- snowmanaxt
- |
- Exalted Mythic Member
Discipline is my Sword,
Faith is my Shield,
Do not leap blindly into uncertainty,
And you may live to reap the rewards.
"The Important Thing Is To Never Stop Questioning,"
This is about a year Old, but I'll revise it a little bit and repost it, since it seems it is needed again.
5 Step Guide to a Successful Chapter
By: snowmanaxt
Step 1: Purpose
The number one thing your Chapter needs is a purpose. Whether you chapter is dedicated to Bungie General, just Halo, or just your Clan, it needs to have this purpose, and this purpose must be obvious. You don’t want people to join your Chapter about your Clan thinking it’s a Halo Chapter. People join Chapters with a purpose they can relate to. The best way to make your purpose apparent is to add it to your Group Description or Motto.
Also, keep in mind just because there is another succesfull Halo 2 Glitch Chapter it does not mean yours will also be succesfull. Think about it, if there is already a Chapter on said topic why would someone want to join another? 75% of the time this is the reason a Chapter fails. If you fail to have an original, or at least close to original topic, you will fail to have original content. And Content, my friends, is what keeps the Members coming back for more.
Step 2: Dedication
Not only does your Chapter need to have a purpose but you yourself must be dedicated to your Chapter. An active Administrator sets an example for all the other members in the Chapter. Not only that, but it is up to you as an Administrator to keep your Chapter on track. With out your presence your Chapter may fall apart or even become a Spam magnet. It is up to you to keep your Chapter on track. Just because you have a dedicated Staff does not mean you yourself can slack off either. You are the Founder, which is looked at as an athority figure, if you do not do your job it will reflect poorly on your Chapter's Image, as it is directly related to YOU.
Step 3: Moderators and Staff Members
Even the most dedicated Administrators have failed in their Chapter because they refrained from gaining dedicated Staff Members. Staff Members and Moderators are just as important as an Administrator or content. You are going to need help keeping your Forums and News in Check, because no matter how dedicated we are, things come up and some days we are not there. That’s where Moderators come in, they will help to make your Forum and enjoyable place. You should not give Mod Powers lightly though, you don’t want people who will abuse the privilege. When you give powers make sure you trust who you give them to.
You are also going to need to gain trusted Staff Members; these members will help you with maintaining your Chapter. Not only will these members help to moderate the Forums and News but they will also help you with content, including new thread and news stories. You should also take caution who you give powers to here; these people will have a direct effect on your Chapter.
Step 4: Content
One of the most important things about a Chapter is Content. Content is what brings members to your Chapter and keeps them there. Content can come in many forms: from news to new threads to polls and contests. The one thing you need to focus on is gaining exclusive content, coming up with brand new ideas for your Chapter. Going to other Chapters and stealing there successful polls and such is not a good idea. Members will notice and it will effect there opinion about you. Not only that but it will deter new members from joining, if they have already seen this in another Chapter then what is the point of joining yours.
Step 5: Recruiting
All Chapters at sometime will need to recruit in one way or another. Now constantly PMing people and posting in the Classifieds is not the way to do this. It makes your Chapter look doesperate, and could be considered spamming, depending on how much you do it. The best way to recruit is to PM only the people you know and think you will join, posting in the classifieds every so often, and posting a link into your signature. If members really like your group, they will add it to thier sig also, but dont ask or require them to, again this makes you seem desperate. What ever you do, do not post Ads in other peoples Forums or in any other main forum other than the Classifieds. It is against the Rules and will bring the appearance of your chapter down.
Well there is my 5 Step guide; I hope it was informative and helpful to some of you. If you have any more questions please PM me personally of Check out the Articles over at Chapter Founders , they have a lot of info all Founders should know.
(NOTE: This is a basic guide and said steps are not to be taken in this order. Each founder will achieve each in his own time and order.)
[Edited on 1/1/2006]