Spout Moderators

What works, What doesn't

I would like to hear what it is that you think makes some groups work and others not. Most of this is up to the involvement of users in groups and the subject that is be discussed, but are there any particular strategies that you have found work for your groups to keep people involved? Share what's worked for you...maybe it will help some one else.

Re:What works, What doesn't

I actually have a bit of a problem myself keeping people active in my groups (or mainly my Anime_Lovers group, since it's the only one I keep up with now due to severe lack of activity in my others.)
I think the best thing you can do to make your group work is to be active yourself. I try to start new discussions when none have been going on for a while, and I always try and contribute to discussions started by other members if I can. Occasionally I will send out an update message to the whole group, telling them of some of the new news and discussions going on so they can participate if they're interested. This usually gets activity up for about a week and then it drops back down to it's normal slowness.

Re:What works, What doesn't

csprague:

I would like to hear what it is that you think makes some groups work and others not. Most of this is up to the involvement of users in groups and the subject that is be discussed, but are there any particular strategies that you have found work for your groups to keep people involved? Share what's worked for you...maybe it will help some one else.

   Hmmm.   I am developing a theory on this...   But that will come later...  In the mean time I think superdrive0 hit the nail on the head when he said you have to be active yourself.   I am quite sure some of you are familiar with some of the stunts I have pulled in our Horror Movies group...   (Don't ever try that 'Ask The Doctor' thingy...   what is my underwear size?...) ...  

   For me it is easy, I have loved Horror Movies all my life and I have a couple thousand in my collection and I love watching them and talking about them.   That is what brought me to SPOUT in the first place.   When I first found this site I looked around and joined a couple groups (by request) and then I realized that there was no (obvious) group that was dedicated to Horror Movies!   So I started my own little group called Horror Movies 101...

    I will give this some thought and come back later...

                                                                            < GOR >

Re:What works, What doesn't

Dr_Gor:

csprague:

I would like to hear what it is that you think makes some groups work and others not. Most of this is up to the involvement of users in groups and the subject that is be discussed, but are there any particular strategies that you have found work for your groups to keep people involved? Share what's worked for you...maybe it will help some one else.

   Hmmm.   I am developing a theory on this...   But that will come later...  In the mean time I think superdrive0 hit the nail on the head when he said you have to be active yourself.   I am quite sure some of you are familiar with some of the stunts I have pulled in our Horror Movies group...   (Don't ever try that 'Ask The Doctor' thingy...   what is my underwear size?...) ...  

   For me it is easy, I have loved Horror Movies all my life and I have a couple thousand in my collection and I love watching them and talking about them.   That is what brought me to SPOUT in the first place.   When I first found this site I looked around and joined a couple groups (by request) and then I realized that there was no (obvious) group that was dedicated to Horror Movies!   So I started my own little group called Horror Movies 101...

    I will give this some thought and come back later...

                                                                            < GOR >

I am looking forward to your theory:)

I agree. In a lot of ways the activity of the group has a lot to do with identifying people who might be interested in the subject matter, inviting a large enough volume of people to increase the odds of participation, and to actually participate yourself. That all sounds a little too formulaic, really activity needs to be organic. If we offer compelling enough reasons and ways to participate, then people will. It's like being a Dorm RA in College, how do you get those awkward kids to attend the wednesday night social activity? Give them pizza and introduce them to people. Anyway, maybe that's just my experience. Here's a thought, maybe we could learn a bit from other groups by having an Introduce Yourself thread in every group, or maybe some other fun thread like a trivia thread. Especially for SuperDrive, maybe you could break out some Anime trivia. Anyway, just thinking aloud.

Re:What works, What doesn't

In groups, you know there can be a lot of action going at the same time or it can be really slow. It just depends on the people in the group.