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Do you have a lot of members who join your community? How many members stick with your community and come back? Diving into the psychology of habit formation, we find the habit loop, a fascinating concept consisting of three key elements: the trigger, the routine, and the reward. This loop is the backbone of many successful platforms, including the language-learning platform Duolingo. By understanding and applying this loop, Duolingo has turned the daunting task of learning a new language into a series of rewarding, habit-forming routines. A recent study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that online courses usually only have a…

I have been trying to get my SendGrid - Sender Authentication DNS settings for my cloud account set for a week now. Pretty sure I am driving the support guys at IPS crazy. Likely I am doing something wrong and have no idea. Anyhow... I was under the impression that using a service like SendGrid would substantially increase my deliverability vs emailing from the default IPS mail tool. Is that right? Do any of you do an occasional Newsletter or mass mailing from the stock IPS mail tool? My mailing list is a mostly untapped resource.

When I moved to IPS about a year ago I did not give Prefixes and Tags a lot of thought. I guess I do not understand what I am missing. Any wisdom?

So you think you've had a frustrating week? Wife was home with the flu and 9 yr old was home with pink eye but that was not really the good part. Last weekend, I emailed a IPS support ticket and then a second ticket midweek. After not hearing anything back for a day or so, I posted in the Tech Help forum. A staff member replied that the staff had addressed both issues within 30 minutes of my original ticket. I looked in my email and could not find the messages, so I went back to the forum and asked for the emails to be resent. Again, nothing. After a number of back-and-forth messages with staff in the forum, I assumed the issue could be with my primary email. So, I a…

As webmasters, we often have our preference as to whether we call it a forum or a community. I have always called it a forum but will admit that I am starting to use the term community a lot more now too which feels, a lot more tight-knit and sounds better for what we are building, a community. What word do you prefer to use when it comes to your forum or community?

When I started my forum 20 years ago it was not a business. It was a community I wanted. It was a place for a group of friends who were very committed to a sport to talk about technique and gear. There was some goofy banter, but a large portion of the conversation was focused. Many of us were nationally ranked-athletes. We all knew the skill level and experience of each other. The most vocal of us were legitimate experts in our sport. New members came looking for knowledge. The quality of the discussions was the draw. As the user base grew the average user had less and less knowledge. By the time the forum reached peak traffic about 6 years ago, the most knowledgeabl…

Hello.... Is there a app or similar to make Prefixes in ISP, like the prefix you can make in xenforo..... Eivind

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We all have our roles in keeping conversations lively and engaging. Some of us are the conversation starters, lighting the spark with fresh topics. Others excel in jumping into existing threads, adding valuable insights or steering the chat in new directions. So, what’s your go-to move? Do you prefer to start new conversations, setting the stage for others to chime in? What motivates you to introduce new topics? Or are you more comfortable adding your voice to ongoing discussions? How do you decide which conversations to contribute to? Have you noticed any differences in the community's response when you start a conversation versus when you reply to on…

One of the biggest and recurring conversations among forum admins is the age-old debate: should I install a chatbox. On one hand, we've got the temporary but lively world of chatbox banter standing side by side with the more enduring, searchable forum discussions. One is fleeting and fast-paced, the other a permanent record of thoughts and ideas. But which one truly captures the essence of our community? Do you find the light and ephemeral nature of chatbox conversations more engaging because of their spontaneity and immediacy? How do you balance the transient charm of chatbox chats with the lasting impact of detailed forum discussions? Is there a secret re…

As we step into a new year, it's all about setting those resolutions. But let’s be real – keeping them is a whole different game. It's not just about setting goals; it's about fueling them with discipline, ambition, and drive from our personal lives. So, how do we make sure these resolutions don’t just fizzle out by February? What personal strategies do you use to maintain discipline in fulfilling your New Year resolutions? Is it a strict routine, or perhaps a more flexible, forgiving approach? How do you keep your ambition alive throughout the year? Do you have any tips for staying motivated even when the going gets tough? What role does your personal…

Play acting the creepy and horrifying can actually help us get over our fears. Neurobiological research shows that phobias can improve after reducing the fear sensitization pathway that activates our fight-or-flight. Halloween is, in other words, “mass fear extinction therapy.” Inspired by Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/culture-shrink/202010/why-halloween-can-be-therapeutic

How important is fairness to you? How do you build fairness into your online community? Inspired by Philip Rosedale, who built Second Life: https://philiprosedale.substack.com/p/tech-is-a-tool-not-a-religion?r=2c7b&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

I have a lot of hopes for this site. I have been meaning to join for a while as I noticed upon the launch of the new providers' directory. I also noticed with a keen glee, comments about this being created during the closure of the IPS marketplace. In the early days of having the internet, I recall using and being a part of Invisionize.com - those were the days. It's why it's nice to see a site focusing on providing developers somewhere to continue that together Invisionize fostered and eventually what the IPS marketplace becomes (but just for purchasing items). Invisioneer.org has the ability to be a great place, and I am hoping more people catch on to it.…

You're a community manager. Your time is limited. Would you rather try to juggle multiple initiatives (for example, different ways to generate member engagement) versus only focusing on one initiative and doing a really good job with that one initiative? (This is sometimes how we all feel when running a community and trying to do everything all at once!)

