The Classifieds: Keep plugging away for guild recruitment

Recruiting to expand your guild can be a pain in the neck. It's a hard task. You have to balance the need to get additional folks versus the need to preserve the unique character of your existing group. It's difficult to tell if new recruits will blend well and fit into your group. And, after all, you have to get those new folks' attention somehow.
There are a few things you can do to stand out. First, don't sweat listing things like having a tabard or a guild bank. People know that. Make sure you describe your guild's character in short phrases. "Progression," "casual," and "family-friendly" are all words that pack a meaningful punch. You don't need to say things like "balance life and game," usually, because that's almost always a standard.
Try and include some really unique stuff that might reach beyond the basic game: "We spend time talking about comics," or "Guild chat is like an engineering conference." These are the things that will help extend your guild's character beyond just basic in-game stuff.
Mostly, keep plugging away. Don't give up on recruiting; it can happen, but it takes time.
Random Acts of Uberness
It's when another player lights up your night with precise play, a wicked sense of humor or unexpected generosity that your login becomes something to remember. Share your Random Acts of Uberness with theclassifieds@wowinsider.com. Keep things brief (150 words or less, please), and be sure to list everyone's character names and home realms or battlegroup.
Famfriet of Wyrmrest Accord I was tanking a random heroic with a full PUG doing Grim Batol (everyone from a different server). Everyone in the PUG was absolutely fantastic, situationally aware, kind and respectful. The player that stuck out to me the most was the warrior dps, Famfriet from Wyrmrest Accord. He was geared fantastically in all ilvl 359+ gear, challenging me to aggro on all bosses while pulling close to 20k dps. I was pleasantly surprised at his willingness, even desire to wait for a little CC on trash pulls as well as small preparations for bosses. Far more often when I'm tanking for geared DPS, they just want to "gogogo", skip CC, and make things messy and stressful. So: a shout-out to Famfriet and the other absolutely fantastic group members, Maugenra the CC'ing, DPS-dominating hunter from Nesingwary, Onuz the Frostbolt tossing DPS-crushing mage from Hydraxis, and last but definitely not least Xiaosen the so-uberly-healing-me-I-didn't-think-I-was-taking-damage druid from Hyjal. -- NalivanEmployment: Guild recruitment
Looking for more? Send in your guild name, realm, a link to your guild website or armory listing and a sentence or two on your guild's focus (10-man, RP, late-night raiding, whatever) to theclassifieds@wowinsider.com.
Active progression Inertia is looking for ranged DPS and healers. "Inertia is the leading Alliance PvE progression guild on the US-Deathwing realm. Created in July, 2005 our primary focus has always been 25 man raiding. Currently the guild is 1/13 HM for 25 man, and 4/13 HM for 10 man. In the past, Inertia had achieved all server firsts from Naxxramas (40) to Heroic: Glory of the Ulduar Raider and continue to hold realm 1st and 2nd Achievements. We raid 4 nights a week during progression and require all raiders to maintain at least 3 out of 4 days of raiding. "
Dedicated raiders wanted Aeternus needs to inflate its roster. "4/13hc 25 are looking for dedicated and active raiders to inflate our roster and put us in the best position to maximise progress! We're a very stable guild and have been raiding together since Vanilla with many realm firsts and high world ranked kills under our belt. Raid 4-5 times/week. If you're still in love with WoW, adore your class, love raiding, wiping, and progressing - that is what we want moaaar of!!! Apply at www.wow-aeternus.com."
Getting started Omens is looking for a few new folks to help them tackle content. "A newly LVL85 Healer and DPS persons that would like to run 5- mans normals with our small, fun, adult guild. We have a returning tank(from Naxx raiding) that would like to have some fun learning the new dungeons with some others that would also like to learn either a new toon or the dungeons themselves. We are a very close, no pressure, fun group that likes to run 2-3 times on weeknights (6pm server) and maybe one day on the weekends. If interested please PST Taquarin in game."
Firming roster Band of Thorns balances progression and real life. "Band of Thorns is a Thrall-Horde guild looking to cement our 10 man roster as well as fill a second 10 man team. We are 7/12 progression raiding just Tuesdays and Fridays - 9Pm to 12Am EST. Our Philosophy: Enjoy yourself, whether it be the guild members or raid environment, this is very important to us. We also understand that everyone has a life. That said, we like killing bosses and seeing content. Our website can be found at http://bot.wowstead.com/ to app or contact any officer in game."
