|
TGW
|
 |
« on: May 02, 2007, 03:23:00 PM » |
|
I am very interested in forum promotion and wondered what methods people use? Do your promotion methods for forums differ much from regular site promotion methods?
The single most important method I use is regular posting to similar forums within your niche.
Are there any other key methods others are willing to share?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vicholas
|
|
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2007, 05:17:31 AM » |
|
I agree there are subtle variations in the methods used to promote forums over regular sites. Although many users browse or lurk forums without ever participating, the key to successful forum promotion is to encourage participation. So anything that encourages participation is a great way to promote. Forum posting contests or otherkinds of contests related to your forum niche are a great way to encourage participation because people feel they have something to aim for or something to gain from participating.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
EternalMind
|
|
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2007, 11:34:50 AM » |
|
I say it is more difficult to build up a forum from scratch because not only do you have to get people to your forum, you have to get them to participate and return frequently.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
cman
|
|
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2007, 01:42:18 PM » |
|
my problem is that I can't get people to actually post. Any tips on converting people into posters rather than readers?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
ForumOwner
|
|
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2007, 07:43:59 AM » |
|
Competitions or other incentives are the best way. Unfortunately, there are a lot of forums to choose from, so offering an incentive is often one of the quickest ways to lift a forum off ground.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
toshmahorey
|
|
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2007, 12:19:52 PM » |
|
i agree with competitions. competitions linked to posting activity are a great way to get them going. i haven't had much luck with paid posting but i have heard others say it was a good way to get their forum started.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
restrictedfreedom
|
|
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2007, 04:08:29 PM » |
|
One of the best ways to promote your forum or get some content is to hire forum posters from sites like Digital Point Forums. You can pay posters whatever you want, but if you want to actually get some responses you should offer 10 cents a post or better yet 50 posts for $2.50.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
toshmahorey
|
|
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2007, 04:23:17 PM » |
|
in theory it sounds like a great idea hiring paid posters from DP and other places. but you often end up spending a lot trying to weed out the better posters. i have hired several before and very few provided good quality posting. i think that has a lot to do with the forum niche too.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
coolguy85
|
|
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2007, 04:28:58 PM » |
|
my problem is that I can't get people to actually post. Any tips on converting people into posters rather than readers?
Controversy works. Start topics about a controversial issue, such as abortion or an upcoming election. This will make readers want to voice their opinion. Of course, you want to make it so they can voice their opinion without getting insulted. People won't want to post if they get flamed, so make sure that you moderate the discussions, especially if they are controversial. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
hellojava
|
|
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2007, 08:51:00 PM » |
|
Running a forum is not a one man job. It is a team effort with a common passion. Of course I'm referring to the forum's niche. Having this group working on relevant and unique contents can jump start the forum. Forum visitors look for fresh contents. This concern should be taken cared of by the core group.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
xopialaker
|
|
« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2007, 08:21:38 AM » |
|
It is indeed true that running a forum is not a one man job. The problem is, there are several ways to get people registered to your forum, by using similar promotional methods that you'd use to build up an Opt-In list. But forum activity totally depends on your users. This is because a forum is a community.
I do have some experience of running forums, through which there are many things i learned. One thing is, your forum should always have something different. Why should people join an exact replica of a forum, when they already are a member of a good place? This is where innovation steps in.
This is the VERY reason, there is just no "single" way or a "list of ways" to actually bring a forum to life. Every case might be unique.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
pulse
|
|
« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2007, 01:03:08 PM » |
|
Controversy works. Start topics about a controversial issue, such as abortion or an upcoming election. This will make readers want to voice their opinion.
Of course, you want to make it so they can voice their opinion without getting insulted. People won't want to post if they get flamed, so make sure that you moderate the discussions, especially if they are controversial.
Yes, controversy is a good way to catch people's attention and encourage a reponse, but you have to be very selective about what you are controversial about. Also, controversy often works better in specific niches (political forums as coolguy85 mentions, but also sporting forums or any other topics people are passionate about; controversy wouldn't really work very well on most technical computer related forums, or on needlework forums etc.) |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
wylte
|
|
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2007, 01:16:29 AM » |
|
Another way of promotion is making a contest or prize for a competition activities for the members. This will attract some new members to join the forum if they are interest in the contest.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Wylte
|
|
|
|
|
Ramage
|
|
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2007, 04:27:57 PM » |
|
I agree about competitions, I used to do a lot of posting ones. A generally get around 2400 posts for $150 which is not bad.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
doddy
|
|
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2007, 05:35:37 PM » |
|
I agree about competitions, I used to do a lot of posting ones. A generally get around 2400 posts for $150 which is not bad.
Hi, Can you explain this a little more? Do you mean you get about 2400 additional posts when you hold a competition and that you generally spend $150 on prizes/giveaways? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
