What are the best ways to market a forum? I recently started a new forum, and I am looking ways to get new members that make posts.
Ideally before you start a forum, you should first create a blog or website and get some regular traffic there first and then add a forum, later on, that will make it easier to get some people on your forum. You can still do this now too.
Yeah I agree. Start a blog first and see if you can get a few followers. Forums are tought to start especially if you have established competition.
The other suggestions were exactly what I was going to suggest. However, if you have some money to spend you could use PPC or buy ad space on forums that are on a related but not identical topic. You could also spend some money buying solo ads from people who have an email list. Safe-Swaps.com is a good site for that, but it costs $25/mo. to join. Other options are to write a short report--or outsource it, or use PLR--and promote your forum at the end of it. Just make sure the topic of the report relates to your forum, of course. Then give the report away, post a link to it in your signature on forums you visit, etc. You could even use document sharing sites and upload it there.
You market a forum the same way you market any other web site. You can do the online thing or the offline thing. It can be paid or unpaid marketing. Offline Marketing: Pens, coffee mugs, stationary, baseball caps, bookmarks, paper ads, etc. Online Paid: pay for links, directory submission, PPC campaign, etc. Free: link requests, social bookmarking, forum participation, article writing, etc.
You really need to tap into an existing traffic base, without one, its pretty much impossible. Things that help would be paid posters, posting yourself, whatever you can do to get content on the forum. The trouble isn't just getting visitors to the forum but making the forum sticky. If they see an empty forum there is no incentive to join the discussion.
the best way is to hire some freelancers and tell them to comment in the forums, make new threads. etc. thanks
If your forum got many useful articles, I sure your forum 'll be shown on Google easier more than. Do you know: "Content is king"?
What is this forum about? I totally agree with some of the responses, i.e., you need good contents, so that people keeps coming back to your forum.
Blogging is a good suggestion. It can develop a following and produces consistent new content which always looks good. If you are involved on other quality forums they often have areas where you can post about other sites. I think most people who frequent forums are members of more than one, and this would work especially if your forum offers something related but unique. You don't want to just copy someone else's idea. It will probably take some time developing your online presence so keep at it. That's the key to success at anything.
Add it to your Signature line as well - when a poster (like here at DP) sees it, they will head over to your forum, if it's a topic they are interested in. Promoting forums can be tough!