Let me start off by saying that deciding to expand to a new game is very risky business. On one hand it is the next step in growth and expansion, on the other it is the death of many clans. Never attempt to expand to a new game if you are not 100% satisfied and comfortable with the activity on your current game(s). Spreading yourself too thin and diverting your interests is the main mistake made when trying to expand to a new game.

What’s the big deal you ask? So what if it doesn’t work? The 2 or 3 members who were working to create a new division can always come back, right?

While that is true, it is also misguided. Let’s say your attempted expansion does fail. Guaranteed, anyone you would trust to build a new division will probably be some of your best members, and while their attention was diverted toward the new game that didn’t pan out, this means their attention was not toward your current game. All I am trying to say is, don’t throw all your eggs in one basket. There are a few ground rules and questions to consider before you decide to expand to the new game:

-Is there a demand for it? Will enough of your current members play this game to make the expansion there worthwhile for the current clan population?

-On the same hand, is there not too many members who will play this game? You’ve just gotten on your feet on your current game, you don’t want to pull the rug out from under your feet as soon as you step on it.

-What is the difference in community between the games? Alot of script-based, B.Net clans got a rude awakening when they tried to expand to Counter-Strike and realized that it was a completely different world, with completely different types of people over there. Not to say their bad. Just different. Will they get along?

Rules

-Never allow more then 3-4 members to try and expand. Too many members attempting to help expand diverts your activity from your current game. But at the same time, never allow less then 2, otherwise it is bound to fail. As the leader yourself, never be the soul driving force. Your attention needs to be on managing what’s already created.

-Set goals, and stick to them. If your expanding members are meeting these goals, call it off for the time being. There is no harm in calling it off before your in too deep, but there is harm in “waiting” it out and wasting valuable resources on soemthing that may never work.

-If the members working toward expansion are your “primary” or “best” members, make sure you have replacement members ready to step up to the challenge in their absence.

Remember to always be supportive, and listen to ideas though. Expansions are very make-or-break for a community. It is essentially agreeing to take on the task of creating a clan all over again, and I’m sure you remember how that one was.

By JohnnyLocke