Why Yakezie forums are less active these days? | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

I was recently wondering the same thing SB! I know I slacked off in these forums when my site grew to a decent following, assuming that I no longer needed to kill myself in the forums. Now I have a new perspective, help others just for the sake of helping – not just attracting people to my site. Where are all the newbies? They should really be here, learning how to grow their sites…and themselves.

I remember back in 20111 an 2012 there were tons of posts and threads on this forum. What happened now? We caught up with life or people getting help else where? 

Life has certainly kept me busy this past year, but I 've been missing chatting with other pf bloggers. Besides Facebook and twitter, I don't see much chatting going online. 

My site has taken hit after hit (PR, Panda, Penguin) and it all started after I had some forum disagreements.  While it could be coincidental, I've not seen any other site get hit with every single update.  So, I try now to just stay under the radar.   

So sorry to hear that! I hope it picks up again ASAP. 

Even for me, a 4 year veteran blogger, I need motivation ad focus. One of the coolest way for me to focus is to participate in forum discussions. Others success in getting link from a major publisher or getting interviewed on TV was a great motivator for me when I joined Yakezie. Sadly people no longer want to share their success. 

I noticed this as well – I do come on every other day or so and scan the topics.

I believe the the ethos of the group has changed subtly.

When I joined in 2012 I knew that I'll always find support (of different kinds) and help (when needed). I liked to share – my hapiness at achieving another milestone, my frustrations and need for help and my plans for the future.

I don't think I ever asked people to read stuff I've written; I always assumed that my readers and my peers are only partially overlapping groups. When I asked for help (and mentoring) it was bilateral. And I gave – what, and as much as, I was able to give.

I made many friends on the Yakezie forum.

Now, I scan the topics and ocasionally there is one where I can really contribute to the discussion. My feeling is that the focus has subtly changed from content (which Sam always emphasises and I whole-heartedly agree) to chasing numbers.

So much so, that I have stopped sharing good news which I think is very important for social cohesion. For instance, I never mentioned on the Forum that The Money Principle won Best International Blog Plutus. Neither did Average Joe say that Stacking Benjamins won a Plutus as well.

Sharing such news is not bragging – it can be motivational. We all know, and hear repeatedly, the pointed comments some bloggers make about the Yakezie Network. Instead of celebrating the achievement of members we shift uncomfortably in our seats.

Finally, I'd like to say that I believe a network like the Yakezie network is a great platform for bloggers – irrespective of implications for monetisation. It is an instrument of the 'network economy' – our survival as bloggers is largely dependent on the health of the networks we are involved in. I believe in the importance of blogger networks to such a degree that I've been trying to create one in the UK.

I'd love to see the Yakezie fora and network re-invigorated for the good (and excellence) of established and just starting out bloggers as well.

Maria

As a re-bie (not a newbie), I have been away from the forum for some time and definitely noticed the slow down in participation (both from current members and new joiners).

I do remember when I first joined (circa 2011/2), there were a good number of current members welcoming new challengers in the forum as soon as a new challenger post appeared. That helped really build a community – at least bring new folks into the fold. I've been trying to do that because I appreciated it.

I see the carnivals have stopped, but can understand why. It may take a while, but I am seeing a response to posts – so the community is still there. Probably just a little busier these days. I still find this to be one of the most helpful communities on blogging. Like Barb said, kudos to Sam & all other bloggers involved for keeping this going.

Toni

I think I agree with Barb, things ebb and flow. I know that for me, I've been super busy with life and my blog posting has become minimal (once a week at best.) But a big thanks to Sam for continuing the Yakezie network!

Got married and just had a baby here, but now trying to get back into it with a new site. it's still hard though.

Off topic question. Since Page Rank no longer exists, how do advertisers evaluate your sites?