I have noticed as of late an unsettling trend of super and villian groups to brush prospective members off to their web sites rather than chatting with them in person. I have been looking around trying to find a good roleplay group and of them just about every one has given me the 'go to our website and fill out an application' upon showing interest or asking about them as a whole. These people obviously do not realize, a guild's website should only act as an answering service, if you will, when an actual member of the group is unavailable to handle your inquiry. To brush someone off is to say to them, "you are not important enough to me or my group to warrent me taking time away from my gaming to speak with you."
Just as a public service announcement from a veteran guild leader, those initial moments of contact are absolutely vital. A successful organization stems from both sides feeling not only is it an honor to be a member, but to have them as one as well. Now I realize that an application process is important and I am not suggesting otherwise. My concern is that when a person is standing right infront of you (in game sending you a tell), take the time to get the ball rolling. Ask them what they are looking for. Give them a little bit about what your group stands for. Yes this may all very well be 'on the web site'. However, it is the difference between asking a waiter, "So what's good?" only to have them respond, "Read the menu." and that same waiter taking just a few moments to go over the finer points.
I am sure many of the guilds I have contacted are overflowing with fantastic people and good friends. I am only hoping to bring to light that perhaps this is not being conveyed properly when a player's first impression is not, we are a wonderful place to hang out but rather, you are a drain on my time and if you jump through all the hoops I give you maybe, just maybe, we will let you into our Mean Girls club.
