Getting members involved and making them feel needed is a plus in member retention. Christianity Haven is going to be celebrating its 4th anniversary (or is it birthday?) this year and we have members who have been around since the first year and they're still very active.
We have created a private forum for our longtime active members and we call them our Senior Members. Not because they are old...well, some of them are LOL, but because they have a seniority of sorts. They have opinions on what the site is like and can sense trouble when staff isn't paying full attention because of troll hunting or whatever. So to keep our dirty laundry from the public view, we have that forum for staff to ask them questions concerning the site as well as for them to bring up their troubles. This way our drama is behind the scenes but we're still actively working on fixing things if it's broken.
Our Senior Members group has requirements in order to remain in the group such as needing them to log in at least once every 30 days, be on the site for over 6 months total and actively post throughout the forum and not just one section. We currently have about 12 members (not including staff) who have access to the site. It's not for the elite and it's not special treatment. It's our way of listening so they know we care and it benefits the site all around.
Congratulations. I love you cause! keep doing what you are doing and it will soon pay off! Your site is expanding and I am very fond of what I am seeing 🙂 Very well done to you!
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This is a great idea to have! I currently have a private forum on my board, but it's for those who have at least 15 good posts and requested to join a certain group. I think it's nice to have rewards for those who have stuck with your site since the beginning!
I am on various forum and other websites for more than 15 years now and seen it practically. Almost every site has members who you can keep in "Vigilant" category even if they have nothing to do with moderation or editing. Some of them do it openly and some prefer to report unwanted activities in anonymity. Some of these members play a vital role in keeping the sites clean and free from spammers or wayward responses.
I think another reason that my Senior Members group is so important is because THEY are the community. It's not just me and what I want although my vision for the site is important...if they see it tumbling down a bad path, it's their community too and they have a voice. I might not always listen but that's the chance I take.
@Lammchen That's what is a community or forum all about. If the members (senior or junior) do not take it's proper care, the forum most likely would not survive.
I do want to make something like this, but sadly I can't keep enough members around long enough to warrant this.
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I've never really thought about rewarding long term members to be honest, and thinking about it after this post I feel kind of shameful for not thinking about it until right now. It is extremely beneficial to those who have been active for so long to get rewarded. I'll have to think of some things to give them.
What are some things you all recommend for a game development website?
I don't really give the Senior Members anything...not even a rank. They get access to a private forum where they can complain openly and even complain about me 😀 I'd rather they do it in the private forum where it can be handled. I think that's the satisfaction that they get...being able to complain.