Recruitment 101

Hey there Guild Wars-eers! Ever had trouble keeping that roster topped up? Ever wonder why you're losing 3/4 of your new recruits within a day? Ever wonder why women dislike me? Well! Wonder no more! Recruiting 101 is here for you to help you find classy people for your classy guild!! But wait! Why should you listen to me? Well, take a look at my credentials!!


Step 1: Approach your target

Don’t go the generic way and spam your guild information in local chat in the middle of a busy outpost. That rarely works.


You need to cover as many areas as you can and contact as many recruits as you can. Run around Lion’s Arch, Kamadan, Embark Beach, and Kaineng Center (as well as anywhere else you would think is appropriate). Switch districts and hold down your CTRL key to find out who has a tag and who doesn’t. If you're a fast typer, don't hesitate to keep running and PMing people while a potential recruit has displayed interest. Most people won't end up in your roster and actually ending up with double/triple interviews is uncommon. The people without a tag are your potential targets. Remember to hit up all the major outposts, all the districts, and don't be afraid to repeat. The AFK people will still be there, but there's often plenty of new people popping in as well. Also, don’t recruit people with stupid names like "deth killa sin," that name doesn't even make sense (how do you kill "deth?" No, you, classy recruiter, you want classy people!!!




Step 2: State your objectives

Once a suitable target has been found, private message the person with your intention. Try to sound formal, direct, and polite. Classy people will often want a classy recruiter!



Most of the time, the target will have no interest in joining a guild. In this case, stop the messaging to avoid irritating said target.



Something to note is that occasionally, someone will leave a guild because of negative experiences. These people will often give you some subtle cues such as responding along the lines of "I don't really want anything to do with guilds right now." If you're confident enough, (which you should be because you're a classy recruiter in a classy guild!) you can often convince these individuals to join by assuring them that your guild will not have the negativity that has caused them to leave their previous guilds.

Remember, probably 95% of the people you PM will either not respond or say no. It's nothing personal. However, it is your job to PM as many people as you can in a short amount of time. A lot of people are Guildless for a reason but once in a while, you get that special someone who has come back from a long break or something. In this case, tell them about your guild and ask them if they want to know more. Try to cover all the important things that most people would care about such as guild size, activity range, vent, faction alignment etc.






Step 3: Create a convincing argument

A great deal of classy people will want information about your guild. State this truthfully. After all, they'll probably leave after this huge guild you're in happens to have 80 people who haven't logged in in 3 months. Even if your guild isn't that high quality per se, a lot of classy people will join if the recruiter shows promise, or at least doesn't sound like a twelve year old who thought it would be cool to make a guild.







Step 4: Determine compatibility

If the person is looking for a guild, ensure that you ask them what they want in a guild. This not only ensures that you are getting the right people, but also it helps acquaint you with their personality.



Once in a while, you'll get someone you absolutely don't want in your guild. In this case, just state politely that you don't want them by saying something along the lines of: "Sorry, I don't think our guild is right for you." Or if you are a pussy like me, make it sound like nobody is at fault.



Remember, a bit of small talk is good. You'll be establishing yourself as the person your new member will initially identify with. Also, if you are getting two members in quick succession, small talk can help create a gap between the two welcoming parties. Every recruit should be given their five minutes of fame when they join. Nothing makes people leave like being dumped in a guild and being ignored.


Step 5: PROFIT!!!!

Congratulations! You have gotten a new recruit!



Make sure you welcome them into your guild/alliance and break the ice with them a little. New guilds can be intimidating! Invite them to ventrilo, ask them what they like to do on Guild Wars.




Remember, recruiting people takes time and plenty of patience. It is however, very rewarding. You will have plenty of awesome new people to have epic adventures with!

Nice write up and I like every step in the system. [Liar] mainly recruits through Guru but I can see this as a good way to get a lot of people in the door, very quickly. I am glad to see you guys are growing once again.

And remember, sometimes no really means yes!

More credentials!!! Keep in mind that all of these were recruited in 1 day!

*bows to the master*

RLR will have 100 members someday!

very good job George we appreciate the help .

Awesome and hilarious! I love your examples

Katie you are too kind! I am glad that I found you .

omg george thats sorta intense.
Although. Atleast you dont recruit like this..

HAHAHAH!!

Dijabouti Jiggle wrote:And remember, sometimes no really means yes!

XD Really it does. I wasn't looking for a new guild but Steve got me in anyway and I'm actually really happy I wasn't looking. But then, I've always been told you find what you want/need when you aren't looking for it.

Anyway this guide is helpful. I always saw recruiting as a spammy chore. Especially considering recruits seem to leave before they've been in for a day. This actually looks like it'd be fun, you never know where random PM's can lead.

LuriaVel wrote:[
Anyway this guide is helpful. I always saw recruiting as a spammy chore. Especially considering recruits seem to leave before they've been in for a day. This actually looks like it'd be fun, you never know where random PM's can lead.

I agree its a good write-up George sometimes its the basics and manners people forget when recruiting. I comend you sir for taking the time for placing this guide up, not everyone is built to recruit and this is a good officer crash course. My only addition is no matter how boorish, rude reactions you recieve recruiting maintain professionalism, blowing up at people just deducts points from people joining you. Heck back in the day (way before i joined AoL and i dont anymore) i would trap people recruiting for guilds and ask them questions and I would see how long it took them to blow up ...90% of the time less than 5 minutes. Yes You can do "McRecruting" but sometimes quality over quantity is where you want to go. Maybe I am wrong but 9/10 times you do mass membership they wont last a month till they move on to the BBD. So yes my counter arguement is worry not so much for filling the roster but getting quality members for the long haul not seat fillers for the short haul

and Luria yeah random PM's in game..yeah that has led me to about 4 people i consider good friends in game including one I managed a guild with who is now an Aol member and Officer. So never doubt a random PM.

Lotsa common sense info ....AND a fun read! Who could ask for more? I know I cant! Nicely done.

LOL this is hilarious

very nicely written George, of course, i really expect no less from you :p