Increase visitor participation

Was not sure where the best place for this post would be so this thread seemed as good a spot as any.

I have a forum on my site, it is getting visits and members are joining, but few are posting. Anyone have any thoughts why or is it common to have a high number of members who never post. A few members are no doubt there just for spam and possible links but, so far, only one has made any actual posts.

What can I do to increase visitor participation on the forum?

 

Wrong thread or does no one really have anything to suggest?

 

If it's a new forum, make sure you have fresh content and are posting everyday.

Also, make sure to ask questions in your threads/post, after a post ask "what are your thoughts" "Do you think this will work" , Etc.

 

Someone is posting daily, but it is tending to drift off subject. Appears that only about 5% to 10% of registered members ever post.

 

You need to give the members a reason to post. Get some discussions going, start contests, etc. Good luck.

 

Good idea Razz.

 

Just Google the non posters email or ip address and you will find that most of them are spammers.

 

ok, start a contest, I like the idea, could give away Tee-Shirt with website logo, something, but, just what kind of a contest?

 

What about first person to reach 500 posts?

 

On my webmaster forum I have added a separate sub forum only available to members with over 500 posts, great incentive to post.
Another great incentive is to add some sort of reward system, e.g. A credit system, it gives members credits per post and per thread, which then can be used in a forum shop, I have allowed my members to purchase advertising, whcih seeming my forum niche is aimed towards webmasters, free advertising will always appeal, (Well thats the idea anyway )

 

Some good ideas there that I might be able to adapt to my site. Thanks

 

important thing is to understand that:

"Forums are created because there was a need of it, but if u create a forum which already has thousands of others since long time, then you're gonna have hard time"