Need some advice on how to promote my Forum

[ChrisH]

http://www.canadaswap.com

It's basically going to be a portal for Canadians (and anyone else who decides to stop by) where they can talk, and "swap" (sell, buy, trade) with local members in regional forums.

I'm new to this whole thing with marketing online. I can sell when I meet you face to face but I have no clue where to take something like this on the internet. If anyone here has any suggestions/ideas I would be happy to hear them.

Thanks guys.

[cnm72]

links... you need to exchange traffic

links make the world go around...

[artv]

Put a link to forum in your signature, traffic exchange is also
good decision. Will be good to advertise your forum in google
AdWords (for example) If you can afford it.

[blue27]

Google adwords and similar systems have been shown to produce very poor results.

Promoting a forum is all about getting the name out there by word of mouth.

You can spend a ton of money on advertising but people will still see a dead forum when the go there.

Run some posting contests, go to similar forums and become active, make sure you have a link to your forum in your sig.

[nsusa]

Ask friends and family to participate. Make sure the forum does not look dead. Add content all the time - even if nobody is there yet. It's important that the first impression for a new visitor is not negative.

Christoph

[HostingProf]

Pay people to post in your forums (for a start). I know of a few forum owners who pay users $0.50 USD for a quality post/thread.

Also as funny as it may sound, you can also get a forum going by simply starting conversations with yourself. Create different user accounts and get the ball rolling that way. It's a bit of a pain, but who knows -- it may be worth it.

[PixelHosting]

Whatever you do, don't spam around on mediums such as IRC. It will annoy people and it'll be bad for your forum reputation.

[markblair]

Originally posted by HostingProf:

...Also as funny as it may sound, you can also get a forum going by simply starting conversations with yourself. Create different user accounts and get the ball rolling that way. It's a bit of a pain, but who knows -- it may be worth it. I'd have to disagree with this unfortunately. I recall a couple of years ago a host registered multiple times at another forum and boy o' boy when it was found out he was lynched. I'm all for doing as much as possible to make your site successful but this borders on scheming and I'm just not sure it would work. It may for some sites but I'd still be reluctant.

[Ryan]

Personally, just get your name our for word of mouth. Maybe have family, and freinds post on forums. Swap links, ***COUGH***UPGRADE TO VB3***COUGH***.

:)

I registed at your forums. Name is : Ryan

[Chicken]

Originally posted by markblair:

I'd have to disagree with this unfortunately...
Truth be told, we only have about 500 members. the other 4,000 are me talking to myself. I feel so ashamed...

:: logs out ::

Feel better Chicken, it's okay!

:: logs out ::

Yeah, no need to get down on yourself!

:: logs back in ::

Thanks guys! :dchick:

[Ryan]

lol, chicken talking to him self..lol

Chicken
Cow
Goose
Duck
Dog
Cat
Mouse
Rat
Goat
Sheep
Rabbit
Rooster
etc.


HAHAHA! Sorry..my moment is over. :clap:

[Adam]

HAHAHA! Sorry..my moment is over. :clap:
It's okay, we all have our super crazy moments. Just some more than others!

Truth be told, we only have about 500 members. the other 4,000 are me talking to myself. I feel so ashamed...

:: logs out ::

Feel better Chicken, it's okay!

:: logs out ::

Yeah, no need to get down on yourself!

:: logs back in ::

Thanks guys!

:rofl:

Google adwords and similar systems have been shown to produce very poor results.
Is that true? I thought Google AdWords were brilliant for sites?! Esp. Forums?

[ChrisH]

Hey Ryan,

We actually were using VB3 but we had some issues with it and the hack modules that we wanted to use on it weren't available hence why we're with the version we have now. Thanks for registering at the site now all we need is another 300 members!

Ciao,

[blue27]

Originally posted by Adam:
Is that true? I thought Google AdWords were brilliant for sites?! Esp. Forums?

Great for generating traffic. Lousy for generating sign ups.

[Adam]

Originally posted by blue27:

Great for generating traffic. Lousy for generating sign ups.

Ahhhh! Okay I got ya, thanks Blue :)