how did you make it so popular?

[jay howard]

This forum was associated (started by) the James Randi Educational Foundation. (It has since been "divested"...) It had a vision, of sorts, and because of Randi's name and his challenge to bogus psychics and others with paranormal claims, the forum attracted a dedicated coterie of like-minded individuals.

The "secret" as to the mix? Can't say. For years, members of these forums have been getting together in the great big world at TAMs and skeptic cruises and any time someone was passing through a town where someone they'd been communicating with for seven/ten years lived. In that respect it's quite different from most forums.

Mostly it's about the "skepticism" though. It's not just a buzzword in a forum name. We're on a mission from not-God.

Actually, this is not true anymore, if it ever was. This site is about pushing an agenda--specifically in regard to obfuscating the science, (or lack thereof) concerning the official investigation of the building collapses in 2001.

In fact, it's probably because of this lack of scientific rigor (accidental or not) that the original JREF proprietors split. Even Randy couldn't take it anymore.

I'm not without justification. Indeed, my criticism is the lack of justification allowed for certain claims.

 

[Butter!]

Actually, this is not true anymore, if it ever was. This site is about pushing an agenda--specifically in regard to obfuscating the science, (or lack thereof) concerning the official investigation of the building collapses in 2001.

In fact, it's probably because of this lack of scientific rigor (accidental or not) that the original JREF proprietors split. Even Randy couldn't take it anymore.

I'm not without justification. Indeed, my criticism is the lack of justification allowed for certain claims.

Are you... joking? I honestly can't tell.

 

[marplots]

It's been a false flag all along...

 

[Klimax]

Are you... joking? I honestly can't tell.

Find his other posts and you might find out...

 

[DuvalHMFIC]

I also agree with having a hook. I have 2 forums I have visited for years-the mma weekly forums and the Stern fan network forum. Both had a solid hook-my love for mixed martial arts and my love of the Howard Stern show. I rarely discuss either subject at either of those forums now, but the relationships forged keep me coming back.

 

[Foolmewunz]

Actually, this is not true anymore, if it ever was. This site is about pushing an agenda--specifically in regard to obfuscating the science, (or lack thereof) concerning the official investigation of the building collapses in 2001.

In fact, it's probably because of this lack of scientific rigor (accidental or not) that the original JREF proprietors split. Even Randy couldn't take it anymore.

I'm not without justification. Indeed, my criticism is the lack of justification allowed for certain claims.

@helloforum

PROTIP! Recruiting.

Part of the popularity of the forums here is that while we might censor bad words, kiddie porn and spammers, we do not censor ideas. We have had various boosts in interest/membership over the years at various times because we're the place that lets dissenting voices speak up as long as they stay within the MA (membership agreement). While other sites have admins/mods who will actually jump into an argument and suspend or ban a person taking a contrary point of view, we try not to do that.

This has happened with Bigfoot, 911 CT, Holocaust Denial, Amanda Knox, and a few other topics. It's not that the majority of the board isn't of a dominant position on those topics. We do somewhat agree (there's no bigfoot, 911 CT is fantasy, holocaust denial is horrific bigoted fantasy, Amanda Knox was railroaded) but we will discuss nuances, but more important to people on the fringe who want to promote those contrary beliefs, we will let them have their say and will pick apart their arguments. Other boards get tired of all the crap and shut down the conversations.

And the thing is that True Believers tell each other on other sites that "you're allowed to get into a good argument over at the JREFF/ISF". And if you give them a platform, they will come. If you have no members, though, you can get over-run. But if you can allow controversy and get some subject matter experts (we have numerous) to solidly counter the woo-ish beliefs, you can attract membership.

The quoted post is an example of the result. There are still 911 CTers out there. The poster is one of them and sees the entire forums through that particular interest. 911 CT debunking is greatly a pastime for most of us by now. I occasionally chime into a thread, but rarely. We have people who are very much better informed on the topic than myself, even though that's the thing that got me to sign up here, originally. They come for the CT or the UFOs or the Psychics and they stay for the cookies and peach pie!

