Every once in a great while a starting clan survives and makes it into veteran status. The sad thing is that many do not.
A while ago the veteran clan section was made to create a haven for successful clans that showed stability, and activity. It solved a big problem (thanks to the Mods), but still left one big issue untapped. New clan leaders should have a set of helpful hints, and ideas to guide them away from failure. I ask that all other successful, and experienced clan leaders please aid with this post. All of our info combined should create a very successful tool for new leaders to come.
1)]TIME & DEDICATION:
Spoiler
Many who go out to start a clan are not aware of just how much time it takes to successfully run a clan. People look to you for guidance. If you are not there frequently, then your chances will eventually dwindle. Be active, or at least have active co-leaders/ joint leaders to help you carry the work load.
Characteristics of a Leader:
Spoiler
QUOTE:
Originally Posted by CrazyAce01
Character:
It takes a certain kind of person to run a clan. You need to objectively look at yourself and know whether or not you think you can do it - that is, be a leader.
You will have to deal with inane drama, and you will be pressured to take sides in fights that don't even matter. Every day there will be a new problem, be it people or just administrative tasks, testing the limits of your blood pressure. Being a leader is not just building up a castle and then sitting around happily - you have to keep up the same determination that you started out with, and the workload gets bigger as time goes on. The leader is the cornerstone of the clan, and when you are tired, bored, and lazy, your work can quickly fall to pieces.
Some people are not cut out to lead because they will give up. How would you feel if your leader suddenly threw up his hands and left? Many clans have fallen to just that. So, in short: be ready for responsibility. If you can take the worst, however, you will end up being satisfied with the best!
...or something along those lines. You do mention similar ideas throughout the first post, but I think it's important enough to deserve its own section.
(Credit goes to Crazy Ace)
2) CONNECTIONS, & NETWORKING:
Spoiler
It is much easier now to network as apposed to 6 months to a year ago where bouncing from clan chat to clan chat was the only way. Thanks to a lot of people who are very dedicated to the cause here, we now have a ton of info right at our finger tips.
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^ = 2 most successful tools aside from chats, and threads. MSN is the gateway to contacting most clan leaders world wide. Skype is a close second, or maybe a first depending on the clan.
Others:
-AIM,
-Yahoo messenger
-Ventrillo
On the WCL website: • Index page (Credit to Bash, one of the most successful, and renouned leaders of all) All contacts are practically given to you. Clan threads are required to have Points of contact. Generally it is an MSN address (occasionally skype). Surf through divisions,---> clan threads ----> add contacts to your MSN----> start your connections. ---> schedule matches.
^ that = easiest way for new leaders to become connected to the entire community. The WCL is home to the worlds most established, and successful clans out there. If you are looking for Clan matches, or simply want to talk to other leaders, this is a good way to start.
3) RECRUITING:
Spoiler
A lot of people who start a clan here seem to be in the mindset that they will recruit members easilly. This is generally MUCH harder than you think.
At any given time, there are at least 40 - 50 Clans that are at Veteran status that are active. Generally half of them are recruiting. Another 20 or so clans are being born in the regular clan section here. In theory, you are starting a new clan that has to complete with around 70+ clans that are already established, or currently on the rise! Can you start a clan from scratch? Maybe, but your chances are slim to none that it will work. This is why a lot of clans don't even last a week.
* Create a name for yourself: The more known, and better connected you are, the better chances you will have for recruiting members.
-Have a few people willing to start the clan with you: If you start a clan, it helps make sure you have some support! If you have a group of friends willing to start this clan with you, the chances of your clan succeeding have already sky-rocketed as opposed to starting completely from scratch.
Shaping your clan thread for success: An attractive clan thread is a huge basis for recruiting. It is your first impression to the community.
EXPLAIN:
- The origin of your clan : the opening line that everyone will first read. Be clear, and truthful in this.
- Establish your goals, morals, and values:BE CLEAR IN THIS! You are the original founder, and leader. Something here motivated you to start your own clan. Be clear on the goals, morals, and values that you want your clan to be shaped around. This will attract like-minded racers to your clan. Having the same goals, and values with your members will better suit you all for the compatibility, and longevity of your clan.
Also include the level of leagues, tourneys, and matches you plan to participate in. Be truthful in this. Don't create expectations that you cannot fulfill.
-Quality over Quantity: It is better to have 7-10 active, and dedicated racers than having 20 - 30 members that are inactive, and not on the same mindset as you are.
Recruiting more people means more mouths to feed; meaning that you have to be more diverse with your line ups when planning clan matches. This gets tiring after a while. be careful how many people you recruit to avoid this problem. make sure the people that you do recruit are dedicated to the same cause.
It takes ----> TIME TO RECRUIT --->TIME TO GET ESTABLISHED---->TIME TO REFINE YOUR METHODS.
Generally speaking, a clan that does its time long enough here eventually finds its way into power at some point in time. This comes from becoming well known, respectable, and making friends through the community. People will notice these aspects in you which, in turn, will creat attraction to your clan.
6) Taking the good with that bad:
Spoiler
To become a successful leader you must ( almost above everything else) Expect hardships. You will loose wars. You might lose 10 in a row. Make sure that the people that you let in your clan respect you enough to stick with you through hard times. Immature clans fall apart after something minor such as losing a war, or people not showing up to an event.
Make sure the people you let into your clan share the same specific goal that you have. This will be a basis for loyalty, and friendship along the way which will get you through several of the ^ above mentioned things that will kill a clan quicker than anything.
7) GROWING PAINS!!!!:
Spoiler
A lot of clans here ( yes even the veterans) can't seem to take a loss to save their life. No one likes to be defeated by a clan that is new, less well known, or smaller than them. The occasional flaming, and trolling from a defeated clan will happen. People will take shots at you. The more successful, and powerful your clan gets, the more attention ( both negative, and positive) your clan will receive. If your clan gets lucky enough to become a giant in the community, ALL EYES will be on you at one point in time. This may, or may not be something you want .
Maintain the morals you started your clan out with. Consequences will eventually catch up with you if you loose track of them. The most successful, and stable clans that remain, remain so because they have maintained their original goals and values.
In closing: It is very hard to start a clan from scratch, and learn all of this the HARD WAY! If you are half serious about creating, and maintaining a successful clan then I strongly suggest you read, and remember the key ideas in this thread.
Nice idea Titan. It was locked when I first saw it, so thanks to Bertie for bumping it.
QUOTE:
Originally Posted by THE TITAN
Make sure the people you let into your clan share the same specific goal that you have. This will be a basis for loyalty, and friendship along the way which will get you through several of the ^ above mentioned things that will kill a clan quicker than anything.
^This I would say is perhaps the most important. Find like minded people, who like doing what you like doing & the way that you do it. Birds of a feather flock together as the saying goes. As long as you have fun together, that is really all that matters. Of course, winning is nice, particularly when it is with those you consider your friends - but if you can lose wth your friends & still enjoy it & come back for more then you have struck gold.
I'd also like to add that quality of members AND leaders is greater then quantity. Having 20, 30, even 40 members does not mean you're necessarily good, that could just signify that leaders are letting in people who don't really deserve a spot in a clan.
Perhaps another good suggestion is to have a good-looking clan thread. After all, you won't attract as many players if your clan thread isn't attractive enough, and it may not look as organized.
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