InMyOpinion

I absolutely love this! You're so right—real connection comes from actual conversation, not just updates. When you take the time to ask about their interests, memories, or what made them join in the first place, it shows you actually care. It’s those small, everyday moments of engagement that make a community feel like home. I’ve noticed that when members feel like they belong, they naturally want to contribute more and even bring others in. Do you have any favorite ways of sparking those conversations? I’d love to hear what’s worked best for you! That’s amazing! It really shows how community goes beyond just the forum itself. When you build real friendships with your members, it creates such a strong foundation. I love that you bring humor into it too—inside jokes and shared laughs can make a space feel like home. Have you found that staying in touch outside the site helps bring people back more often?

I completely agree with this, however there are some niche forums that is for articles, and I feel like it would be reasonable to have a minimum amount of words. Also as [mention=62]Ravenfreak[/mention] explained below some roleplaying forums will have specific post counts but other than that I really don't see a need for a minimum amount of words, it would definitely drive potential members away.

I have a TBI and so flashes or fast moving text can make me dizzy and give me migraines. I've never had to ask a forum owner to change their theme or anything on their forum however, I do have a friend that is a photographer and has his own website and I've advised him that the flashing lights on his forum was a little much and if someone was prone to seizures they may have one upon visiting his forum. He's since changed it up. Also, when I went to beauty school when we would watch videos the first few seconds was quickly flashing bright images and I always had to look away for a while so I wouldn't get a splitting headache and start puking. Other than that I've never had issues nor has any members had issues with my theme/forum before.

Seems interesting, I like how everything is honest and you're not getting paid to promote any game. It's just your honest opinion of the game(s) and whether or not you'd recommend them. I'm not a huge gamer myself, I honestly still play N64 for the most part but your videos do sound like something I would watch to get an idea of a game and whether or not it's even worth playing. I look forward to seeing the games that you choose to review.

Hello everyone, We’re excited to introduce the Community Growth Challenge here on Administrata! This is a chance for community leaders to set goals, track progress, and collaborate to elevate the spaces we manage. Sign Up & Set Your Goals: Start by outlining a specific goal for your community. It could be increasing engagement, introducing a new feature, or improving retention rates—whatever you feel would make the biggest impact for your forum or community. Check-Ins & Strategy Sharing: We’ll have weekly or bi-weekly check-ins where you’ll update the group on your progress, discuss any challenges you're facing, and share strategies that are working well for you. These check-ins are designed to keep everyone motivated and accountable. Recognition & Rewards: At the end of the challenge, we’ll recognize top contributors. This could include badges, shoutouts, or even free advertising space on Administrata to help give your community a boost. We’d like your input here. Some of you might prefer a monthly challenge, which allows for faster cycles and quicker wins. Others may feel a quarterly challenge gives more time for substantial growth and meaningful results. To make sure we’re all on the same page, we’re launching a poll to vote on whether you’d prefer monthly or quarterly check-ins. Please take a moment to vote and let us know what suits your community’s needs. This is an opportunity to focus on tangible growth. Setting goals and tracking progress can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging when you’re doing it alone. By participating, you’ll have the support of fellow community managers and admins to help navigate obstacles and celebrate successes. It’s also a chance to gain fresh ideas from others in the community-building space, whether you’re new to this or have years of experience. If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, simply reply to this thread with: The name and niche of your community The goal you’ve set for this challenge Your preferred check-in frequency (weekly or bi-weekly) We’re looking forward to seeing how we can all improve and grow our communities together. Let’s make this an experience that’s not just about hitting goals but also about learning, sharing, and growing alongside each other. Who’s ready to get started?

This is such a relatable challenge! It’s always exciting to roll out a new feature, but getting people to actually notice and use it is a whole different story. I love the idea of sending out alerts in XenForo—it’s a great way to grab attention quickly, but I totally agree that it has to be used in moderation. Too many alerts and people start tuning them out. Personally, I like to take a more interactive approach when announcing new features. Instead of just making a post about it, I try to show members how it benefits them. A quick demo, a step-by-step guide, or even a “Did you know?” type of post can go a long way in helping people see the value of the update. I also think engagement starts before the feature even launches. Getting members involved in the process—whether through sneak peeks, polls, or asking for their input—makes them more likely to care when the feature actually rolls out. I’ve definitely had rollouts that flopped because people either didn’t notice or weren’t sure how to use the feature. What I learned from that is: clarity is everything. If members don’t instantly understand why something is useful to them, they’re probably not going to bother with it.

