Marketing ideas for a new forum?

[grouppark.com]

Hi All,

I've recently started a new forum dealing with love and relationships and also on long distance relationships.

I've tried to pay for advertising through adbrite and facebook ads, and while i've had a few sign ups and have about 70 posts on the forum the cost is simply not worth it.

I have made a few submissions to digg and all that and am also running a world-wide competition in which you could win an apple ipod. I have also made a few posts on groups in facebook which deal with relationships and love and all that.

So i get some traffic but i have problems in converting visitors to posting members. Anyone else have any experience on promoting new forums...

Also, what are the best free/cheap methods of promoting a forum? And how, besides the competition, do i get visitors to convert into active posting members?

Any help would be much appreciated!

_________________
Alpha Bravo Global

 

[chader144]

I would look into related blogs, and chatrooms. and see how much it would cost to put up your ad / banner. I find that to be the most effective method.

You may want to consider putting the forum in your sig.

If you really want to be daring you could print out a banner and see if some of the adult stores will display it.

 

[Jacklin]

You can promote your site on relevant forums by using your signature and give them some rewards or good contests so that the visitors become posting members too

 

[weblord]

more likely the niche/or category forum you wanted to forum will be famous on im (instant messaging), chatrooms, irc chats where love and relationship are sought.

 

[shockie]

what ultimately gets people joining, posting, and staying is the content and community around your forum.

i would suggest that you get some provocative threads started that will get people commenting.

 

[rocker314]

in my own opinion, the forum you have started is a good thing since people are emotionally attached.