How to make the forum more popular

[Valkyrie123]

So I noticed a lot of the threads are dying out and there are usually not many people on the forum. So here we can brainstorm ideas to restart threads, recruit members and make Sherlock popular again.

[Caya]

Might be hard, considering the lack of new episodes in the foreseeable future (or ever). 

Also, I recognize I may be in the minority here, but I kinda like it small and cozy. 

[Valkyrie123]

You are certainly not in the minority. I like it small and cozy too, but its hard when nobody is online to reply or react, and by the time they do, you have sort of lost interest. I would love to make it more popular with current users, instead of recruiting more, but sometimes thats the only option...

[Artemis]

I don't think the forum will gain popularity unless the show sees a resurgence.

I try to keep some of the general chat threads alive by posting pictures and such when I have time.  But as far as the Sherlock-related threads, there isn't a lot that hasn't already been discussed at length by the members who still visit, and most of them don't seem to have any desire to revisit the show at this point in time.  So I think it will be difficult to get people involved in those conversations again.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

9 hours ago, SherLOCKED123 said:

You are certainly not in the minority. I like it small and cozy too

Me three!  But "small" is a relative term.  Some of our regulars are tied up with real-life situations right now, so things were sometimes just a bit *too* cozy until this recent batch of new members came along.  And I must say, you folks are very welcome!

9 hours ago, SherLOCKED123 said:

its hard when nobody is online to reply or react

Even when things were really humming with discussion of a new series, this forum has rarely had more than a few people on at a time, largely because members are spread across so many time zones.  (We tried having a chat room, but no one ever knew when anyone else might be in there, and it was finally closed.)  I find it useful to think of the forum as more like email:  I go online, read the new posts, and respond -- then next time I go on, there may be responses to what I posted before.

9 hours ago, SherLOCKED123 said:

I would love to make it more popular with current users

Right now we're in kind of a lull as regards several of the usual regulars.  For example, one is moving to a new place, one is a health-care worker busy with the current epidemic, and one is on the road a lot these days. I would expect them to be back sooner or later.  In the meantime, we can all make a point of actually posting the things that we think of posting -- they don't necessarily have to be Sherlock related.  Just as an example, if you see a person doing something peculiar, you could post it and we could try to figure out why they might have been doing that (which really is Sherlock related, in a way).

2 hours ago, Artemis said:

as far as the Sherlock-related threads, there isn't a lot that hasn't already been discussed at length by the members who still visit, and most of them don't seem to have any desire to revisit the show at this point in time.

There's some truth in that, but that's where new members can really help.  As I recall, most of the recent joiners have watched the show recently, so they presumably have questions, comments, etc., which can be posted on the appropriate episode's thread, or in one of the general Sherlock discussion threads, or in a new thread.  In fact, there has already been some activity of that sort, such as the recent discussion of Eurus in the "Lying Detective" thread.

And even if some of us aren't quite ready for a rewatch at the moment, any of us could take a peek at some of the older Sherlock-related threads.  Surely something will spark a question or a comment that we can post (along with a quote of the original post. of course).

 

[Artemis]

18 minutes ago, Carol the Dabbler said:

There's some truth in that, but that's where new members can really help.

Certainly.    I'm not opposed to new members, by any means (I was new not so long ago).  It's been a bit too quiet here lately.  I was just saying that I think interest in the show has waned significantly, both with older members and with the general population, so I hope newer members won't be too disappointed if they encounter that on the forum.  Even if we get a few members who are new to the show, discussions probably aren't going to be as active as they were when the show was still running new episodes.  It's sad to think about, but most people have moved on.

18 minutes ago, Carol the Dabbler said:

I find it useful to think of the forum as more like email:  I go online, read the new posts, and respond -- then next time I go on, there may be responses to what I posted before.

That's a good way of looking at it.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

7 minutes ago, Artemis said:

Even if we get a few members who are new to the show, discussions probably aren't going to be as active as they were when the show was still running new episodes.

Mercifully!!!  Those days were just a tad *too* active for my taste.  I enjoy being able to pay real attention to each new post and respond to a significant percentage of them -- and that simply wasn't possible when there were so many new posts per day.

 

[Artemis]

2 minutes ago, Carol the Dabbler said:

Mercifully!!!  Those days were just a tad *too* active for my taste.  I enjoy being able to pay real attention to each new post and respond to a significant percentage of them -- and that simply wasn't possible when there were so many new posts per day.

Lol, good point!  I do like being able to keep up.

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

On 6/28/2020 at 12:51 AM, Caya said:

Also, I recognize I may be in the minority here, but I kinda like it small and cozy. 

