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Any forum owners?

Discussion in 'Forum Management' started by GrantDraper, Aug 17, 2011.

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  1. #1
    I have launched a few forums, will just be using AdSense for the time being. I was just wondering if there are any other forum owners using this or any other method of driving some revenue?
     
    GrantDraper, Aug 17, 2011 IP
  2. Delboy Trotter

    Delboy Trotter Active Member

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    #2
    Adsense is ok, if you position it very good (like on DP forum)

    You can use url shortening websites (very popular these days), or affiliate sites.
     
    Delboy Trotter, Aug 17, 2011 IP
  3. Wad!e

    Wad!e Member

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    #3
    Adsense is good specially if you place ads on header and between posts.
     
    Wad!e, Aug 17, 2011 IP
  4. inomcoke

    inomcoke Member

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    #4
    Forums are not the best place for adsense but really there's not to many other good options for many forums.

    Often times people visit forums every day and they will get 'blind' to the ads and never click them.

    I run some forums and make a money from adsense but my point is you'll make FAR more with 1000 visitors on a blog than you will from 1000 visitors on a Forum (on average) from adsense.

    Good luck!
     
    inomcoke, Aug 17, 2011 IP
  5. kvnfo

    kvnfo Peon

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    #5
    I have a forum http://oddfuturetalk.com/forums averaging about 10-15$ a day. I know my blog could make more, but I wanna keep it nice and simple to keep people coming back.

    ads are on the top and side of the forum, doesnt really stand out and it kind of looks nice in my opinion.
     
    kvnfo, Aug 17, 2011 IP
  6. GrantDraper

    GrantDraper Active Member

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    #6
    I agree...but generally they get more hits compared to blogs...I'm using skimlinks as well :) which helps!
     
    GrantDraper, Aug 17, 2011 IP
  7. Rivmedia

    Rivmedia Notable Member

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    #7
    Using contextweb with an adsense backup, Working better of some of my forums than direct adverts would bring in, Its very dependent on the niche as to what ad networks you go with. If your forum is pretty new with little traffic you will find it very hard to get into the bigger networks. At the early stages of a forum until you hit at least 100k impressions a month you will find it hard to earn anything decent . Adsense and direct adverts and affiliate programs will be one of the better options.

    Skimlinks is very very dependent on your niche, Tech related forums which talk about actual products like camara's and physical goods generally do very well with Viglink or skimlinks . Personally i would rather use an auto linker and insert my own affiliate links instead of getting a tiny portion of the revenue from skimlinks, Of course that means more maintenance on your behalf though and ensuring your targeting the correct programs.
     
    Rivmedia, Aug 17, 2011 IP
  8. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #8
    If you are worried about monetizing your forum and it's brand new, having a forum probably isn't for you. Forums are not a good money making endeavor until you have quite a bit of traffic. Also, you are better off developing something truly unique (that people want) and selling a subscription to it.

    Premium membership is something you can offer as well if you have something unique that people want. We didn't start offering premium membership until we had around 12,000,000 posts, and even then we offer users a pretty massive amount of benefit for it (for example the vBulletin 4 search replacement that more or less every large vBulletin 4 forum uses now).

    if you aren't getting a ton of traffic yet, it's probably easiest to just stick with AdSense until you have enough traffic to support looking at other options.
     
    digitalpoint, Aug 17, 2011 IP
  9. GrantDraper

    GrantDraper Active Member

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    #9
    Yeah I guess I agree Shawn, just looking for the future really. The forums are basically hobby sites, but I'd like to see them making some money in the future, so just interested to see what others are doing. I'll stick with AdSense for now, although one of the forums I've had a couple of sponsorship offers which will cover all costs etc for now.
     
    GrantDraper, Aug 18, 2011 IP
  10. DJboutit2

    DJboutit2 Active Member

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    #10
    Use ad sites like Adsence or Adbrite for adult forums you can use Juicy or Blacklabel
     
    DJboutit2, Aug 20, 2011 IP
  11. Nuno Brito

    Nuno Brito Active Member

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    #11
    I also use adsense, sometimes I'd think if I wouldn't be better off without it and I account with a good affluence of people and quality content.

    Forums are just not ideal for those interested in significant profit. You can see some who do very well and ignore all the many thousands that do not.

    Personally, I don't work on my community because of the revenue. I just do it for the fun and sense of making something that helps many others.
     
    Nuno Brito, Aug 21, 2011 IP
  12. Slincon

    Slincon Well-Known Member

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    #12
    Monetization is probably best done by offering products relevant to your forum. If your forum niche is cooking, you might want to offer your members recipe books or blenders and other cooking products of value to them.
     
    Slincon, Aug 21, 2011 IP
  13. Jhumon

    Jhumon Peon

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    #13
    I am using adsence for my forum and I am happy.:)
     
    Jhumon, Sep 10, 2011 IP
  14. DJboutit2

    DJboutit2 Active Member

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    #14
    There was a rap hiphop forum now dead admin was making like $750 a month off ads with a lot of hits so I know making a good amount of $$$ from a forum can be done
     
    DJboutit2, Sep 10, 2011 IP
  15. digitalpoint

    digitalpoint Overlord of no one Staff

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    #15
    If $750/month is all you need to pay your bills, then sure... I guess that could be considered a lot of money.
     
    digitalpoint, Sep 10, 2011 IP
  16. sambling

    sambling Well-Known Member Affiliate Manager

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    #16
    I tried adsense when I owned a forum- COMPLETE waste of time. Luckily I have now sold it on.
     
    sambling, Sep 10, 2011 IP