How to Kickstart a new forum and make it HOT from the start?

idealmike Level X³

2

June 3, 2017, 1:09 pm

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How to Kickstart a new forum and make it HOT from the start?

So have you ever run a forum from scratch? A brand new forum that is. And managed to turn into more or less nothing to a successful and thriving forum community? Because that's what is the whole point in starting a forum in the first place right? I mean, nobody starts a forum just so it can be a failure. Everyone wants their forum to be busy and popular. But that doesn't happen with every forum people start! But that all really depends on what you put into it, how well you maintain it, how you run it, how you promote, how well you keep on top of spam and stuff like that.

One of the easiest ways I've found that you can kickstart new forums is to already be a popular member on some forums that are similar to yours and piggyback on top of them! That way, you can link to in your sig or even talk about it in peoples threads linking to it and that. That way if those people already respect you and are already on that forum for some reason or another, your forum can help them achieve their goals since the more forums they join, the more people that see their offers and stuff when you post them.

And that's another thing that can help a fourm. So, although forums are mainly for the sharing and discussion of things. It's not all about taking and you should offer people something, some reason for them to use your forums for other than just taking part in conversations and things by offering them forums they can advertise things in like a marketplace forum of sorts.

And when you get them initial users on board, and you have regular posts being made, and not just small one liners but fairly decent posts and that, which you can get from PostLoop.com or something. In time, through continued action like that and getting more and more users register, your forums can become larger and larger and be more of a success.

But it doesn't always happen like that. Otherwise it will take some time to get some decent amount of users by promoting it and that. But if you have a really good amount of forums and sub-forums, and your forums are in a good/big niche and have a good name to them and are just cool like that. Then chances are, in time, it could grow to be fully self-sufficient which is what you want.

But what are soem other ways to kickstart a forum and make it hot/popular from the start?

What ways are there to promote your new forum and get members/users for it?

What tricks do you use to help with that?

Thanks!

Mike.

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Tronia

Tronia

I have never personally had my own forum so I never dealt with the startup issues. I can imagine it can be hard to attract new members when you're new and unestablished. There are many different options out there and bringing people to your forum can be a hard task.

I would guess the best way is the one you said. Just try to advertise it on other different forums that allow such things, have the link in your signature, maybe use social media to tell others about it and so on. You can use similar ways as you do with for example - a new blog.

1 8 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

I have a domain that I would like to use for a forum that I will start in near future. First important thing is you need to have members. I will market my forum in social media and attract users. Second important things is start topic thread that generates good discussion. Thirdly, I will use post exchange service. By using forum post exchange, I will be able to generate contents. I will also use post services like postloop or the forum wheel.

1 8 years ago

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bomb2060

bomb2060

Let's not forget the powerful WhatsApp and Telegram group. You need to find the relevant WhatsApp and Telegram groups /channel that can feed members into your group. Am currently running a business forum. You need to get members from all the buy and sell groups and channel to subscribe.

You need to create a nice banner, with a well-thought copy written call-to-action message. Make sure you seek permission of admin in groups/channels that you don't admin.

Another trick i have used, since am not an authority in matters of business, i have partnered with some people who have a great following on business matters. That way, i create a profile in their name and post /comment on their behalf. Of course, you have to seek consent from them. You will also need to show how they will benefit from the symbiotic relationship. Since you're using their brand name. Which is a very sensitive thing.

Another way am considering, but have not yet exploited is the use of business cards specific for the forum. The cards will have the website well written in large print. Bigger than my name on the card.

1 7 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

Based on my experience with local forums that I know, one forum was started by a breakaway group from another forum of the same genre. And since they were already friends in the previous forum, banter is easier and natural. Walk-ins are easily attracted since the posts look like the forum has been there for a long time already. But the kickstart doesn't end there. A relentless campaign in social media is needed to push people into joining the forum. And what would make it hot are the threads on the board that have substance and interesting which means relevant to the theme.