I completely agree—the first few months are definitely the toughest. Getting people to join is one thing, but getting them to actually engage and keep coming back? That’s a whole other challenge. It can feel like you’re pouring your heart into the forum, trying to start discussions and keep the momentum going, but if no one’s responding, it’s easy to get discouraged. I know in the past when I’ve started a forum, it was extremely discouraging when things went silent or there weren’t any new members registering. It felt like all that effort was for nothing. But looking back, I have to remind myself that it was really just a phase. Eventually, the forum would catch on—it just took time. The trick is to not give up or expect too much in those first few months to a year. Consistency and patience are key. For me, the hardest part is that awkward “ghost town” phase. People hesitate to post when a forum looks too quiet, but it stays quiet unless someone breaks the silence. It’s like a catch-22! But I truly believe that if you keep showing up, engaging with your early members, and creating a space that feels inviting, it eventually starts to grow.

I love this idea! Honestly, recognizing the people who help build a community from the ground up is so important. They’re the ones who keep conversations going, make new members feel welcome, and really shape the culture of the forum. Giving them something special—like lifetime premium membership—is such a great way to show appreciation. I’ll definitely be implementing something like this once my forum is open to the public. Those early, engaged members deserve to be recognized, and I want them to feel like they’re part of something meaningful. A little gratitude goes a long way, and I think it helps create a space where people actually want to stick around.

This is such a great topic, and honestly, I think small communities have a real shot at thriving if they focus on what makes them unique. Competing with the giants head-on? That’s a recipe for burnout. They have the budget, the reach, and the algorithms working in their favour. But what they don’t have is that personal touch, the tight-knit engagement, and the ability to truly listen and adapt to what their community wants. I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating it can be trying to navigate big platforms just to stay connected with like-minded people. That’s why I love smaller communities—they feel more human. If a community carves out its own space with niche content, meaningful discussions, and an actual sense of belonging, people will keep coming back. The challenge is definitely getting noticed and keeping the momentum going, but I think the key is consistency, word-of-mouth, and giving people a reason to stick around. At the end of the day, it’s not always about size—it’s about impact.

I find Q&A sites like Quora, JustAnswer, and Stack Overflow extremely helpful, especially when I’m just looking for a quick answer and don’t necessarily want to be part of a community or start a discussion. They’re great for straightforward information without the need for long-term engagement. That being said, forums offer something these platforms don’t—a real sense of community and ongoing discussions that can lead to deeper insights and networking. I think forums can leverage Q&A sites by answering relevant questions and linking back to discussions, encouraging users to join a space where they can get more than just a one-off answer. It’s a great way to attract people who might not realize the value of a dedicated forum!

I would love to enter for a banner :D

Great question! At my forum that isn't currently open to the public, inspiration comes from everywhere—industry trends, real-life experiences, and even casual conversations. To keep things organized, we use a mix of methods: Dedicated Idea Folder – A place to drop quick thoughts, event concepts, and future discussion topics. Bookmark Collection – We save insightful articles, industry updates, and inspiring visuals to reference later. Google Docs & Notepad – Perfect for jotting down quick ideas on the go or drafting more detailed content. Community Feedback – Sometimes, the best inspiration comes straight from our members! Engaging with the community sparks fresh discussions and helps us tailor content to what people really want. Keeping things dynamic is key, and a little organization makes it easier to turn creative sparks into engaging discussions

The ideal length for a forum post really depends on what you're trying to communicate, but the key is to strike a balance between being thorough and keeping it concise. Typically, aiming for around 150-300 words is a good sweet spot for most topics. It’s enough to explain your point clearly without overwhelming the reader. If you’re looking for feedback or joining a discussion, make sure you include enough detail so people can give you meaningful responses. Provide context, ask specific questions, or explain your reasoning if you're sharing an idea. For longer posts, like tutorials or guides, you might go a bit over 500 words, but it's still important to structure things with clear headings and break up the text to make it easier to follow. Ultimately, it’s about giving just enough information to get your point across while respecting others’ time and making your post easy to read!

