Advice/Help Advice on getting more recruits into a group?

[Perkaholic]

As the title says, I'm trying to start a pretty large scale rp server, but I'm having trouble getting people to actually join. Is my idea just not interesting or am I doing something wrong or..?

My server group rp is a college for monsters, humans and everything in between. (Kinda like MHA but.. I've never actually watched it so maybe not?? lmao) I've posted the info and the link to multiple sites and such, but I've only gotten like 3 people to join... Is there something I'm doing wrong? Is there anything I can do to increase the number of people joining the server? Any general advice?

 

[calypso]

I don't there's something inherently ever wrong with a interest check that doesn't get a ton of traction. Sometimes the hive mind of the RPers just isn't into one particular theme or topic, or the people that you want to recruit like the idea, but are looking for a different style. (Maybe they don't want long replies, or they don't want short replies.)

I went ahead and peaked at your search thread, and I think I see what might be a particular problem for this site. It appears it was posted in the 'Group' forum, which normally is reserved for people who have already established a group. It looks like you didn't repost it in the requirement area, which is important. You should also post it in the off-site section, as most people in the group recruitment thread are looking for on-site RPs.

 

[Perkaholic]

I don't there's something inherently ever wrong with a interest check that doesn't get a ton of traction. Sometimes the hive mind of the RPers just isn't into one particular theme or topic, or the people that you want to recruit like the idea, but are looking for a different style. (Maybe they don't want long replies, or they don't want short replies.)

I went ahead and peaked at your search thread, and I think I see what might be a particular problem for this site. It appears it was posted in the 'Group' forum, which normally is reserved for people who have already established a group. It looks like you didn't repost it in the requirement area, which is important. You should also post it in the off-site section, as most people in the group recruitment thread are looking for on-site RPs.

Yeah, I realized after I posted it that one, I was in the wrong section and two that I didn't have enough posts or replies to post it in the off-site section, so I went other places. I also started getting more comfortable with this forum as a whole.

I suppose I'm just getting ahead of myself ^^; I love roleplaying so I guess having to wait to build up a group is kinda bumming me out.. especially when people don't seem that interested in it. But it won't stop me!

 

[Idea]

I'm trying to start a pretty large scale rp server

This is a bad expectation to have. Never go in expecting something to make it big. Aim to do something well, and if it gets big that is a bonus.

My server group rp is a college for monsters, humans and everything in between.

For starters, the absolute lack of any information. You have, being generous, three lines of description, and then a link, plus one of those lines is just saying you can click the link to join.

-----> Aside from a premise that is generally considered to be overdone (which isn't to say it is a bad premise, just that a lot of people will outright not want to do it or at least need something more unique added in as a gimmick before they are willing to even consider it) there is no information on the plot or setting.

----> There is no hook, no sell. There is nothing in your description to appeal to anyone. When trying to appeal to people to join your roleplay, you aren't just inviting them to join, you are supposed to sell them on why they should choose to put their time and effort into your roleplay as opposed to the hundreds of potential alternatives.

----> There is little logistical information either, and because of the other problems I brought up there is no incentive for anyone to bother asking.

(Kinda like MHA but.. I've never actually watched it so maybe not?? lmao)

This one isn't a general thing, just a personal one, but for someone like me reading this kind of wording is a tad off-putting. It sounds like you're trying to explain your problem, but aren't taking things seriously. When a GM acts like that with me, that sets up a pretty big red flag that they aren't going to put in the effort I expect of them to be able to trust them.

Again, just a personal pet peeve.

 

[Perkaholic]

This is a bad expectation to have. Never go in expecting something to make it big. Aim to do something well, and if it gets big that is a bonus.



For starters, the absolute lack of any information. You have, being generous, three lines of description, and then a link, plus one of those lines is just saying you can click the link to join.

-----> Aside from a premise that is generally considered to be overdone (which isn't to say it is a bad premise, just that a lot of people will outright not want to do it or at least need something more unique added in as a gimmick before they are willing to even consider it) there is no information on the plot or setting.

----> There is no hook, no sell. There is nothing in your description to appeal to anyone. When trying to appeal to people to join your roleplay, you aren't just inviting them to join, you are supposed to sell them on why they should choose to put their time and effort into your roleplay as opposed to the hundreds of potential alternatives.

