Wake up call

[deigja]

I just came back to this site two weeks ago after a longer absence and have since gotten to know that the site had been down for some time.

It saddens me a little that the participation on the forums board is so little now as it used to be such a lively place a few years ago.
For me this Forum and the Stories section were the first access to a whole new world, A place that for me was safe for asking questions I didn´t want to ask in real life, a place where I could find myself.

Nowadays the fun and games is almost the only frequently used section.

Now you should not be the one to ask others what you would not be willing to do yourself so I started sharing a bit about myself ( turned out to be therapeutic as well)
But I would really like to ask everyone to please help reawakening this sleeping forum with a big kiss and a lot of writing!

This forum is worth it, not only for others to make the same good experiences I made, but for us all.

Please All help me!!!

Deigja

[Sirs_GoodGirl (Whyteknyght)]

I'm super new here (two days :)) but I LOVE the place. I am however hoping that it gets livelier, that maybe I just joined on a slow week....looking at the history I do see that it used to be ridiculously busy, maybe that can happen again? Even though it's "slow", ish, I am still getting more info and support than I knew was possible just two days ago!
So please, no one think I'm not grateful for everyone here. I sure am. But more is always better :P

[Solis]

Good morning, dears.

You're certainly right in your observations, and honorable in your desire to revivify (<-D/s vocabulary builder) the forums. The question becomes, how?

In general, there are two sorts of growth that a site might undergo:


Organic Growth - which occurs when those who've already discovered the site also discover reason to return more frequently and more vocally
Strategy Growth - which occurs when information about the site is propagated elsewhere (for example, through conversations or contributions elsewhere that refer to the Library)


In general, the former is more easily accomplished by community members than is the latter. The process, if it works at all, is gradual and takes discipline. I've actually chose to become more visible here this year, in pursuit of organic growth. The plan for visibility includes

Daily participation in at least one F/G exchange
Expansion of my F/G responses beyond the narrow constraints of the game, to include interesting asides or attempts at personal connection
Responses, where appropriate, to forum questions
A return to blog posts on a semi-regular basis


The first three are visibly underway. The last is hardest to slot in. I was modestly active through 2011 when chipmunk and I launched an investor education website (on top of our full-time careers), which sucks down enormous amounts of time and energy. (And can sound kinky: "over here, girl, I putting you into stocks, we're adding some leverage and going to expose your naked shorts while we get you position in some long-term bonds.") But I've got a couple drafts underway.

And you, girls? Do you have a list or need one?

S.

[deigja]

I think that if we just try to share a bit every once in a while on the forums instead of only doing so in chat (which I also do) there are more new interesting and informative threads. new members don´t need to search old threads and feel more welcome and usually if you begin sharing, others join in, telling their own stories.
This way the forums will be more attractive for both old users and new.
Also, some people that still come here have contact elsewhere (mail, other pages, real life) with members that have not found their way back because they just have not yet realized that the library is on again.. so I started to check with my old friends.. and at least one more is active again here.
Also we don´t need to grow too much. a smaller community that is more closely knit has it´s advantages. just a little more life would be good. there are almost at all times at least 10 members online but apart from fun and games they don´t participate much in the threads (even if it already has become better). So we need to encourage all without pressuring anyone.
As one who likes to write.. a lot .. and about almost any topic.. I try to do this by posting so there´s always new things for others to read and to respond to.
I don´t think that it´s good to plan a fixed number of minimum posts because quality over quantity... but sometimes it is okay to ask oneself.. do I have something to share that could be helpful/ interesting for others...

Thank you for your helpful insights. And participation of course.
deigja

[Solis]

Tonight's fun fact to know 'n' share: 38 members logged-in over the last 60 minutes. 25 of those were here in the past 30 minutes. Which is to say, there's potential for lively discussions should folks choose to speak up.

Fun Fact #2: Gagged Louise and rosebud are locked in a fierce struggle for the Submissive Posting Champeenship of the World! At the moment, GL has 39,800 posts to her credit. Rosie's hot on her butt with 39,768. I'd say that winner gets to spank the loser, but with those two I'm not sure that'd be their preference.

As to dear deigja's point, I'd merely note that discipline is the key. (My membership in the Dom's Union - Dominants United for Domineering Excellence or DUDEs - requires me to say that.) A couple years ago, chipmunk was required to offer a respectful, substantive greeting to every non-creepy person who posted in the Introduction/Welcome forum. That forced her out of the easy habit of being shy and quiet, and it added a thoughtful, welcoming voice for each new member. It was an unambiguously articulated, enforceable task because human nature leads us too quickly to set tasks aside with the mental promise that "i'll get to it soon."

S.

[deigja]

I want to thank you all as these last days the library seemed much more lively. I hope it will stay this way :-). Thank you ahmandy2 for beeing so open with questions and sharing of your life. And thank you solis, for the deep insights you share... and of course all the others. please stay awake or the bell will ring again
deigja

[elizabethlemon]

I feel the same way. I am coming back from an 8 year absence. I remember the forums being much busier then, in all different areas. It was so nice to have so many like minded people to chat with. While I have found that everyone here is still welcoming and helpful, I am a little disappointed that so many are gone and the forums are so quiet :(

[deigja]

It´s getting better and it´s quality over quantity right now ;-) and I´m happy that we have gotten a pretty active member back with you.
Deigja