I was just thinking, there are a few, not a lot but a few, pretty successful forums that are run on free message board services like invisionfree, proboards etc. Has anyone ever tried contacting the admins of such forums and making them this offer? Offer to buy them better forum software like vBulletin or IPB, provide them with hosting and an actual domain name and in turn all they have to do is run your adsense ads on the site (much like they are obligated to do with the free service anyway). They can continue to manage the boards just like they have before but now with a better, more respectable software and domain name. Then you just sit back and collect money for no work
I think this would result in your making a loss - the cost of vB + hosting would far outweigh what you'd get out of Adsense, I'm guessing.
There is also the concern that, since you do not control the content, there could appear material on the board that would be against the Adsense TOS and get your account banned. Never trust a stranger with your wallet!
If the board is successful enough it will pay off eventually. The only difference between this and making your own forum is that in this case, the forum is already established and already has people running it. Well doesn't the same go for the free service providers. invisionfree does not have control over your content (not that i know of at least) and they run google ads. The only real investment here is $150/$160 for a vb or ipb license and $8 for the domain. I am sure 90% of the people on these boards already have hosting accounts with addon domains to spare.
the only problem is finding people who are willing to hand over the management of their forum to a 3rd party - I'm not so sure that many would be willing to do it
They are not handing over management, they continue to manage it themselves (which makes it an even sweeter deal for you). From their perspective, basically they are getting the same deal they get at the free services, but now with an actual domain name and better board software.
If you had a spare licence, it could work. Then of course, under your own conditions, you could revoke the usage whenever you want! :O
Sounds like a decent idea. If you are going to try it, I would maybe recommend making the deal sweeter for the current webmaster and offering them a share of the profits. Explain everything upfront and have some sort of contract so you/they don't get screwed.
Lol an establosh forum has his own hosting that's for sure .... Funny ideea and i rhink with 0% of succes
I have done similar deals but only with people I have known for a while. If I made a public offer it would be abused I am sure.
*sigh* not all. this idea came up because i know for a fact that there are actually a few forums around that are on these free services and get decent traffic. the owners of such forums have no care for the money making aspect of it and generally do not market it. they are merely in it for fun. I wouldn't recommend making the deal public either. But rather analyze individual prospects first and then if everything looks promising, talk with the owners for a bit and make the offer.