Web Content Thursday: Are Forums Dead?
A few weeks ago I read this excellent post by Randa Clay on reasons every blogger should participate in forums.
I have to say that I agree with Randa’s list of forum participation benefits. My own experience with forums has been extremely positive. In fact, I might not even be blogging today if it hadn’t been for those that I ‘met’ through online forums.
Yet, just a few days after reading Randa’s post, two of my favorite blogging forums closed down for good.
Now, I have to admit (with some degree of guilt) that I had not been paying enough attention to said forums. I’d allowed business to get in the way.
I fully understand that forums require a lot of work. Forum moderation, in and of itself, can be a full-time job.
I have to wonder, though, were the closures more than just a coincidence? Were these closures a sign of a coming trend? Are forums and message boards on their way to becoming a thing of the past?
What do you think?
Contents (c) Copyright 2008, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved
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About the Author: I am a successful freelance writer with 20 years of copy writing experience. I am available for consulting, business writing, copy writing, editing, technical writing, and web content writing. In addition, I have written an ebook, 
Matt Keegan | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Forums, aren’t dead. However, as you mentioned, they are a tremendous amount of work.
I ran a business aviation forum for four and one half years before selling it off in 2007. It took a lot of work, ate up a tremendous amount of time, and financially it drained me.
However, the forum helped me gain access to a lot of people, learn about business aviation as never before, and it put me in the position where I am today — free at last!
laura | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Matt!
At various points I’ve actually considered adding a forum to this blog - but the amount of work sort of put me off of it.
I’m glad that you were able to sell yours.
Mary Emma Allen | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Forums are a great idea, but I simply don’t have time to participate in them with all that’s on my plate. What works much better for me is the e-mail group. They come directly to my e-mail so I don’t have to click and click, enter passwords, to get to somewhere else. Many of these I put on “digest,” so only need to read and participate in anything that’s pertinent. These have helped me meet many people, make contacts, and exchange information.
Laura | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
Mary Emma:
I only like e-mail groups if they are available in digest form. Otherwise, I simply get too many e-mails to deal with. At one point I was a member of a technical writing listserv that sent me over 50 messages a day.
I’m afraid that I’m like you, though. I like the idea of message boards, but finding time to participate is hard.
Jack Payne | Feb 20, 2008 | Reply
I think the forum is far from dead. The few I participate in, regularly, are still going like gangbusters.
Plagiarism check | Feb 20, 2008 | Reply
I found this article very interesting. I don’t have my own blog yet but I often participate in different forums and it would be a real disaster if forums will die soon.
I’ve posted a part of your article at the forum writers here http://www.writersclub.net/help_and_suggestions/are_forums_dead-t130.0.html
Your are more that welcome to share your opinion at the forum.
Laura | Feb 20, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Jack!
Feel free to share those, especially if they are writing forums.
racquel lyle | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
I believe that forums are still there but not that laud anymore and only few are successfully on the top. I hope it will not die soon.