It sounds like you’re in a tough spot with the owner being so hard to reach and not really involved in the day-to-day running of the forum. It's definitely a tricky situation when you're trying to keep everything running smoothly but don't have full control over the necessary permissions and communication channels. Since the forum is still growing, that’s a great sign that the community is strong, but it also sounds like you're picking up a lot of the slack. I’d suggest documenting everything you’ve done and keeping a clear record of your communications with the owner—just in case things don’t improve or if you need to escalate things down the road. If the owner isn’t responsive to suggestions, maybe you could consider having a conversation with the members themselves about the situation—sometimes a little transparency can lead to better collaboration within the community. If the owner’s really not actively engaged, you might want to consider proposing a clearer staff structure, with defined roles and responsibilities, or even finding a way to share admin access if that’s possible. I know it’s not ideal, but the last thing you want is to burn out or let things slip due to lack of support. Another suggestion is the same suggestion as [mention=2]Al[/mention] , create a competitor forum and be a bad ass forum owner who will be active and help your staff and forum grow. Hang in there! You’re doing a great job keeping the community alive, and I’m sure others appreciate your effort. Hopefully, the owner will come around, or you’ll find a way to make it work more smoothly! Very true honestly, if the owner doesn't even care it's hard to keep being motivated and want to continue with the forum. I agree with this as well, though first I would start with trying to see why the admin is away, hopefully things will improve. If not they should definitely run.

Wow, I love the idea of turning competition into a community goal! It’s so smart how you shifted the focus from individual achievements to collective progress. I can totally see how that would help reduce the spam and low-quality posts that often come with traditional posting competitions. And honestly, the "super secret" formula? Pure genius! The way you created a sense of mystery around the points system while keeping it simple behind the scenes really adds an element of intrigue and fun. It’s amazing how something like that can keep people engaged and prevent them from gaming the system, all while still encouraging meaningful participation. It’s not just about the reward—it’s about fostering a sense of fair play and a shared experience. It’s also refreshing to hear how it led to better cohesion within the community. It’s easy to forget that community-building isn’t just about fostering activity but creating a space where people genuinely feel like they’re working toward something together. Thanks for sharing this approach—definitely something to keep in mind when thinking about balancing healthy competition and collaboration in any community!

First impressions matter, and in online communities, a great onboarding experience can be the difference between a new member sticking around or disappearing after their first post. So, what can we do as community leaders to make sure new members feel welcome, informed, and excited to participate? [HEADING=2]1. [/HEADING] Nobody likes feeling like just another username in a sea of members. A simple welcome message—whether automated or personal—can go a long way. If possible, take a moment to reply to their introduction post or tag them in a welcome thread. [HEADING=2]2. [/HEADING] New members shouldn’t have to dig to figure out where to post or how things work. A pinned "Start Here" guide or a dedicated onboarding section can help them get comfortable quickly. Bonus points if it's written in a friendly, easy-to-read way instead of a wall of rules! [HEADING=2]3. [/HEADING] Some people hesitate to jump in, so giving them a low-pressure way to participate helps. Icebreaker threads, fun polls, or even a "New Member of the Month" highlight can encourage engagement early on. [HEADING=2]4. [/HEADING] If your community is big or complex, consider a mentorship system where experienced members help guide newcomers. Sometimes, having a direct person to ask questions makes all the difference. [HEADING=2]5. [/HEADING] Yes, rules are important, but they don’t have to be intimidating. Instead of throwing a huge list at new members right away, introduce them gradually—maybe with a "Did You Know?" tip series or a fun quiz that teaches community etiquette in an engaging way. [HEADING=2]6. [/HEADING] Check in on new members after their first week or month. A simple message like, "Hey [username], how's your experience so far? Anything we can help with?" can make people feel valued and more likely to stick around. What about you? What onboarding methods have worked best in your community? Let’s share ideas!

