Unless the subject matter of your forum is very broad, I would advise against post exchanges or paying for posts. It's too difficult to control the quality of what you're going to get unless the other person is sincerely interested in your forum's main topic. I've had people not hold up their end of the bargain or write some one-line useless posts in exchange for proper posts I made. The same thing applies to paying for posts. I've never done it, but I've read too many horror stories about forum owners who paid and didn't get the posts they ordered, or worse, got such threads as "What is your favorite color?" or "What is your favorite sport?" Who cares? If you're running a forum about web scripts, the visitors who come to your site couldn't care less about how much you like goldenrod and tetherball. The only remedy - and it's not an easy one - is to post on your forum yourself as much as you can. When you get a new thread or a reply from someone else, make it a point to reply as soon as possible. Post snippets of articles related to your forum's subject and add a few lines of your own commentary. The less you post, the less active it will seem and the less active it seems, the less likely you'll get new members/posts. Like I said, it isn't easy and it will probably take a great deal of time and effort, but in the long run, you'll be better off than with the preceding two options.
passiveincome, thank you for your helpful post. It's pretty much same everywhere - buing traffic (beside PPC) or forum posts is not a good idea if you want to get quality stuff - and that's what I think is asked for.
Which kind of contests are really effective? If you offer a prize for maximum posts, then you get a lot of general comments
perhaps you can do a set of prizes like Most Interesting Post -> 30$ prize Most Replies to Thread -> 30$ Prize Most informative thread -> 30$ Most Active User -> 30$
That might be a good idea klown, but I think it will only really keep existing users. I think my major problem is that my forum is new, and in the sandbox so my 10-20 visitors a day don’t bother joining because 1. It might not be what they expected or 2. They only want to read others opinion and not post I don’t really like the idea of paying people to talk on a forum, especially when they dont know what they are talking about (i would probably rather ban them than pay them) I also don’t like the idea of pretending to be many users (especially as im trying to get as many un-biased reviews as I can) This seems somewhat dishonest I think it may be too much like hard work to keep the forum active while in the sand box.... do you think it would be so bad if i just left it alone, and see what happens after the sandbox period? Im sure it will just kick its self off after a while I've had some good posters come from blogs and people that I mailed, I honestly think this is the way to go for start up forums.
You could create about 15 to 20 accounts yourself and make 200 to 300 posts in about 20 to 30 threads. SOME of those threads will definately attract people to join in. You can also try to make these 20 "characters" interact favorably with visitors. Then gradually as the forum picks up you remove your shills one by one.
I also found that post exchange doesn't help a bit. You usually get posts containing jokes/general discussions/lame posts. You need specific posts for a specific forum, so the only way to get a good forum running, is making interested people in that particular subject post on your forum. That can be best achieved through for example providing good articles/tutorials relevant to your sites topic, and listing/indexing them in indexing sites. You could also try and list your forums in directories, or have a deal with a blogger to post and review your forum on his similar-topic blog. Hope this would help! Cheers!
I am interested in taking help from these service.. Any suggestions.. I normally stay away from internet marketers (??)) ..
I've only ever herd bad things from this.... but I guess its possible to get good poster, never used any myself. I saw some one advertise on a board, but I cant tell you if hes any good or not PM if your intrested and ill try and find his message and email if i can
Paid posting system will help but you will be very buzy monitoring the boards because a lot of users will spam in order to fastern the payout process. The following are several guildlines to improve the quality of a forum. 1) Control the Spamming 2) Make sure questions get answered 3) Encourage good quality 4) Keep a good quality staff 5) Promote Wisely 6) Lead by Example The key is to find the balance that works best for your forum. Good luck.