----> There is little logistical information either, and because of the other problems I brought up there is no incentive for anyone to bother asking.



This one isn't a general thing, just a personal one, but for someone like me reading this kind of wording is a tad off-putting. It sounds like you're trying to explain your problem, but aren't taking things seriously. When a GM acts like that with me, that sets up a pretty big red flag that they aren't going to put in the effort I expect of them to be able to trust them.

Again, just a personal pet peeve.

So, you’re saying I should get more descriptive with my recruitment statement? I suppose I could make it less vague and add more of a storyline to follow..

I was thinking about having like a weekly event happen at the school, specifically that a character would be randomly killed and everyone would have to seek out the killer based on clues left by the killer. Though, I dunno how people would like that on top of a college plot. Perhaps I should change the idea of the school plot all together?

And yeah, I get pet peeves, don’t worry about it! Roleplaying is a big part of my life so I don’t intend to half-ass anything for my server, I’ve actually ran a few servers along the years and I’ve had fun with all of them! I just said that to give y’all an idea of what I was going for with my plot.

 

[Idea]

So, you’re saying I should get more descriptive with my recruitment statement? I suppose I could make it less vague and add more of a storyline to follow..

It's a little beyond "you need to be more descriptive", it's you need to actually give people something.

In the last week alone, 5 interest checks were posted containing school roleplays, all of which containing fantastical elements or at least superpowers. Your interest check's lack of information means that one potentially interested in your interest check would have no reason to pick yours over any of those other 5.

I apologize if I'm sounding harsh, and perhaps I am being harsh, but the only people you will attract if you give so little are those who don't care that you are giving them nothing- which will either those desperate, or those who never bothered looking anywhere else.

I was thinking about having like a weekly event happen at the school, specifically that a character would be randomly killed and everyone would have to seek out the killer based on clues left by the killer. Though, I dunno how people would like that on top of a college plot. Perhaps I should change the idea of the school plot all together?

That in my opinion seems considerably better, but yeah it will narrow your audience. However, a strategy of trying to appeal to everyone or as many people as possible is doomed to fail. There is no scenario in which you appeal to everyone, there are only scenarios where you appeal to some people, and scenarios where you disappoint everyone at once. Of course, there is also the side of narrowing the audience too much, but it's a tradeoff one has to learn to balance with experience.

For now I'll just say some plot is better than nothing. This goes double if you were planning to have this anyway, because not telling players that their characters may be killed is a pretty surefire way to get them angry.

Note/Edit: I do want to clarify though, that it is perfectly ok to just have a slice of life plot, it's just that then you need a stronger concept than "a school but with fantastical elements", or at the very least more effort needs to show in how you sell it...

 

[Perkaholic]

It's a little beyond "you need to be more descriptive", it's you need to actually give people something.

In the last week alone, 5 interest checks were posted containing school roleplays, all of which containing fantastical elements or at least superpowers. Your interest check's lack of information means that one potentially interested in your interest check would have no reason to pick yours over any of those other 5.

I apologize if I'm sounding harsh, and perhaps I am being harsh, but the only people you will attract if you give so little are those who don't care that you are giving them nothing- which will either those desperate, or those who never bothered looking anywhere else.



That in my opinion seems considerably better, but yeah it will narrow your audience. However, a strategy of trying to appeal to everyone or as many people as possible is doomed to fail. There is no scenario in which you appeal to everyone, there are only scenarios where you appeal to some people, and scenarios where you disappoint everyone at once. Of course, there is also the side of narrowing the audience too much, but it's a tradeoff one has to learn to balance with experience.

For now I'll just say some plot is better than nothing. This goes double if you were planning to have this anyway, because not telling players that their characters may be killed is a pretty surefire way to get them angry.

Note/Edit: I do want to clarify though, that it is perfectly ok to just have a slice of life plot, it's just that then you need a stronger concept than "a school but with fantastical elements", or at the very least more effort needs to show in how you sell it...

So, I suppose I just want your idea of “giving them something.” Clearly, my idea and yours isn’t the same, so I’d just like to know how you would fix this problem ^^;

I think I might change the plot actually, I suppose I didn’t realize how saturated the “school” story was. I did have an older rp server that I was quite fond of, but ended up ending it due to some of the people within the server. Do you think I should do an interest check on the other idea first and then re-fix my current server?

