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In the past, I have had the privilege of taking over a group from another leader. In so doing I have learned some valuable lessons about forums and community participation. One of these lessons was on participation. In order for a community or group forum to work well, there must be direct communication between the leaders or moderators of the forum, and the group members.
Forums are created for various reasons:
 There are those that are in existence for auctions where the person wishing to bid state which item they are bidding on, and how high they wish their bid to be. Often times site members will bid at the beginning of an auction, and then sit and wait. What are they waiting for? That last minute or second bid. When we have our eye on a nice package, and have bid, we don't like to lose to a higher bidder, so some of us sit in the shadows and wait until the last minute and make a higher bid in hopes we will win the item. OOPS, did I say WE? Yes, I have been known to do that.
Raffle forums are a place to purchase those tickets for great prizes and to show support of group fundraisers. Holding or receiving that elusive winning number is often times a great thrill for many. When you post, you state in the subject line how many tickets. In the body of the post, you list who the tickets are for, and then don't forget to include the Gift Points before submitting the post. I have found that if purchasing tickets for others, listing the usernames with double brackets makes it easier for the forum host. This way they can copy and past the names without retyping them, which sometimes leads to typing errors.
i.e.
subject post: 12 tickets
body post:
4 for SHERRI GIBSON 
4 for GabriellaR45 
4 for kiyasama
OR
subject post: 12 tickets
body post:
4 for {suser:sherrigibson}
4 for {suser:gabriellar45}
4 for {suser:kiyasama}
The difference between the two posts, is that when I typed out the names of the recipients, I placed then in double brackets, instead of singles, {} instead of {}.
Review Forums are run in a couple of different ways.
 There are those that have the items listed in the main body of the page, and the members list their reviews in the forum posts, sometimes getting GP rewards for their efforts .
Some are forums where site members place an item to be reviewed in the forum post.
Contest Forums are as individual as the contest themselves. I have run across those that have you submit your item, typing it directly into the forum post, and others where they ask you to use a "Invalid Item" format to do so. This enables all of the contest entries to be centralized for easy judging. This also allows others to view what you have submitted, and review it in kind.
Community Forums vary in form, from guest books to a general discussion group. Here it is usually a free for all, allowing members to post on various or on any subject at hand.
What have I learned from all of this? Well, most importantly, is that the host of the activity or forum must be vigilant and passionate about what they are doing. They must be there to post when others aren't, whether it is to say hello, thank those who have posted, or to announce the remaining days left in the contest. Without host communication and representation, the forums slowly quiet down and become abandoned wastelands of text.
If you are a forum host, show your passion for what you are doing. Respond or comment on each post, even if it is simply to thank each participant. If there has been a stagnant time period, make a post yourself. If you have found the contest entries aren't coming in, double check that your item is listed on the "Writing Contests @ Writing.Com" page, and make a post yourself. It is through participation, dedication and appreciation that forums survive. I encourage you to drop by a forum and make a relevant post today. Show your group participation, dedication and commitment.
Do you have an idea for a forum, one of which is not listed here? I would love to hear it. Leave feedback below in the box  . |
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EACH WEEK WE WELCOME FEEDBACK FROM OUR READERS. FEEDBACK MAY BE SUBMITTED IN THE BOX
My last issue, I asked readers about their thoughts on a monthly contest for this newsletter. There were a few responses, but not enough to dedicate a full newsletter at this time. I will give it some more thought. Here are what my readers had to say:
Brownchild Informative and insightful with advice that I will apply. Thank you. I will be asking my self those 5 questions before submission. Again thank you!
Dave  Always interested in more poetry contests.
NaNoNette Thank you so very much for featuring "The Simple Fundraiser " 
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  Things aren't easy when only a few people enter your contests.
Lesley Scott Yes,I think a contest would be great. I usually write short stories and essays, myself. I like to read poetry, but can't write it worth a darn. Maybe you could have poetry and stories together or alternate.
Thanks,
Lesley Scott
KerrieAnnS I would love to join in on a competition. I enjoy writing short stories with a prompt. Varying genres could encourage branching out to areas not previously explored before.
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Contests & Activities: October 24, 2012 Issue [#5328]
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