What do you look for in a forum?

[ZandraJoi]

Do you join a friend’s to be nice? See one advertised on another forum & check it out? Do you focus on who the owner is (how popular versus one just starting out) or do you focus more on the niche, that it’s an active forum?

I prefer being on a medium size forum. Not too small where nobody posts hardly but not too big where you get lost in the shuffle. While I have joined a friend’s to be nice, I have only stayed if it’s relevant to my own life. i.e. if they are just about Tech, it may be months before I go back as Tech is not a niche I’m familiar with.

[Uncrowned Guard]

On 9/30/2023 at 8:51 AM, ZandraJoi said:

Do you join a friend’s to be nice?

I do try.  If someone asks me to sign up for their forum I normally will.  But if I don't find it appealing or it is very much not a niche that I can keep up with, then I will most likely stop using it.

On 9/30/2023 at 8:51 AM, ZandraJoi said:

See one advertised on another forum & check it out?

Thankfully, promoting my own sites, allows me to see numerous other sites along the way.  I will often keep out new sites and if they seem appealing then I will add it to my list and join up sooner or later.

I will add that forums that allow me to use my signature to toss in my site's link have an edge over ones that do not for fairly straightforward reasons.  

On 9/30/2023 at 8:51 AM, ZandraJoi said:

I prefer being on a medium size forum. Not too small where nobody posts hardly but not too big where you get lost in the shuffle. While I have joined a friend’s to be nice, I have only stayed if it’s relevant to my own life. i.e. if they are just about Tech, it may be months before I go back as Tech is not a niche I’m familiar with.

Well, I'm glad that you have stuck around here!

[ZandraJoi]

11 hours ago, Uncrowned Guard said:

I will add that forums that allow me to use my signature to toss in my site's link have an edge over ones that do not for fairly straightforward reasons.  

 

I must admit I feel that same way! I used to be more stringent on my own forum for promoting as I had a lot of members who "Promote & run". Now, I allow it & even allow threads where members can give details on What's New with their forum.

11 hours ago, Uncrowned Guard said:

Well, I'm glad that you have stuck around here!

Aww, thank you! I like it here! A nice, friendly atmosphere 🙂