I added a forum to my poker site today, now what do I need to do to get the forum really active? If this thread belongs somewhre else than please put it there. I looked and couldn't figure out where to put it. On top of that I've been up since 7pm yesterday working on things. You can check it here = http://www.holdem-poker-guide.com/forums/index.php Appreciate any advice.
The thread *probably* belongs in Forum Management, but then again, I'm just some measly little Grunt First of all, think about your forums from a visitor's perspective. Looking at your forums, there is no reason that I should register and start posting - afterall, I would be talking to myself! You need to get some posts in there...As the admin, it would be good if you went through and created a bunch of new threads with open-ended question. This will make it easier for new members to jump in and start posting. You might also want to look into paying for posts or exchanging posts. If you're going to pay for posts, do a lot of research here at DP. I've seen a lot of bad reviews of paid posting companies, so be sure you go with a good one. If you'd like to exchange posts, look into this. It will automate the entire process for you. Also...being that you run poker forums, I'd suggest looking for a green skin - Green is definitely the main color I associate with poker.
I do agree with you that it would be really hard getting someone to post because there aren't any yet. Right now I have it so that anyone can post without even registering. That will change when it becomes more popular. I don't intend on paying for posts at all seeing as how my site is fairly old and doing alright. My forum I just added today. What do you mean by exchanging posts?
Dont underestimate the look of your forums, get yourself a nice forum skin. Its got to be appealing enough so that visitors will want to spend there time looking at the page.
Two things really. First, I wouldnt recommend that you allow guests to post. People will abuse that, I promise. Anonymous posters is a bad thing. Second, yes, you need a new skin. Like I said, when I think poker, all I think about is green green green. In other words, I suggest you find a green skin Third (you didnt think there was going to be a third, did you? haha)...post exchanges are agreements set up with another forum owner. You contact another forum owner and say that you will post x times on his forum if he posts x times on yours. It's a good way to build posts...I see you've joined my forums, and I assume will soon join PostFusion - if you're going to do post exchanges, that's a great way to do it.
Could you give me an example of what flavor green? If I'm thinking right your talking about brite neonish green, am I right?
Yeah, but dont go overboard...I think that something as simple as this would look good - http://www.phpbb.com/styles/forum/index.php?style=121
I didn't really like that one but this one looked alright...http://www.phpbb.com/styles/forum/index.php?style=127 Except it wouldn't work for some reason.
I'm thinking about stretching the header to full width, throwing a banner up there, and changing the text to a green. What do you think? Edit: The text won't look good in a green so I'm not sure yet.
Hunter green, lime green and or olive green are great colors. I would suggest to not have more than 3 color scheme. It will look to busy if you have more. And dont let a guest post either on your forum. Keep the layout simple and easy to navigate. Make sure you have avatars and welcome and a place to post for fun. People eat those sections up like crazy.
It is really difficult to get forums going, and even when you do they can die out. One thing which you might want to do is set up a couple of seudo users yourself and get them posting! This will encourage a few real people to get posting then you can lose the psuedo posters - Don't know if this will work but I'm actually gonna do this on my forum now! I'll let you know if it works.
The look of your forum matters, unless you are 2+2 and have tons of good poker players contributing, then you can get by with a poor look. The best thing you can do is start by posting yourself. If you are not highly knowledgeable in Poker, this will be a problem and I recommend you find someone who is to get you going. You need to define yourself. I would not pay for posts, because these services are not filled with true poker players. Your posts will be quickly recognized as being poor in quality and people will move on. Fill your poker forum with all your poker knowledge (or find someone who can) and keep promoting it.