How do I encourage visitors to interact with each other on my forum (topic: learn to draw)?

9 replies
Hey!

I'm a moderator of a subreddit about learning to draw. Because I work more than full-time as a concept artist/illustrator, I can't leave feedback for every user that makes a post. I tried but it got in the way of my work

Ideally, other subscribers would leave comments, encouraging each other, giving tips, ... Resulting in 5-10 comments on every post made to the subreddit. Even if it's fellow beginners chatting with each other, that would be great! They can share resources, schedules, tips, motivation or just having fun

How do I go about creating more user-interaction in the forum? My goal is to have a subreddit where any artist feels supported and encouraged. You know, have it be a little drawing community.

- Iris
#draw #encourage #forum #interact #learn #topic #visitors
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Iris, this may sound silly, but have you simply asked them to comment?

    Here's another idea...

    You said you didn't have time to give feedback to every artist in your subreddit. Do you have time to give feedback to one or more? If so, you could offer your personal feedback to the top X commenters, as determined however you want to define it. Maybe most constructive comments, most upvotes, whatever.
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    • Profile picture of the author IrisMKH
      Yeah, I can give feedback a little bit. There's no tracking system, however I could encourage the person who I'm interacting with to pass it on
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      Currently drawing: http://irishopp.com/

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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Originally Posted by IrisMKH View Post

    Hey!

    I'm a moderator of a subreddit about learning to draw. Because I work more than full-time as a concept artist/illustrator, I can't leave feedback for every user that makes a post. I tried but it got in the way of my work

    Ideally, other subscribers would leave comments, encouraging each other, giving tips, ... Resulting in 5-10 comments on every post made to the subreddit. Even if it's fellow beginners chatting with each other, that would be great! They can share resources, schedules, tips, motivation or just having fun

    How do I go about creating more user-interaction in the forum? My goal is to have a subreddit where any artist feels supported and encouraged. You know, have it be a little drawing community.

    - Iris
    How large is the forum right now?
    It can be very hard to get people to interact with each other, or even on a site in general, you could ask them or get some posts started to get them thinking
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    • Profile picture of the author IrisMKH
      15k subscribers, 1.5k views a day.

      I was thinking to sticky a post at the top, but I don't want to be bossy or patronizing either :/ Like, I don't know how to phrase my concerns in a way that makes commenting appealing.
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      Currently drawing: http://irishopp.com/

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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Asking questions can help a ton Iris. Really goes a long way in increasing engagement.

    You may flesh out some lesson and end with 3-4 specific questions. This works well on blog posts and forums. Just look at Warrior. Someone may write a smashing post but engagement tends to remain low unless they sweeten the engagement pot with 3-4 questions - related to the post - at the post's end. Then folks begin to chat.

    I also see that addressing big time pain points goads folks to act. Think of pressing problems in the drawing niche. You may be covering them well yet adding in frustrations of illustrators can help to inspire more folks to speak up.

    If I read something helpful I may nod and move on to the next post. If I read something that seems specifically crafted to address my most agonizing pains, then I am almost always leaving a comment to both thank the author/creator and to help other readers by sharing my thoughts.

    1 more engagement.

    These concepts work across blogs, Q and A sites, forums, anywhere human beings meet to discuss ideas related to their niche of choice.

    Keep asking those questions through all posts too. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 posts to get that engagement train chugging. You almost condition folks to respond by asking 3 or 4 specific questions at post's end. Eventually, shy forum members share their thoughts or the more social/vocal folks find your thread, speak up, and the chat ensues.

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Rodburg
    If you do decide to put a post on top, you can simply put a welcome spiel and what you wish for the forum to be like in days to come then end it with a closing line. It seems you are sincere with your intentions and it will show.

    Do random feedbacks from time to time (can you do it several times a week?). It doesn't have to be to every user but it does have to be a regular thing just to get your presence known.

    To add about asking:
    You can ask them to share experiences on a particular situation. Most likely there will be an answer they can relate to.
    Maybe even have them talk about the future, their plans with their skills, etc.
    Ask them about their motivations or have them feature their favorite artists.

    This way, it helps bring out something they have in common and eventually have something to start a conversation with.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    This thread interested me as I read it just after returning from a private musical performance.

    There were about 3 dozen people in the room - and over the course of two hours I noticed a 'divide' in how they interacted with the musicians. The singer - and the pianist - were informal and giving background and stories of various song just before performing the song.

    Everyone there was a musician in some form or other - some are pros, some teach - some of us "do" music for pure enjoyment. It was an informal and approachable performance by a singer with talent and experience on broadway and a well known local pianist.

    I noticed there were a few (6-8) people who sat on the front row - nodded at everything the singer talked about - wildly applauded every song performed - rushed to speak with the singer and pianist the moment the performance ended. I have to admit to being a bit uncomfortable with cries of "bravo" from this group after every song. Easily impressed. "old groupies"? The singer knew how to keep them involved - a smile or comment here and there was all it took.

    A second group - much larger - would respond when the performer asked about a song - as in "do you remember this" - or "have you performed this" or "why do you think..."? - they would speak out and tell their experiences and share background of themselves and of the music. Interesting interaction - and all in response to questions that allowed people to talk about themselves.

    About half of the people (I was in this group yesterday) were there to listen and enjoy and had no interest in participation. That group appreciated others who participated and were paying attention and involved in a different way.

    This group was made up of people with a similar interest (music) but at different levels of involvement in the interest. My guess is in any group with an artistic 'bent' - you may find the same division of 'followers'.

    I hope that makes sense.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    Artists are just crazy in general, I think it's a requirement.

    Hey, wait a minute...
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    I was proud of myself....I watched the little old ladies (and one little old man) in the front row - sighing and nodding and twittering - and calling out "bravo, bravo"...and I didn't laugh out loud a single time!!!

    Not once.
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    Please do not 'release balloons' for celebrations. The balloons and trailing ribbons entangle birds and kill wildlife and livestock that think the balloons are food.
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