welcome, guest
To Naiomit's guide to guild making.
Here you shall be able to learn all of the guild making techniques needed to run a successful guild. However, please note that guild making and guild running are 2 completely different concepts and shall be treated as such. You can easily make a guild, but running a guild is something that takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Luckily for you, this guide will cover both of those topics and more. Are you ready? Then buckle up, your adventure is about to begin.
November 19, 2011: New layout~ Also we have one more addition to the advice from guild owners section!
3...2...1...wait? I'm making a guild? (The Beginning) 
The most important rule to making a guild, is to actually plan it out! You can't all of a sudden decide to make a guild and just go make one. Well, you can actually, but it is really hard to get a guild started like that. Unless you end up super lucky and have some amazingly awesome neofriends who are ready to be there and support you. But if you plan things out, you are more likely to run a better guild. Here are some questions you should consider before making your decision:
What theme should my guild be?
How active am I on neopets?
Will I be able to run any extra pages such as activities?
Should there be any special requirements needed to join the guild?
etc...
To run a guild, it would be best for you to consider those questions and think about them carefully. My owner, Kayla, knows from experience how hard it is to keep a guild running. Also how easily it is to lose motivation to keep a guild. If you are still intent on continuing your quest to make a guild, then keep on reading. You are surely dedicated to even considering answering the questions. 
Answer #1 - Guild Themes
A guild theme is just as it says, a theme. Basically, it's what your guild is about. There are many many MANY different themes out there, so which one do you pick?
Neopets Related (NR) - This is one of the most common guild themes. Consisting on neopet-themed guild layouts and activities. Also, NR guild can be neopets related roleplay, or just anything neopets related.
Themeless - Themeless guilds can have many different themes. Meaning they can switch, and don't have a consistent guild theme. A good way to have a themeless guild is to change themes each month, or have a collab themeless guild.
Roleplay (RP) - Roleplay guilds are guild in which you make your own characters and roleplay then on the guild message boards. Roleplayng guilds have many sub themes, such as wolf RP, warriors RP, neopets RP, etc. They are very fun to be in, but must be active to keep the plot going.
Celebrity (Celeb) - Celeb guilds consist of celebrity-related layouts and pages. Some celeb page ideas are magazines (newspapers), burn book (wall of shame), and other things related to celebs.
Anime - Anime guilds pretty much as what they say, just anime. Some sub themes are naruto anime, bleach anime, etc. Lots of guilds are collab anime/asian guilds as well.
Scribble - Scribble guilds are guils with "Scribble" guild layouts. Scribble guild layouts are layouts that someone has drawn or "scribbled". Most scribble guilds have very adorable scribble layouts and images.
Harry Potter (HP) - HP guilds are based off of the Harry Potter series. They usually have house points for activities and "classes", and their style is based off f the magical world of wizardry.
But wait! There's more! There are many other types of guild themes out there, but these are the most seen around the Guild Chat (GC). If you have your own idea for a guild, then go along with it! You don't always have to go with what's the most seen theme around.
Answer #2 - Activeness
This is where most guilds have their struggle with. Activeness! I cannot stress this enough, if you're going to have a guild, it must be active. Or people will lose interest in it and leave for a more active guild. Plus, you must also be active to run a guild, because honestly, who wants to be in a guild where the owner isn't even active? The guild council wouldn't be able to be updated, and it will add more pressure on the current council members to keep the guild alive. 
Such a terrible mess huh? So before you are about to make a guild, make sure you can put in at least an hour aside a day to check up on your guild. So that way your members will know you are making an effort to keep the guild alive. But if you are going to be busy with school, testing, work, etc. Be sure to let your members / guild council know that you will be absent for a while. Maybe even post it on your guild calendar.
Answer #3 - Extra Pages
If you've lurked the GC or been in guilds before, you may have seen guilds with activities, a webbie, a portal, graphics page etc. Most guilds have extra pages like these, so that guild members can enjoy being in the guild if they don't like jut chatting on the boards. But before you can run an activity page or any other page that needs frequent updating, you must make sure you are active. Lots of guilds have their guild members host pages as well, so if you are going to allow guild member to host pages, it is best if you make sure they will be able to run it. Depending on the need for updating.
the record of pages
AoU = Amount of Updating
☆ Guild Webbie (website) - AoU: Minimum
☆ Activity Page - AoU: Frequent
☆ Guild Portal - AoU: Minimum / Average
☆ Guild Yearbook (or charrie page) - AoU: Average / Frequent
☆ Guild Plot / Teams - AoU: Frequent
☆ Adoption Agency - AoU: Minimum / Average
☆ Avatar Lending - AoU: Average
☆ Donation Shop - AoU: Minimum / Average / Frequent
☆ Graphic Page - AoU: Minimum / Average
There are more pages other than those listed, but these are the pages that are most common throughout every guild theme.
Minimum = Only requires a small amount of updating to hardly any. Only takes a few minutes to update.
