How does one get forums jump started.

I have a brand new web site that I'd like eventually to turn into a community site. One obvious component of a community site is forums. I threw up some forum software, but there are few things out there more depressing than 20 empty forums. Ok so there are probably quite a few more depressing things out there, but I didn't like it so I took it down, figuring no one was really going to be tempted to post to a forum with no users. I know I wouldn't.

So the question is this: how can I get my forums jump started? Do I need to offer up some sort of incentive to get users to post? Any other ideas? Obviously the first step would be to get some traffic to my site, but I'm just thinking ahead now.

Any help much appreciated.

Gary

 

The way I got discussion to my forum was by opening it after my site got successful.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well. As I say I'm just thinking ahead now. Assuming I did over the next months create a successful site, would you suggest anything specific to get them started? Or do people just like forums enought that they're willing to post to a completely empty forum? I'm just imagining that I personally would see such a thing, think it was fairly pathetic, and not post.

 

Somebody on digitalpoint has a blog post service where you can buy posting/thread starting packages. I can't remember their userid though, it was in somebody's sig I think...

 

Offer a tool that is useful, and requires registration / login. Once your tool has a lot of users, integrate that login with your forum, initially with just a support forum and a general discussion area. Gradually increase the discussion areas in your forum, and the users will come.

(Sound familliar? )

 

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=22447/
probably .

Regards
Bye

 

If you are in the UK, E-mint has information about how to run an online community and you can ask lots of questions via their yahoo group.

www.emint.org

But the best resource can be found on the full circle website:

http://www.fullcirc.com/community/communitymanual.htm

if you are serious about creating an online community you wont need to further than these links.
Good luck!

 

At first, keep the focus narrow. Have one or two forums targetting very specific niches that are related to your website. Link through to the forum throughout your site; if you have articles, encourage people to discuss them on the forum (start the threads yourself!).

Don't be afraid to create multiple accounts, and talk to yourself for a while (in different 'voices') to create the illusion of activity. Ask friends to do the same (who knows, they may stick around!).

Contact similar sites (who are forum-less) and tell them about your new forum that caters to their niche; depending on the niche, even offer them their own forum on your's, branded with their logo (this helped me create a community of over 3 million posts in 3 years).

There are plenty of ways to do it - good luck

 

Hey try www.PaidPosts.com also i just wrote an article which you may want to look at located Here

http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?p=362670#post362670

 

good idea. have some good article in the forum and discuss it. it will drag some attention and get some people in.

 

Thanks for all the info. The site in question is a "work from home" information/resources site. Not selling anything right now except ad space. Have a look if you get a chance and let me know if anything else strikes you:

workfromhomespot.com