Going about building a ls!

[Kaia]

I had excellent grammar and punctuation in FFXI until I started leading a linkshell. Leaders often have to type so much during events that yes, typing those two extra letters is a chore. Granted, this is only during events... during socializing I like to do it right ^^;

The thing that annoys me the most is people who never learned the difference between "there" "their" and "they're". During an event a while back, a member asked another member where their white mage was going, to which he replied "There going over their to get they're buffs." My head nearly exploded -_-

Anyway, before this thread devolves into more grammar discussions...

My best tip to you would probably be:

-Do well, and make sure other people know you do well. Most of my recruiting is done through merit parties... I start a party with some fellow members, invite some people who look interesting, then talk to your friends while meriting about your linkshell's events. Word of mouth works very well. Be careful not to brag, though. You don't want to come off as 'elitist'. If the people you're partying with seem to know what they're doing, tell them you're recruiting. If they suck, tell them you're full or that you don't need any more <insert job here>. Either way, you can bet that person will tell a few of his friends.

Also, keep a good linkshell achievement, or something relating to your linkshell's events in your bazaar comment. I can't count the number of people who've asked to join my salvage group in the last month, since I put "Koneko LS Salvage: 47 Upgraded Pieces / 8 members = 5.875 pieces per member" into my bazaar comment. Sure it's a little pretentious, but it generates interest, which generates publicity, which generates more interest.

[Brill Weave]

Also. Try to recruit the dumbest people on your server. That way it takes them too long to figure out you changed servers with the linkshell bank. It's the perfect crime

[Howard Roark]

be sure to do small events with a few LS members, along with random shout-invited people, to sorta showcase your talent

my brother and I work very well together and have often had people express interest in our social/events shell after an extended XP party or nyzul climb

staying active in events that aren't specifically LS events gets your name out there; and unless you have 2 relics, I doubt your gear itself will attract members


also on the lol-note, it's as follows:

lol - standard, a general laugh "hey that's funny"
LOL - exclamatory, louder than lol "ok, wow you really got me there! I LOL'd"
Lol. - "I'm the only one that does this" no, no you're not. Does not work without a period following.
lololol[etc] - long laughter, disintegration into "typo's" (read "lololollolololooloooll) indicates uncontrollable laughter, other letters may be included as well

and while we're on this note, a discussion on haha:

haha - standard, used alone: "hey that's funny"
", lol" or ", haha" - modifier, used to soften a phrase that may be otherwise read as harsh: "you're so lame, haha" "is this event done yet, lol"
HAHA - exclamatory, louder than haha, "HAHA! ok, wow you really got me there!"
Haha - not an abomination, see "Lol."
HaHa - I swear to god, if anyone does this... (see "Lol.")
[a-]hahahaha - long laughter, disintegration into "typo's" (read hahahahjAHksjahakhjska) indicates uncontrollable laughter
NOTE: it is the author's belief that the [a-] before the hahahaha, and especially disintegrating into "typo's" is the highest calibre of laughter, except perhaps with CAPS LOCK, although this sometimes draws cries of "okay take it easy"

[Rasantath]

I fucking hate when people capitalize "lol."

i hate it when people say "lol" on vent, as if it was a word. that irritates the shit out of me.

another point for the OP, create a points system for drops. doesnt have to be fancy (right now), but get something in place BEFORE you start doing any events. try to think of the future too, IE what happens when you got from 6-8 members to 30+, and from 1-2 events per week to 6. tracking points using a simple spreadsheet may work at first, but it might be unfeasible down the road.

[Zhero]

Well, leading a ls takes some work, I have an active social life, so I go out at night at least 3 to 4 nights a week. One thing going out taught me was that people gravity with those that show value towards one another. So, in this particular fashion this relates heavily to the game, recently I joined a salvage ls that does great and theyre very efficient, I told all my friends about this shell and they joined.

But I do agree with the one poster that says being active outside of events increases curiosity also.

[Rasantath]

IMHO if you are not available due to being "out on the town" 3-4 nights a week then you really don't have time to fully lead a linkshell of more than say a dozen members (unless you dont have a job/school to tie you up during the day)
you either need to commit several hours a day to it (maybe not at first) to make it really flourish.

[Zhero]

IMHO if you are not available due to being "out on the town" 3-4 nights a week then you really don't have time to fully lead a linkshell of more than say a dozen members (unless you dont have a job/school to tie you up during the day)
you either need to commit several hours a day to it (maybe not at first) to make it really flourish.

Yeah, buts thats like 4hrs a night that im gone away from home... I work at home on the computer rating songs on a website for money so Im always monitoring the ls, but not actively playing.

[Fievel]

i hate it when people say "lol" on vent, as if it was a word. that irritates the shit out of me.

^ I really don't think anything bugs me more than this.

[Zhero]

^ I really don't think anything bugs me more than this.

