How doI get people to post in my new forum?

tuler · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 02:04 PM

I'm going to officially launch SlyBaldGuys.com tomorrow, August 1st. The goal of the site is to create a community for bald guys, so, naturally, I have a forum on the site. How do I get the ball rolling? What's the best way to entice people to post in the forum?

Thanks for the help in advance.

Rob_TID · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2006, 10:24 PM

Set up some accounts and posts yourself so the place doesn't look like a wasteland - people won't post in an empty forum.

Consider paying some posters to help you with that (cheack out a service like http://www.forumshock.com/)

NOTE: I have no affiliation whatsoever with that above site.

Get lot's of traffic to the forum quickly so there uis a better chance of people taking up membership.

Creat some buzz about the forum.

Consider some type of posting competition.

Good luck!

tuler · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 03:17 AM

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll probably try Forum Shock to get a couple of posts. I also have several bald friends that I may ask to make some posts for me.

Anyone else have anymore ideas?

etechdesigns · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2006, 04:48 AM

For promoting a new forum, do quality posting. Add informative posts in your forum so that people can join your forum. When informative topics are discussed in your forum then people will join your forum & also do mouth publicity. You can also offer any promotional scheme for your members.

marketing-helpersdotcom · #5 (**permalink**) 08-02-2006, 11:29 PM

But remeber, be ethical about it, don't hire someone in India to post a bunch of made up posts to amke it look like you are popular. When legit users come to your site and no one posts back to them they won;t come back.

You can also go to other related fourms and advertise/promote your forum.

chatterfox · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2006, 03:01 AM

I agree to the comments above. When promoting your forum, you really have to make people see that your forum is active and updated everyday. Also, forums are part of creating an online community, you really have to welcome your visitors and treat them as if they are at home. You need to build a "community" where people are at ease with each other, where people are finding helpful information, and where people are just comfortable posting intriguing discussions.

Nerz · #7 (**permalink**) 08-07-2006, 04:58 AM

Aside from the points already made by the posters above. Id like to make a couple other points

- One element of making sure your forum doesnt look like a wasteland, is by having only a few forums to start with. Ive seen new forums with 30 differant sections. Its very difficult to get a decent looking post count spread across so many forums...Slim em down to say 10 or so clearly defined forums.

- Also dont make your TOS too restrictive as too turn new members off. You can always adjust later if it looks like thing are getting a little outta control

- Have an area for users to promote there baldness related products or shops. Your going to get people attempting to sell there stuff anyway..might as well have it confined to one forum, rather than having it messing up others.

Just a few thoughts :)....

tuler · #8 (**permalink**) 08-07-2006, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerz

- Also dont make your TOS too restrictive as too turn new members off. You can always adjust later if it looks like thing are getting a little outta control

Thanks for the suggestions!! What do you mean by TOS?

Robban · #9 (**permalink**) 08-07-2006, 03:48 PM

Well you have done the first thing correct. Created a forum that triggers emotions. (as I am slowly joining the club)

M suggestion is to have fun with it. Do a thread on suggesting tag lines for your your club. Then go to cafor press and do cool t-shirts.

Like

"one day - everyone will join"

I have tried to sell some Billboard concepts to some of me car dealership clients about how sell their inexpensive convertibles.

"You dont have to be old and bald to own a _____"

+ about 100 variants. Great concept. Anyhting that triggesr feelings is good. Starting a successful forum is hard hard hard...thats why we started ForumSuccess.com - check it out.

etechsupport · #10 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 12:53 PM

I think you need research on psychographics of your target market rather than demographics, this might include particular life style and community, possibly you may need a sort of behaviour marketing as even a group of hair transplant doctors may contribute to your forum.

try_all · #11 (**permalink**) 08-11-2006, 10:03 AM

May be you should hint to your forum on others wellknown forums with analogous themes? IMO