May 30 2008, 07:39 AM Post #1 |
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An idiot's guide to forum making By: Hiddenzbu Well, I've thought alot about it, and frankly, I'm tired of seeing 1000s of dead Pokemon forums scattered all over the net. So to at least keep them going a day longer, I'm gonna start making this guide which will tell you guys some of the things I try and do to keep the forum happy and active. I won't post it all at once, so keep checking back for new updates. Part One: Is forum making for you? I know that you probably started reading this guide with the intent of making a forum already in mind. However, before you take your first step into actual creation, you need to ask yourself is forum making really for you. Creating and maintaining forums eats up a large amount of time, especially if you want your site to be more successful than its many counterparts. Now I'm not saying if you want to have a good forum you have to lock yourself in your room until you become pasty white, I'm saying that you need to see if you actually can balance the duties of being an admin with your real world duties. As for me, I have a job, friends, schoolwork, family, sports, and a girlfriend that also need attention from me. Really it all comes down to time management. If you can figure out what you need to get done and know that you can get it done in the time you have, then your on the right path. Confused yet? Good. Remember, being an admin is a commitment. Maybe not legally, but morally. The members of your site and the fans of the games/sports/whatever your forum represents expect certain things that you must be willing to give them. In fact, before you even attempt to start a forum, I suggest you be a member on a site for some time before you become an admin. Too many times members promote themselves to higher rankings too quickly and soon discover being an admin isn't as easy as it looked. In addition, being a member on a related board allows you to see what you and other memebers would like the board to do. If that board refuses to take action on the idea, its just another thing you can add to your own board in the future. Once you think you have enough experience in forum known how, you have one last question to ask yourself. Can I deal with the pressure? Now I know some of you are laughing now, but if you don't have thick skin, your forum will be dead faster than you can say Pikachu. Your on the internet, unruly members are guaranteed. If your too harsh with the member you'll look like a harsh dictator, but if you let it go on, you'll look apathetic and weak. Its best to draw a line in the sand before trouble brews at all, so everyone knows when someone crosses the line. After you've done all this thinking, but you still wish to become an admin. Its time to start your forum. |
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3DS: 4639-8981-9322 Friend Codes in the spoiler below Spoiler: click to toggle The new TAG Ability Dex: 32% complete | |
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| Hiddenzbu | Jun 22 2008, 12:54 PM Post #2 |
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Administrator
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Part Two Naming your forum This next part is rather small but one of the most crucial (if not the most important) decision you make in building a forum: the name. First off, please please please do not name your site Pokemon Wifi Forums, Pokemon Wifi League, or Pokemon Valley. There are about 30 of each of those on invisionfree alone. Remember you want to be creative, you shouldn't do what I've seen many people do and just stick Poke in front of something: Pokelake, pokemountain, etc. It looks bad and very anti-unique. If your not a creative person you can always stick with the old fall back of a pokemon and a place (sorry Hooh and angelo lol). Names like Pichu's Tree house, Mew's Iceruins, and Shiftry's Mystic Forest are all actual names of forums. Doing so will also help you with choosing a Mascot, another important role when you are out advertising. Once you have a mascot and a name down you can finally begin working on your forum (I also suggest picking a standby color. you want to get to the point like on TAG where if ppl see a dragonair, the word aurora, or the color blue, you want them to think of the aurora gate). |
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3DS: 4639-8981-9322 Friend Codes in the spoiler below Spoiler: click to toggle The new TAG Ability Dex: 32% complete | |
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5:15 PM May 23