I would think that many don't post because of possible negative reaction. Have you read the general board lately? While that isn't usually the case here on the regional board I think there is a certain chilling effect bleeding over.  The only way I see getting more people to post is either suggesting a thicker skin or moderating the boards more effectively. That being said I'm sure I don't know the challenges the mods face here.

BTW I went to your website and your pics are nothing short of absolutely stunning! Hope to meet you someday.

1 Don't want to take the time
2 You might say something stupid
3 You may be made fun of
4 Nobody will respond
5 You may not be confident in your writing skills

I've written a few new topics and replies only to end up deleting them before posting because of one or more of the above reasons. Sometimes it can surprise me how well a post goes over.

I have periodically gotten caught up in the banter of the general discussion boards and have spent HOURS writing posts and then had no dates or appointments that resulted from that.

So, after a while, you focus your efforts on what does get you business rather than what drains your time and seems to be merely entertainment.

Now, I will admit, I didn't realize there was a regional board (okay, I was told, but I didn't fully understand the difference) until recently. I have been more active lately, and I got an appointment request PM'd to me! Woo-Hoo! This may motivate me to post more often, truly.

But I do think I will limit my "posting time" so I don't spend too much time in one day and feel like I am just spinning my wheels.

**link modified by moderator**

See how much I write? Can you imagine spending time with me? I can talk til the cows come home. LOL

-- Modified on 8/23/2011 8:46:09 AM

Posting

I'll post anytime I have an interest in the discussion. Usually I'll read the first couple posts of each new thread and decide to read/post or just move on. The idea of a "marketing" aspect is secondary to my original post. I don't do it to intentionally market unless the discussion is steering that way. Nor will I play into some of the nonsense discussions on the General Board with all their negativity and drama as well as aliases. Just not worth the time or mental energy.  There are a few boards on TER that I enjoy more than other and tend to post there more often.

Summer
No PM's / only email

I've posted threads just to have them removed because they 'don't apply' to the regional board. Mods have often told me I belong on the General Board, but I'm typically more interested in having general discussions with my 'local' community.
It feels as if the only posts welcome from providers are ads and I get sick of trying to come up with creative marketing gimmicks. I'd love to be able to participate in actual discussion and banter freely, but the 'vibe' of most boards as of late is that the ladies are better 'seen and not heard'. Ads with pics are great, but it seems that anything else has to qualify under specific conditions and parameters to be deemed appropriate discussion for the Phoenix board. As a result, things just kinda got boring, IMO.

I don't necessarily fear rejection, since I know I'm not for all markets. We all say stupid shit sometimes and every once in a while, it's a good 'ego check' to get called out by your peers. That's part of what makes it a tight-knit community.
I remember when the board was much more active and interactive. Before the days of the "bust that shan't be discussed' and the scandal of TER's 'Founding Father', this was like any other private Yahoo chat group or fantasy/erotic forum. People shared off-color jokes, personal stories, crass inquisitions and everyday mundane crap. It was one big, dysfunctional family.
Fear has prevailed and quieted the masses.
Nobody wants to get booted out of the 'cool kids club' or make the wrong political move and piss off someone in power, so it's just easier to stay quiet and complacent.
It's not until all the cool kids are standing on the corner looking at each other blankly that we realize that it's not as much fun as we thought it would be.
Without the free and open discussions, there's no real way to get to know each other... or at least our 'online personae'. There hasn't been much to keep me coming back lately. I got a new review recently and didn't even log in to read it. In fact, the first time I've logged into this site in ages was to reply to this post. So... kudos to you, Victoria, for initiating these discussions.