Monetizing a Forum

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by KingNomar, Jan 8, 2008.

  1. #1
    Last week I decided to start monetizing my webmaster forum!

    After 6 months it was time to start making revenue from it to cover all the costs and hard work (*ouch*)

    Started with low prices and all the 4 banners on top are now sold out ! They are rotating with 1 other banner (50/50)

    And so far it brought in $ 90 this month!

    The adsense is 100% for the members !! And they even earn some money with it

    Just wanted to tell you that if you work hard on your forum, you can get it somewhere!

    It is still small though, and long way to go to get big and very active, but the start is here :)
     
    KingNomar, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  2. Jarodboy

    Jarodboy Prominent Member

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    #2
    Nicely done dude, keep that up. :)
    How come you don't keep a % of adsense for yourself?
     
    Jarodboy, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  3. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #3
    i think forum monetisation always comes down to private ad sales vs adsense

    DP uses adsense
    v7n uses banner ads

    i prefer the banners tbh
     
    mikey1090, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  4. ientrepreneur

    ientrepreneur Banned

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    #4
    Great work man!
    I just started my forum!
    I'm giving out a FREE report and free automated youtube niche videos script for my members!
    This method is working fine. But still I need some ideas to develop my forum!
    Can you list out some works involved to make my forum active?
     
    ientrepreneur, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  5. KingNomar

    KingNomar Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Now the members have a good chance to get some money out of the threads they create !!

    And if they don't put their PUB-id in.. then mine will show up ofcourse!
    ___

    If you start a forum, post a lot yourself! Promote them on Stumble Upon, Reddit, Del.icio.us and Digg !!

    You might think this traffic is not converting, but it is helping bringing in visits,spiders,crawlers etc!

    start interesting discussions about the niche!
     
    KingNomar, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  6. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #6
    what CTR are you getting with a forum. i owned a forum which sold for $4000. i had a bad CTR, and many other forum owner agree with me.
     
    mikey1090, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  7. KingNomar

    KingNomar Well-Known Member

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    #7
    That is a nice amount Mikey!

    My CTR.. don't know yet.. ads are running for 1 day! I installed openads though.. so I can track everything..

    have to wait and see!

    What forum did you sold?
     
    KingNomar, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  8. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #8
    bbgtalk.com was the forum. the new owner has really let it go. i sold at sitepoint.

    Whats your adsense CTR like?
     
    mikey1090, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  9. KingNomar

    KingNomar Well-Known Member

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    #9
    I don't know the CTR of adsense because I am giving 100% to members ;)
     
    KingNomar, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  10. edbri871

    edbri871 Well-Known Member

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    #10
    My entire business for the last 5 years was running and monetizing forums. There is a lot of money in forums if you are in the correct markets.
     
    edbri871, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  11. tonysmillions

    tonysmillions Peon

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    #11
    I know this is a dumb question :rolleyes:, but can someone tell me how I can have a banner made? I don't have a website, I am an Affiliate Marketer and have a domain name to that site. My tracking is done through URL Freeze. Would appreciate any help. tonsmillions. :)
     
    tonysmillions, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  12. RichUser

    RichUser Banned

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    #12
    You should really start a newsletter. Send one every couple of days. Pack it with new information, or something valuable. Have a special area in the newsletter where you advertise a product. Speak about the product and explain why it's useful. Have it link through your affiliate url. Soon you will notice that you'll be making nice money of each newsletter.
     
    RichUser, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  13. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #13
    search google. check the DP design forum. bannerszen.com is a company i reccomend.
     
    mikey1090, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  14. DP Konvict

    DP Konvict Banned

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    #14
    Make some freebies, post them here at DP, linking to them at your Forum, bring in many hits :p!

    Also buy as many Tutorials like Photoshop as you can and submit to Pixel2Life!

    Feel Free to +REP if helpful!
     
    DP Konvict, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  15. sisqo

    sisqo Banned

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    #15
    Realy ? but sounds like you spend moer than you earn
     
    sisqo, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  16. mikey1090

    mikey1090 Moderator Staff

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    #16
    most investments require a substantial loss in the first year if not longer.
     
    mikey1090, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  17. KingNomar

    KingNomar Well-Known Member

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    #17
    Agree with that! I am not earning anything from it currently, at least no profit!
     
    KingNomar, Jan 8, 2008 IP
  18. zinruss

    zinruss Notable Member

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    #18
    nomar, i would suggest something new. Why not offering another contest?

    Example, Contest : take the shot and win the cash
    Detail: Ask your members to take some photos of landscape, animal, food etc and let them vote. Board activity will increase and you can have another option - offering the photos as royalty free images if your board members agree.
    Keyword: take the lead. :)
     
    zinruss, Jan 9, 2008 IP
  19. KingNomar

    KingNomar Well-Known Member

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    #19
    That is a good idea zinruss!! Thanks for the suggestion
     
    KingNomar, Jan 9, 2008 IP
  20. WickedSmartie

    WickedSmartie Peon

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    #20
    What forum software are you using?
     
    WickedSmartie, Jan 9, 2008 IP