Best way to recruit for new FC?

[Amiaze]

Do not use player search and whisper random people.

I see that many people have said this, but I think it's worth noting that, depending on the server*, this can be deemed as slightly more socially acceptable. I've received tells from people saying that they were not interested in joining an FC, but that they appreciated the fact that I spoke to them specifically via tell (no macros) versus sending out an unsolicited invite.

This isn't to say that a great number of players don't see it as rude, but in my experience, it isn't necessarily deemed as being socially unacceptable. I am sure this varies from server to server, however. Good luck!

[Ashkendor]

This isn't to say that a great number of players don't see it as rude, but in my experience, it isn't necessarily deemed as being socially unacceptable. I am sure this varies from server to server, however. Good luck!

It's extremely intrusive and it reeks of just wanting to fill the FC with whatever warm bodies happen along, honestly.

Grist for the mill, as it were.

[Amiaze]

It's extremely intrusive and it reeks of just wanting to fill the FC with whatever warm bodies happen along, honestly.

Grist for the mill, as it were.

As I said, this likely varies. The few people I've sent tells to were new players that I thought needed help and, in my case, they messaged me back and thanked me for sending the message and not just outright inviting them without a word. But, to be fair, some of these were players I'd encountered before and had helped kill a mob that was chasing them while on my way to do something else, or some other random event.

I don't disagree with what others have said at all - especially when you're just looking to fill an FC with warm bodies, as you said. A short and thoughtless "need an FC?" is way more intrusive and spammy than a well thought-out message targeted for an individual player standing right in front of you, as was my case.

[FunkYeahDragons]

As I said, this likely varies. The few people I've sent tells to were new players that I thought needed help and, in my case, they messaged me back and thanked me for sending the message and not just outright inviting them without a word. But, to be fair, some of these were players I'd encountered before and had helped kill a mob that was chasing them while on my way to do something else, or some other random event.

I don't disagree with what others have said at all - especially when you're just looking to fill an FC with warm bodies, as you said. A short and thoughtless "need an FC?" is way more intrusive and spammy than a well thought-out message targeted for an individual player standing right in front of you, as was my case.

It's about balance, imo. We all know the only reason someone with an FC /tells someone without an FC is for recruitment, and some people wasted ~5 minutes of my time in a "conversation" while I politely tried to end it.

[M0xie]

My FC grows every week because members make friends and then invite them. We do not advertise in PF or shout or anything. I guess it just depends on the FC.

[Valkyrie-Amber]

to put it bluntly is not to recruit as the older fcs have way more rep than you will ever have.

do like i do if makeing an fc and go solo cause atleast its reputable and not reguarded as stealing people from better fcs.

[Ashkendor]

to put it bluntly is not to recruit as the older fcs have way more rep than you will ever have.

This is a pretty ridiculous statement. Those older FC's had to start off somewhere in order to become an older FC. If everyone lived by your logic, nobody would ever start an FC at all so no FC's would ever exist for anyone to join.

do like i do if makeing an fc and go solo cause atleast its reputable and not reguarded as stealing people from better fcs.

I've never heard anyone say that a small FC was "stealing people from better FCs." What a load of hogwash. >_>

[Kosmos992k]

Grow slowly, be sure of your recruits and treat everyone fairly and family friendly. As you grow, your FC will be solid and your members will be loyal to each other.

[Misha_Snow]

I wish we had something similar to Marketboard in the big cities, where people could post their recruiting flyers. It would be definitely more realistic than people shouting and teleporting from one region to another. It would prevent all sorts of "harassment" that you guys have stated to avoid and also give a choice to the new adventurers or the people that consider to change their FC. =)

[StriderShinryu]

- Please please please don't just do blind invites
I've played a number of MMOs in the past and the number of people that seem to do this in FF14 is just staggering compared to anything I've seen elsewhere. This just makes your invite an instant Nope to me and many others. It makes your FC look bad and desperate, and the people who would actually respond positively to this approach are not likely interested in your FC but would just join any FC. Do you just want numbers that don't care or do you want actual FC members?

- Try to sell yourself
What does your FC actually do and what makes it different from the others? If you can't think of a quick "elevator pitch" style explanation then you may need to do some homework. Sorry, but "We're an FC with House that is welcoming to both Old and New Players!" just isn't good enough (plus, it's real hard for even established FCs to serve every player type, why do you think you can?). Also, if you can't think of a selling point for your FC then maybe you need to rethink why you created one in the first place. Be honest with both yourself and those you're advertising to.

- Consider your out of the game presence as well
Almost every FC should have even just a simple free website. If you're going to be doing organized group content, or just be openly social, look into VOIP services. If you're all about events and planned activities, get a calendar going. If you're serious about your FC, you will need to put your time in both inside the game and outside of it as well. These days, this is just expected stuff.

- Shouted Ads are Okay
There's nothing wrong with Shouted advertisements for your FC but keep them brief, factual and entertaining. As above, sell yourself with a quick "elevator pitch" that catches the eye but don't spam.

- /Tells are Okay
If you're going to random invite, ALWAYS send a /tell instead. Be ready to talk and answer questions, even if they have nothing to do with your FC. After all, you're the one who opened the door. Don't, however, pester someone, follow them around, stalk them, etc. If someone wants to respond, they will. Also, try to keep a list of who you've actually talked to. Nothing feels more like a blanket sales pitch than getting a second tell an hour later from the same guy advertising his FC and speaking as if he had never talked to you before.

- Go where your audience is and do what your audience is doing
If you're an FC that's meant to be helping new players, get out there in the 0-30 zones and actually help. Know the hotspots like the Levemetes or group required FATEs. Don't just sit in the 3 main cities and spam Shouts. If you're an FC for RPers, get out there in a frequently visited public space and actively, openly RP. If you're an FC that's meant for hardcore end game raiding, what are you doing bugging Sprouts just outside of Gridania?

- Take No for an answer
.. But don't be an ass about it. If someone says no, then let them say no. Let them add you to their friend list if they want to. Let them keep asking you questions if they have any. Building an FC is about building relationships but that doesn't mean your in game relationships have to be restricted to people in your FC. Plus, if you're that much of a resource in that players world, they are more likely to join you sooner or later anyway.