This is the Warrior Forum and you are a Warrior

we need more new members like you. Welcomer mate

I think one of the things that would help this forum immensely, and at the same time make your job a whole lot easier, is to better inform current and new members what we're here for (shared vision) and what actions will not be tolerated.

Yes, there are rules laid out already (some are vague and a little hazy) but my sense is, very few new members voluntarily read the rules or understand what should and shouldn't be done in posting and creating threads.

Set clear expectations. Leave no doubt about violations that won't be tolerated. Then hold everyone's feet to the fire. Be fair and understanding with minor goofs, but be quick to act on obvious abuses of the policies and rules.

I realize this is a tall order and you can't do it effectively by yourself.

Running a public forum is like herding cats . . . Gabe, you are to be commended for your bravery and courage to take on such an ambitious commitment. I personally believe that the success of any forum is largely due to the members that engage with each other and are willing to share.

Warrior members will help - we have your back - we want this forum to be the best source of IM expertise and help there is online. But I fear many "infrequent" members and lots of brand new members, don't share the vision of what the WF is all about and don't care to read the rules.

Personal promotion and agendas need to be better confined to the paid sections of the forum (with the sig file exception). Just my opinion, of course.

Steve

lol congratulations Gabriel. I happy about your success and this brings hope into my life.

Allan = you bet mate.

Welcome to the WF

Gabe,

Could it be that the Warrior Forum needs to better define it's target audience? Countless times in these WF threads we witness successful and profitable business owners hammering home the point that in online business it is critical to focus on a specific targeted like-minded audience, a defined niche with set boundaries and a focused singular mission. It's quite OK, they emphasize, in fact preferable, to not try to be all things to all people.

Should the WF be any different? Should it not have a "perfect" customer profile that it goes after for its members? Of course, I realize this is your show and you can program it as you like.

I'm just hoping you will consider that it's quite all right to not cater to every "make money online" tapped out and desperate person that is seeking the holy grail of ease, speed, wealth, and no work.

For me personally, I wish the WF was focused on Internet Marketing for serious entrepreneurs that are intent on setting up real businesses, not the "gotta have $50 bucks by Wednesday" crowd. This focus doesn't exclude newbies, people trying to decide if IM is right for them, or folks just wanting a supplemental income. It doesn't exclude business models, people's chosen IM strategies, or individual niches.

As I view the WF, it doesn't appear to me that there is any focused effort to draw in a targeted audience of any particular kind. If anything, it seems to me, outsiders are drawn here by the "pump and dump" WSOs, unrealistic earnings BS, and often bad advice that paints this business as push-button easy.

I care about the WF or I wouldn't spend so much time here.

Steve

Too bad you weren't around when Big Frank got banned. He may have been a butt-wipe on occasion, but he never told a lie, could spot BS a mile away and had more common-sense than most people. Tragically, he was banned for expressing his opinion and always pointing-out the the absolute worst worst in people. A dirty job, yes - but someone had to do it.

Honestly Gabriel, I'm not arrogant or pompous enough to believe that I have an answer to the problem. It does seem to be a concern that I hear voiced more than occasionally and I'm sure there are many here that can provide workable solutions.

I have spent countless Saturday mornings reporting spam posts, self-promotion posts and just plain idiotic questions which the former owners claimed they wanted to discourage. My job is over once I report a problem. After that, it's all yours, my friend, to deal with in a way which you deem appropriate - with nary a complaint from me on how you choose to run your forum.

I have always maintained the position that if someone doesn't like the way owners or management run this or any other forum, they should STFU, cancel their account and start their own forum. It's your sandbox and I'm happy to be able to play in. It appears that you have already started making positive changes, so kudos to you for that. Just remember that you can't do it all by yourself and ultimately, what destroys any forum is trusting unqualified, insecure, unyielding, power-hungry adolescent individuals as moderators to mold the forum in your image. Without constant supervision they become toxic. They need to reflect your vision - not what they want to think your vision is based upon 'how they would do things' if this was their forum.

Lastly, I do have a few thoughts on how you cease the exodus of good people, many of whom have drifted away.

