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Hello all,
I would be interested in our communities thoughts on where we stand in the life cycle of a community forum.
Below is a nice overview of the stages of an online forum. Where do you think we are?
I personally can see some of the points made below coming through on our on forum - what about you?
So what are the stages of a net community?
Stage 1: Arrival of the core group. When a net community starts, it will attract a small group of regulars. This number is usually fairly specific -- under 30 people who participate heavily. Since the new site has little traffic, this group dominates the site.
Stage 2: Community Expansion. The website begins to grow exponentially towards its eventual "maximum size". So lots of new people arrive. The regulars, typically friendly and social able, welcome these new people to the community. Some of the regulars try to hint that these newcomers need to respect the existing pecking order and other unwritten rules that the regulars have established.
Stage 3: Melodrama. Some of the regulars, now using terms like "Old guard" or "Founders" or "Old timers" or other terms to convey that they've been part of the community for longer than others, begin to write about the lack of manners, civility, decency, etc. of many of the newcomers. Various melodramatic posts/articles are written about how everything is falling apart.
Stage 4: Exodus. Some of the "old guard" now begin to leave in a huff. This usually includes so long winded, melodramatic post talking about how the community has gone to hell in the hand basket and how they predict that other people (like themselves) will soon leave as well. The implication being that the original regulars are more equal than newcomers and the loss of their presence will doom the site.
Stage 5: Stabilization. The "old guard" that remains are the ones who can adapt to the community's growth and maturity. They are the ones who recognize that they are one member amongst many. The community will have lots of activity and interest but a lot less melodrama at this point. Occasionally, an "old timer" will drop in and bemoan how much nicer things were in the "old days" when the community had a "specific character". The most popular users at this point will form a new set of regulars.
Communities tend to grow in a quasi-step ladder type growth curve. So this 5 stage cycle will repeat itself several times until the community reaches its maximum growth (based on the resources of the site, subject matter, marketing, whatever).
Source-> http://forums.wincustomize.com/index...d=67&aid=20782
Cheers
Marc
I would be interested in our communities thoughts on where we stand in the life cycle of a community forum.
Below is a nice overview of the stages of an online forum. Where do you think we are?
I personally can see some of the points made below coming through on our on forum - what about you?
So what are the stages of a net community?
Stage 1: Arrival of the core group. When a net community starts, it will attract a small group of regulars. This number is usually fairly specific -- under 30 people who participate heavily. Since the new site has little traffic, this group dominates the site.
Stage 2: Community Expansion. The website begins to grow exponentially towards its eventual "maximum size". So lots of new people arrive. The regulars, typically friendly and social able, welcome these new people to the community. Some of the regulars try to hint that these newcomers need to respect the existing pecking order and other unwritten rules that the regulars have established.
Stage 3: Melodrama. Some of the regulars, now using terms like "Old guard" or "Founders" or "Old timers" or other terms to convey that they've been part of the community for longer than others, begin to write about the lack of manners, civility, decency, etc. of many of the newcomers. Various melodramatic posts/articles are written about how everything is falling apart.
Stage 4: Exodus. Some of the "old guard" now begin to leave in a huff. This usually includes so long winded, melodramatic post talking about how the community has gone to hell in the hand basket and how they predict that other people (like themselves) will soon leave as well. The implication being that the original regulars are more equal than newcomers and the loss of their presence will doom the site.
Stage 5: Stabilization. The "old guard" that remains are the ones who can adapt to the community's growth and maturity. They are the ones who recognize that they are one member amongst many. The community will have lots of activity and interest but a lot less melodrama at this point. Occasionally, an "old timer" will drop in and bemoan how much nicer things were in the "old days" when the community had a "specific character". The most popular users at this point will form a new set of regulars.
Communities tend to grow in a quasi-step ladder type growth curve. So this 5 stage cycle will repeat itself several times until the community reaches its maximum growth (based on the resources of the site, subject matter, marketing, whatever).
Cheers
Marc
and be as ready to accept criticism as they (we) are to dish it out.
But I don't think that is what you mean. I'd say the forum has gone back to normal rather than changed significantly, you signed up in an odd patch so (presuming you weren't reading much before that) your perception is probably a bit skewed.
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