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Hmm, maybe this one is more for General RPG Discussion, but I thought it might be most appropriate here.
I have several friends in my gaming group, several of whom have been roleplayers for 20 plus years, whom I would like to join the boards. What are some of the logical arguments that I can use to convince them to come to these esteemed boards. (One of the reasons I have never really discussed my campaign in depth, a la SHARK, is that I am the only one on these boards.)
Some have been burned in a few internet flame wars, so that may be part of it.
To me, the fact that we have hard working moderators who try to keep everything civil is a plus. Also, the fact that you can literally ask almost any gaming related question and get a reasonable answer is also a benefit to being here at EN World.
Another thing I thought of is that if you want to ask a question of a publisher or someone in the industry, there is a chance that they will answer it. (When WotC had thjeir layoffs, I asked Nicole Lindroos of Green Ronin Publishing how big WotC was at their peak and how many people have been lost since then. Chris Pramas answered and it really put things into perspective.)
Just get them to lurk for a while, you don't need to register or anything, just look around and read some threads, it won't take long before they will want to jump in and start posting.
Every time you spring some really neat surprise in your game, tell them you discovered it here. After a couple of those instances, they'll be more willing to check this place out in search of their own little "surprises". Or you could introduce them to the Hivemind.
Most of my friends had little interest in the boards, but they show up to read the storyhour from our games. This has slowly lead to one or two of them wandering out of that forum and poking around.
Originally posted by jdavis Just get them to lurk for a while, you don't need to register or anything, just look around and read some threads, it won't take long before they will want to jump in and start posting.
I reiterate what jdavis said.
The more you try and give them reasons of your own, the less interested they will be.
Your goal shouldn't be to get them to join it should be to get them to lurk so that they may find their own reasons to want to join the cult...err.. "community."
Ask them to join, when they say no, ask if they are willing to lurk the boards even if not joining. Or, as also suggested, toss them a link to a particularly good thread that is relavent to something that happened at the game.
I just showed up last November looking for some e-tools news and 800 post later my wife wants to break my computer. Once you get hooked your hooked hard. Just lurking around and looking in the window is pretty addictive itself, just get them to look around.
Maybe try to work on the one who seems most likely to become involved here. When he/she sees how cool this place is, they can work on the rest of your friends. It's no longer just you encouraging them to stop by, but a new "convert".
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![[OT]Getting Friends to the Boards](http://www.enworld.org/forum/iconimages/meta/ot-getting-friends-boards_ltr.gif)
After a couple of those instances, they'll be more willing to check this place out in search of their own little "surprises". Or you could introduce them to the Hivemind. 
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