View source for Publicity Team Project: Forum Recruitment

{{Template:Publicity}}
The '''Publicity Forums Recruitment''' project aims to entice prospective members by having them link to us from various forums/message boards on the web. This allows us the unique opportunity to put our members "in the field" and give others a good impression about us.

==Pick a Forum==
Your best bet is to choose a forum that is both busy, and appeals to the type of people who would be interested in our group: writers and Star Trek/sci-fi fans. The StarTrek.com forums (first on the list below) is probably the best choice, but any forum on the list will help us!

* [http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/community/message.html StarTrek.com Forums]
* [http://www.trekbbs.com/ The Trek BBS]
* [http://www.fanforum.com Fan forum]
* [http://www.startrekvoyager.com/ Star Trek Voyager Forum]
* [http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/ Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles]
* [http://forums.scifi.com/ Sci-Fi.com]
* [http://www.coolscifi.com Cool Sci Fi Forum]
* [http://www.treksinscifi.com/forum/ The TREKS in SCI-FI FORUMS]
* [http://talkscifi.net/index.php Talk Sci-Fi]
* [http://www.startrekmovie.com/forums/ The Official Star Trek Movie Forum]
* [http://comm.thetrek.net/index.php The Trek Communications Relay]
* [http://startrekforum2.proboards36.com/ Star Trek Forum]
* [http://www.startrekfans.net/ Star Trek Fans]
* [http://forum.trek-rpg.net/ Trek RPG Forums]
* [http://forum.gateworld.net/ Gateworld Forum]
* [http://www.startrek-gamers.com/forum Star Trek Gamers]
* [http://www.sf-fandom.com/vbulletin/ SF-Fandom Forums]
* [http://startrek911.proboards29.com/ The Star Trek Forum]
* [http://startrek.bethsoft.com/forums Star Trek Bethsoft Forums]
* [http://www.joseralat.com/forum/ Okudagrams Forums]
* [http://www.trekunited.com/community/ Trek United Forums]
* [http://forums.startrek.com.sg/index.php Star Trek Communiquez]
* [http://www.fanpop.com/spots/star-trek/ Star Trek Fanclub @ FanPop]

==Tips==
This project is simple in that it involves doing something you probably already do anyway -- talking with other people and engaging them in conversation. Here are some tips for doing so:

* Once you've picked a forum you're focusing on, visit there as often as possible.
* Read threads carefully to ascertain a thread, and forum's purpose so as not to post content in an inappropriate place.
* Engage others directly in meaningful and cordial conversation. 
* Use a forum's "quote" option, when it is available, to show that you're reading and responding to other people's posts.
* Always be courteous.
* Only contribute in ways that others will see as meaningful and interesting.
* When appropriate, private message other board members to engage them directly. You can thank them for responding to your thread, mention that you like their take on a specific subject, or that you'd love to engage them in more discussion about a particular topic they seem interested in.

==Making the Most==
To make the most of your time on another forum, there are two things you can do to spread the word about our group. 

===Use an avatar===
We have some pre-made, approved avatars which you can use to draw attention to your membership with us. To pick one, ''first click on the graphic to go to it's page here on the wiki'' (this will give you a properly sized version), and then download the image by right-clicking on the avatar saving it to your computer. Then change your avatar in your control panel on the forum you are focusing on, and add the avatar.

<gallery>
Image:Forums-galaxy.jpg|Galaxy class vessel
Image:Forums-galaxy2.jpg|Galaxy class vessel
Image:Forums-intrepid.jpg|Intrepid class vessel
Image:Forums-intrepid2.jpg|Intrepid class vessel
Image:Forums-nebula.jpg|Nebula class vessel
Image:Forums-neworleans.jpg|New Orleans class vessel
Image:Forums-nova.jpg|Nova class vessel
Image:Forums-ronin.jpg|Ronin class vessel
Image:Forums-sb118ops.jpg|SB118 Ops
Image:Forums-steamrunner.jpg|Steamrunner class vessel
Image:Forums-lrg-sb118ops.jpg|SB118 Ops-large for forums that allow it
</gallery>

Usually, most forums will allow you to change your avatar by going to "My Controls" or "Profile" or "Control Panel." Once there, you can upload the avatar to your profile.

===Use a signature===
Now that people see your avatar, it's a good idea to optimize your signature on the forum so that they can link to us if they're interested. Head to your profile and find the "signature" section. Here's a good template to use:

<small>
 [http://www.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php/Tristan_Wolf Tristan Wolf] - Medical Officer, [http://phoenix.starbase118.net USS Phoenix-B]
 Proud member of [http://www.starbase118.net/tour/ UFOP: StarBase 118 Star Trek RPG]
 Your adventure begins here!</small>

While you're welcome to use any format you'd like, we recommend you link to your profile on the wiki, your ship's site, and to our site. However, please keep in mind, '''you may only use this text to link to us''': 

 Proud member of <nowiki><a href="http://www.starbase118.net/tour/">UFOP: StarBase 118 Star Trek RPG</a></nowiki>

This ensures that our "brand" essence is preserved across sites, and that we're always known by a specific name.

[[Category:Publicity Pursuits|Forum]]