 

[rjh01]

This will not be of much help to any new boards, but one attraction of a big board like this one is that if a member has a problem they can come here, state what it is and within a few hours have a reply from a member who knows what they are talking about. I have seen this so many times on so many subjects.

Yes, this board has been hit hard by people going to Facebook but it should survive. Other small forums have closed. But as others have said it needs a new gimmick or hook.

 

[SezMe]

Hey! I'm making a forum about nothing in particular, just a general forum where ppl can discuss any topic freely without any rules or anything.

Others have given good advice - I'll just add a footnote about rules. You should absolutely ban anyone who is so lazy that they can't take the time (measured in milliseconds) to type "people" so just use "ppl".

 

[fromdownunder]

Others have given good advice - I'll just add a footnote about rules. You should absolutely ban anyone who is so lazy that they can't take the time (measured in milliseconds) to type "people" so just use "ppl".

While I find this response funny, it is not as silly as it sounds. BB's which are international often have members where English is a second, or even third language, and do not understand txt spk (text speak). If you intend to run an English language Board, then insist on full words, and context so that people who may not have English as a first language can understand what the hell is going on.

Norm

 

[Helloforum]

Thank you for all the great advice guys! I decided I'm gonna pick up my pokemon forum again, since that one has a head start with google and everything, and i made a facebook page with the same name and links to the forum to attract more people. I had already made an ad video for youtube at the time and I'm republishing that. Withing hours i had 5 guests in the forum, which is already a victory compared to what i had with the other forum (which is 0)

 

[Foolmewunz]

Thank you for all the great advice guys! I decided I'm gonna pick up my pokemon forum again, since that one has a head start with google and everything, and i made a facebook page with the same name and links to the forum to attract more people. I had already made an ad video for youtube at the time and I'm republishing that. Withing hours i had 5 guests in the forum, which is already a victory compared to what i had with the other forum (which is 0)

You need to promote it. We have some devious people here. Who, us? We single-handedly boosted a thread here on a scam called the Amega Wand. At one point, we were putting in mixed headlines using commonly Googled terms and Amega Wand. "Amega Wand didn't Seduce Victoria Beckham". Nowadays, you could combine Kanye West or Bieber.

And there are those who claim it didn't work - who are probably right - but all the fun and attention we gave the topic, you still find these forums as the 2nd pick if you Google "Amega Wand Scam". This is five years after the start.

"Pokemon Not Making New Twilight Film" or have a sub-forum "Pikechou XXX" and my personal favorite.... "Team Rocket Naked?"

 

[fuelair]

That's going to be your problem. Without rules a forum can too easily devolve into nothing but flame wars and spam.

Spam is good if you grill it just right and add some chopped Habanero to it......................

 

[fuelair]

You need to promote it. We have some devious people here. Who, us? We single-handedly boosted a thread here on a scam called the Amega Wand. At one point, we were putting in mixed headlines using commonly Googled terms and Amega Wand. "Amega Wand didn't Seduce Victoria Beckham". Nowadays, you could combine Kanye West or Bieber.

And there are those who claim it didn't work - who are probably right - but all the fun and attention we gave the topic, you still find these forums as the 2nd pick if you Google "Amega Wand Scam". This is five years after the start.

"Pokemon Not Making New Twilight Film" or have a sub-forum "Pikechou XXX" and my personal favorite.... "Team Rocket Naked?"

I think combining Kanye West and the Bieb is a great idea for a film. Brokeback Butt perhaps.

 

[fuelair]

@helloforum

PROTIP! Recruiting.

Part of the popularity of the forums here is that while we might censor bad words, kiddie porn and spammers, we do not censor ideas. We have had various boosts in interest/membership over the years at various times because we're the place that lets dissenting voices speak up as long as they stay within the MA (membership agreement). While other sites have admins/mods who will actually jump into an argument and suspend or ban a person taking a contrary point of view, we try not to do that.

