I've recently set up a phpBB3 forum and I'm unsure about how to attract some regular users and build up some content to get the ball rolling...what would be some good things to do? BTW, the forum is located at j-d-b.net/forum/
With those Tags. And the wrong URL I don't think you'll even get any suggestions on the matter. Kindly atleast mention the forum's theme here or correct your Link.
Most of your effort should be based online. This is similar to affiliate marketing. Get your url every. Submit it to directories, use SEO technique, advertise it on article directories (banner) and so on.
I would hire some people to do some writing and get the ball rolling. If people see an empty forum they will be unlikely to join and contribute any content
Your domain name is not search engine or user friendly. It will need to be changed if you want to start attracting users.
In my opinion you need to get some forum posters (paid) on there so that when potiential users visit your forum, they see that there is already content on there. An empty forum is something most people won't signup to.
I've got admit your forum is a bit to deep for me but I've still got a couple of ideas If it was me I'd be posting some threads like "Mayan Calendar says in 2012 mankind will be extinct". "It's inevitable computers will rule man". "Are hybrid children of mixed race marraiges superior" The sort of threads that get people talking,arguing Also if it was me I'd go looking for sites, that are on the sort of topics you are talking about at your forum. There are a tonne of them out there and I'd email the owners to join in your discussion. Say something like we are having a discussion at the forum about .............. As at this point of time the discussion is being dominated by people who erroneously beleve the world is made up of ....... From what I have read on your website I know at the very least you could mount a vigorous arguement that they are wrong. cheers Don
You need an existing traffic base to get enough lurkers posting on the forum to generate interesting discussion.
I don't know if you looked at his forum. But the one thread I looked at was way over the top of my head, a paid poster would require specailised, indepth knowledge on the subject if their postings are to have any worth. So it would only be worthwhile getting paid posters if they have a lot of knowledge on the topics already or are willing to do a lot of research. Cheers Don
Another thing, I'd just like to congratulate you. From the one thread I read at your forum your forum is actually contributing to making the internet a more interesting place. There is substance to it. I wish you well. cheers Don
its very hard to make users to post on a new forum if there are not many posts, you mey try first to post by yourself(make 20 users lets say), and ask questions, make a pool, a top of something to be more interactive.
Not too sure how I could have made a comment without viewing his forum. Three years ago I hired a group of American paid posters to bring to life a forum which I purchased. It wasn't directly on the same subject, but it was extremely similar, and they seemed to be able to create genuinely good content on the subject. It all really depends on how much money you want to spend towards posters. You typically get what you pay for.
To start I would delete some of those forums and categories. The less you start with, the better off you will be. Add more as the forum grows.
Facebook is always a great idea. You have to remember that they have an Alexa rank of #2. Try creating multiple Facebook pages for your niche and recruit that way.
i do forum potsing contest they work for me. so far with my new forum good results. only been up a short time and have a little over 2000 post.