Hey Guys,

Do you guys have any ideas on other ways to monetize and advertise a free forum hosting service? I have spent maybe $200 on adwords and so far have only gotten 10-20 stable forums. Any thoughts on how to get good users as well as a better way to monetize other than through adsense an adsense block?

I own a free forum host and find places such as AdminFusion and other "forum owners resources" are usualy pretty good. You can sometimes find some good places on AdEngage and AdBrite for a realy low price too.

As for placing adverts, use text-link-ads - you can place them in the footer of all forums and make a nice monthly sum

Try putting in one of those intellitext advertisements.

forumbooster, good promotion step here.

add your site here: topforumhosts[dot]com

for free forum hosts most of your advertising need not be paid.

- Free Directorys
- Topsiteslists
- Get your current board owners to refer other members (maybe offer them a referral prize eg 1k ad-free page views per board that is created by a new/different person.

I don't see much money in it, but you could put Adsense or whatever ads on them.

Sell premium services - the free hosting gives them basic functionality, but the paid service will give them some extra stuff that they have to pay you for. If your service is good enough, webmasters will cough up - as long as it's cheaper than doing it themselves, of course.