I'm planning on devoting a lot of attention to fishing, hunting, boating and camping on this new community site I just started. I know there's alot of ole boys out there that can talk hunting and fishing 24/7. They especially like to show off their bounty...you know bragging rights. I joined my state's Fisheries and Wildlife Forum. Been trying to find an angle on how to get some of these guys to contribute content to my site. You know, fishing and hunting stories, tales and tips. I'm sure you are aware as I, that I can't just blatantly come out and ask, well the mods would skin me like a polecat! I'm just wondering how I can go about contacting some of these big hunters and fishers. Hmm, maybe some of them are blogging... I may have just answered my own question.
Are you looking for these 'contributors' to participate in a forum type discussion? Or just to add there page like myspace and then surf about looking at others peoples 'bounty?' I way you could go about it is pay someone here on dp (if you can't be bothered) to participate in that forum with a really cool signature that links it back to your site. Something like "Wanna see the BIGGEST fish ever caught? Come HERE - link" providing the person actually contributes and participates (gets liked by the community/offers something of value) and doesn't spam then more users are likely to click the link. pay a few people and WALLA! Just make sure your site has something to offer and then you'll get visitors. Another way you could do it is make a MUST SEE BIGGEST FISH EVER video and post it where the highest amount of users will see it. Then in the video and description make sure to link to your site. If the video is of a nerdy white kid knowing pie to 100 places and typing away (lmao al yankovic) then the BIG HUNTERS won't click through to your site. You've gotta come at them from their angle. Make some bounty or a funny video they will get - like the nerdy white kid in the bush having a hard time putting up the tent and fishing wrong and make it funny aka parody and then providing its good they'll click through. Another way is click their signature links in that forum and then leave comments on their forums/blogs/videos. Or on just their site hit the contact me and send them a message saying "I've just made a new site about hunting and I was wondering if you'd take a minute to come and show us your bounty?" Sometimes asking people for help is the best way to go about it, however this is not the answer to long term returning traffic. I hope these few ideas and tips help you out man. Good luck with it.
Not sure about how to ask the other forum dudes. But have you thought about leaving some flyers near one of the lakes? With text on along the lines of "Come and show off your catch at http://yaymycoolurlrocks.com " Or "Share your hunting tips at xxxxxxx" I suppose you could always leave some at a hunting place too. Heh just an idea. DK
do link building with your site. create blog and articles about your forum. eventually more people interested with your forum will join.