Strong communities are built on shared goals and trust.
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CLASSIFIED: TOP SECRET
Hey, nice forum. I feel like I was abducted and made a member there :P No, really. I found this forum by looking at your profile here because your signature wasn't a link yet. I joined and started posting organically as a regular member and I think I'm a top member there now :D Need to get...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #13
- Forum: Community Showcase
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Foundation The use of AI bots on forums
It makes me not want to be active on the forums anymore. If they're transparent about it and I'm enabled to ignore the bot, then fine. If they're being secretive about it: I'll pass. Why should I work hard posting quality content on a forum where humans aren't even replying to me? I can just...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #22
- Forum: Building & Growing Your Community
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Favorite toppings on pizza?
Generally, I choose pepperoni and cheese. If it's a good pizza place, I'll add black olives and mushrooms to that. I always get those peppercini peppers in a cup to squeeze the juice on them as well. EDIT: I've also been enjoying adding spicy honey to pizza! You talk about DELICIOUS!!- Shawn Gossman
- Post #7
- Forum: Off-Topic Hangout
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Engagement Best Practices for Communication of Updates
I only do marketing techniques that are public. Like promote on threads on admin and promotion forums, ask members to spread word-of-mouth, and stuff like that. Just don't mislead or lie. Making fake users and convincing people that they're real is lying and will probably eventually get you...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #2
- Forum: Building & Growing Your Community
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Growth Is social media management worth paying for or should you do it yourself?
Social media management and marketing is hard work. It's not successful unless you have a good strategy. You have to publish at scale while still putting quality first. You also have to be consistent about it. Now there are tools to make it easier (such as Buffer to schedule posts) but you...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #8
- Forum: Building & Growing Your Community
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Google is rolling out its March core update
Doubling down on search intent here!- Shawn Gossman
- Post #4
- Forum: Website Administration & Management
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What are some of your favorite forums?
I'm enjoying ROFLMAO and Classified Top Secret- Shawn Gossman
- Post #5
- Forum: Off-Topic Hangout
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Engagement Do you read all the posts on your community?
I try to. Sometimes, it takes me a little bit. I'm a lot busier these days than I was long ago.- Shawn Gossman
- Post #2
- Forum: Leadership & Community Management
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Engagement What’s the best way to reward or recognize top contributors?
I have always tried to make Charter Memberships to recognize the most active and contributing members. I used to cut it off after 10 members to keep them the founding members but in reality, I think keeping it going would be ideal. I also think letting members of that group help decide who the...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #2
- Forum: Leadership & Community Management
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Plugins What plugins or tools have been game-changers for your forum?
Probably just the Resources addon and the Link Directory. However, for my cycling forum, the Calendar addon is what everyone likes the most to add local cycling events to. It's used a lot, as well. Other than that, I try to use less add-ons and focus more on the core forum feature. I have...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #2
- Forum: Platform Empowerment & Customization
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How do you react to a new competitor rising?
The competition used to worry me way back when, but I still allowed it on my forum even if they didn't allow me back. That always said a lot about me and a lot about them. But nowadays, I'm for it. More competition might mean more people get into forums and the niches we're so passionate about!- Shawn Gossman
- Post #2
- Forum: Website Administration & Management
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Should Members Be Allowed to Vote on Rule Changes?
I think they should be allowed to. A true community is a community that involves its members more. Back 15-20 years ago, we made decisions for the community because we pay for it and it's our choice--that was bad and probably helped lead to a downfall of forums. I think the more we let the...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #2
- Forum: Website Administration & Management
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Growth How Do You Stand Out from Competitor Sites?
When it comes to forums, I typically don't try to compete that much. I am in it more for the community, the social aspects, and connecting with people who want to be friends online (and sometimes offline, too). Now, blogs are different for me. I profit from them. I do competitive analysis on...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #4
- Forum: Building & Growing Your Community
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Ethics Are Moderation Logs Necessary for Transparency?
I think public ban/moderation logs will only bring unwanted drama and toxic behavior to your forum. Go to any Law Enforcement Facebook page where they report recent arrests. If they're not moderating comments, it's usually a cesspool of profanity, fighting, and horrible behavior. You don't see...- Shawn Gossman
- Post #3
- Forum: Leadership & Community Management
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Tools Payment Providers for your forum
I typically stick to PayPal. As a user, I get nervous about using payment systems I'm unfamiliar with. I'll usually not use them.- Shawn Gossman
- Post #3
- Forum: Building & Growing Your Community
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Article 10 Simple Ways to Get More Users on Your Forum
11. Onboard new members. Develop a friendship with them to convert them into loyal members. Embrace word-of-mouth and watch your community grow into a loyal, contributing community. I think we all need to focus more on onboarding.- Shawn Gossman
- Post #3
- Forum: Resources & Articles
