How can I enhance FC Recruitment?

[Cigaran]

There are three main things I would recommend if you are needing help keeping a FC engaged and also working to grow the FC.

• Voice Chat
  Voice chat is going to help you in many ways. It can help to build a sense of camaraderie for existing members and can help draw in new players. It's much easier to form a bond with a group when you're actually able to hear them. There are all sorts of things you'll pick up in someone's voice that you'll never get from text. You will also notice that it's much easier to coordinate tactics while playing and that is going to lead to having better success while playing endgame content. Voice chat also be use to just hangout and socialize while playing other non MMO games.
• Out of Game Communication
  You mention that time and scheduling conflicts are a big issue that your FC is facing. Setting up some sort of way to keep in touch out of game will go a long, long way towards addressing that. You could set up a website with some basic forums for everyone to use, use some of the free forum sites that are our there, or you could set up a Facebook group depending on the level of anonymity you want. No matter what route you choose, again you're giving your members another avenue for social interaction to help form bonds that will (hopefully) keep them active and playing even when they are unable to be in-game for long stretches of time. You also have an excellent platform for scheduling events or other get togethers.
• Events
  Events are a big, big part of games like this. It's no secret that you see several events ran by the developers of MMO's. They let the player know that at a given date and time, there will be activities going on that they can take part in and where they'll be able to find other players. Free Companies are no different in this and a regular event schedule provides the same benefits. Even if everyone isn't able to attend every event, having a weekly, bi-monthly, or even monthly play night lets your members know they can get on at these times and play with their FC mates. These don't have to be grand events either. It can be something as simple as a night to work towards FATE Achievements, running Treasure Maps, or any of a number of ideas that fit your group and their play style. The bottom line is, there needs to be some sort of activity that is ran on a normal schedule. At the very least, it shows that those in charge of the Free Company are active and committed to enjoying the game.