What To Do And What NOT To Do When Starting A Guild

[AdmiralSavvy]

I've been involved in this game, and POF for quite a while, and throughout that time, I've noticed how some people advertising their guilds sometimes fail or they just give up. Everything happens for a reason. When a pirate's guild would fall, there's something that the Guildmaster isn't doing right. I know it takes time and patience to maintain a good guild but for all you beginning Guildmasters, there are things that I believe should never be done if you want your guild to be successful.

Example:

***(Please insert an imaginary guild name here)

I'm starting this guild because I thought it would be cool to boss around other people and I'm looking for high lvls to join! As soon as you join, I'll make you an Officer ASAP and you'll have even more authority! The first 3 Lvl 40s to join will immediately be promoted to Co-Guildmaster! We enjoy starting guild wars, PvP'ing noobs all day for fun, and cheating in SvS! There are NO rules at all except that you MUST obey my EVERY command and when I'm lvling up, DO NOT ask me for help! So please join!!***





Now that I'm done with that rather amusing example, think about what's wrong. What shouldn't have this GM done if they want their guild to be successful?

Allow me to clarify.

1.) NO ONE wants to join a guild where they may feel like fun isn't an option. This is a game and while running a guild, a GM looking for success must always consider the reasons why a pirate would want to join. NO ONE wants to join a guild where they're treated like soliders more than people. And anyone in a guild like that might as well just log in and leave.


2.)

As soon as you join, I'll make you an Officer ASAP!

A GM must take lead positions seriously. Promoting every new member is nothing other than complete failure. Just like in Real Life, lead positions are not free hand outs. They're given to those who have proved themselves worthy of begin an Officer in YOUR guild. Meaning that they help others, shows mature behavior, shows responsibility, etc. Promoting everyone who joins ASAP just shows that you, the Guildmaster, does not understand the limitations of authorities, and that would always result in guild members taking advantage of the GM by either mistreating others, or representing the guild in a bad way.

3.)

The first 3 lvl 40s to join will be immediately promoted to Co-Guildmaster!

Power mad much? Most guilds would like the higher lvls to join but favoring only to the Lvl 40s is nothing to look up to. Lvl 40s come and go, they leave and join guilds just like everyone else. A Guildmaster sending a so called "beacon of light" to all Lvl 40s looking for power is just pathetic to me. Again, a lead position isn't decided by the pirate's Notoriety lvl, it's the person playing the pirate that counts. A lvl 40 can either be very nice and helpful, or very mean; giving them a lead position at the snap of a finger isn't worth taking that chance. You can't really trust anyone until they have proven themselves. And promoting them ASAP says that the GM's #1 goal is power. And guilds like that cripple and die before you know it.

4.)

We enjoy starting guild wars, PvP'ing noobs all day for fun, and cheating in SvS!

If a GM is really serious about their position, they would take into consideration that their guild is being represented by all of the member's actions everywhere they go. Causing trouble like guild wars and cheating shows that your guild must have a GM that thinks that if they cause problems for others, other guilds would respect you. A guild will never be respected by anyone if their only intension is more less grieving other people. There is not an infinite amount of players in POTCO so sooner or later, if a guild continues this kind of childish behavior, at least 40% of players will remember the GM's name and look at the Master and guild with hate and disgust. A guild is better off knowing that most people are not hating on the GM because they cheat and cause issues. (Which is, in fact, against the POTCO Terms and Conditions.)

5.)

There are NO rules other than that you must obey the Guildmaster's EVERY command........Do NOT ask me for help

No rules other than obey the GM? Now isn't that nice....not. There has to be some kind of order within a guild in order to have a better setup. For example, basic, common sense rules such as be respectful to everyone and have fun. You know, things that a guild hunter is looking for. With a guild code/charter, people would think that the guild is more mature since the GM at least would abide to the rules instead of being in complete chaos with 6 little 10 year olds demanding the Guildmaster to heal them while they attack Gravediggers. The GM has to lay down the law and eject the ones who are more less saying "Rules? Who needs em? I can do whatever I want!" Although, there is a difference between a well-planned set of rules and a dictatorship. There is NO ONE that would want to join a guild where the GM is making people refer to the GM as "Captain" or make everyone below lvl 20 come aboard and repair the Master's ship while privateering. Make the rules fair and agreeable. There will be people who will join and think that the rules are too tough or unfair. If anyone joins your guild and says that, like I said before, eject them and move on.
As something extra, the GM is the one who members look to for help. DO NOT avoid helping others unless you're already busy helping someone else, but remember, always put your guild before yourself.




Always remember that someone who is looking for a guild is looking for good reasons to join. Don't give reasons that only satisfy you, make them satisfy both you and the guild hunter and/or guildmate.
To all GM's having trouble starting a guild: I wish you the best of luck and I hope that this thread has helped you understand what it means to run a successful guild.



~Admiral Savvy

[ukebec]

*Applauding Savvy wildly*

Well stated sir!

[Bartholomew Foulsteel]

An exceptional post what is spot-on, mate! Hopefully, more GMs (aspiring, new, or well-established) will re-look what it means to lead a guild and strive to improve their guild--for the sake of the guild itself.

And what is a guild if it's not the members in it?

Thanks much Norries for an insightful post.

And while we're at it, I've seen a number of posts where GMs have links to websites--but the websites have NO CONTENT. Why? Seems to me if you have enough gumption to start a website, but not enough to actually put something into it you'll only be advertising that you have enough gumption to start a guild, but not enough to actually put anything into the guild.

Sometimes less is more. If you don't have the drive or ability to do something, DON'T. The alternative can leave you looking the worse for it.

Thanks again, your Savviness!

[AdmiralSavvy]

Thanks mates! I just wanted to clarify the GM position because I've been seeing so many guilds that I thought require assistance.

[Captain Seaford]

Talking about a punishing blow?
Nice tips, Savvy.