User blog:PyroNacht/Promoting Your Wiki

''Hi guys! Man, I was originally going to write about Privacy- been putting that off for a while- but a new topic has captured my attention as of late, and that is how to promote your Wiki. I've seen the question being asked a ton in Chat, so I figured now would be an ample time to describe how to build your community through various means.''

Develop Your Wiki

 * I certainly hope you all were not expecting me to jump right into a massive list of ways to promote your Wiki (yet), because one of the first steps to creating a solid Wiki community is having a solid foundation for what it is. Make a couple of templates or something and gradually create the basis of what your Wiki will stand for. If your Wiki is centered around a television show, for example, make a few templates- one for character, one for episodes, and so on and so forth.

Setting The Standard

 * Now, usually if I know I'm going to be among few editors on a Wiki (especially if it's my own), I typically create my own rules or policies assuming they are non-existent at the time. I like to have a standard editing policy set in place whenever I start to contribute, because it gives me a sense of what to do as well as what not to do. Some people often wait until they receive editors before making policies- which is perfectly okay, as some of those editors might have an opinion on the said guidelines! Just bear in mind that communities should not be ruled with a heavy iron fist, otherwise people will drop quickly.

Promotion

 * Ah, this is probably the section users will be most excited about: promoting your Wiki!


 * One of the ways to promote your community is write about your Wiki in a Community Central blog! Some users tend to write a lot about their Wiki, while others divide the Wiki's purpose and basic interests into sections. Personally, I tend to read blogs that are divided neatly because my attention does not focus well on a massive, run-on paragraph.


 * Another way is to link the Wiki on your userpage of a Wiki you're well-known on. Many people tend to lurk userpages (myself included..) and if they find that you edit on a Wiki that just so happens to intrigue them, they're definitely bound to show some interest in joining. There's also the ability to place your Wiki on the masthead of your user profile, which is globally seen on every Wiki you join.


 * The last way is to, assuming the given Wiki is related to specific topics, request to be a sister Wiki of another. Some Wikis emphasize this by linking another Wiki on their navigation bar, while others will mention such in the home page. It honestly all depends, but in my opinion, it's a rather laid-back approach, albeit a good one.


 * Personally, I would highly advise against linking the Wiki in chats, especially if users continue spamming the link.

Remember!

 * Developing a community does not occur overnight, nor should it. If receiving a ton of editors was easy, then everybody would do it in a heartbeat. However, Wiki communities take time to grow and prosper, and they should be given that time to do so. All the while, continue working on your Wiki: leading by example is one of the best roles somebody could use to influence others in a positive manner.

In Conclusion

 * Wiki communities take time to grow and develop- do not expect overnight change.
 * Many people will show an interest in Wikis with potential.