Average = Requires some updating, it depends on how much needs to be updated. Can take from 10 to 1 hour to update.
Frequent = Requires a lot of updating, may take longer than an hour to update depending on how much needs to be updated. It is best to be a very active guild member to run a page that needs frequent updating.
Answer #4 - Guild Requirements
Not many guilds have guild requirements unless they are avatar or private guilds. A guild requirement is something you must qualify for to be able to join the guild. If you are trying to join an avatar guild, some require you to have a certain number of avatars to join. If you want to join a private guild, some require you to have a certain literacy level. Just make sure you know what you want your guild to be, and then pick the requirements from there.
The Advertising and Making
This is probably the easiest part in guild making. Well, at least for some people. So long as you have the basic idea of what you want to do, then you can start advertising!
There are many ways to advertise, either by yourself or with a friend who is planning to help you with your guild.
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Above is a perfect example of a simple advertising title. It clearly states what type of guild Katie and Luna plan to make, if it's going to be private pr public, and the literacy level. How about we take a peek inside to find out more about their guild?
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I have highlighted with my magical green highlighter what points we have covered in this guide already. As you can see, Katie has listed what they are looking for, how they plan to let people join, etc. This is a perfect example of how to advertise to make a guild. Congrats Katie and Luna for being an example, and thank you for the permission to use your board in this guide!
After advertising, hopefully you will have a few people read to help out or pre-join your guild. So
now what?
Well, it's time to make your guild! If you are ready and prepared, you can make your guild.
Note: Sometimes it is best to have a few guild pages already made and a guild name already selected. See the section "Helpful Tips" for more information.
Step One: To make a guild you want to go to the
Guilds Index page and click on
Create a New guild.
Step Two: Once you click on "Create New" you will be taken to a page where you must fill out some information. If you already know what your guild name, etc. is going to be. Then fill it out accordingly If not, then put a random guild name such as "Guild Name Coming Soon" or "awakened's Guild Under Construction" Add a simply guild descriptions such as "Under Construction" or if you have you guild fully planned out, put your guild description there. And example of a guild description could be:
Guild Name Here ✖ Version: version here || New / Guild Theme Here x [Pre-Join]
In the guild's welcome message, simply put "Under Construction" or "Coming Soon". You can easily edit this later and put your layout up in a few minutes. Next, select whether or not your guild is going to be private or public, choose a color scheme, and either fill out the hierarchy with your own ranks or leave them as is. (All of this can be changed later).
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Once you have filled all of that out, click the button that says "Create Your Guild", and you will be taken to your guild's homepage. It will look very simple, but don't worry! You can change it all up later.
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Step Three: Now, if you would like to edit your guild color scheme, name, description, and welcome message. Click on the link under "Admin" titled "Guild Layout" You will be taken to a page that will say:
What would you like to modify?
Modify Guild Preferences
Modify Guild Hierarchy
Modify Guild Keywords
Upload/Change Guild Logo
Modify Guild Preferences - Where you can edit your guild name, description, welcome message, privacy, and guild colors.
Modify Guild Hierarchy - Where you can can the guild rankings.
Modify Guild Keyword - You can add or remove keywords to make it easier for people to find your guild through Search. (Only works for public guilds)
Upload/Change Guild Logo - Where you can add or change your guild's logo.
Step Four: You can edit your guild from there!
There are many other links in the Admin Panel and Guild Sidebar, if you would like to know what the other links are and what they do, please visit the "Admin Panel" section of this guide.
maintaining your guild - make it last 
So now that you have created your guild, and hopefully put up your layout and have a few pages set up, what now? Well, it's time to just maintain your guild. to do so, be active, advertise, and keep things updated. For some people this is a very complicated step in running a guild, actually running a guild! Lot of people end up losing their motivation to continue running their guild, and just end up leaving it alone, for their guild members and council to fend for themselves. My owner, Kayla, has had this happen to her before with her guild Kazwali. Her life got extremely busy and thus she ended up leaving her guild with her members to focus more on the real world. Yet, when she came back to neopets, she found her guild still alive. But
extremely inactive. Sometimes guilds will stay active if their leader leaves them, but that all depends on how well the guild was already set up, and if the pages run by those who are leaving are transferred to other members.
Here is an easy routine to follow to keep your guild running. But please note, that this is just a simple tip. You can come up with your own successful way to maintaining your guild. But this is just a simple guide.
When you log onto neopets... go straight to doing your dailies (if that's something you do) so you can get them done and out of the way. Once you have finished your dailies, then it's time to check up on your guild.
Your guild: Now it depends on what your guild is and what is includes. But sometimes it is best to post a little message on the guild boards to start talking with your guild members (if they are online_ . Then it's time to update any pages that need updating.
updating pages: Now this is where many guilds end up losing members to. If you don't keep your pages updated when they need updating, then the page becomes old and no one will want to visit it. Like an activities page, for example, should be updated at least every 3 days or so. Unless you have a plan set up to update on certain days.
have fun: Just have fun! If you don't enjoy your guild, then what's the point of running it? Make sure you like your guild and all the members, because guilds are another way to have fun on neopets.
