I recently started a new webmaster forum and I am looking for tips to make the community grow and get more webmasters to join.
I am fully aware that they are litterally thousands of webmaster forums out there. How do I get a share of the webmaster community?
Bare in mind, I have a limited budget and can't spend much money on contests, advertising, etc...

One initial key would be to target a certain demographic or niche within the webmaster community. I wouldn't think a general webmaster community has much of a chance to succeed these days.

ablaye, I'm in the same boat as you are. I am having trouble growing the forum in my sig. Are you interested in post exchange with me ?

Sure Mr Nabil. PM me and we can take it from there.

OK ablaye, PM sent.

You can try and hire the services of a professional forum posting company even at a low budget.

Why don't to try to use social networking to increase your webmaster community. If you create a profile or group that peaple are looking for they will definitely join your community and start posting.

I agree with Lee, it's almost impossible to compete with general forums unless you have a huge contest or if you have a lot of cash for advertising.

Originally Posted by Hobbit

I agree with Lee, it's almost impossible to compete with general forums unless you have a huge contest or if you have a lot of cash for advertising.

Ok. I have started a $75 forum posting contest, which I hope will get more people to join and post.

I think you should choose a more specific niche within the webmaster community, such as a certain kind of site or part of being a webmaster. There are many general webmaster forums out there already, the market is very saturated.

Be unique, offer things that webmasters want from a site..you know..all in one

Originally Posted by Moelman

I think you should choose a more specific niche within the webmaster community, such as a certain kind of site or part of being a webmaster. There are many general webmaster forums out there already, the market is very saturated.

Well, it is hard to think of something specific in the webmaster community.
Anyway, by doing so, aren't you limiting your audience???

Yes, but with a forum you don't want to cater for everyone out there. Take EF for example, its a niche within the webmaster genre.