Best ways to drive users to my forum - contests?

Discussion in 'Forum Management' started by mruppert, Feb 9, 2010.

  1. #1
    So I'm running a forum at itdoesntexist.net and while I have over 60 members like none of them are active. Most of the members come from another forum so it is understandable why they are not active.

    However, I want to get some active posters, contributors and requesters on the forums and I've been brainstorming about ways to do this (other than paying for forum posting)

    1. Prize at the end of the month for the person with the most posts (with actual content)

    2. referral bonuses (Maybe like $1-2 per active user referred?)

    3. mod positions for high referrers (someone with a lot of active referrals can get mod powers and their own forum or something)

    4. personal forums

    Any other good ideas? I have no problem getting users to my flash arcade (arcade.itdoesntexist.net I've had over 21k plays in like 3 days) but getting people to post on my forum is an entirely different matter!

    Any suggestions or tips would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
     
    mruppert, Feb 9, 2010 IP
  2. RectangleMan

    RectangleMan Notable Member

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    #2
    Forum activity has to be achieved by any means neccessary. It's not likely that only one thing should be done. Contests are just one of many methods. Each method has to be executed to the best of your ability. Even then there is a luck factor involved.

    FYI- If this is your site: http://itdoesntexist.net/Forum/ Then just stop wasting your time.
     
    RectangleMan, Feb 9, 2010 IP
  3. KyleWhitey

    KyleWhitey Peon

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    #3
    give them a reason to post
    i.e start interesting discussions.

    the best way to start a forum is to trade posts with other small forums

    so you post 20 times on their forum, they'll post 20 times on yours and keep doing that until you have a vast array of quality posts
     
    KyleWhitey, Feb 9, 2010 IP
  4. mruppert

    mruppert Member

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    #4
    That's a good idea, but since I'm not a niche or affiliate site like most of the stuff on here I don't know if anyone would be interested.
     
    mruppert, Feb 9, 2010 IP
  5. Sparticus013

    Sparticus013 Peon

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    #5
    Eh, be careful with number 3.
     
    Sparticus013, Feb 9, 2010 IP
  6. paul15

    paul15 Peon

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    #6
    When it comes to attracting members to forums, you want to make it worth there time. The forum should have a unique focus that can stand above many other forums they may be members of.

    Contests are good but they don't inspire longterm activity.
     
    paul15, Feb 10, 2010 IP
  7. Brandon.Add.On

    Brandon.Add.On Peon

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    #7
    If you want real activity offer something unique. Paid To Post can make your forum look active but after you stop paying it goes down. Just offer your members something good and they will keep comming back. Contests are a start.
     
    Brandon.Add.On, Feb 10, 2010 IP
  8. klkhosting

    klkhosting Well-Known Member

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    #8


    It takes time, best ways is to get your friends to help.... They can make fake account and post making the most look active.:D
     
    klkhosting, Feb 10, 2010 IP
  9. MatrixGodFather

    MatrixGodFather Peon

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    #9
    check mine out i've started running a few contest and i'm doing blog comments and forum comments to get higher in serps for keywords to get traffic in hopefully. Takes a lot of work i found that out.
     
    MatrixGodFather, Feb 11, 2010 IP