Tips on getting a forum going?

[Blackshear]

I've had my site up and running for almost three months now and have been having trouble getting members for my forum... it's an XBox site that's primarily focused on news (for the time being).... I would like to know if you guys have any tips for me that might help gain some new members, thanks (the site is XBoxOutpost btw, link in my sig).

Thanks in Advance

 

[peter phillips]

1. I think you should advertise on relevant forums by posting your site's link on their webpage and ask their members to review your website.

2. Make the layout of the forum attractive and ask the moderators or admins to start new threads to make it look more active. If a visitor doesn't find active posts and threads he/she may not even register.

3. Introduce a referral program with the help of the existing members.

 

[HeadBuilder]

Try trading forum posts with other forums that are related such as game forums. Many times it is due to low activity that potential members get turned away. Creating an impression that your forum is worth staying for is important.
Also, try to post unique content so that people will visit your site and give reviews or feedback through your forum. You can perhaps talk about the new release, or upcoming releases or go into detail about what is good/bad about the xbox or something that you don't see on other xbox sites.

Good luck!

 

[markfromslo]

Be prepared for the huge amount of work it takes to run a popular forum. I started and sold RightNation.US. 25,000 uniques a day. It was a nightmare to moderate. Of course, it was about politics so it got quite heated.

 

[bentong]

secret giveaways, incentives..

NP$ + Ad Sharing = Success!

 

[Momo]

Get/hire some people to fill it up with some more posts, to get discussions going. People would be interested to join if they see that the forum is active.

Hold contests, give away prizes for posting, etc. Incentives always motivate people to be active and to stay.

 

[KPR]

Also your last news post is from early october if a visitor sees that they think its a dead site.

make sure theres some posts made per day also if it looks used they wil join.

 

[Nerz]

The latest thread on the highest paying keywords should give you a hint on what people are really after

"Free Stuff"!

So competitions for a free giveaways are always good way to get traffic, even if its short term. You dont even really need to spend a lot of money on a prize either. Post the giveaway on relevant forums and blogs in a "tasteful" way, making sure you follow the guidelines outlined...

I think running a successful forum requires a good deal of hard work and great deal of networking..possibly more than a traditional site, but they can be a lot of fun, and make some decent $ at the same time.

Good luck with it.