How to make my server popular

Mr.Anonymous · Guest

O.K I bought a shell, and set up my server, however the problem that faces me now is how to get the server popular, how to get people, moderators, etc, if anyone is interested in helping please connect to wizadnet.mine.nu and join #wizardnet I will be more than glad to hear what you got to say.

Kind Regards
wizardnet.mine.nu
#WizardNet

Mary · SearchIRC Admin Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 696

You can't set up an ircd and expect people to come to chat. That worked when IRC was rare and people came running to see every new network, but those days are long over. There are over 1000 IRC networks, not to mention webchats, AIM, MSN and all the rest of the commercial chats and IM services, and we see 50 - 80 new IRC nets every week. I won't say you will fail without good services, staff and channels right out of the gate, but it is definitely harder to start with nothing and build from there.

The first thing you need to do is identify your target audience. Do you want to attract Brazilian soccer fans, senior citizens looking for love, stock traders, computer geeks, young singles from Singapore, or everyone in the world? Identify what your target groups need, and set up the IRC network that will help them thrive. Pick your staff from the people who contribute most to your network - those who make it their home, help other users, and show an interest in your success. A good personality and trustworthiness is far more important than experience. Train them in what they need to know.

Do not EVER spam. It gives your network a bad reputation and brings in the wrong sort of user (ie, the hit and run tourist out to cause trouble for you and your users before hightailing it back to his home network). Create a website for your network. Make it so it tells visitors Everything they could want to know about your network - describe your philosophy, staff, channels, users, talk about servers and services, put contact information in for abuse and k lines. Show the world you are running a top-rate network with stable services and friendly, accessible staff. IRC is a tough category if you are looking for high placement in search engines, so add other content that goes with the site. Approach other websites with similar content and ask for links. Link to popular IRC related websites, and ask your largest channels to exchange links with you too.

Post appropriately on newsgroups and message boards. It doesn't have to be IRC oriented - if your network is attractive to gamers, spread the word in the gaming community. Say more than "a new network for gamers". Tell people exactly what you offer that they cannot get on existing nets - and then deliver it. The best way to get new channels is when your existing channel owners tell friends how happy they are on your network.

SearchIRC has many ways to promote your network and channels. Read our FAQ. Make sure your information shows your network accurately and in a positive light. Add your largest channels to our Chat Directory. Review all the channels on your network. Use the stats we provide, on your website - especially the channel list that allows users to read reviews and join with one click. When you are listed on SearchIRC all of your channels are eligible for free webspace through MyChannel. Post on our forums so users can get to know you and your network philosophy. Consider a button advertisement - they are very reasonably priced and do bring users to the network.

Most importantly of all, when users DO join, make sure they are welcomed, respected, and treated as guests. (Thats not to say you should allow abuse - in fact, for the protection of your other users, abusers should be swiftly eliminated.) IRC networks that are created so the admin and his friends can engage in juvenile power games over users tend to last about as long as I can hold my breath.

Its a LOT of work to build a network... but as most network admins will tell you, its time well spent.

U · Eleet Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 521 Location: IRC

..besides the fact that if you spam some channels, they have people in there that are just looking for an excuse to attack someone.

Don't expect 500 users overnight either. I've been up 2.5 years and just hit 1000 about 6 months ago.

A good way to lose users quick is instability-if you keep rebooting your server and messing with it, people will tire of constantly reconnecting and moving on.

Mr.Anonymous · Guest

Guys, thanks an infinity, your help is very good, SearchIRC is simpy the best IRC site there is. Keep up your brilliant work! Very Happy