This has happened with Bigfoot, 911 CT, Holocaust Denial, Amanda Knox, and a few other topics. It's not that the majority of the board isn't of a dominant position on those topics. We do somewhat agree (there's no bigfoot, 911 CT is fantasy, holocaust denial is horrific bigoted fantasy, Amanda Knox was railroaded) but we will discuss nuances, but more important to people on the fringe who want to promote those contrary beliefs, we will let them have their say and will pick apart their arguments. Other boards get tired of all the crap and shut down the conversations.

And the thing is that True Believers tell each other on other sites that "you're allowed to get into a good argument over at the JREFF/ISF". And if you give them a platform, they will come. If you have no members, though, you can get over-run. But if you can allow controversy and get some subject matter experts (we have numerous) to solidly counter the woo-ish beliefs, you can attract membership.

The quoted post is an example of the result. There are still 911 CTers out there. The poster is one of them and sees the entire forums through that particular interest. 911 CT debunking is greatly a pastime for most of us by now. I occasionally chime into a thread, but rarely. We have people who are very much better informed on the topic than myself, even though that's the thing that got me to sign up here, originally. They come for the CT or the UFOs or the Psychics and they stay for the cookies and peach pie!

Minor quibble on one item... Amanda Knox was definitely railroaded by the abysmal stupidity of the Italian police/lab people and court system. But it is, thanks to that, never going to be sure whether she was guilty or not... I do not know because I was not there.

 

[fuelair]

While I find this response funny, it is not as silly as it sounds. BB's which are international often have members where English is a second, or even third language, and do not understand txt spk (text speak). If you intend to run an English language Board, then insist on full words, and context so that people who may not have English as a first language can understand what the hell is going on.

Norm

tl/dnr

 

[SezMe]

While I find this response funny, it is not as silly as it sounds. BB's which are international often have members where English is a second, or even third language, and do not understand txt spk (text speak). If you intend to run an English language Board, then insist on full words, and context so that people who may not have English as a first language can understand what the hell is going on.

Norm

Good point, Norm.

 

[MoeFaux]

There's quite a bit of buzz on community building these days, so I would recommend searching for information on Community Management or Forum Best Practices. I like the Community.is blog and I also subscribe to Social Media Examiner.

Building a Forum is one thing. Maintaining a Forum, creating engagement, and fostering a real genuine sense of community can take you far. Of course, having an awesome subject matter is a great place to start! Promote, engage, and engage some more. Good luck!

[edited to add: Anytime I think of a successful Forum, I think of ours, or rather the original JREF Forum. The community aspect was phenomenal. I still point to it and use it as an example of how people all over the world can bond together with a shared common interest.]

 

[Mike!]

You need to find out who to take seriously and who to chuckle along with.

And liars, don't fall foul of the liars.

Me, I've only ever told one lie.

And that's the line above.

If I'm not mistaken, your pants are smoldering.

 

[Ketyk]

Building a Forum is one thing. Maintaining a Forum, creating engagement, and fostering a real genuine sense of community can take you far. Of course, having an awesome subject matter is a great place to start! Promote, engage, and engage some more. Good luck!

[edited to add: Anytime I think of a successful Forum, I think of ours, or rather the original JREF Forum. The community aspect was phenomenal. I still point to it and use it as an example of how people all over the world can bond together with a shared common interest.]

The subject matter is inconsequential. I belong to a Forum that is interested in Wildlife in South Africa. Why? Because it it is honest and true, and strives for facts.

Starting a new forum is difficult. It takes time and commitment, that few of us have these days.

 

[Misfitreindeer]

You definitely need a select topic or a group to rally around.

For example, I run an organization called Benji's Closet. After amassing a good amount of subscribers, I started a forum based on the blog for our organization. It's focused around LGBT+ issues, with a few categories where people can just shoot the **** within the community without focusing on queer issues.

We've grown fairly quickly.