I've just created www.forumbeat.com but I need to know how I can increase the visitors and posts/threads.
You can hire posters in the buy and sell services section of this forum, that could get you going to start off with.
Hey RYANNNNN, Growing a forum is always kind of tough. But it is back to basic marketing principles. Make sure the URL gets a lot of exposure everywhere. Maybe start with putting it in your signature in all the relevant forums you join. Good luck !
Signature won't be changing because I sold the 4 links that are allowed in a sig lol. I've advertised on google adwords, hopefully that will get me a few hits in.
He meant sign up at forums of the same niche as your site. Example if you start a gaming forum go to other gaming forums, put your site in your sig (if they allow it) , and make sure to make good relevant posts so they dont think your just there to spam your site. This is the best way to get good relevant targeted visitors.
I would suggest contests. The person who posts a 1000th post get something. Initially if you have low capital you will have to do A LOT of posting yourself. Initiate conversations, be controvercial, talk about the unusual, you name it. I would suggest starting a blog about it and using other peoples' blogs to promote. Post comments on their blogs and leave a sig. Also about a sig for DP - too bad. However, sign up to other forums and post your sig there.
i think for every forum starts up there must be a few main guys(they will become moderator later) who will be pushing the referrals for you. You can try asking a few friends to push the membership for you or you can make some targeted friends at myspace by joining targetted groups. Hope this helps.
I also agree that friends are a good way to get non-fake posts. Also submit it to stumbleupon and do plenty of directory submissions.