Yeah, I make frustratingly little from adsense at this time. it seems like you really have to have mega traffic to make a reasonable amount with it.
What about writing articles (either within the forum, or on a content site that you can tie to the forum), and placing ads directly in them? It might help. I only just started using adsense on a forum, but it's brand new and doesn't have any traffic worth speaking of, so I have no clue if it'll help. Mine's focused on business. You said yours was with webmasters, right? (sorry if it's wrong) If so, it might be your audience. Webmasters are probably going to be pretty ad-blind. Jenn
Absolutely. I run a forum for actors which has around 500 members but actors are a cynical bunch and always wary of being scammed. The UK acting community is constantly being targeted by sharks and charlatans so when they see adverts promising to get them work, they assume it's a scam It just about covers my hosting costs so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.
Thanks for your comments. As I mentioned I run Webmaster Discussion and I think webmaster don't normally on Ads and they become Ad blind very soon
When I implemented adsense into my forums, I didn't get the results that I wanted. Premium memberships, sponsored links on the side, and private banner sales were where I much more money.
You know where you have the titles and descriptions set up on each page? The sections with the very large letters? I think that would be a better place to put your ads. Right now, they are in places that are easily ignored by forum users.
firstly, nice site. secondly webmasters do LOVE to promote their sites... so add a directory for members or something similar. Also I prefer the right sidebar I added to my UK Business forum which keeps ads in view all the time, and you can easily have rotating banners there for members on a monthly fee. James.
You also try to build a subscriber list...and then sell them related products. Once made, a optin list can run nicely on auto pilot.
I think the problem lies in the theme. Webmasters are more or less ad blind. You should try other affiliate programs like Hostgator, CJ or may be v7n's directory affilates program.
We never recommend running Adsense on any of our clients forums. We've always recommended alternative EPC programs in these sections that are less "anal" about possible objectionable page content. You just never know what a forum poster might rant about.