Way to get users ? Paying them...

[lisss001]

I am thinking of a way to get lots of users to my new web forum. I have already started a Google campaign and advertising on this and other webmaster forums. I think to really increase stats a money incentive of somekind would work, however there area number of problems with this, they are:

a) I am not rich, however I am willing to promote the site and understand that this can only be done with real money.
b) I don't want a load of spammers on the site.

I am really serious about getting this to work and came up with two ideas. The ideas were either:

a) Paying members NP$ from this forum when they had made a specified number of posts.
b) Paying members a monetry amount e.g. 2 cents a post or something similar.

I need to know if adsense will eventually cover the costs and what the risks are. I would also be interested to know what you think ?

 

[Barrucadu]

I see one major downside, what is the incentive for a user to stay after they have been paid? You have to ask yourself, who would be a better member, the one who made a lot of posts because he was paid too, or the one who found the site and liked it, with no payment?

 

[ScottHughes]

I think it's better to pool the money you would pay them and make it a contest. That will be less expensive.

 

[franchise]

I don't think paying is a bad way to go. I would just make sure you are specific about the type of post, content, and length. After you do that, make it worth someones while.

The whole idea is to get content up there. If it's relevant to the site...then that same content would be good for the visitor that bumps into the site too (the non-paid guy.)

I agree with Mikor...the guy who likes the site is better...but I also think that someone is more apt to like the site if there is a community or sorts there and if there is content.

Good luck..

 

[-MGS-]

Use that monday to promote the site, It would be better spent that way, Paying members means they are only there for one thing, the money, nothing else!

-Dan

 

[sufi]

Contests of some sort are better when it comes to giving something to members. Paying money for each and every post will only lead to loads of spammy posts.

 

[-MGS-]

Contests of some sort are better when it comes to giving something to members. Paying money for each and every post will only lead to loads of spammy posts.

Agree maybe but stil offering a cash prize woujld still mean people are only posting for cash etc

-Dan

 

[Keral_Patel]

I do have a forum of my own and I would have to say I haven't even spent a single dollar in promoting it.

Some points that I did followed were.

- Only good and relevant posts. Delete all the other things.
- Look at your forum as if you are looking for some information on that topic. See it from the visitors eyes instead of looking at it as its owner.
- Write good informational articles and controversial topics on the relevant keywords for your forum.
- Ban a user as soon as you see a problem with him. Nothing out of the line allowed at this stages.

At first this will take off slowly but soon you will be having free and steady traffic. Which will eventually convert into members and they will start giving out their opinions and your posts will increase.

 

[Michael]

The problem with forums is that when people first come and see a low number of posts in each forum, they leave.

Paying people won't get you loyal users, but it will get you past that first impression that makes most people leave.

 

[Keral_Patel]

Well I don't like to post my own blogs link on the threads itself, because sometimes it does looks like self promotion.

But I think the issue that idevlabs is referring to is going to be a problem in starting stages of the forum.

Here is a link to something I wrote on my own blog : http://www.keralpatel.com/promoting-a-forum/

 

[Cicero]

I have helped a few of my friends to get their forum up and running strong. I feel that Np$ incentives would be worthwhile only with some quality control.

Franchise post is a very good idea. I too would suggest a contest where it is a luck draw and people who post above a certain number of posts would get to participate.
You must be able to make itbig with the momentum generated.

I believe the good things in life are often free. It is way better to have some free willed fella like your site and post.

For this I would suggest you make a nice and colourful forum. I would always be happy to post in a beautiful rainbow coloured forum having tons of infos and views :D

 

[Bishio]

im sure that paying is not a good thing. however it does help in the short term in promoting ur site. Anyway u can do more link buildings