Hi, We have just started a forum related to running and need the most effective ways to bring traffic ? The domain is http://therunningforum.com We are looking to promote the forum however, need an idea of the most up-to-date ways to target our niche-specific audience. Thanks Whippet75
post content that provide solution, educate and interesting it will get traffic for sure, also provide good backlink, you can submit a little article with link to the site, when i first started i shared it on facebook and twitter and the rest is history, you will definitely be surprised with the result. Remember that good template attracts people to forum, put more efforts, it will be amazing
Twitter, Facebook groups, other social media websites, join other health related forums, if you have money to invest use PPC.
Nice setup but you should have a little summary about the posts in the individual forums (like maybe the last 5-10 threads for each sub-forum) to encourage people to actually investigate. Before you promote it, you need to make it active - it's difficult to attract people to a forum which isn't busy. It's a Catch 22 situation I know, but it's something you need to consider.
Maybe you can make a fan page for your new forum. Encourage discussion in your forum by posting relevant links and messages in your page daily.
Get an account on TheAdminZone.com, it's the best forum for community admins. There's a lot of post exchange possibilities and also a monthly program that helps you get more members and content. Also be active in all the good forums in your niche THAT ALLOW YOU TO LINK to the site in your signature. if they won't allow, don't bother. Comment on blogs on your niche and also work constantly on your forums content.
Take out an ad in a running magazine, promote on other running fanpages, forums, blogs etc - you'll get a boost of targetted followers.
It its about fitness/health, many females on facebook will be in need of it. So, i would suggest that you find ways to promote your forum on facebook
I agree, this is the quickest way to promote. If you have a little bit of money and very little time on your hands, you can also outsource this as well.