Who's running this circus? - Writers Forum

The Backward OX · 12-26-2007, 01:51 AM

I believe it is incumbent upon those who run this site to promote the site. Recently I received a private message from another forum site that I believe to have been sent in bulk to all the members of that particular site. I’d more or less forgotten about my membership there, and this junk mail, which was rather good in its relevance to the site, brought it back to my conscious thought. So if they can do it, why not wf.com? Why couldn’t wf.com periodically send a bulk pm to everyone, seeking to attract members back to active use?

According to the stats, wf.com has nearly four thousand active members (whatever active means) out of a total that’s either eleven thousand if you look at the member list or twenty-two thousand if you look at the bottom of the home page.

With so many differences, they’re all rather meaningless numbers. But whatever is the correct number, they’re noticeable by their absence. There’s a core here, most of the time, of only a handful, perhaps counted in the low hundreds at most. Maybe not even that many. And my guess is that perhaps 80-90% of that handful are angsty teens and young adults - maturity is also noticeable by its absence.

Older readers/critics are attracted to older writers, and vice versa. Older readers can only swallow so much immature stuff before they cry “Uncle!” (if they do it at all, in the first place), and then need to balance their reviewing by reading polished work from time to time. And older writers possibly appreciate the depth of understanding that comes from years of involvement in the craft by older readers.

And then there’s The Lounge and Debate. I for one would enjoy verbal cut and thrust with more of my peers, where reason weighs in, and I’m reasonably confident that other old fogeys might sometimes feel the same.

All of which is controlled by the number of users. Which goes back to the point I raised with my opening words.

Malone · 12-26-2007, 02:06 AM

I don't know...this site seems to give the most helpful/meaningful feedback from any of the others I used to visit, not to mention literally the MOST. I enjoy getting to know the core group, finding similiarities and respect, and shooting the shit. I definitely don't hold the debate and lounge to seriously, though. I guess I just don't see anything significant coming from the discussions there, but I don't really hold much significance in any intellectual discussions anymore.
There are lots of younguns, which may be me, not sure which category I fall in, but I find that many of them are fairly mature even if their writing isn't. I guess they're looking for a creative output. I can usually figure out within the first paragraph whether to read on in a story or not, and if they enjoy sharing their stuff and learning, power to them. It's a level of access and social atmosphere I never had at that age.
I don't know...I like this board. I would obviously like more really talented writer's to work with, or just more readers, but like I said, compared to others, this place gives the most feedback. Wanting more can never really be fixed. If I got fifty responses to each story I posted, I'd still probably want more.

WriterJohnB · 12-26-2007, 08:18 AM

This seems like one of the busiest writing forums to me. I guess I'd qualify as a "seasoned citizen" and I enjoy trying to help younger/beginning writers, even though I'm not an "expert" myself. I look for the ones who have a glimmer of talent of course, and often don't critically comment on writers who seem too clueless to gain from advice,or, on the other hand, are far more skilled than I.

Also, I avoid even looking at posts that have more than a dozen or so critiques logged. After a few legitimate critiques, threads seem to devolve into social commentary.

I guess my main point is that I find value in critiques but don't much care for discussions. But my main problem is spending too much time here, and on similar sites, because it takes time from my actual writing.

Take care,

JohnB

Floris · 12-26-2007, 09:43 AM

Funny thing here, you'll always be read. Maybe you won't always be (usefully) critiqued, but you'll always be read.

cclay · 12-26-2007, 12:19 PM

Hello,

I am relatively new here, but compared to other sites of this type that I have visited, I find this site to be the best so far. I am a brand new writer that probably falls more into the "mature" category as far as age goes, but I find that there is a lot of talent on this site and in a way it has also shown me that most story ideas, if delivered correctly can end up being a pretty good story.

Also because I am now in a community of mostly serious writers, I have discovered a place where I can go when I become frustrated with my own projects or when I just cannot focus on my own writing. Usually when I leave the site I once again find that thread within me that I must tell and end up with a very productive day in the end.

All that I am trying to point out here is that a forum can effect some people in positive ways that may not be seen clearly on the surface. Even though I do not post regularly here, I do come here often to read and learn, and as I said previously to regain lost confidence in what I am trying to do.

At some point I hope to have a story to post that is worthy of reading, but until that time I will continue to come here to read and learn and yes, even do the occational critique if I feel that I have something to say that is really useful to another writer.

I am a neophyte to the world of writing but I am learning daily and one day thanks in large part to this board, I hope to go beyond that level and join the ranks of you seasoned writers. We all have to start somewhere, I guess.

