Server advertising for new servers?

[JermZ]

Being a new founder and developer of a mid-rate server, I struggle with getting players to stick to my server.

I've been monitoring and accounts are being made and website has been getting hits, though I'm guessing most newcomers logs off when they see that I have literally no players.

I'm the founder of www.infinity-ro.net and we launched less than a week ago, being associated with another game, we are ranked 17 in a few voting sites with 900+ votes, however we still fail to see players sticking.

Generally, I do know that it isn't because our server lacks in anything, considering we do add updates WEEKLY, it's just, i need a few people who has had this experience to tell me what is there to do?

[DeePee]

The best thing to do is simple: don't give up!

It may take time and it might take a (long) while before you get some players, but the longer you stay up and provide new content, the more players will stick around. Stay in contact with your players, through forums, etc.

Stay active on RMS, reply to bad reviews and lurk the forums when you can.

Also, set up a Facebook page, do regular events and tell people to Like your posts, that way their friends will see it as well.

[JermZ]

Thank you for the tips,  don't plan to give up just yet, though it's rather disappointing at times lol.

[Synergy]

Make your website design more appealing and professional. that's a big big plus (for me).  Most players today only play for WoE so stick with the features that will make WoE more exciting.

and lastly,
advertise advertise advertise. yea don't stop and don't loose hope.

btw, i'm trying your server.

[DeePee]

Most players today only play for WoE so stick with the features that will make WoE more exciting.

Not true. My server is mainly PvM and is currently the highest population lowrate on RMS.

[JermZ]

Thank you.

I guess it really depends on the rates of your server, I'm a mid rate server hence WoE is a vital part of the gameplay, I do also have custom mobs for PVM lovers.

I've disabled WoE temporarily until we have enough players to actually make it competitive as my rewarding system for the castle owners are slightly different than usual.

[DavionFuxa]

Generally a server that starts out without any initial player base will have some difficulty drawing players in. What's more, it's the end of Summer and you've probably caught people when they probably won't be looking to join a new RO Server.

As DeePee said though, just tough it out for now - hopefully players will take an interest in your server or at least provide you with feedback which may be valuable in doing so. You might want to us provide some sort of goal too as that can be important as players might want to know what you plan to do with the server too. Lastly, don't be afraid of resets in the beginning, especially if you change a lot of things for the first few initial players; this might sound harsh to first joiners but ultimately if you are starting from scratch it may help to attract people. Some people like to have the best administrator on a new server, or at least a server where they can start out relatively even to everyone else who may have got a bit of a jump on them.

[JermZ]

Yeah, I actually lost all my old RO contacts and that's why I do not have a base.

Though for every single player, they matter even more to me and I'm actually taking their suggestions into account.
Hopefully it'll pay off soon.

[Ret-ro]

The end of August and most of September is literally the worst time for RO servers. Vacations are over, students return to school. That population dip makes everyone feel that the server, RO as a whole, or whatever, is dying. Then in mid-October people get settled in and population re-surges.

Keep a stiff upper lip, support your players, and they will bring their friends to play with them, forming the base of your server. Advertising brings players in. Personal connections keep them in.

[Strudel]

Don't give up!
Keep trying to motivate your players to play by doing events, being active ingame and support them as much as possible word wise, anything beyond that isn't good. And would lead to players believing you'd be biased.
Also try to get them to write reviews. The vote 4 points system is alright but in my opinion over valued, still having it is I suppose nowadays a standard. Unless you have +1000 players then of course you can just remove it. You always have to remember the times when players have vacation and keep trying, your never going to just get 100 players in 1 day or even in a week, or i dare say a month, it takes time and unless you have a super good PR, and do super costly advertisements it'll take time. Be sure to be on, and players will see that, recognize that and therefore thank you by being on and active. Trying to get them involved in the forum community is the best to keep the community alive, sharing info and growing as well.