Help3: How do you set a community culture?

**Saagar** · Feb 16th, 2007, 9:56 pm

Ok, I have read tonnes of articles about how to grow community at various places which talks about custom designing, having x no of forums, using paid post services, SEO and stuff like that.

but I have not come across articles or tips that really talk about how to set a community culture! and I think that's what it really differentiates different forums from each other in the long run. e.g. WTF has friendly community feel and members feel like being there talking to each other

so forum owners/admins could share tips or your opinion on how or what sets a community culture?

**Colleen** · Feb 20th, 2007, 8:27 pm

I am sorry this was not answered, I have not answered it myself as I do not have any clear cut answer here. I believe a lot of the success we've had so far is due to the fact we had many contacts, clients and friends who were invited to join the forum and help out. We've been blessed that way. What makes people stick though, I don't know, we'd need some members to give their input as to what makes them stay as I don't want to assume anything, I'm just very thankful, we have a wonderful, friendly, community here.

**grim** · Feb 20th, 2007, 8:50 pm

Tim stays as he hopes for more towel pics

**Colleen** · Feb 21st, 2007, 12:53 am

Originally Posted by grim

Tim stays as he hopes for more towel pics

Grim stays cause he loves Tim. :love:

**Kaos** · Feb 21st, 2007, 6:13 am

Well, I am not a forum person, I had never hung out on a forum before this one. The only reason I stayed here was because of the atmosphere Grim and Kalina had set. It wasn't a stuffy forum where everyone was trying to one up each others succeses. Its a forum where you can literally get a coding question answered and make a perverted joke all at once! :speak_cool:

I think the admin(s) of a forum can set the tone just be being laid back, joking around but at the same time showing their expertise and sharing their knowledge of the topic. - just my thoughts.

**Zap** · Feb 21st, 2007, 6:30 am

Originally Posted by kdemonte

I think the admin(s) of a forum can set the tone just be being laid back, joking around but at the same time showing their expertise and sharing their knowledge of the topic. - just my thoughts.

Very true. The admins set the tone for the mods and members by setting the example.

If admins do not tolerate spam, nasty comments, post padders, etc., then you will have a community that is free of those things and that's because the mods and members follow that example.

My advice is to act the way that you would like your community to act, govern your community accordingly and try to attract members and mods that subscribe to the same philosophy. Soon enough, your community will be what you want it to be.

Kalina is right, though, when she says that WTF has been blessed by good members. There's a lot to be said for the relationships that you build online and the people that you build them with. These things don't happen overnight.