· Club
Writing rules people will actually read and follow
Community guidelines matter, but most people skip long rulebooks. The trick is making rules short, clear and actually useful—not just a legal shield. Here's what works: - Keep it to 5–7 core rules, max. Anything longer and people won't read it. - Use plain language. "Be kind" beats "maintain respectful discourse." - Lead with what you want, not what you forbid. "Share your real thoughts" is stronger than "no spam." - Explain the why. "We keep names and links private so people feel safe" feels fair. "No doxxing" feels like a threat. - Show examples. One or two real scenarios help more than abstract rules. - Post them once, pin them, and link them in your welcome message. Don't repeat them. - Break them only when it matters. A friendly reminder works better than a ban for a first mistake. The best rules are the ones your community actually believes in. If members help write them—or at least have a say—they're way more likely to follow them and help others do the same. Rules work best when they protect what your community is for, not just what it's against. A good rule says: this is the kind of place we're building. What's one rule you've seen that actually stuck with people?