"I don't feel like posting in "Swap Ideas" I just wanna start a swap" =X

[skullseamstress]

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Now, I don't feel super strongly about this, but I looked through the last year's worth of swap questions, and I didn't see this one addressed! So here it is for discussion, both for me, and for others who may have similar wonderings!

The swap organizer "information and tips" thread by our dearly departed* Leah state that the first thing to do is to post in "Swap Ideas" to test the waters. The verbage used isn't super-strict by my measuring, though. Clearly, it's normal to do this, and it's a super good idea if you're not sure if anyone will really be interested in your swap. (EDIT: I've additionally re-read the "Crafter Swap Info Guide" page, and the verbage there is a bit stronger. Still looking for thoughts!  *also, Leah is not departed from life, just Craftster as a staff member. <3)

I also looked into swap participant numbers requirements, and there kind of aren't any, via superhooker...

There can be any number of swappers...if you post sign ups for a reasonable amount of time, and only 4 people sign up, that is just fine.

SO!  My question is:  Is it reeeeaaaallllly required to post first in "Swap Ideas" and wait X number of days for responses,  OR is it ok, (but generally un-advisable!) to just launch your swap?

This is of course subject to the organizer in question meeting all the requirements for being an organizer.

Thanks for reading!

[averyg]

I'm not quite sure of the official answer or anything, but I can see why posting in the "New Swap Idea" forum is particularly helpful. In doing so, you are letting people know of possible future swaps. If they are interested in participating, they will make a note to keep up with the thread and whatnot, and in some instances, even set aside one of their 5 swap slots... Or people could be currently busy with work or whatnot, but in a couple of weeks they will be free to swap. If you just start the swap without any discussion, you could lose a lot of people who are interested in participating as they have no warning in a sense that such a swap is available to them. However, I can understand that one downside of having such a long discussion in the "New Swap Idea" forum is that with so much talk and no action, people could become disinterested or even forget of such a swap.

[rackycoo]

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 our dearly departed Leah

Fortunately, Leah is still alive and enjoying good health and crafting. 

I think if you're going to be doing a swap that has a very specific theme that will attract fewer people than a more general, it's advantageous to post in the new ideas just to get people thinking about it. However, there's no requirement to post in the "swap ideas" before you start up a swap. 

[alwaysinmyroom]

I think it is a good idea to post into swap ideas because sometimes people point out that a similar swap is already in progress or they can tell you a former similar swap that was a total bust!  There are a lot of swap veterans here that have such great feedback...

I like looking at the ideas and then either responding enthusiatically and encouraging the swap to get going or, pointing out what some of the pitfalls might be...a lot of good ideas die out because the person did not think things all the way through (not a good idea to have a huge swap around the holidays, for instance!)...it is good to brainstorm with others to have a successful swap...

I also like to check out the organizer and the potential people who would be interested...I personally hesitate to join swaps where the organizer is not that organized or where I do not feel like I fit in with the group...

Test the waters...people here respond quickly...we are swap junkies!!!

[skullseamstress]

Hehehehee! I just couldn't resist using the phrase "dearly departed". Gone but not forgotten! Definitely not dead, though, quite right, don't want to alarm anyone.

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback! You make good points. =)

[alwaysinmyroom]

That was funny in a weird way--you have a good sense of humor!

[Missing_Muse]

The other advantage of posting a new idea is that you get a much better feel for what people are actually willing to commit to, as far as sizing is concerned. What seems like a great idea to you as 2 larges and 2 mediums may seem like total overkill to other people who were thinking they only had enough time or interest in the theme to do OTT.

[sazzra]

The other advantage of posting a new idea is that you get a much better feel for what people are actually willing to commit to, as far as sizing is concerned. What seems like a great idea to you as 2 larges and 2 mediums may seem like total overkill to other people who were thinking they only had enough time or interest in the theme to do OTT.

You also get an idea of timing. When I started the 'idea' thread, a lot of people expressed interest but a chunk couldn't do the time scale I was proposing, so I at least knew the choice would be later swap or smaller swap