Started A Forum - Now What?

I am having a hard time finding members for my forum, I get alot of UV's but not alot of poeple registering, mainly just browsing my articles and recipes.

Anyways, I figured a good way to get members was a refferal contest, but with no real members on my forum now, how do I advertise this contest?

What is the best way to get a forum moving?

 

i had your problem to, if you see a lot of people reading articles but not many registering, why don't you just make it so they must register in order to continue to read the post!

 

Look for a few forums that are of the same niche and advertise your contest on them

 

That would definitely drive me away from the forum. I wouldn't suggest this idea.

 

Well. This is easy. Make your forum readable to people who sign up or you can alternatively use Hide Hack. It hides post until they reply to the topic.

 

I know but it would bring more members in if they really want to read the article and the problem is having not that much members so in my opinion it sould solve the problem!

 

I also think that is a good idea as a temporary measure until you get the membership base up some. You might also want to go to B/S/T and hire some paid posters.

 

That would be your best bet. Sign up with other forums of the same niche and send PM's to the members online, advertising your forum. You may not get every single person to join, but you should get a small amount, which is a good start.

 

you can try incentivizing the signups with a contest or giveaway

 

^ Good suggestion.

@OP, forums are a specialty of mine. PM me the link if you like and I'll do a review for you with ideas etc.

 

Advertise on forums with a similar niche.
You can also make a few posts yourself - stickies, etc. Also you can make a few fake users and make topics and replies. An empty forum does not look good to visitors.

 

i agree with ascendancy...pm people on forums in your niche..and tell them about the contest...also possibly you can start up a newsletter..if its great stuff..word of mouth will spread the word about your forum

 

I'm kind of in the same boat...I actually feel bad about advertising it in a competing forum...don't want to get banned or piss off potential members to my own forum....

It's tough to get a forum rolling...

 

I will try to advertise my contest on other forums. Where all could I submit my recipes and articles I wrote?