1. Take all of the most common questions that are constantly asked and put the answers up as stickies.

2. Make it mandatory that newbies learn to use the search function, in conjunction with the aforementioned stickies. Don't allow people who simply love to hear themselves talk, to answer those questions. You can have a contest to see who can be the first forum member to respond to any question like that with the following response; "That information can be found in our stickies, with more information provided in many threads that can be found by learning to use the search function. Please don't clog the forum with questions that have been asked and answered over a thousand times." lol

3. Forbid questions like, "Which is the best email autoresponder (web hosting bulk email service, etc., etc.,etc.). No one can answer that question as there are so many variables that it defies logic that there could be a right or wrong answer without a deep dive into the poster's personal situation. In your stickies section you can have polls. Let all of the members vote for what they believe the best autoresponder is. That will at least give the questioner a starting point which they can work from. If there's way for them to comment as to why they think something is best, that could be good, if technically feasible although most of the reasons posted will be,"because it's free" or "because it's cheap." If you encourage a pauper mentality by your members, they will remain paupers, probably forever.

4. No more, "What would you do if you had a billion $$$." Seriously? Outta here!

5. No more, "I am new to IM. Please tell me how can I make $1000 a week, with no budget, no work and while you're at it, please tell me where I can get everything I need, completely free of charge. Oh, I forgot. Please be sure to include your secret sauce that you have spent years developing." Two words - bite me! I take that back. Three words. Bite me, loser!

6. Enough with the, "If you believe it, you can achieve it" bullshit. People are encouraged to pursue avenues that they have no requisite skill for, understanding of, or budget to actuate any plan. The mantra is fine as self-confidence is a good thing. Telling people that there is 'no way you can fail' as long as you stay focused on your goal, resembles cruelty of the worst type. It's generally proffered by individuals that have never made a dime at IM and never will, regardless of how much they 'believe.' Are there exceptions? Of course there are. There are exceptions to everything in life, but, truth be told, 99% of folks that choose IM as a career will be gone in a year - two at best. I'm sorry, but 'blogging your way to riches' is a pipe dream for all but the few gifted and lucky individuals that may achieve anything even remotely resembling that status. These post are some of the most heartless type of posts, regardless of the poster's pure intent and belief in what they say. It's very sad. lol

Finally, charge $10 to join the forum which is refunded after 90 days. You will instantly negate the hordes of posers from joining which is what you should desire, depending on whether you are after quality or quantity. If your goal is simply to grow the membership and flip the forum for a quick profit, this idea, of course, makes absolutely no sense. if you want to grow your future by creating something that is world-renowned, that you take a tremendous amount of both personal and business pride in, my idea makes perfect sense. If someone is not willing to invest $10 for what you have to offer them, knowing it will be returned to them in 90 days, what value do think they are bringing to your forum and for what possible reason would you want them as a member???

Oh, I have plenty more, but I'm loathe to send you a PayPal invoice for my consultation fees. lol Start with those and you'll improve the forum 1000% percent and make it much more enjoyable for those that really need this place to be a viable and valuable source of relevant information to help them build their online ventures. No forum is perfect, but I'm sure you have a desire to make this one as good as it can be. I'm sure that everyone here wishes that for you - and, for themselves.

I'm an old man, officially retiring in 12 more days from just shy of 50 years of work. It matters not to me what happens here, but this isn't about me. It's about you and what YOU want out of life and what you want to offer your members.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts with you.

Please be advised. I generally get 10¢ per word and always get a 100% Copyscape rating.

Thank you.

P.S. Are you ready to change your mind about banning people for voicing their opinions? There won't be any bad feelings on this end. If someone is going to dish it out, they need to accept any consequences, without complaint. I can take it. I'm already feeling liberated by my pending retirement :-)

Ok, well if you guys really are running the world, then how come my map still doesn't measure driving distances by Kinnie's consumed?

Yeah, it's been a few decades since I was there last, things have likely changed.

LOL guys it's not that bad... to make it easier I'll join you Gabriel.

And well done BF/OptedIn

Years ago a friend spent several years in Australia as an engineer some big project and wrote fantastic letters about his experiences. Before that a man I worked with at a university (a glassblower working in the technical fields) emigrated permanently to Australia from the US and wrote to say how he loved it there.

I've read "A Sunburned Country" by Bill Bryson - I watched documentaries about Australia - watched videos over the Great Barrier Reef - love to watch "House Hunter International" about people looking for housing in Australia.....

But... due to the creepies and crawlies - some bigger than me - have no desire to set foot on the continent. I'm such a chicken.

laurence -

Considering recent events here - I might have to rethink my opinions about the dangers of Aussieland.

Good stuff. Somehow I missed this Thread. But Gab really seems to be on the right track.

I just hope this Thread doesn't attract some of the Haters who thankfully have finally left.

And no I don't mean people who voice their opinions, concerns, and problems. I am talking about people who do that but in the most rudest ,most selfish and vitriolic manner. You know who you are

And please don't come back !!

Oh crap. yes that was a typo