How to market a forum?

Hey everyone, I just launched my first phpB forum, but i was wonderin how i can market this? bring traffic to it. any tips or suggestions?

thanks for all the help

 

Make up some fake posters to give the impression its a busy forum . Seriously, thats what some people do until it gets on its own two feet. Other than that, choose a great topic that people would be interesting in chatting about.

 

Forum's are best marketed by interest driven traffic. Try to expose your "community" to the exact people that would be interested. Do this in any way possible!

 

you can go on a google group find the right place and advertise there. But dont make it seems like you're advertising. It really helped with my forum. =)

 

One of my forums, I spent two solid weeks posting myself and replying to myself until I almost went crazy.

I SEOd like mad and eventually people started to reply tot he replies to my posts. After a while, it just ook off and I could stop being crazy. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

 

Hey cianuro, I am starting a forum with a buddy of mine.....any advice for precisely how to get started? We are using phpbb.

Any help would be appreciated. Thx!

p.s. i don't want to have to post to myself! )))

 

1. I think you should

 

i think you should also. Talk to yourself alot!

 

I don't think promoting forums are to different to promoting any normal site. Try and tell everyone you can and get them involved to build up activity, also do usual site techniques, i.e. unique content that gives people a reason to visit.

I usually join forums on recommendations from others, so if you could get some good mentions in lots of relevant blogs or peoples myspace's then it could soon take-off!

Good luck.

 

You will or pay some one else to post.

Activity breeds activity..no one likes to post at a non active forum no matter how new it may be.

What are you looking for? I call him/her "The One".

You know - welcomes everyone, posts everywhere, asks questions - a posting machine! When you get one, that is less pressure on you....now go find another.

 

wow, i got a lot of response fast

but thanks everyone for the tips, i think i just might have to do the "responding to urself" thing lol . the tips gave me more ideas on how to market forums and any more are welcome

thanks once again

 

Use Google adwords and target specific keywords once you make the forum look semi active. Make sure the signup process is simple. Spend a few hundred on Adwords and getting new members. The rest is viral.

 

You can start off by putting a link in your signature.

 

id go along with this as well as posting yourself for a few weeks.but make your posts and replies contraversial,give the people coming in thru your advertising and any other methods something to instantly sink their teeth into.A buddie of mine did this and now makes a pretty penny but its hard work at the start.also use the social bookmark sites to spread the word using titles that will get people to click.good luck im just about to start a community site too.

 

I may have a suggestion if you can tell me what topics are being discussed at the forum?

Cwayne

 

When I first started my forum I advertised it at over 100 free ads forums. Signature links also make a huge difference so make sure to put your forum in there. Maybe even buy a text link on a similar topic forum.

 

Some actually get writers to post regularly in their forums for a fee. Look at elance, guru and getafreelancer - there are full of 'jobs' such as these. The going rate is about 1 cent per post.

For the record - I am neither advocating nor opposing this tactic.

 

Cwayne -> the forum is focused around Men's Health, a niche within that.

I think I just might begin to "talk to myself" and put some adwords into it. They social bookmarking idea is interesting as well. what exactly are "free ads forums" and could anybody name a few?

thanks yall for the suggestions!

 

Thumbs down for paid posting.

Promoting a forum is an uphill journey. You're going to need to put in a lot of effort + have atleast 10 members who post everyday & actively promote it.

I think you're likely to be disappointed if you start a forum with a motive to profit from it. CTR for adsense on forums are very low.

I run an up & coming niche forum & here are some tips I'll share:

• Buy signature links on related forums, pay regular posters on other related forums to actively promote your site.
• Have something other than the forum itself. Like a media gallery to attract traffic.
• SEO. Have search engine friendly urls. Build links not just to the homepage, but also to interior pages.

Also, check out ForumUniversity.com. It's a site all about building, maintaining & promoting forums, started by members at webhostingtalk.