imho, this is a great thread Michael started, as, I've dealt with this issue on the forums i've started, and, i guess everybody deals with it who has forums:
how do you get people to post?
you need people to post!
and, when you're first starting, the catch 22: there's not many posts because you just started, and, the few people that come by don't want to post because no one is posting, yet, if no one posts, how do you get a foundation that will encourage more activity? lol... this site was fortunate that right out of the gate you had a bunch of members due to the circumstances that brought this site about.......
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the automated pm is a good idea...
i think, basically, the nature of forums seems to be that you're going to have a lot more lurkers than posters.... this (obvious, i know) just seems to be the way it is...
one implicit aspect that encourages activity is if the content of the existing messages is very positive and helpful.... in other words, when the potential member is lurking about, if she sees that every time somebody asks a question, there are pretty quick, polite, and informative answers, well, that's a very good thing.... and, i think that does exist here...
this happens to be my favorite seo/web development type forum... it has a unique feel and identity....
it will grow with time and be incredibly successful </nostradamus>
thanks for listening,
kf
MULDER: Dr. Varnes believes this burst of energy is responsible for the transformational nature of the experience.
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