10 Insights into Running an eFed
Look at the ten reflection posts outlining the Rise and Fall and Rise and Fall of Creature eFeds. Interesting read…. http://creaturewrestling.com/cwnet/forum/index.php?action=display&forumid=2&msgid=278 and just how much I retained the memories, lol.
But I feel that there could be more said about my experience, with some decrease of the ills and player drama I faced as an eFed owner/promoter, in hopes of helping inspire someone who is courageous enough to try this.
1) Realize that running an eFed (anything online that involves human contact) can be frustrating and time-consuming and that you are essentially alone– even if you feel you have the best team by your side. There is a misconception that you have the backing of others online (even real-life friends) and that everyone can/will get along forever. Dynamics change- such as family, behavior, motivation, trust, finances, time and ability, etc. There were moments during several phases in this eFed that I felt I had a great team (shit, there were many moments, it seemed, my working relationship with Diper went well!). Everyone had the same motivation/commitment and ability to work seamlessly without end. As the owner/creator/partner/whatever, etc.- specific responsibilities fall on you no matter what happens with the dynamics! And, then, one day, your team could disappear- leaving just you.
2) You have to dig DEEPER than anyone else for that motivation. The fact is that motivation is critical to running an online community that is fueled by constant input. I taught UI/UX at several institutions, and if there is one definite thing to juggle, it is how to address the target audience and adapt the user’s experience over time. Plus, it would help if you did something extra to boost motivation since you are almost required to be present more than anyone else. I did gain a lot of self-motivation by updating the website, writing policies, calling for match ideas, posting PPVs, etc…. and playing the game, too! That is a LOT of work. Some of it was fun, but also, some of it was not fun and even downright unfair when you would see other players and your team not pour in an equal amount of work (and even disappear for no fucking reason or prior warning).
3) Timeliness is CRITICAL to online websites. Our brain is responsive and sensitive to current information. When I come across old movies/series, etc, on streaming services- even if I just watched it the other day- I do not get the same satisfaction as I did the first time I watched it. Additionally, the environment determines interest (going a little back to motivation)… such as if what I watch contains outdated technology. To develop motivation, you need to be aware of online trends for user interfaces and occasionally CHANGE the interface/user experience (add title graphics, YouTube, banners, etc.), but do not do it too much in a short period…. basically, roll out updates. This logically means that you ARE a web developer and graphic designer providing changes- thus, you are devoting EXTRA time and resources.
3) Know your target audience. The best way to do this is to embed yourself as a player. Knowing your audience allows you to change the UI/UX and adapt to many situations, improvements, and issues. The more you are present- the smoother the game will become… but this does not always mean that being present will solve all the problems. And, be aware that many people may become too dependent on your presence.
4) Be ready to dish out at least $150 a year (cloud server) with most web hosting services- not including- SSL (~$60 a year) and web URL registration (additional ~$15 a year) IF YOU WANT TO MAXIMIZE THE EXPERIENCE. And, if you take the cheapest route (i.e., Google Sites and a free message board and Facebook or even use a Reddit page), expect that you will be faced with limitations that you have no control over. Timeliness will eventually do you in quicker. If so, your online presence should be exciting and provide constant updates through the in-game environment.
5) Be careful of ‘Powers-to-Be’ characters…. and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have a limit/countdown time for their existence…. I learned this the hard way. A fatal mistake is to assign a “position” such as a President or commissioner to anyone without any means of an expiration date. Some people will believe that they are explicitly, and literately, the actual president of your website/games site/board, etc, whatever it is…… Please do not assume they will stand aside when the time is right. People get weird when they get any sense of power over others.
6) Be mindful of allowing anyone to post columns, especially without restrictions. Do not even have columns if you think that trust alone is enough. In hindsight- if you even do this- you make it EXPLICITLY clear that what they are acknowledging is they have limited ability to post content (even go so far as have them sign off on a questionnaire form and have them revisit that form twice a year to sign off on). And still, a set of policies must filter ALL of their columns and that they know YOU ARE THE EDITOR… Plus, the columnist cannot publish the content without you, who presses “submit.” Even with these suggestions and safeguards, you may experience the same perils I did. Ideally, it would help if you were contracting the person and paying them- which would allow for an additional legal aspect that can come into play- but you ARE gambling here…. anything that helps anyone an ability to voice their opinion can go wrong. It may be the case that you don’t allow anyone to do this except yourself. But that is an additional task to do on top of everything else. CHEERS!
Additionally, do not allow “out-of-character” comments anywhere near the boards where players play “in-character.” Further, realize that “out-of-character/general” boards are a double-edged sword. On one hand, it benefits player motivation tremendously and reduces the “out-of-character” clutter that may spring up on other boards. Even with explicit, clear, to-the-point, and simplified posting rules (which should happen anyway, along with copyright disclaimers that are easily accessible and viewable on ALL pages), there is a RISK. All you have to do is look at one of my reflection posts on page 4 (http://creaturewrestling.com/promoters-corner/the-rise-and-fall-and-rise-and-fall-of-creature-e-feds-part-4/) to realize that risk. OOC boards invite trouble because players *think* that rules are relaxed and that they can do (even more) whatever the fuck that they want without any consequences.
7) Be ready to play customer service representative without pay and intense frustrations. Self-explanatory here.
8) Be aware of entitlement syndrome, immature players, and misunderstandings. There is no way around this—it will happen. You have to grit your teeth and address it in the best way possible.
9) Do not feel bad about bringing up that you do not get paid for applying YOUR time and EFFORT. Make it VERY clear to everyone involved that this is not free and that you are the owner. I had an immense passion for this event, and I wanted, at first, to not be labeled as the owner- thinking that this was a community project. Sure, having it seem that way can produce greater motivation for everyone… but in the end, you are setting yourself up for failure by being passive and humble. You WILL have problems, especially if your feed/website becomes popular. There will be entitled idiots out there that will whine, bitch, and moan- fuck them. The reality is that even though this is digital, it is STILL something you made, and you are likely the only person who can take on the significant risks.
10) Lastly. Know when to give the fuck up, and do not feel bad about doing it. I closed CWE down for good reasons- but it was a long time coming. I got a lot of heat from that- and players love to dwell on drama; they are stubborn/hardheaded and susceptible to falling for believing in the absurd without any effort to look into the facts. When CW came into being- even ex-CWE players who wanted to be neutral- players did not want to touch CW because of not necessarily of a “bad reputation”… it was more so because of Diper’s influence and her constant imposed bad publicity upon my eFed (hence why it is a good idea not to give anyone free rein to write columns and also put a timestamp on their authority).
CW lasted more than 3x as long as CWE did, and CW never received anywhere near CWE’s roster count.
How did I ultimately do it and with only one other player to post with? Well, this tells you that you do NOT NEED an extensive roster—in fact, a large roster produces more problems than good, I feel. You have to dig deep for motivation and turn off what other people think about your eFed. Once you have that, you can go on as long as you want/can, too.
Good luck 😀
