IndigoEyes

I have been giving this a lot of thought and feel like it may be time to close the board. Our post counts have been declining over the past few months and the board has very few regular posters. As you know, Fan Forum requires that an average at least 15 posts per day, with lower numbers than that leading to warnings and then possible closure of the board. I would prefer to go out under our own terms rather than be forced to close due to low post counts.

Please let me know your thoughts. I'd be glad to hear any suggestions or advice to renew interest here. Remember that keeping the board going requires the commitment of a few regular, dedicated posters. As much as I love this board, please don't just post to "save" the board and then disappear again, because we'll be in the same position that we're in now if you do.

Posting this message makes me very sad, and as much as I hate admit defeat, because I love the everything about this show, it will likely be at least another couple of months before the new season airs. With the few posters we had once the show went on hiatus, it was difficult to keep the post counts up with 2 moderators ~ it's been nearly impossible with just me. That coupled with the limited response to the low count warning received this week, makes me feel like it might be time. I'm interested to hear what y'all think.

Shey.

la villanelle

Really sorry Shey. I know it's hard. I've been really busy and I don't have the time to dedicate to the board to really keep it going.

Its such a shame that we had so many posters at the request thread, and then we finally get the board, and they suddenly stop posting.

The extremely long hiatus hasn't helped much either.

So course while the board is here I'll always try to post as much as I can, but if feel we need more then just us two posting always.

IndigoEyes

Agreed Em - and it seems like a lot of boards are closing lately - some are really surprising! I guess all we can do is try to make it work and know when to walk away..

unbreakable clarity

This is really sad. This board doesn't deserve this ending. I love this show and I wish I had more time to stop by and post.

la villanelle

Our biggest problem is that when say either me or shey are busy, the place goes without posting. If only some people that voted would come back from time to time.

Logan

I have been absent had no idea the board was so slow . ill post more and would hate to see the board close when we are 2.5 months away from new Ep airing in Canada ..

IndigoEyes

I'm amazed by some of the boards, where the show isn't on the air anymore, yet they are still going strong -- QAF? it's been 10 years and they're one of the busiest boards on I mean...12000 posts - in JANUARY!? I know that RB has a following - they just don't seem to use forums..

Selene's Lycan

I think you're throwing in the towel way too soon. But then again, I also think Em was selfish for wanting to be the mod here and as soon as she saw the ship was sinking, she left instead holding the fort with Shey. Not meaning to step on any toes here but I think if another mod had been chosen, the board wouldn't be in this position.

There is a reason why some boards make it even though there are only 4 or 5 regulars and it all starts with the mods. If you have good mods who stick together and commit to the board and go around to connect with people on other boards and make them aware of this board then there would be more traffic. Some people just forget certain boards even though they would post here if the mods took some effort and showed them that they are missed and appreciated.

Been here long enough to see what makes a board succesful.

IndigoEyes

I appreciate your opinion, and you make some great points about connecting and committing to a board. I love this show, and I don't want to close down, but without regular posters, it's pretty hard to keep the board moving.

When we started up, I sent "Thank You for your support and invitation to come back" messages to every.single. person. who put their name up on the campaign threads to say they wanted an RB board - that was somewhere around 75 -80 people. I saw maybe a half dozen stop by. If more did, they didn't post. There is an active RBFF twitter account and I post on other boards and have done my best to promote RB and FF..(even got a spotlight this month)..

When the season ended, everyone who was here drifted away - lots disappeared even before that, in fact. Then when Em left, no one else stepped forward when her position was posted. There was an opportunity to make a difference as a mod - but no one was interested.

I see lots of lurkers (guests and members both) come through so I can see there is interest on some level.. I'm always excited to see and make sure to thank new posters, or returning old posters - I have asked for help, and I so appreciate those of you who have stopped by to post on the games boards. But now frankly, I'm not sure what else to do. After roughly 3 months of struggling to make our minimums, there is finally a low post count warning, with 4 replies and one of them is mine.

Lots of folks have an opinions or ideas how to run a board and lots of folks say they are fans.. Awesome! But the bottom line is, if you like the show, then don't just lurk - Ask a question, or respond to one. Post a picture, or give an opinion about an episode. Be a part of the solution (and the success of a board) and show your support by posting.

I don't feel like I'm throwing in the towel - I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle and it makes me sad.

IndigoEyes

And apparently I said it twice! oops!

jediwands

This is really sad.

Everwood has been off the air for years and years and we still maintain but that's because of our core posters that remain loyal and stick around. We also added in a lot of game threads and unique OT threads to sort of integrate past and present and keep things interesting.

I think Rookie Blue is tough because of how it's advertized and the long-a$$ hiatuses without constant news of when the show is actually returning to the screen.

It's really an unfortunate situation here. You are such a good mod, Shey. You deserve better than the situation you're in here on the board.

Betty's on vacation in Florida right now but I know she's very sad about the situation here. I know if the board finds a way to remain you can count on the two of us to post some.

You are so right about there having to be regulars though with consistency. I can't believe a board like Lost was recently closed. At one time, it was one of the most popular boards at FF. The irony is the Everwood board actually produced lower (but always safe) post counts when it was on air. It was always about quality over quantity. We have a higher post count now because of the other threads we've added. But the biggest element of success is having a core, loyal group that you know you can count on daily. That is the key. If Everwood didn't have this, we would have folded a long time ago.

Anyway, I am so very sorry to hear about the situation here. I know whatever you decide is going to be the right choice.

Michelle

la villanelle

Wow. Terribly sorry that my personal life got in the way.

So I'd like to try and keep the board going for the new season. But I wouldn't want to be selfish.

IndigoEyes

Thanks Michelle for your kind words. And tell Betty I said Hello the next time you talk to her!

I'd love to keep the board alive, but it might still be 3 months before the season starts. Any more bad posting weeks and we'll be in the same boat - I'm willing to stay as long as folks are willing to continue posting on the regular. I don't want to have to beg people to come post and I hate this feeling of impending doom I get every Sunday at post count time. And, not to be a Drama Queen but I hate to fail at anything!

Like the message says... don't post just to save the board and disappear again.. I will hunt you down and

la villanelle

We could look at posting challenges, by ourselves or go against other boards

IndigoEyes

I'd love to do something like that.. do we have enough interested people? Just remembering Oliver Survivor..