How to go about marketing a Forum - properly!

[Frenchiexno1]

Hi guys strikes me as a tricky subject to post in a Forum as administrators probably think you are trying to steal members! However I am used to generating traffic to sites, but bit more stumped about how to get a Forum up and running...

Have just set up a new site Plooka - Get on the Piste and the forum is key to the success of the site so how to get it kick started??

Have sent out emails to friends, messages on Facebook etc but need to get some momentum. I guess other forums are a good place to find members (it targets people that like forums) but I doubt this is going to work.

So any advice / ideas - think I am going to see if I can find some forums for people that own forums....I am sure they must exist.

But does anyone on here run successful forums, how long do they take to get established?? Ok a competition may be a good idea but got to get the traffic first, any quick wins (he hopes)...

Frenchie

 

[golddiggerguy]

I have a forum that does absolutely nothing at the moment. Apart from some weirdo called RSS keeps posting now and again with the latest VoIP News.

It's like the bar or club scenario, if your on your own or in a group on the slash and you look and the bar is empty you pass it by to look for a more lively one where theres more activity.

I'm no expert but I do think it's a hard one to crack the forum me-larky.

A Domain forum is a great one because people have a reason to come back every day. Computer problem forums or similar probably get visited once to solve an issue and the person won't return.

Mines a VoIP and do intend to help it grow before the end of the year by getting people on board.

Yours is a good one I think maybe as it has a website on the back of it and it's not a problem solving....... one visit site.

I see you are working the forums. :???:

Not keen on the name at all really not ski related and a bad spelling domain.

Good Luck!! :-D

 

[Frenchiexno1]

Thanks Golddigga - good comment, like the reference to the bar, something I can definately associate with!

Think my name Plooka is like marmite

And yep am trying to get as much info as possible, really like livewire!

So yep need to get the first few people in the bar, maybe I could offer some kind of free drink offer...................I think a competition may be the order of the day!

Frenchie

 

[itrends]

Step

1) set up forum, have good interesting categories and descriptions, no more than 5 to start with if possible.

2) you / you and mates register 'fake' accounts and have some discussions for around a week. Alternatively you can pay forum "boosting" services to do this for you on the cheap.

3) Have a main 'news' forum that only admins can post in but members can reply to. Then be sure to post daily as many interesting news items as possible that are related to the subject. Think of it kind of like a blog on the forum.

These three elements = content for Google to index, rankings in blog searches / rss searches, content for users to read when they arrive, and the perception of an active community.

Additionals include:
Auto send a PM on join that says hello and suggests they post a hello in your "introductions" forum. This gets them posting.

MAKE SURE you reply to as many posts and threads personally as possible.

In YOUR OWN sig on your forum have something like "Help spread the word about us and link to our site" or similar. Even link to a more detailed page on how they can promote the forum.

Some of your strongest users are going to appear right at the start. They love being the "old ones" so give them mod permissions, a custom user title, or at least the time of day when helping them out. Even offering up a link on messenger / google talk etc can help improve the bond. They will be strong advocates.

Set up a myspace account. Edit the profile with clear links and images that link to your forums. Then just go around adding people as friends from forums / groups etc on the site. Don't send them messages etc, just add them, they will check out your profile and if interested will move to your forum, don't spam them and only add people that are clearly interested in the topic.

Keep using your 'fake' accounts to discuss with any 'real' members that arrive so they get an instant feeling of community. Ask them questions, they love to talk.

Rinse and repeat.

ACORN is a good example, I mean, I just came here and took time out of my day to type this for you

BT... it's good to talk
The ultimate key is forums take time to get going and lots of work, but after a couple of months will almost run on their own once you have some mods. Trust me, I do this many times a year for some massive sites

 

[Admin]

SEO of any site takes constant effort, I still tweak AD all the time.

The results can be worth it though, Google UK for AD:

Results 1 - 10 of about 106,000 for acorndomains.co.uk

 

[aZooZa]

Use vBulletin with vBSEO - that's a must.

 

[Frenchiexno1]

vbulletin! damn to late I'm on phpbb3 And actually really like it!

Ok so I need to get marketing like crazy by the sounds of things, thanks for all the tips.

Launched my first competition too, prize for the person who posts the most. Have emailed my friends and I know some of them will go mad for something free, plus the Tshirt has my logo on it so result!

Fingers crossed it works!!

Going to be hard work, but I guess if it was easy, then there would be no point!

 

[itrends]

I normally hold off of competitions until there is a critical mass.

You must create unique content. Why would someone want to come to your site instead of another one in the same area? What is your USP? No USP = fail.

The first competition I normally do is "join to win" as this gets people signing up.

Then you run the "most posts" one a few months later and email all members, this gets the people who signed up but didn't yet post, posting.

 

[Frenchiexno1]

'Join to Win'

Yep also like the idea of that - your giving me some good stuff here ITrends, now I will be giving out 2 TShirts.

If I had a lot of money I would give them to everyone!!!

Cheers