Ninja raiders Conservation of Ninjitsu preserves their precious ninja resources. "We're a small group of friends that have played together since BC, and we're looking to fill out a core 10-man to raid Cataclysm with. We're casual, and guild policies/schedules are easygoing. We want to build a small, tight-knit group of good, friendly raiders looking to have a good time in a low-pressure environment while we progress. All current guild members raided in BC or Wrath. The only thing keeping us from taking the fight to Deathchin's minions is needing more people. We're looking for healers first, but any level 85s and their alts are welcome to join the fun! In case you need it, here's our armory link"
Semi-casual raiding Traumatic is looking for caster classes. "Traumatic is a 25m semi-casual progression guild on US-Deathwing 11/12 looking for some consistent casters to join us on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 8 MST - 11 MST. For more info and to apply our website is www.TraumaticGuild.com Thanks!"
Unknowable Ineffable is looking for new recruits to get started in earnest. "I was hoping you could throw us in, as we're a new guild and looking for recruits! =D We're trying to lay the groundwork for progression, while still maintaining a family-like casual amosphere. Once we get some core players, we'll begin raiding! This guild is brand-new though, so doesn't have the pull of being level 20, nor does it have a reputation since it was made less than a month ago. All we can do is try and get other players to share our vision. http://www.ineffableguild.guildportal.com."
Filed under: The Classifieds






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Corath Mar 23rd 2011 3:09PM
Band of Thorns represent! :D Been in this guild since WoW launched, still love it.
Darren Mar 23rd 2011 4:50PM
Heh Corath you were quick on the comment here. You must read this site as must as I do.
Thanks @wowinsider for posting our recruitment blurb!
Thundrcrackr Mar 23rd 2011 3:13PM
Unless you are a new guild, then you may as well give up. No one is going to join a guild that doesn't even have the basic perks yet. Cata guild levelling was the death of new guilds.
:(
Bynde Mar 23rd 2011 3:34PM
I have it on good authority that this isn't worth discussing.
Even tho I agree with you.
Piesmarts Mar 23rd 2011 3:42PM
After raiding with the same core group of people for a couple of weeks, I ended up joining the new guild they had formed to get more serious. We're almost lvl 5, which is nothing to brag about I know, but we're already 10/12 and planning on doing old content to keep gaining xp. We're now recruiting for a second 10-man because we have that much interest within the guild.
I was a bit worried too but it helps when you have people willing to start from the ground up. Sometimes it's worth the risk :)
Whyisretgimped Mar 23rd 2011 3:52PM
I agree with this 100%. The entire guild leveling system basically requires you to raid for guild levels or new recuits, and at the same time, gives raiding guilds an even greater edge than they already had. Raiding guilds already had the massive draw of raiding to bring in new recruits. Now they have raiding, i.e. the promise of the best gear, and a whole host of guild level perks that small guilds or new guilds can't get. There's no way to compete with them now.
Small guilds, casual guilds, or heaven forbid a guild that is both like mine, get tossed to the side. There came a point about two weeks ago where recruitment just dried up and people jumped ship for bigger guilds. It was probably about the time where guilds started to hit level 20 and everyone could get their BoA helmets. It was also about the time Rift launched. Up until that point I could count on a couple of recruits a day or more. It's been bone dry for two weeks now.
Meanwhile, the big raiding guilds on my server take everyone, and just farm them for xp. People join these guilds thinking they're going to raid, and they never will. I have my opposing faction alt in a guild on my server with 800 members. There are easily 50 people on at once. Guild chat is as inane as trade chat is and even with 50 people online, no one will run anything with anyone, just like trade chat.
So the guild leveling system is totally broken, and I have never seen WoW discussed on fansites with so much venom before. People are very unhappy with Cataclysm, but Blizzard, steeped in unparalleled levels of hubris, will probably not change any of this any time soon.
Vector Mar 23rd 2011 3:22PM
If a guild of good folks with moderate raid progress could accurately advertise that their guild chat was an engineering conference, I'd totally make a toon on their realm and join.
Darthrob Mar 23rd 2011 3:25PM
I like how all the people in the uberness shoutout came from appropriate areas.