In any online community, there’s always a balance between members sharing their expertise and feeling like they have to “one-up” each other. While a little friendly competition can be healthy, too much of it can create cliques, discourage engagement, and even push people away. So how do we, as community leaders, foster a space where members lift each other up instead of trying to outdo one another? [HEADING=2]1. [/HEADING] People take cues from leadership. If we, as admins and mods, celebrate collaboration—shouting out helpful posts, encouraging teamwork, and modeling a supportive attitude—members will follow suit. [HEADING=2]2. [/HEADING] Instead of focusing on individual achievements, highlight moments where the community as a whole benefits. For example, instead of saying, "Congrats to [user] for getting the most posts this month!" you could say, "This month, we had some amazing discussions! Shoutout to everyone who contributed to [specific topic]—you all made it a fantastic resource!" [HEADING=2]3. [/HEADING] Give members reasons to work together! Whether it’s a community resource thread, a mentorship program, or even a fun challenge that requires teamwork, shared goals naturally shift the focus away from competition and toward collaboration. [HEADING=2]4. [/HEADING] If you notice certain members turning discussions into a “who knows more” contest or trying to dominate conversations, step in with a gentle redirection. Encouraging responses like "That's a great point! I'd love to hear what others think too!" can subtly remind members that discussion is meant to be inclusive, not a battleground. [HEADING=2]5. [/HEADING] Collaboration thrives when people feel like they have something to contribute. Having dedicated threads or sections for sharing resources, giving feedback, or brainstorming ideas together can turn potential competitors into allies. At the end of the day, the best communities are the ones where people feel like they’re growing together—not fighting for the top spot. Have you seen examples of strong collaboration in your community? What’s worked (or not worked) for you as a leader?

As a visiting member, I personally prefer communities that focus on high-quality discussions, even if that means fewer topics. A smaller number of well-thought-out conversations feels more engaging than an overwhelming flood of surface-level posts. It also makes it easier to navigate and find valuable insights. As a managing leader, I think success depends on the purpose of the community. A niche forum might thrive on depth over quantity, while a broader forum might benefit from a balance of active discussion and a steady stream of new topics. Ideally, I'd aim for a mix: encouraging high-quality conversations while ensuring there's enough fresh content to keep the community dynamic and growing.

Wow, 15,000 posts already?! 🎉 That’s incredible! It’s amazing to see how much Administrata has grown, and it’s all thanks to this fantastic community. Every post, discussion, and shared insight makes this place special, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of it! Huge shoutout to everyone who contributes and keeps the energy alive—you all make this forum such a valuable and welcoming space. I can’t wait to see what’s next with the new Administrata Essentials edition and the exciting surprises ahead! 🚀 Let’s keep building something amazing together!

Hmm well I ran my forum years ago it never got over 100 members unfortunately, it did have a reasonable amount of posts/threads for the amount of members though to be honest. It is not still online as I ended up closing it due to having no time to manage it. I'm hoping the new forum myself and my helper is working on gets a lot more members, posts and stays alive a lot longer than 2 years (which was how long my previous forum was active for).

Hi Roflpeace, glad to have you here! Hope to see you around the forum, cheers and welcome again!

I've never been hacked but I did work with someone who ultimately blocked me once I got the forum all setup and ready to open. We were supposed to be co-admins but he decided to kick me off the site right before the grand opening. He was the tech person and I was more of the forum setup like membergroups, posting etc. This happened over a decade ago and I still see the prick online roaming the forums. It's so disappointing and frustrating but it is what it is. I just know not to ever work with him again. Thankfully I haven't seen him on this forum so I'm pretty happy about that.

Personally, I prefer genuine responses over AI-generated ones. Forums are meant for real discussions, where people can share experiences, insights, and opinions. AI can be useful for quick information, but it often lacks the personal touch and real-world experience that make forums valuable. I think human interaction is what makes communities thrive!

Great post! I completely agree that authentic leadership is the backbone of a thriving online community. It’s easy to tell when someone is leading just for the sake of power versus when they genuinely care about fostering a positive space. For me, accountability and openness are huge. I’ve seen communities fall apart when leaders refuse to acknowledge mistakes or dismiss input from members. On the flip side, when a leader is transparent and receptive, it creates a sense of trust that keeps people engaged and invested. I also think emotional intelligence plays a big role. Knowing how to handle conflicts diplomatically and recognizing when someone needs support (rather than just enforcing rules) can make a huge difference in the community’s culture. Loved this thread so thank you for posting this.

Thank you so much! I will do some research on it as I am completely new to this and have no idea what I am doing lol. I am glad there are a lot of videos on the subject thouh. I appreciate your help! Thank you thank you! I will look into it :D I don't see myself hitting thee limit if you've only ever hit it once. Thanks for the suggestion.