I have recently launched a Mental Health forum, but I am not quite satisfied that I am the only person posting. Paying for posts on the other hand is quite expensive and you are never sure how good the posts actually are. On Search Engine Optimization I am already working, but of course a forum is dead if there are no topics available. Now how else can I reach a few other people to post in my forum? Should I simply ask friends online for help or get partners?
Well, its very hard for new forums indeed. Create new profilies and try make some interesting discussions
Well, I think the best answer applies to any website (not just a forum/community). If you want any site to be successful, just ask yourself what you are offering users that they want/need that they can't get anywhere else. If your forum is nothing more than a discussion forum, I'd say it's going to be very difficult to establish yourself these days, because users will be more happy at a forum of a similar niche that is already established/busy. But if you can draw them to your site because of something unique you are giving them and then funnel them into your forum because they are already on your site for something else... that would be the way to do it imo. For example, we had our keyword tracker system that had TONS of registered users *before* we had a forum: http://tools.digitalpoint.com/tracker
Try to post intriguing forums and talk about matters that are relative issues of today. Choose also topics that are worthy to be headliners.
Well, you have already started topics so continue posting articles on it. And maybe images along with it. You can then hire some posters. You may also try to find yahoo groups that you can share same interest.