Fedigrow

Excellent stuff, Sergio. I think I agree with just about all of that, and have also tried most of those approaches myself, but not all.

Oh, and how many total /c's do you mod, now? (look at me whining about running a single community 😅)

Sixth, advertise periodically, on !newcommunities@lemmy.world, by cross-posting, by mentioning your community elsewhere (when approriate), by getting it listed in the sidebar of related communities, etc.

I'm constantly doing that in subtle ways, but not overtly, probably because it feels a bit embarrassing to be both the community-runner, main content-creator, and also self-advertiser. This is maybe where it might be good to do a 'vote-swap,' where I talk up other peoples' communities I like, and they do the same for mine. Something like that, anyway.

On !gothindustrial@lemmy.world I had to ask like 10+ people in this way, but we finally got a nice community of 3-4 regular posters and several other occasionals.

Yes, I've had a little bit of success with that when I was going to be absent for some days due to reasons. Not a lot of success, but a little. At other times, when people comment to complain about content not being 'pure enough' for the sub, I've tried to explain the loophole in question, then welcomed them to post the kind of content they like. They never, ever do, and so far I might chalk it up to: 1) I'm sort of turning the tables on them and putting them on the spot, and as you say, that's not a fun mindset for contributing; 2) they simply weren't going to do so anyway, finding it way easier and more preferable to be drive-by complainers with little or any real interest in the community. (cynical take, I know)

So if there's a lesson there, it might be based on one of my favorite quotes: "To get the best out of a man, go to what is best in him." In other words, appeal to users' helpful natures, and not so much going with "oh yeah, well go ahead and show me, buster!"