Guild Council and Ownership
There are 4 types of main rankings in a guild:
The Guild Owner - The Owner of the guild. Has full admin privileges and can control who else receives admin privileges. The guild owner is also in control of the choice to delete the guild or to quit ownership.
The Guild Council - The Guild Council are members who the guild owner of guild members decide on. Many guild have an application system for people to apply to be a council member, or they have a voting system, or the guild owner simply chooses. The Guild Council can have admin privileges, but only as many as the guild owner allows.
The "Sub-Council" - Sometimes guilds will have Sub-Councils. These members are the highest rank in a guild (usually) and receive some admin privileges given to them by the guild owner.
The Guild Members - Guild members are everyone and anyone in the guild. They chat on the message board, advertise, update, etc.
What if I don't want to be a guild owner anymore?
If you decide to quit your guild leadership, the co-owner (second council position) will be declared as the guild owner once you click on the link "Quit Leadership" located in the admin panel. By quitting leadership, you are handing the guild over to someone else. You will lose all of your admin privileges and go down to the startling rank in the guild. Many guilds end up switching owners frequently, due to school, work, or being unable to run a guild.
Many guilds still have success by switching owners, so it isn't something bad to do. You just need to make sure that the person who is going to take over the guild is qualified enough to run it. Otherwise, the guild will end up dying eventually.
Advice from guild owners
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The Admin Panel and Other Guild Links 
Link Name: Guild Layout
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
What would you like to modify?
Modify Guild Preferences
Modify Guild Hierarchy
Modify Guild Keywords
Upload/Change Guild Logo
Modify Guild Preferences - Where you can edit your guild name, description, welcome message, privacy, and guild colors.
Modify Guild Hierarchy - Where you can can the guild rankings.
Modify Guild Keyword - You can add or remove keywords to make it easier for people to find your guild through Search. (Only works for public guilds)
Upload/Change Guild Logo - Where you can add or change your guild's logo.
Link Name: Guild Members
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
A full list of your guild members. By clicking on their username, you can change their rank, give them admin privileges, etc. You can also ban or suspend a guild member.
Link Name: Guild Council
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
This is where applications for the guild council will appear. You can read a member's application and either accept or reject it.
Link Name: Guild Board
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
An application where you can delete guild messages from a certain user or by age of the post. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED
Link Name: Guild Poll
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
This is where you can create a guild poll. Polls are where you write a question and several answers for people to vote on. It is recommended the poll get's placed in the sidebar. To do this, make sure "sidebar" is selected.
Link Name: Guild Log
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
This is a log of all of the guild updates done by Council members or guild members with admin privileges. You don't need to delete log statuses but you can if you like.
Link Name: Quit Leadership
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
If you don't want to be the guild leader anymore, you can "quit leadership" thus handing the guild over to the 2nd council member, also known as the co-owner. By doing so, you will be downgraded to the first rank in the guild and lose all of your admin privileges.
Link Name: Delete Guild
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
If you would like to delete your guild, you must first delete all of your guild members and then click delete. This will get rid of your guild.
Link Name: Home
Located Under: Options
Includes:
This will take you to your guild homepage.
Link Name: Messages
Located Under: Options
Includes:
This link will take you to your guild message board, where members can chat with other members.
Link Name: Calendar
Located Under: Admin
Includes:
This will take you to your guild calendar, where you can add or remove events. Such as birthdays, vacations, member sweeps, etc.
Link Name: Members
Located Under: Options
Includes:
This will take you to the full list of your guild members, but my clicking on their username it takes you to their userlookup.
Link Name: Invite
Located Under: Options
Includes:
Who would you like to invite?
Simply enter their username and click on the Invite button.
This is where you can invite someone to your guild. This is often used with private guilds.
Link Name: Leave Guild
Located Under: Options
Includes:
By clicking this link you will leave the guild, thus not being a guild member anymore. Only members other than the guild leader can use this link.
Graphics and Guild Layouts
First of all, it is
very important to have a guild layout, and have it look nice! Sadly most neopians judge a guild based on first impressions, thus, if your guild have a poor layout, they wont join. This guide here isn't here to supply you with a full in-depth tutorial on how to make a snazzy guild layout and code it. So instead, here are some nice pages to get you started.
Please note that as I find more tutorials, I will post their links up here.
Naiomit's Helpful Tips
Before Making Your Guild
Have a guild name planned out
Have a basic idea of what you are looking for in guild. members, and if your guild is going to have requirements to join.
Have some "pre-joiners" and other people ready to help make your guild with you.
After making your guild
Have a nice guild layout, sadly lots of people will only join guilds if they have a good layout and graphics.
Keep things updated
Have fun
.
.
