Join in: Topic structure for the forum

Dear users, dear authors,
as has been mentioned several times before, my topics tend to dominate the forum. Advertising threads are important for offering authors affordable (they only cost time, not money ) advertising opportunities. However, they shouldn’t make up the bulk of the conversation here. If I’m the only one constantly starting new topics, it gets a bit boring in the long run, so I’ve come up with an idea. From me, for you. :- )

We could establish fixed topics each week from Monday through Friday. Then you can come up with related topics, questions, etc., and open a thread on the appropriate day.
Of course, despite the topic structure, you can open a thread at any time, 24/7—but my impression is that it’s easier for you to start threads if you’re encouraged to do so.

Here’s my suggestion for the rest of this week and for next week:

Designs on Thursday :
--> Styles, colors, shapes, cuts, current fashion, and possibly also fashion trends for 2018 or fashion history
. That would be my suggestion for tomorrow.
Think of a few keywords related to this,
if you’d like, and then get typing. I might start a reminder thread for this.

After-Work Projects on Friday :
You may have already noticed that every Friday I start a promotional thread on the topic of “After-Work Projects” or “Weekend Projects” so you can get some inspiration. A weekend without crafts just isn’t possible. In addition, I’ll open a chat thread (no promotions ) where you can discuss your weekend craft projects.

On Saturday and Sunday, Mod rides off into the sunset and doesn’t post any promotion or chat threads. :- )

Material and Technique Topics on Monday
On Monday, we’ll kick off the new week with concrete topics about materials. There, you can discuss everything from post double crochet to garter stitch, interlock sewing machines, and more. Whatever comes to mind, you can post it in a thread.

Tuesday = Holiday = Day of German Unity

Join in on Wednesday :
It’s a free-for-all—questions, requests, suggestions, casual chats, etc.

Beginner Questions on Thursday
I’d like to dedicate this day to beginner questions of all kinds. It would be great if you could all help each other out here.

Friday – End of the Workday: Chat Thread + Related Promotional Thread

We’ll just see which topics are going well and can then adjust the topic structure accordingly.

The following week, I’d like to do a wedding special with threads covering all aspects of getting married.

Are you in?

If I can think of something suitable and find the time, I’d be happy to join in. 

Sure thing. Unfortunately, I’m not feeling my best today—I’m a bit flu-ish, under the weather, and foggy-headed—but I’m sure that will pass again soon.
I’m glad you’re now always riding off into the sunset on the weekends :-)

Yes, I’m happy about that too, Josefa.
I’ll see how I can contribute.

I’ll join in on topics that interest me, too.

I think the problem lies somewhere else entirely. Most people don’t even know there’s a forum and just look for the patterns. The button needs to be more prominent and easier to spot. 

Thanks for your feedback; I hope you’ll join in.
Here’s the thread to kick off the design discussions.

@diba26, thanks for your point.

@everyone,
do you think the button is too small?
There are several ways to access the forum.
What do you think? Which way do you use to get to the forum?

I also think the forum is a bit too hidden ;-) and the layout is very similar to the pattern section. That’s why it took me a little while to realize that this is the discussion forum. And then I started wondering if I was even allowed to ask a question there—at first I thought it was only for sellers and everyone else was just supposed to read.

Best regards, Michaela

I also think the forum is very hidden. I usually use my smartphone, and there it’s hidden in the tiny submenu under “More+.”

@Michaela,
everyone can write here: users, authors, etc.
Everyone is allowed to. Unfortunately, many users think they aren’t allowed to write anything here, but don’t worry, everyone can and may start a topic here, ask a question, share experiences, start a discussion, seek advice, ask for help, write down ideas, etc.
Just get started.

@Nadeleule,
unfortunately, it’s also the case that even the users who have already found the forum are often very quiet. So at the moment I’m trying (yet again) to motivate users and authors to join in. It would be nice if it worked.

Well, like Nadeleule, I can only find the forum under the “More” menu item. I don’t know of any other way. And I know I’d been a cp customer for a long time before I even checked out what “More” actually is. Maybe the name “Forum” isn’t ideal. Something more like “Chat Corner,” “Chat Room,” “Community Exchange,” or something along those lines. Something that makes you want to check it out—after all, we all like to have a little chat. 

Well, “forum” or “community” is actually the common term for it.

There’s another way to access the forum, but you’ll need to be on a PC or laptop for that.
I took a screenshot here showing the layout. You’ll find it in the bottom left corner. I’ve added an arrow to point it out in the screenshot.

All I can say about my paid Facebook ads is that, according to the statistics, most people use mobile devices. PC usage is limited.

Of course you’re right, Josefa—“forum” or “community” are the usual terms. But we’d like to see a lot more people stop by. First and foremost, they need to feel drawn to take a look. It has to catch their eye—make it flashy. We need to spark their curiosity. Maybe it would be worth sending out a newsletter with a call to action. Ideally, there could be a small prize for participating—but only for customers, not designers. I’d also be willing to donate a few patterns.

Yes, like many others, I only found the forum by chance after quite some time, when I took a closer look at the “More” button.

If we want more activity here, it needs to be much more prominent on the main page. Otherwise, simply too few people will find it.

A newsletter dedicated solely to forum topics would actually be a good idea. And a note saying that everyone is invited to participate.