First off, let me congratulate you on the major undertaking of leading any kind of roleplay group, as well as trying to host RP events. Â Both are incredibly difficult jobs, moreso than people give it credit for, because people take a lot of what you do for granted. Â It's just what you're "supposed" to do as a leader and host. Â Most people don't understand all the planning and networking and creative energy that go into leading and hosting. Â They just bump along on the coat-tails of those who do. Â In my experience, even in the largest groups I've been in, it's always the same handful of people that do and coordinate things.
That said, it sounds like you need to have "The Talk" with your FC/Linkshell. Â If it's not living up to YOUR expectations for it, then it's time to put your foot down and start pruning the fluff. Â Keep the people that believe in your premise and actually engage and utilize the group for what it's for. Â Balmung is a huge place, there's no need to fret about keeping enough people or being a small FC. Â There's so much roleplay here that even small FCs can get things done, so long as its filled with people motivated to do them.
I think every roleplay group, be it FC or Linkshell, has its share of "free loaders" -- people who are in the group, but never (or rarely) participate in what's being offered and what's going on. Â I'm of a mind that these sorts of people will only be engaged and only join in when they feel like it. Â I offer more than enough opportunities for people to get involved with, covering a wide spectrum of themes: social, adventure, slice-of-life -- and people will only get involved with what interests them. Â Ultimately, host events that are fun for YOU to plan and coordinate because your enthusiasm will make or break the event.
Like Maia said, lead by example. Â Embody everything about your Linkshell that you want reflected in your members. Â If you want them to be active, be active; engage, talk more, advertise events more, post on your forums more. Â If you want them to be IC more often, then make sure you're doing that yourself. Â Make sure people KNOW that you are: Â "Hey, I'm going to be roleplaying at XYZ, anyone is welcome to come out!" -- "I'm free at the moment, if anyone wants to join in the latest Storyline (insert event/storyline URL here)." Â Your enthusiasm and initiative will rub off on others if they really want to be part of what you do. Â It will eventually separate the wheat from the chaff.
Leading and hosting can be a struggle at times, because you'll always feel like you put forth more effort than most. Â The major advice I can give for that is: Â don't let it bother you and don't let it discourage you. Have fun, enjoy it, and make the most of the people who DO engage with you.Â
As the old saying goes: Â "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it." Â The same is true for roleplayers; you can create opportunities all day long, but you can't make them partake. Â So, just enjoy the time you spend in game, invest in the people who reciprocate that investment and let the rest move on as they will. Â You'll be much happier for it, I promise you. Â A game should, first and foremost, be fun to log in and play. Â Once it starts feeling like a struggle or a job, it stops being fun and starts being obligation. Â That includes roleplay as much as anything else.
That said, it sounds like you need to have "The Talk" with your FC/Linkshell. Â If it's not living up to YOUR expectations for it, then it's time to put your foot down and start pruning the fluff. Â Keep the people that believe in your premise and actually engage and utilize the group for what it's for. Â Balmung is a huge place, there's no need to fret about keeping enough people or being a small FC. Â There's so much roleplay here that even small FCs can get things done, so long as its filled with people motivated to do them.
I think every roleplay group, be it FC or Linkshell, has its share of "free loaders" -- people who are in the group, but never (or rarely) participate in what's being offered and what's going on. Â I'm of a mind that these sorts of people will only be engaged and only join in when they feel like it. Â I offer more than enough opportunities for people to get involved with, covering a wide spectrum of themes: social, adventure, slice-of-life -- and people will only get involved with what interests them. Â Ultimately, host events that are fun for YOU to plan and coordinate because your enthusiasm will make or break the event.
Like Maia said, lead by example. Â Embody everything about your Linkshell that you want reflected in your members. Â If you want them to be active, be active; engage, talk more, advertise events more, post on your forums more. Â If you want them to be IC more often, then make sure you're doing that yourself. Â Make sure people KNOW that you are: Â "Hey, I'm going to be roleplaying at XYZ, anyone is welcome to come out!" -- "I'm free at the moment, if anyone wants to join in the latest Storyline (insert event/storyline URL here)." Â Your enthusiasm and initiative will rub off on others if they really want to be part of what you do. Â It will eventually separate the wheat from the chaff.
Leading and hosting can be a struggle at times, because you'll always feel like you put forth more effort than most. Â The major advice I can give for that is: Â don't let it bother you and don't let it discourage you. Have fun, enjoy it, and make the most of the people who DO engage with you.Â
As the old saying goes: Â "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it." Â The same is true for roleplayers; you can create opportunities all day long, but you can't make them partake. Â So, just enjoy the time you spend in game, invest in the people who reciprocate that investment and let the rest move on as they will. Â You'll be much happier for it, I promise you. Â A game should, first and foremost, be fun to log in and play. Â Once it starts feeling like a struggle or a job, it stops being fun and starts being obligation. Â That includes roleplay as much as anything else.
![[Image: the-chroniclers-2.jpg]](https://writerholic.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/the-chroniclers-2.jpg)
