Forums Aren’t dying. Boring Communities Are

[Cpvr]

Forums Aren’t Dead. Boring Ones Are.


Here’s the truth—forums didn’t die. People just stopped putting in the work to make them worth coming back to.





You can’t expect people to stay if there’s no reason to. Slapping together a default theme, copying the same 10 sections every other forum has, and calling it a community? That’s not it. That’s just space. And space without purpose doesn’t hold people.



If you’re building a forum right now, or you’re trying to revive one, understand this: it’s not supposed to blow up overnight. You’re not building a trend. You’re building a home. And homes take time, effort, and a whole lot of showing up, especially when no one else is.



The early days are rough. Some days it’s just you replying to yourself. That’s normal. What matters is you keep going. One good conversation can do more for your community than a hundred “what’s your favorite color?” threads.


And your first few members? Treat them like gold. Learn their names. Respond with intention. Make them feel seen. Because if people feel like they matter in your space, they’ll stick. And they’ll bring others with them.


Don’t chase numbers. Don’t try to be the next big thing. Focus on being the right thing for your niche. Something real. Something built on purpose and backed by consistency.


Because when you keep showing up? When you keep building even when it’s quiet? That’s when the magic happens. That’s when your forum becomes more than a website, it becomes a community.



So yeah. Forums aren’t dead. Boring, lifeless, copy-paste ones are.



But the ones with soul?

The ones with vision?


Those are still alive, and they always will be.

Keep building!

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I think we should consistently try to post new topics that entertain, inform, educate, or sell to our target audience.

In all honesty, forum operators should get into the mindset of blog operators. Just post awesome content that people will likely read. Any replies you get is like a bonus like blog comments. Then like with blogging, reply to each comment with some sort of question or response that keeps the discussion going.

Replies are a bonus.

Just keep your main focus on posting interesting topics as if you're blogging.

What do you think about that idea, folks?

 

[Cpvr]

I think we should consistently try to post new topics that entertain, inform, educate, or sell to our target audience.

In all honesty, forum operators should get into the mindset of blog operators. Just post awesome content that people will likely read. Any replies you get is like a bonus like blog comments. Then like with blogging, reply to each comment with some sort of question or response that keeps the discussion going.

Replies are a bonus.

Just keep your main focus on posting interesting topics as if you're blogging.

What do you think about that idea, folks?

Asking questions is one of the best things to do keep activity flowing and the community active. If you don’t ask questions, you won’t be able to build a bond with your members.

It has been one of my main growth strategies for many years now. Engagement is key, especially if you want to build a flourishing an active online community.

However, it’s best to reply to every topic with knowledge and expertise. That way, you can drive in more members as an authoritative forum.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

However, it’s best to reply to every topic with knowledge and expertise. That way, you can drive in more members as an authoritative forum.

I do agree. Post new content that persuades engagement by members and then yes, anything that members post should be responded to.

I look at that the same with blogging as well. I'll keep posting new articles regardless of whether or not I get comments. However, if I do get a comment, I'll respond in some way to keep the conversation going. I'll ask questions, ask for clarification, or provide something more to keep discussing.

Content is king. Engagement is queen. Consistency of two is the kingdom that holds everything together.