Contests to increase Forum participation?

I'd say give away iTunes gift cards. Wait that costs money. Run holiday contests. Like 'Make the best halloween avaitor' and then everyone who wants to can change their avaitor to something halloweeney. Sweet.

 

My avatar is already a pretty decent Halloweenie one ... what do I win?!? ;-)

 

You win a cookie!! Go to the store and buy one. I'll let you.

 

Thanks..

But it's not entirely my own idea since I've just collected several good mods and added them to my forum..
But it works really good, and it's quite fun as well..

 

personally
i think pointless posts are good for forum
if i m a new visitor of your forum
at least i will be attracted by the "number" of posts

 

I've seen it on a few forums now, I'd like to introduce something like that on my new forum, post for credits, get # of credits for free advertising.

redleg where can you download these type of mods?

 

I dont think gimmicks work particularly well. Try posing a challenge that gets everyone talking.

 

You could run a contest to win a free electronic gadget, that always works well

 

Heres an example of giving away a free electronic gadget at www.books-for-everyone.com

 

You could offer some prize for referring new member, for example a sticky link in your forum

 

A great way to organize a give away is to call on your members to offer items for the give away. If you're forum is large enough, You may be able to get 1000 dollars or more In price is very quic.kly. I have done this on a couple of different forums And I was very successful in getting give aways