Your right about that lol

[Rama]

Nobody brought up the most important part of building a successful LS:

You gotta have a cool name.

[Belkin]

Going back to what somebody else said, if you can't commit time as the shellholder, nobody else is going to commit time as a member. You, personally, really need to be the building block. You gotta have good comprehension, people skills, game knowledge and quick thinking skills if you really want to succeed from scratch. Another good idea is to find your "core" group of members. People that you can count on through thick and thin and to be able to rely on during events. These people are hard to find at any point your LS's life. So hold on to them dearly when you find them.

[Curcio]

Then you should also mention that when naming a linkshell, the roles of "Cool" and "Not so cool" are reversed.

Example:

Normal:
Naming your child Ghengis Khan is cool.
Naming your child Chicken Feces is not so cool.

Reversed:
Naming your linkshell GhengisKhansArmy is not so cool.
Naming your linkshell ChickenFecesDynamis is cool.

Just make sure your name doesn't offend anyone.

[Rasantath]

Then you should also mention that when naming a linkshell, the roles of "Cool" and "Not so cool" are reversed.

Example:

Normal:
Naming your child Ghengis Khan is cool.
Naming your child Chicken Feces is not so cool.

Reversed:
Naming your linkshell GhengisKhansArmy is not so cool.
Naming your linkshell ChickenFecesDynamis is cool.

Just make sure your name doesn't offend anyone.

i am offended by your comments.

[Zhero]

Going back to what somebody else said, if you can't commit time as the shellholder, nobody else is going to commit time as a member. You, personally, really need to be the building block. You gotta have good comprehension, people skills, game knowledge and quick thinking skills if you really want to succeed from scratch. Another good idea is to find your "core" group of members. People that you can count on through thick and thin and to be able to rely on during events. These people are hard to find at any point your LS's life. So hold on to them dearly when you find them.

How tight should I hold on lol !!!

[Belkin]

You have to treat every member like they matter. But what is more important is making sure you show them appreciation for what they are doing. Most people just want to be recognized for doing a good (or great) job. Makes them feel good about themselves and in turn, makes the LS feel good about themselves.

If you keep LS morale up this way, you shouldn't have to grip your core members too tight because there is no fear that they will leave.

but "How tight should I hold on" is a difficult question. It's a matter of your character, their character and what they want to do/accomplish in the game.

[Furionstormrage]

I like to take a few minutes after every event and privately tell a few people that I noticed doing an extremely good job that I did indeed notice and appreciate their efforts.

I do it because it's true, and without them we have had a harder/longer fight, but the offset is that it keeps morale high. (We have extremely low turnover rate, the vast majority of people that left have done so because our events times are a bit of a strain on the average persons schedule)

[Pivotal]

^^ this is something i think i can help with, just wanted to say i read about half the posts otw up and everyone seems to agree that shouting = bad
and having a key cor group and low man events till you can build stronger.

i myself about 4 months back created my own ls with friends i met on my new server... we were lucky seeing it didnt take us long to take off.. do i have impeccable grammar? no lol i'm sure there are plenty of mistakes in this alone... but the best piece of advice i can give you, is listen to your friends and your members opinions.... take the time to talk to someone one on one if they have an issue... address them with a positive attitude... and when u fuck up.. admit it and show that even though u did, u still deserve their respect and friendship ... sounds cheesy i know but it helps a lot in building a shell... all that said and done... don't forget as leader in a shell you need to be strict aswell as friendly ... there are lines that ppl need to know they cannot cross and sometimes u end up cutting someone or a couple ppl with bad attitudes twards players even when they are better geared or more skilled... having 1 or 2 ppl in ur shell that look down and or cut down less skilled/geared members is bad.. ppl with a senior status in endgame even if slightly more should try to be helpful and aid twards the lesser players.. a shell is only as good as its weakest link? i dont know if i fully agree with that =p but i have to say... its pretty damn close to the truth. anyways gl with ur shell ^^ start small and know ur limits! by limits i mean there are none... any shell can grow and do anything hell ... like i said my shell is about 4 months old and our kill list is pretty damn impressive for that... (corruption.omgforum.net for those who dont believe me >.>)

[evilpaul]

Nobody brought up the most important part of building a successful LS:

You gotta have a cool name.

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday is a rad name!

[Okan]

Even as the leader, you are still a member so treat others with respect. Don't demand it because this is a game and people will quickly pack up and go elsewhere. With server transfer available to everyone, they'll be gone before you can count to 3.

Make sure to be as fair as possible. You are not above everyone else as the leader. You will make mistakes, own up to them. Don't look down on someone else because they also made a mistake. (If they keep making mistakes though, then you might want to talk to them.)

Don't grab all the loot for yourself. Sure, you're the leader, but then you'll also be known the the Roundhouse of your server. I'm sure quite a people here know that name, if not Unicorn will completely understand. If you don't reward members for their work, they'll go find people that will.