Also, I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but I am putting in effort for my server! I’m just still sort of new to this, especially when recruiting all new people, rather than just grouping my friends up to rp with me. If I didn’t want to put any effort into my server, I probably wouldn’t be here, you know?

 

[Idea]

I think I might change the plot actually, I suppose I didn’t realize how saturated the “school” story was. I did have an older rp server that I was quite fond of, but ended up ending it due to some of the people within the server. Do you think I should do an interest check on the other idea first and then re-fix my current server?

The school setting is pretty saturated, but that doesn't mean there isn't an audience for it: In fact one of the major reasons why it is that way is because so many people like it. You can change it or keep it, that is up to you, but whatever it is you need to think about

A) Who exactly you want to appeal to.

B) What your RP is meant to have that others don't (or alternatively, what would be the upside for a player in joining your RP as opposed from taking one of the other options)

Also, I don’t mean to sound rude or anything, but I am putting in effort for my server! I’m just still sort of new to this, especially when recruiting all new people, rather than just grouping my friends up to rp with me. If I didn’t want to put any effort into my server, I probably wouldn’t be here, you know?

The problem is that you are putting effort into making the server, but that effort isn't being translated into what people actually see: The interest check. If the interest check isn't appealing, people are not going to follow your link, why would they?

I am not saying your server needs more effort put into it, I'm saying your interest check needs to show more effort. Now I don't know where exactly the line in the sand is: You don't need a ton of code, or even images, and you definitely don't need to write a wall of text. However, barely two lines of actual content is definitely not enough.

So, I suppose I just want your idea of “giving them something.” Clearly, my idea and yours isn’t the same, so I’d just like to know how you would fix this problem ^^;

-------> Your writing had personality/life to it, which was a good point.
-------> If your RP has an actual non-slice-of-life plot (plot here being different from premise) then you didn't state what it was. If your RP has a slice of life plot then you need to add something more engaging to the premise. Something unique the players can pursue or interact with. Some worldbuilding for instance, telling players what the purpose of the people in this school learning to use their powers is, maybe some interesting details and mysteries about the school, or even just a unique detail regarding the nature of the people going here and how exactly their supernatural abilities work.
------> I would personally also recommend adding logistical information, such as when/how often people are expected to post.
------> Maybe add some appeal just by bringing up the possibilities and showing how exciting they could be, such as with examples of monsters and what they could do within the school premises, or making up a legend about previous students.

Of course how well what I mentioned above works will depend on execution first and foremost. But these are all components of "giving them something", which if I were to define would be, in this context, "information on the unique or appealing aspects of the roleplay".

 

[Perkaholic]

The school setting is pretty saturated, but that doesn't mean there isn't an audience for it: In fact one of the major reasons why it is that way is because so many people like it. You can change it or keep it, that is up to you, but whatever it is you need to think about

A) Who exactly you want to appeal to.

B) What your RP is meant to have that others don't (or alternatively, what would be the upside for a player in joining your RP as opposed from taking one of the other options)


The problem is that you are putting effort into making the server, but that effort isn't being translated into what people actually see: The interest check. If the interest check isn't appealing, people are not going to follow your link, why would they?

I am not saying your server needs more effort put into it, I'm saying your interest check needs to show more effort. Now I don't know where exactly the line in the sand is: You don't need a ton of code, or even images, and you definitely don't need to write a wall of text. However, barely two lines of actual content is definitely not enough.



-------> Your writing had personality/life to it, which was a good point.
-------> If your RP has an actual non-slice-of-life plot (plot here being different from premise) then you didn't state what it was. If your RP has a slice of life plot then you need to add something more engaging to the premise. Something unique the players can pursue or interact with. Some worldbuilding for instance, telling players what the purpose of the people in this school learning to use their powers is, maybe some interesting details and mysteries about the school, or even just a unique detail regarding the nature of the people going here and how exactly their supernatural abilities work.
------> I would personally also recommend adding logistical information, such as when/how often people are expected to post.
------> Maybe add some appeal just by bringing up the possibilities and showing how exciting they could be, such as with examples of monsters and what they could do within the school premises, or making up a legend about previous students.

Of course how well what I mentioned above works will depend on execution first and foremost. But these are all components of "giving them something", which if I were to define would be, in this context, "information on the unique or appealing aspects of the roleplay".