No you are not. I actually felt weird when it was very active during season 4. Nobody had time to listen/read to one another. I couldn't catch up with the post and gave up all together, I think it's more fun to actually read and respond to replies instead of just throw something at it and go. Anyway, I felt like a stranger going to party that I don't want to, felt alone and wanted to just sit at the corner and play with the dog.

Imho, for a show that only has 13 episodes in the span of yearssssss, I think we are doing quite well. Heh... 

But yes of course, if we have new members with fresh eyes and takes, it's fun, and I'm all for resurrecting old threads, I think I'm guilty of some. Not sure why other forums are against it, who knows, maybe their show is not only 13 episodes for span of yearsssss???

[Carol the Dabbler]

On 7/9/2020 at 12:28 AM, Van Buren Supernova said:

I'm all for resurrecting old threads, I think I'm guilty of some. Not sure why other forums are against it,

 

Me neither, but boy, judging by their moderators' reactions, you'd think it was a mortal sin!  So I say phooey on 'em!

 

[Mrs Hudson]

I've only just discovered Sherlock on Netflix and this forum. The problem is that, of course, everything that can be discussed has been discussed. I've spent the past couple of weeks mooching around here in after watching an episode a night. I've felt quite sad for being so late to the party because I would have loved this forum in its heyday. 😭 

I guess all we can do is hope for a special or a new season

[Caya]

Hello Mrs Hudson and welcome to the forum!

Trust me, we will be happy to discuss Sherlock with you. For example, Carol and I almost re-hashed the good ole' Is Mary A Murderer controversy the other day, so don't I really don't think everything is said and done here. Dive right in and we'll be happy to follow you wherever you may go.

[Valkyrie123]

3 minutes ago, Caya said:

 

Trust me, we will be happy to discuss Sherlock with you. 

Yes, I am always happy to discuss Sherlock as well. Also, @Caya, where do you stand on the 'Is Mary a murderer'  argument?

[Caya]

In my opinion, she is - Sherlock flatlined. Since I don't want to lead this to threadjacking, I'll leave it at that, here at least. But please do make your own statement about her guilt or lack thereof in the correct thread, @SherLOCKED123, and I'll be happy to dive in again (as will @Carol the Dabbler, I bet ). Once more unto the breach!

[Carol the Dabbler]

9 hours ago, Mrs Hudson said:

I've only just discovered Sherlock on Netflix and this forum. The problem is that, of course, everything that can be discussed has been discussed.

Maybe, maybe not -- but we haven't heard *your* opinions yet!  As Caya says, please feel free to post your comments, questions, etc. on any thread where it's relevant.  And if you don't see a relevant thread, then feel quite free to create one (by clicking "start new topic" or "create topic").

Consider this:  The forum came online shortly after Series 2 was aired in the UK, at which point the first few members discussed all of Series 1 and 2.  When Series 3 aired, a lot of new people joined to discuss the new episodes, but they also added their thoughts on the first two series.  And the same thing happened when Abominable Bride aired, ditto Series 4.  Plus a lot of people joined between series.  So just because there hasn't been a new series lately doesn't mean you aren't allowed to have your say about the entire show!

Furthermore, unless a thread is short, you needn't feel obliged to read all the prior posts before posting there.  You may accidentally repeat what someone else has already posted, but so what?  Goodness knows I've even repeated *myself* now and then.  The point is, other than possibly a few people with photographic memories, *nobody* remembers everything that's ever been posted here.

 

[Artemis]

On 7/12/2020 at 5:15 AM, Mrs Hudson said:

I've felt quite sad for being so late to the party because I would have loved this forum in its heyday.

I know a little of how you feel.  I started watching the show in 2012, but I didn’t join the forum (or fandom) until just after S4 had finished airing, so I only caught the tail-end of fandom heyday.  I’m a little bummed for missing out.

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

Welcome Mrs.Hudson,

Please check what is applicable to you:

- There are body parts in your fridge too

- You used Billy the Skull to make your soup tastes better (that's what he said and I'm able to prove it)

- You weren't only just typing

 

On 7/12/2020 at 6:32 PM, Caya said:

Trust me, we will be happy to discuss Sherlock with you. For example, Carol and I almost re-hashed the good ole' Is Mary A Murderer controversy the other day, so don't I really don't think everything is said and done here.

Hook me up!

[Jen]

I just read this thread.

 

People post less and less on forums, for several years... It’s so bad ! I love forums. I am an admin on a French forum, and a member of several other forums, and it’s very difficult to continue conversations. Even if there aren't new Sherlock season, it’s interesting for a new fan to talk with people who love Sherlock for a long time!