The way we communicate can make a big difference. Whether it's offering compliments, extending congratulations, or providing consolation, each style of messaging plays a unique role in fostering a supportive and positive environment. Let's talk about how we use these different styles in our day-to-day interactions within the community. When do you find yourself giving compliments in our community? Is it more about acknowledging great contributions or encouraging newer members? How about congratulations? Do you use them mainly for significant achievements, like reaching milestones, or also for smaller wins? And then there's consoling. It can be tricky, …

For those who are self hosted, who do you currently use and why?

It is true that people like to use premium software to build online communities because it comes with a lot of features and functionality. However, there are also people who like using Open Source community software as they are completely free. Do you use open source community software? Have you used open source community software? What do you think is the best open-source community software? How do you compare this open source software with premium options?

Ever heard of 'operational transparency' ? Simply put, it's about being open about how things are run - like showing the kitchen of a restaurant to its diners. It builds trust and can really enhance how members feel about the community. Operational Transparency says when customers can see “behind the curtain” of your product or service, they'll value it more highly. Operational Transparency can take many forms: Making employees' work more visible, like watching Subway’s sandwich artists build our custom meals, or how Starbucks’ short coffee machines let you watch what the baristas are cooking up. Sharing how you source and construct your sustainable pro…

Hi, I administer a forum for over 15 years on vBulletin and loved my members and building my motor forum, but sadly the forum stopped with less and less members, so I eventually archived the forum. I want to get back into the forum again and maybe restart my database. I referred to this website and fall in love with the incredible resources and information, thank you so much for sharing the information and helping us give hope to do better.

Unraveling the Mystery of Resistance In digital communities, like any organization, resistance to change is a common hurdle. But what if this resistance isn’t purely oppositional, but rather a result of hidden competing commitments? Such personal immunities to change can inadvertently offset intentions, creating a static balance that seems like resistance but is deeply rooted in individual fears and beliefs. The Underlying Dynamics When partaking in online platforms, many members exhibit behaviors that seem counter-intuitive to their stated goals. For instance, a forum admin might voice support for open discourse but consistently shut down dissenting opinio…

In today's digital age, leading an online community is like guiding a group of friends through an exciting journey. Just like in real life, good leaders in online communities know when to lead the way and when to let others have a say. It's a bit like being the captain of a sports team who knows when to make the calls and when to trust the players on the field. This dynamic approach to leadership is essential in the world of online forums and communities, and it can make or break the experience for everyone involved. Why is this so important? Well, picture this: If leaders in online communities always act like they're in charge and never listen to others, it can squa…

Does the current IPS framework contain the basic tools needed for a video coaching tool? Thinking about the existing code behind the ticketing system ( to be removed in v5 ), Downloads, gallery, commerce, and other components. Rough draft of Idea: User pays for a video coaching lesson via the Commerce component. User uploads video file from phone using “downloads” component. File is private between user and coach or administrator. Is there an option for an uploaded file to be private between user and admin or private between user and a specific second user ( coach )? Can this file be associated with a payment? (Perfect world) video file would be …

Diffusing conflicts in your online community is essential for maintaining a healthy and respectful environment. Here are some best-practice phrases to help you address conflicts among two members, incorporating principles from psychology and behavioral sciences: Acknowledge Emotions (Empathy): "I understand that you both have strong feelings about this." "It's okay to have different opinions, and emotions can run high in such situations." Acknowledging emotions validates individuals' feelings and helps de-escalate the situation. It demonstrates empathy, a key component of conflict resolution. Encourage Active Listening (Active Listening): …

Conflict resolution is a vital skill in maintaining harmony within your online community. Conflicts can arise from various sources, such as differences in personalities, work methods, resource allocation, or communication styles. Effectively addressing conflicts not only fosters teamwork but also enhances overall productivity and morale. Here are five simple and essential strategies for handling conflicts in your online community: 1. Set Clear Expectations: Establish transparent workplace rules and expectations to prevent conflicts and ensure that everyone understands acceptable behavior. 2. Recognize and Address Conflicts Early: Identify conflicts as soon …