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It's Time For...
Firstly, there are some core grading scales I use to determine immediately at a glance precisely the amount of interest I harbor for a server based on it's advertising thread;
And finally we get to;
So, let's break down exactly what content I want to see in your advert, and what ones I don't.
DO WANT
DO NOT WANT
Alright. That's it. I've carried on enough and I have a build to finish, and I've gotten this out there for those of you who wanted it.
Boldly-Caring where No One has cared before!-With Captain Catbug!
Alright, browsing the PMC server forums, I have discovered a sad lack of consistency in the advertisement quality from thread to thread. Some are as simple(Mildly lazy?) as " come play with us!" and some are as intricate as "Once upon a time, " and they range from every style in between. Some are great, Many are terrible, and some are just plain useless. So, I figured I could help out some of the server advertisers by taking my personal knowledge of what I want to see when browsing for a server, and passing it on to you folks. Here we go.Firstly, there are some core grading scales I use to determine immediately at a glance precisely the amount of interest I harbor for a server based on it's advertising thread;
- Presentation- Gee, aren't I a shallow sheila? Well, tough luck. If your server's banner is amateurish, or if the entire thing is seventeen paragraphs worth of information crammed into one paragraph, I exit before I even start reading. A lack of planning and thoughtful self-editing tells me you don't care enough about making it pleasant for me and that means the server probably won't be pleasant for me either. What's the point of an ugly Public Relations Attempt anyways? To be remembered badly?
- Execution- Poor spelling and grammar is a no for me, especially if your rules say it is an English server. Why should you be allowed to hold us to such standards when you can't even bother to spell check an official post by your staff? No thanks, I'll pass. This also tends to cue me in on age of the Administrators, and it tells me I won't fit in there anyways for other reasons.
- Tone- Believe it or not, sarcasm does read easily through text. So does immaturity, laziness, indifference, and dislike. As an administrator or staff member for a server, you are the public face and the general representation of the community within as a whole. If you behave poorly, or you treat something as important to your recruitment as an advert lightly, then why should I believe you will handle even more serious issues any differently? This also goes for a harsh and unrelenting tone. There is a fine line between being a firm and decisive (good) leader, and being a dictatorial jerk.
And finally we get to;
- Content- See, this is actually very important to me, very important indeed. I really don't want to come away from reading your advert and feeling confused about something (Like how to join or where to go to apply for whitelist) or feeling as if I learned nothing important about your server. Don't tell me your server community is mature, or friendly, show me by acting friendly and mature yourself. Don't show me a ridiculous amount of builds, that gives me the impression I'm only there to gawk at your lovely creations and stroke your ego. Don't skimp on the stuff I want to know, but don't prattle. Get to it, get it out, and get it posted. Simple.
So, let's break down exactly what content I want to see in your advert, and what ones I don't.
DO WANT
- Brief Rules List- Just the basics, mate. I don't want to see twenty, but one-to-five is a fair amount, and really, most every rule can be condensed to one of five core tenets. Don't cheat, Don't be a jerk, Don't be lazy, etc. This isn't necessary, but I like to read your rules and immediately know what I'm getting into taking you as my Admin overlord.
- Moderate Graphic Levels-These aren't necessary, but visual aids are always nice and they can really draw a potential member in if done right. Here's the rule of thumb-One video showing, One image showing, everything else in a spoiler. Do NOT make me scroll for ten years to get to the text beneath(Or wait an hour for it to load). These images
- Relevant Graphics- Don't show me a billion shots of the same build. One of each. No editing, either, to change colour or resolution. That always strikes me as concealing a face under makeup and calling yourself Au Naturale. ONE edited picture that is your title picture is fine, so long as it isn't massive. I don't mind an occasional snazzy manipulation here and there.
- Synopsis Up Front- All the basics right there. [PvP, Survival, Creative, RPG, Factions] Put it all right there under the first banner (Or right at the top first thing). Tell me exactly what I'm getting into before I bother to read the entire post. Keep it simple. List the rules, the plugins/mods used, the entrance threshold(Whitelist, Open, Etc.), the Age Requirement(If Applicable) and the exact server focus. Put it all right there immediately so I don't waste my time, and you don't lose potentials to the disinterest of reading ten paragraphs of fluff.
- Lore- Is there a lore or background to the server? This mostly applies to RP servers, but really. If the world has a current plotline, put it in italics or a quote, right under the nitty gritty stats, and keep it simple. I don't want to read anything more than three paragraphs, and really-if you can't sum up your basic current events in lore under four paragraphs, don't ever write a book. Please. Concise writing is always a plus.
DO NOT WANT
- Amateurish/Bad/Irrelevant Graphics- Alright, if you can't do graphics, that is fine. Lots of people can't. But please request a graphic from someone else, or just don't have one. Nothing peeves me more than to open a thread to an explosion of seizure-inducing colour combinations and flashing gifs. I won't even give you a chance. On that note, keep the graphic topical as well. If it's a Star Wars RP, Don't have some random MLP graphic spit upon the banner with all the Jedi. Keep it topical and tasteful, folks.
- Disrespectful Tone- Yes, you are very clever and intellectual with your hipster glasses and your sarcastic undertones, but keep it out of your advert. I don't want to feel like I'm being treated condescendingly when you're supposed to be convincing me to join, not vice versa. I have no issue applying to a server that really interests me, but I won't even get on an open server whose advert thread makes me feel like I will spawn into an episode of The Roast.
- Text Speak- "Lulz, Lawlz, and Lolz" aside, this really isn't amusing. If you have the time to make an advert thread, you've the time to type like a normal human being should on a keyboard. Save the chat speak for chat rooms, treat the forums with respect. Show you can spell words in their entirety and you gain my respect. Also, keep this out of the rules. If I ever see text speak in the rules, I close that thread so fast I suffer carpal tunnel.
- Best Budd-Icide- This is more a personal pet peeve than anything, but weirdly-clingy or familiar tones in an advert also annoy me. I don't want you to make me feel as if I'm agreeing to becoming a part of the family. This isn't the mafia, this is a server. I want to decide for myself how social I will and will not be on a login-to-login basis.
- Sweet Nothings- Don't fill a thread with fluff to make it look official and special. Don't fill it with too many adjectives, or wax poetic about the map design. Just tell me what you have, what you want, and what you're offering. And for goddess' sake, do not spam. "Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Join us!" Is not a proper advertisement. It's pathetic.
Alright. That's it. I've carried on enough and I have a build to finish, and I've gotten this out there for those of you who wanted it.
If that is really anyone.
Hopefully, that's you.
You awesome person.
You get out there.
You make a proper advert thread!
Go make me proud.
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Great read and some decent advice. Keep it up