Grovinofdarkhour Mar 23rd 2011 3:49PM
Hail, heroes! Dark Hour is a level 18 Alliance raiding and social guild on Thorium Brotherhood-US, looking to put the finishing touches on our three 10-man raid teams and return to 25-man raiding as well. The guild is open to all classes and levels, and the raid teams have immediate need for a couple more excellent healers, especially holy and/or disc priests.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/guild/thorium-brotherhood/dark%20hour/
Thanks,
Grovin
Amrytale Mar 23rd 2011 3:58PM
The Wolves of Theramore (US Silver Hand-Alliance) are a level 21 guild in need of tanks, healers and ranged DPS. Raid times are Friday/Saturday 7-11 PST. Apply now at http://www.wolvesoftheramore.com.
Amrytale Mar 23rd 2011 3:59PM
We are currently 8/12 with Al'Akir, Nefarian, Ascedant Council and Cho'gall left to go.
toofat2serve Mar 23rd 2011 5:31PM
[A] of US-Ghostlands is a Level 11 social guild with a future vision of casual raiding. We are primarily made up of friendly working adults and parents, with the odd serious student thrown in. We have limited play time, and we make the best of it.
-Keikiski
Scritch Mar 23rd 2011 6:36PM
[A] US-The Scryers
Website: http://infiniteasylum.guildportal.com
For more info or to apply to join IA: visit our website or contact Pestle in game on the server or on the website!
Infinite Asylum is a level 13 (nearly 14) social guild, and GLBT friendly. (This doesn't mean we only accept members who are alternative lifestyles etc. This means that no matter who you are or who you choose to be, you are accepted and protected as family in IA. )We focus on two main things: Being completely uncensored and having fun no matter what we're doing. We focus on helping each other out, getting guild achievements, running old content for fun, all sorts of things. 18+ only, as we are completely uncensored.
We are a very social guild and use ventrilo often, chatting about hilarious random things, gross things, serious topics, and just odd banter.
The biggest perk of this guild lays in how we reward members who work hard at helping others, play often and/or are active etc. Our ranks are not static. Guild members are rewarded with promotions when they work extra hard at helping the guild out and members within. Likewise, they can be demoted for slacking or being selfish etc. This does not mean members that go offline for RL reasons will be hindered--that type of situation is the exception. We like to reward people for their help...what better way than to promote them and show all of their guild-mates they are appreciated :)
Izzy Mar 23rd 2011 8:48PM
www.sunrisesoldiers.com
Fondre Mar 24th 2011 1:16AM
www.bound-staghelm.com
You can read all the fun stuff below or watch our recruitment video, 'Hitler finds out you died to the elevator boss.'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PijCMgz19vU
Raiding
Bound prides itself on pushing our raiders to progress at a comfortable pace, while still holding a respectable server rank. Raiders earn rank by maintaining consistent attendance, showing progressive improvement, and by coming to raids prepared and ready to kick much ass. Any member who earns rank, must also work to keep that rank by not sloughing off or getting comfortable with their status in the guild.
rylanzenyk Mar 24th 2011 3:17AM
Its so true its basically impossible to recruit any new members. I started a new guild sometime in february. Its a casual levelling and instancing guild for now until the time comes when people can raid. It currently consists of me, 4 or 5 of my alts, 2 long time wow friends and their alts and 1 member who signed my charter who for some reason is sticking with me for the long haul. I've been recruiting for over 3 weeks now. I've invested in the tabard, 3 bank tabs so far. I've built a guild website. Advertised on the recruitment forums and server forum as well as other wow related websites. I haven't had a single person contact me or even ask questions. It is getting to the point where i don't know what I could do to get new members. The guild is still level 1 and only at like 5% of the level with mostly me and 1 other guy contributing...Cataclysm and guild perks definitely have made it impossible for anyone to start a new guild.... If anyone has advice please help.
Bromide Mar 24th 2011 5:30AM
a nice PUG story! there should be more of those. most groups i tend to get in PUGs are nice as well nowadays but there are still the bad ones now and again and we only tend to tell the tales of horror
Richard Mar 24th 2011 8:57AM
@Ryanzenyk - I leveled my guild to level 2 by myself, doing dailies with my alts and questing. After that, I decided to outsource. I started advertising "/2 Want to earn some extra gold while leveling? I would appreciate the guild xp for my personal guild. I pay 250 gold per 250k gxp. I also pay for all repairs from the guild bank."
80 members so far, and I've paid several members 2-3 thousand gold for their contributions. I don't hand out tabards, and the guild bank is for my own use. No deposits are allowed currently.
Lisa.m.Fraleigh Mar 24th 2011 8:59AM
I'm in ! We are currently 12/12 just got Nef down the other night! Yay!
Lisa.m.Fraleigh Mar 24th 2011 9:08AM
I meant Traumatic!