1 7 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

Starting a forum is not very difficult. You need a domain and web host. After that you need to install forum scripts. You can try free or paid scrips depending on your budget. However, the most difficult part of having a forum is getting members and making them active. In order to succeed, you need a lot of discussion on the forum, and this will be possible only when you have many active members

0 7 years ago

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Makefort

Makefort

I would suggest using a genuine, catchy and easy to remember name for your forums and either have them focused on certain niche or add a subforum for every topic that ever existed in the history of internet

Although talking about other forums on most forums is against the rules, but in case you can't get people to join you that way, there are always services that can get you people to join and post, such as postloop for example.

0 8 years ago

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bomb2060

bomb2060

This is a very insightful post. And you have tried to break it down for the newbies.

On the flipside, it's not all rossy. Am also a member of 10 post exchange services, and of cause am also in myriad forums. And a forum owner myself for now one year.

I will play the Devils advocate here and speak some truth or reality. I don't object the fact that post exchange service's can spark some activity in your forum. But trust me, they have there own fair amount of challenges.

1. Some posters who just want to make money, and don't care what the thead is all about. These people end up posting nonsensical statements. Any serious member will notice this and give you a thumbs down.

2. Post exchange has participants from all over the world. Thus it is hard for someone in the USA to correctly comment on a niche forum in Africa. S/he will only make general comments. Trust me, your members will notice this. And it's quite distasteful

3. When the sites on the Post Exchange list are depelted. They are never in the hundreds, members are forced to join the few available. With no background knowlege on the subject, they end up copting and pasting content. I had this nasty experience with a poster who just wanted to achieve the maximum number of posts per day. Thank God he was banned by the system. Not me. All I did was to rate him/her low.

So I would urge forum owners to consider post exchange but be very keen on what the posters bring to your forum/blog.

0 7 years ago

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Makefort

Makefort

Yeah, this services can be quite a crazy thing to deal with. Although, you should always look out on how the general community of those exchange services are. I don't know that many exchange services, but some do care about their customers and they have a high threshold on ratings. One I know has a treshold of 3.5/5 (aprox). If you post bad stuff and just spam you can get rated by the site owner and quickly lose your spot on the service.

As for people staying on your forums after you deplete your points, they have to find something interesting or unique about the site to like it and stay even after the points are out.

One of the ways to bring peoples attention is to have a special sub-forum for politics, religion, ethics and such stuff. People love to discuss it and fight over it. Sure, it brings some controversy, but some might stay there because of such topics. Eventually, they might decide to become a regular visitor as well.

0 7 years ago

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Harrysung

Harrysung

I am very grateful for the insightful tips, Though I currently don't have a forum, but I have friends that do, and would benefit from the rich article you posted above.

0 8 years ago

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keen2write

keen2write

I my self run a new forum and so far its looking ok mainly members from post exchange site and I do run a good topic if you call horror and mainly fridaythe13th a good idea then that is what my forum is all about .
I have a facebook page which as a good amount of likes and also just created a facebook group so hope that expands as well.

0 7 years ago

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clara1993

clara1993

Hey keen, Nice points ;-)
Now it is easy to start a Forum and put it on posts exchange forums and make it rock, I believe that the best way to advertise it just like you did is with social media, you use your facebook fan page and group, You can also you Twitter or insta If you have a good number of followers :-)

0 7 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

My best bet for more members of your community is the Facebook Group that I assume has the same theme as the niche of your site which is horror. It is like simulating the posts in the Facebook Group that when there are many positive reactions then you can post about your latest blog. But I know it is not easy to promote a Facebook Group unless you have the support of your close friends in social media.

0 6 years ago

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Jeane

Jeane

It is hard to make a forum "hot" right from the start. The only way I know you can do this is by spending a lot of money. You'll need a lot of content created before you start telling people about the forum. So first you'll need to hire writers to create that content before you launch the forum. Advertise extensively on social media because that is where you'll most likely get more conversions.

Run some posting contests to grab the attention of those who sign up and then perhaps your forum will be "hot" right from the start.

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