1. Is it just the topic is no longer hot? Otherwise known as the Beanie Babies phenomenon. You have a board that is a
blockbuster usually related to some outside fad and then over a short period of time it drags to a screeching halt. Nothing
you can do here except take the board down.
2.Has this board recently been in flames? Flame wars have a unique effect
on boards. The numbers go way up during the battle. Then people leave and the board settles down to nothing for a time. During
this time period, a little cooling off period with business as usual discussions will eventually have the members return.
(At least the ones who weren't banned!)
3.Have you lost enthusiasm for the board? sick? Too busy? Do you need encouragement?
Some new ideas? A new board? Or some time off? Contact your mod and let her know. She will work something out with you!
4.
Does the board need new members? Write some promos, send them to cmods who can use them appropriately in their community.
Post the promo on the Around iVillage Board. (Yes you can wear your hat)
http://boards1.ivillage.com/cgi-bin/boards/ivfoundivillage Add the board to related boards more suggestions boxes.
I want to say a little on board growth. This isn't
because I think we need growth at all costs. I don't want numbers built on dissent, arguing and cat-fighting. Those numbers
don't last. Those numbers don't create COMMUNITY, which is our goal. A healthy community has ever increasing, growing numbers
of happy, content members. Nurturing community is vital.
Do your boards have very little in the way of hateful and
harassing posts? TOS violations are few and far between? Can you say your board is growing all the time? Is it attracting
and retaining new members? Then you are doing a good job nurturing your board. Keep up the good work! That is what we are
shooting for. Keep looking for opportunities to grow though. Boards can be very fickle and can level off if they are not injected
with new ideas, new directions to grow in.
If your boards are having frequent TOS problems then there is some sort
of breakdown in the community spirit in many cases. (I realize debate boards just have a tendency that way, although
if you do have a debate board that has bunches of TOS, feel free to contact me for advice on how to manage a hot and
heavy board so that the members learn what is allowable under TOS.) Try to determine what the problem is and encourage
a community attitude.
If your numbers are dropping or just level, look at what is going on. Is it a boring board?
Do you like reading it? Do we need that board? Does it need advertising? Has it formed a clique and newcomers aren't warmly
welcomed? Is there just nothing to talk about?
If your numbers bounce up and down dramatically, try to determine why.
Is it seasonal? Is it related to weeks in which you put in more effort than others? Are the numbers bouncing because of arguments
and unrest? Or is there another reason?
It may help to have an outsider try to determine the reason. If you are having
problems with growth or community-feel, ask around. Ask your friends to come check out your boards. Ask me. Ask other board
managers. Find out why they wouldn't post on your board if they belonged to the group your board is going
after. As always, Board Q and A is a great place to get input!