Ahhh, okay, that’s understandable. I think I understand what you mean. I do think I’m going to change my premise though, as the other one I have in mind is more thought out.

Would you be apposed to reading over a new interest check of mine?

 

[Idea]

Ahhh, okay, that’s understandable. I think I understand what you mean. I do think I’m going to change my premise though, as the other one I have in mind is more thought out.

Would you be apposed to reading over a new interest check of mine?

Not at all, if you'd have me even my harsh words.

 

[Perkaholic]

Not at all, if you'd have me even my harsh words.

Of course, I want to improve myself, even if it seems harsh. I know you’re just trying to help!

I’ll write one once I finish an essay for my class. Thank you again for helping me!

 

[Idea]

Of course, I want to improve myself, even if it seems harsh. I know you’re just trying to help!

I’ll write one once I finish an essay for my class. Thank you again for helping me!

You're welcome

 

[Perkaholic]

You're welcome

I think this covers everything you mentioned! How does this sound?


//It seems like just moments ago when you finished your month long federal trial. You had just been sentenced and brought to what seemed like a surgical room. You closed your eyes, and opened them inside of a jail cell with no memory as to how you got there. Really, your body had been placed into a cryogenic chamber and hooked up to a large scale simulation.

Perhaps you know exactly what happened as you’re on the opposite side of that cursed coin? A guard at a hellish prison, welcomed to plug into the simulation daily for your shifts.

Or maybe you are a soothing in-between. A nurse or therapist, unable to pick sides at the risk of losing your job or becoming just another tick on the list of someone’s victims.

This is the Virtual Prison. A completely simulated prison, but with all the real pain and grittiness. Where inmates may not be there physically, but their minds and bodies are still tortured through other means. They are treated with no respect and the guards are the ones wielding the iron fists, sometimes literally. There are exceptions to these roles, however. Maybe there will be a friendly guard one day, or a truly innocent, unfortunate soul trapped behind bars? It seems unlikely as inmates continue to get slaughtered by each other, even within the cement walls of the jail. Perhaps one day there will be a rebellion… The inhabitants of the prison must test if they are stronger than the system.

The Virtual Prison is an 18+ Discord Roleplay server for everyone and anyone. It is a semi-literate server, looking for active members, preferably at least one reply a day, (unless explained otherwise). OCs are allowed, but canon/fandom characters are not. This server will be a place for gore and other limited NSFW content, hence the age restriction. Whether you would like to be a guard, staff or prisoner, you get to decide your fate…

Join today! (Link) //

 

[Idea]

I think this covers everything you mentioned! How does this sound?


//It seems like just moments ago when you finished your month long federal trial. You had just been sentenced and brought to what seemed like a surgical room. You closed your eyes, and opened them inside of a jail cell with no memory as to how you got there. Really, your body had been placed into a cryogenic chamber and hooked up to a large scale simulation.

Perhaps you know exactly what happened as you’re on the opposite side of that cursed coin? A guard at a hellish prison, welcomed to plug into the simulation daily for your shifts.

Or maybe you are a soothing in-between. A nurse or therapist, unable to pick sides at the risk of losing your job or becoming just another tick on the list of someone’s victims.

This is the Virtual Prison. A completely simulated prison, but with all the real pain and grittiness. Where inmates may not be there physically, but their minds and bodies are still tortured through other means. They are treated with no respect and the guards are the ones wielding the iron fists, sometimes literally. There are exceptions to these roles, however. Maybe there will be a friendly guard one day, or a truly innocent, unfortunate soul trapped behind bars? It seems unlikely as inmates continue to get slaughtered by each other, even within the cement walls of the jail. Perhaps one day there will be a rebellion… The inhabitants of the prison must test if they are stronger than the system.

The Virtual Prison is an 18+ Discord Roleplay server for everyone and anyone. It is a semi-literate server, looking for active members, preferably at least one reply a day, (unless explained otherwise). OCs are allowed, but canon/fandom characters are not. This server will be a place for gore and other limited NSFW content, hence the age restriction. Whether you would like to be a guard, staff or prisoner, you get to decide your fate…

Join today! (Link) //

Absolutely remarkable improvement! Well done!

 

[Perkaholic]

Absolutely remarkable improvement! Well done!

Really? Thank you so much!!

I'm for sure more into this idea as I've done it before and got an idea of how to extend the plot, so I think I'll re-theme my server!