Encouraging Participation

How do you encourage users to participate, submit content (articles and threads), and generally invest their time in visiting your site? How do you make it worth it to them?

 

Eye popping contests and such.

I also create new threads, etc.

Like I always say, you have to make discussions to have discussions.

 

I think that the members do it better than I... they're very friendly and welcoming.

 

That's always a good start to encouraging participation : making sure your members are friendly and welcoming.

 

Encouraging participation is very hard, the best way I have known is to grab their attention with contests and something unique

 

Indeed, that's one way to go about doing so. Another way would be to "wow" them with a dedicated, passionate staff team who is willing to do anything and everything for the community.

 

That is one impression we have been giving off as of late with a members requests thread and doing almost everything they want

 

Post in my forum - or else. When there is some kind of disaster, dont call me looking for food.

People visit my forum and post because they know that in todays world things can get bad rather quickly. Whether its nuclear war, disease, or losing a job, things can go from bad to worse in a matter of minutes.