Hello, I have recently started a new VB forum. My forums is a general forum that covers every topics from the life! I want suggestions on its promotion from the experience webmasters. Please comment in the thread only, so that other webmasters also get benifited from the discussion.
Writing your own interesting, unique articles will help people find you. Consider allowing public postings (no registration required), at least initially, to encourage people to post their thoughts and comments without giving up their anonymity.
Forum is usually built around a couple of interesting pages. I will suggest putting up some interesting pages that that will have links to the forum.
I think you better introduce your site first through promotions, and then make an interesting topic that will make the users/viewers come to your site.
* Make sure the forum is attractive and on-topic * linkbait with some controversial topics (should be relevent to your niche) * Pay per post - Many people from DP may also join * Revenue sharing features * Join similar forums and use your signature to promote your forum. * Advertising in popular niche related forums (signatures, banners, links, etc) * Include a forum for off-topic too. Might attract some trolls (For example, see what is going on with DP Polictics & religion forum - members there mostly post there exclusively)
Promoting trough forums(Signature links on them..etc), Hiring some people to post on your forums and paying them for each post. You can find many paid posters on digital point forums itself.
You can promote your new forum through banner advertising,Adwords,various contests,purchase signature in various forums etc. DON.