[Caya]

Well we're still around , and if you want a lively debate, just state something about one of the good old controversies (like, post "Mary is/isn't a murderer", according to your stance on this, in the appropriate thread) and I guarantee you the discussion will spring to life again.

[Jen]

😂 I'm delighted to know that I can discuss with you and revive the discussions !! 

[Carol the Dabbler]

2 hours ago, Jen said:

😂 I'm delighted to know that I can discuss with you and revive the discussions !! 

Yes, please do!

 

[HerlockSholmes]

As some of you might know I’ve had a 35 year interest in the Whitechapel Murders and I post on a couple of Forums (which discus other true crimes too) and on one of them I’ve also noticed a significant lull in posting over the last few months. A couple of new members have joined recently and have begun new threads but it’s still pretty quiet overall. That Forum differs from this one in that it can be a bit of a bear pit. Lots of disagreeing. This forum is much more harmonious and its different for me when I log in here because I don’t have 4 messages waiting for me all telling me in detail how I’ve misinterpreted some minutiae of evidence! Not that I’m suggesting making this forum more confrontational of course. Maybe the subject has suffered from the Hallie Rubenhold Agenda?

I can’t see any particularly strong reason for a lull although a new series would help of course. The only reason that I don’t post more is because I don’t know anywhere near enough about Sherlock as opposed to the original. I guess that it’s just a case of doing a bit of head scratching and coming up with new ideas for threads and new angles.

One of the Forums I use runs a weekly caption competition for a bit of fun which can generate ideas too. The Administrator posts a photograph (in their case usually an old Victorian photo) and posters have to add a humorous suggestion on what’s being said. Admin awards a winner (though no prize) Perhaps a book review thread or discussion of favourite books. Maybe an ‘other detectives’ thread?

What I’m basically saying; and what you all already know, is that the Sherlock Forum is doing nothing wrong. Keep up the good work guys.👍

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

7 hours ago, HerlockSholmes said:

The only reason that I don’t post more is because I don’t know anywhere near enough about Sherlock as opposed to the original.

Then you could ask questions -- the Sherlock nuts on here would love to have something to respond to!

7 hours ago, HerlockSholmes said:

One of the Forums I use runs a weekly caption competition for a bit of fun which can generate ideas too. The Administrator posts a photograph (in their case usually an old Victorian photo) and posters have to add a humorous suggestion on what’s being said.

Tim did do something like that a few years back (here and here).  It got very little response at that time, but who knows -- it might work better now.  Since you've seen it work well, could you start a thread like that?

[Van Buren Supernova]

On 1/2/2021 at 7:16 PM, HerlockSholmes said:

One of the Forums I use runs a weekly caption competition for a bit of fun which can generate ideas too. The Administrator posts a photograph (in their case usually an old Victorian photo) and posters have to add a humorous suggestion on what’s being said. Admin awards a winner (though no prize) Perhaps a book review thread or discussion of favourite books. Maybe an ‘other detectives’ thread?

I think it sounds like a good idea. 

On 1/3/2021 at 3:27 AM, Carol the Dabbler said:

Then you could ask questions -- the Sherlock nuts on here would love to have something to respond to!

I'm with Carol, but sadly she prefers nuts to respond to that, which I don't think I'm qualified. 

[Carol the Dabbler]

On 1/2/2021 at 2:27 PM, Carol the Dabbler said:

Then you could ask questions -- the Sherlock nuts on here would love to have something to respond to!

 

16 hours ago, Van Buren Supernova said:

I'm with Carol, but sadly she prefers nuts to respond to that, which I don't think I'm qualified. 

Hey, did I say that non-nuts would be excluded?  Go for it!

I just noticed that Herlock also made these suggestions:

On 1/2/2021 at 6:16 AM, HerlockSholmes said:

Perhaps a book review thread or discussion of favourite books. Maybe an ‘other detectives’ thread?

Those both sound like good ideas.  There may, in fact, already be threads for those topics which could be resurrected.  Alternatively, any member could create new ones.  Here's how:

1. Go to the main index page by clicking on the picture at the top of any page.

2. Scroll down the list of sub-forums till you find one that sounds appropriate for your topic.

3. Click on that subforum.  If its index page has a list of sub-forums, repeat steps 2 and 3 until you've found your spot.

4. Check to see if there's already a similar thread.  If so you may choose to respond to it, but in either case, you may start a new thread by clicking on the red "Start New Topic" button at the top of the page.

5. All you really have to enter is a title (in the white bar just under the red "Required" -- it says Title just before that, but if you can read it, your eyes are better than mine) and an initial post ( in the large white box; you can simply explain the topic and ask for responses, or you can post your views, whatever you like), then click "Submit Topic."