My members pay for perks which makes it more exclusive but restricting with codes is an interesting idea I may try. We have a few who like to come back after being banned multiple times to stir up trouble and that would help.

Having a unique chat system has worked well for us. It’s not java or flash and while it’s old school html the latest phones have browsers that are actually usable and like our simple system.

I pretty much leave my members to it and only step in as the Grand Poo-bah when things get out of hand.

If your community isn’t attractive to members, it will fail – regardless of whether it’s exclusive or open to all.

I understand the exclusivity emotion, but, exclusivity only works in my experience when there is something actually exclusive for which to wait.

For example, with Bernie Madoff, he used the principle of exclusivity to attract even bigger investors.

He did that by year after year (supposedly) showing a 10 to 15 percent (and more) return on investment. Of course, he was running a Ponzi Scheme, but even so, exclusivity along with the 10 to 15 percent prize was worth waiting for, and indeed was very alluring to those on the outside.

If I start a community though, what would I have to offer to them that they couldn’t get elsewhere and better.

I am happy to take this advice. I just am not sure what I can offer to make my community worth waiting for. And, without that, I know what I’d do. I’d seek out someone offering the same or better who would take me now.

I will anxiously await your input.

If your forum is already getting much of its members from search engines, you may get away unscathed despite alienating many potential members. However, for a site-less, word-of-mouth forum, you cannot be as judgmental.

I agree, though, that selectivity can be a good thing. What I mean is that, if you keep bringing in contributive members, while keeping spammers away, your community will benefit, obviously. That said, there is more than one way to be selective. For example, you may advertise at forums where there are more contributive members, and avoid forum promotion forums.

As for the point about making continued activity a requisite for membership: I am fine with that point if the content those people contributed remains. After all, the value of content does not decrease (or otherwise) based on the inactivity of a member. In any case, I am weary of deleting accounts, because I have known so many cases where a person may come back after a long absence and become active. If that person returns and sees his account is deleted, it may discourage him. Of course, making continued activity may work at some forums, but it does not seem like a best strategy for smaller forums.

Getting a few of those right people who end being online all day at your website or forum really helps get the ball rolling although it takes time to find these people.

Nice article.