I've helped run quite a few events in the times that I've been an admin! I've done both heavily guided events, with one main thread and DM'd NPCs, and I have done more lowkey events, where there's a special forum for an event that is happening. I've also done dev events with bingos, where people follow prompts and do tasks to get money. One of my favorite events, which I have to credit the idea to another site, was something of a Nanowrimo, where people would put their posts on word docs and we would give awards based on how many words people would achieve.

The most successful events were more self-directed, at your own pace. Granted, the more modded ones ended up being rally fun, but as a staffer, I would end up burnt out and having difficulty working on my own personal writing. Striking a balance between am I enjoying the event vs. running something for the whole board is definitely something.

People respond well to awards, and incremental awards are great because you're awarding people at every level and quantity of writing.

So, my basic advice? Make sure you're enjoying the event too and that you and staff are also participating. That's what gets people enticed to join something if you're doing it. Events are a great way to spark activity on a site, giving people a common talking point and an opportunity for their characters that may not be interacting to interact.

I can't say for sure yet what will be successful today but in the past, I feel people really responded more to ooc events more than ic ones. for my current forum, I'm doing my best to mix it up a little. opening "event" was more of a welcome gift to anybody who joined. next month we have several events we're working on (regular missions and then an event).

I've seen people doing bingo like they are doing here on pp, and I think that could be fun. I want to do it on my site, too, but trying to decide what to put in the squares is stumping me atm.

people always like holiday events but holidays are so short and they're hard to finish in a timely manner. also not sure how people format those anymore bc I've seen forums made for events, one big thread (seems chaotic lol) or just tagging the threads with the event (my favorite).

also, just want to say what Asu said above is helpful and I'm going to mull it over for myself, too!