Do you have a system set up to send reminder emails to inactive users(e.g. if they have not logged in for x days)? If you do, do you find it effective? I have a reminder system on my forum, but so far it hasn't been very effective.
It probably just pisses people off, if people want to visit your site they will, don't bombard them with pointless begging come back emails.
you are doing it the lazy way guys ... Do not ever e-mail inactive members ... Period. Instead, send out newsletters with great new content that will hold the attention of your new and existing users ... Make sure they are well designed. All your users will love them
Don't just send emails to inactive users. Make sure the email have some reasoning and want people to see it. IF they like what they see in the email, they will then think about going to your forum.
I don't mind getting one or two but on one forum that I registered on and made 2 posts and never came back, I get an automated email saying how much I'm "missed" every single week.
Yes, I have an Inactive email reminder system installed and yes, it is effective. The reminder emails are sent out after 30 days of not visiting the site, and then again every 3 or 4 months. As for the new letters - I am looking at a professional VBulletin modification that runs an automated news letter script, but it cost around $70. I would like to replace the reminder emails with the news letter, I think it looks more professional, but the newsletter has to look professional as well. I do not have the time to sit down and write a detailed news letter, so that is why I wanted the automated one.