How can we stimulate members participation?

[Atsta]

I cannot recal, how I found these forums, probably a "google" search of some form, since registering, I tend to visit every 3rd day or so, and find that the activity is a lot more than some of other bookmarked links I have.

Many of the items are (by my own choice) not for me, and thus I don't even bother viewing many of the topics, but those that do tickle my fancy, and if it is worthy of making the effort to post a reply, then I do.

but making useless posts, just to remain active, or to be a "post-count-whore" is not really worth it, it must be a meaningful contribution, to be worth my while posting

[Like Ra]

but making useless posts, just to remain active, or to be a "post-count-whore" is not really worth it, it must be a meaningful contribution, to be worth my while posting

Absolutely. This is one of the points I made many years ago. One of the reasons I added the "Like" button.

[Marcus]

Well I suppose I'm the "post-reads-whore" , I like to see how may people read what was in a thread / session. Kinda cool if people like your stuff.

It takes a lot of effort to try and do good photos and write something about them all... I get discouraged when only a handful of people read stuff ... or you get no feedback at all ..... why bother ?

And yes I know this is mostly my own fault as my writing style and expression suck.

Hmmm Maybe we program Ra's chat-bot to subconsciously encourage people to contribute....

[Like Ra]

Maybe we program Ra's chat-bot to subconsciously encourage people to contribute....

That was one of the ideas behind the bot 😉

[Tinker D]

I don't think I fall into the Post/Read whore type of thing.
I do make comments and the likes, but as mom always said " if you have nothing to contribute, say nothing".
I always try to come up with something new.
I've started a few threads based on things that eather happen to me or what could happen to others if something went wrong.
I do enjoy self bondage and bondage as well, but I like to live too.
I do read a lot of these threads and some ideas I'll try. But if I see any danger, I'll post my concerns. As it-happen-to-me.

[Zooy]

I guess many people are like me: not very gifted in writing, and not nearly as creative and adventurous as the members who contribute most. If you are not very experienced it is a lot of work to figure out how to make a posting that includes relevant pictures. The other day I started writing something about magnetic balls and what can be done cq. Shouldn't be done with them. I never managed to finish it and the parts that I did write did not read well: way to much like a technical article. And I had not made it yet to the pictures... Maybe I can compose something nice eventually. But it is a lot of effort.
Of course, once you are used to it and you are a prolific writer, things are much easier.

Then there is also the factor that probably a fair percentage of the members are actually a bit ashamed to be a member on a site like this. It is very unlikely that such people will ever contribute.

[vacuum_experiments]

I think that we could tell more about the reasons why we like these fetishes. I guess many people, when they get to this website, try to integrate the fetish community as «uncertain about their mind», but by explaining more clearly how we got there, how we daily live every day our fetishes, I guess it could help.

Helping people to understain their behaviour by discussing with them, I think it's the solution !

[Like Ra]

But it is a lot of effort.

Oh yeah, tell me about it ... 😁

[Like Ra]

Almost three years have passed. Does anybody have any new ideas? 😊

[madjack]

Almost three years have passed. Does anybody have any new ideas? 😊

Sadly no... 

My own posting has become noticeably (in my mind) sporadic and it is increasingly difficult to find the time to create new material of my own - I feel slightly embarrassed re-posting other peoples work, even if it is interesting to me.

I suspect others are also struggling to find/justify the time we would all love to devote to this forum, maybe that's a factor afflicting all?

And I should add that it's not just this forum - others I frequent (which are totally fetish free I hasten to add) have also seen a dramatic down-turn in contributions and I've seen similar appeals from site owners and moderators asking for more posts or suggestions to encourage more members.

Sign of the times?

MJ