Chuck

The Backward OX · 12-26-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floris

Funny thing here, you'll always be read. Maybe you won't always be (usefully) critiqued, but you'll always be read.

I wouldn't depend on it. Those stats on "Views" mean only that someone has opened the post, not necessarily that they've read it. I open lots, and leave again after the first two or three sentences if they fail to grab my interest - which accounts for about 95% of what I open.

adrianhayter · 12-26-2007, 04:56 PM

To me, joining this site was like when you set fire to the back of the women's dorm (Oh, don't look at me that way-you know you've all done it) but anyway, if you can get around to the front door quick enough, even an old timer has a chance of catching one or two as they run out. There's better odds in high numbers.

Adrian

Vee · 12-26-2007, 06:38 PM

All other writing sites I've stumbled across ask you to do an elaborate entry before you are even allowed access to the site. This one does not. This one ranks above all others for that reason. And its not crowded with ads or "read me, read me."

I'm not a frequent visitor but I do keep coming back.

Olly Buckle · 12-27-2007, 05:30 AM

I have no experience of other sites, I googled writing forums and clicked on the one that came out top of the list. This more than satisfies my somewhat limited need for a forum, I could waste hours here. In response to the op I would question the value of attracting people who have already left to come back, won't they just leave again after a bit? Then there is the question of quality of member that you raise in the second half of the post, mass e-mailing wouldn't differentiate (We might even be inviting back undesirables we have banned but that is a seperate issue). I can't see anyone going through the historical records winnowing them for quality posts, no time and what would be the criteria? Personally I don't find it difficult to differentiate between the writers I want to read and those who don't suit my taste. I suspect that one could split the forum up into small social groups with some crossover between them, in much the same way as in the big wide world, so everyone has a small preferred group but is also only a few away from anybody else.

strangedaze · 12-27-2007, 11:11 AM

Not to be a dipshit, Ox, but I'm not sure what you're asking for. Well, I am - more site promotion, a bulk pm meant to reel in less-than-active members - but I'm not sure where your point about 'older' writers is going. Yes, WF has its share of angsty younguns, and I would probably fall under that category. But that's just the way it is...? I'm having trouble seeing how working to increase the number of active users would translate into a demographic shift.

The Backward OX · 12-27-2007, 06:37 PM

Good point. This's the second time in as many days my synapses have been misfiring. Perhaps I should just forget about wf.com and as an alternative put on my carpet slippers, take my walking stick over to the window, and shake it at the passers-by.

Edit - re-think - perhaps it wouldn't change the demo-whatsit but it would increase the numbers at both ends of the scale.

Gabriel Gray · 12-27-2007, 06:48 PM

Sounds like a plan.

Personally this forum is a godsend for me, it has helped me with my portfolio (Prof. Writing course im doing) and is helping me mix with people who share the same passions as myself, whether it be fantasy, reading or writing.

Yes this forum could be more active at time, but i'm sure after a while the forum will expand and have advertisements on other sites/forums which could bring in potential members, or at least get the forum more recognition.

I would advise gaming / general chat / fantasy / creative / poetry forums etc.

adrianhayter · 12-27-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Good point. This's the second time in as many days my synapses have been misfiring. Perhaps I should just forget about wf.com and as an alternative put on my carpet slippers, take my walking stick over to the window, and shake it at the passers-by.

Now I'm really worried about you. How many passer-bys can there be in the outback? Is there anyone around that can get you a warm glass of milk?

Adrian

Harlett · 12-31-2007, 02:15 AM

Those forums that send out junk-mail saying come back we miss you blah blah blah are rather irrtating and I do not return to them.

I like this forum as my email account isn't palgued with emails saying you have a private message when there is no bloody private message in the first place etc.

A bulk email to every member yeah sure it helps get some members back to the forum. But if you continuosly send them then people get pissed off and end up reporting it as a scam.

Mike C · 12-31-2007, 02:37 AM

I've worked in and around marketing for many years, and there are two fundamental truths:

The best advertising, you can't buy; word of mouth. WF doesn't advertise or promote itself, but still people come. Membership grows every day. Some stick around, some lurk, some never come back, but that's relatively unimportant, and is somewhat reliant on the second truth:

If you build a quality product, people will want it.

You can fool some of the people some of the time - that's what advertising is about - but if the product sucks, people will know. In website terms, that's what makes some sites or forums 'sticky' and others not. I believe that WF offers things that other forums don't. That's why we have such a large membership, and why so many members stick around. Some will always fll by the wayside, but if they don't like what we got, an email isn't going to suddenly make them like it.