what do you think the best way is to get people to sign up for a new/unactive due to low members forum?

Well, i would start by giving them a reason to sign up. Like run monthly competitions and the months top poster wins a prize or something.

any ideas on creative prizes?

$100 000 per year for life.

Originally Posted by Jessemn

any ideas on creative prizes?

VIP membership, custom user title, users site featured on main page for 1 month, loads more.

It's not too hard if you put your mind to it, and none of the above will cost you money.

Originally Posted by Mark Henderson

Well, i would start by giving them a reason to sign up. Like run monthly competitions and the months top poster wins a prize or something.

I agree, I have joined some new forums and some offers contests with very interesting prizes. just make sure that everyone that joins has a nice chance of winning and it wont be abused by spammer.

hhhhmmm.. I suggest to have some promotions.... Just as said before, like contest. You can make them interesting in your forum if it is do follow forum and the same time having interesting topics to answer.

I hope it helps. Thanks!

You can make them interesting in your forum if it is do follow forum and the same time having interesting topics to answer

You mean that you can get a bunch of signature link spammers posting lots of junk.

BTW Don't Follow That!

Get a few good members. Many forums have hundreads of members, but some of these same forums have less than one or two people on at a time. Get some good members and that is the best way to start a new community. A few strong dedicated posters, who really like the vibe of what you are doing.

Originally Posted by Webmaster K

what do you think the best way is to get people to sign up for a new/unactive due to low members forum?

Be a Geek, it's only takes 100% of your time

Some tips!

Offer the first X amount of members a Free lifetime Premium Membership where they get the features you would have to otherwise pay for. Make sure you, your admins and moderating staff are active even if you are just talking to eachother. Content, Content, Content, fill your forum with new topics, new posts and so on. Request post exchanges with other forums, make sure your posts are good and link YOUR forum in their forum's signature if allowed.

Also consider contests with prizes!

Offer Premium membership if you can or create a website to connect to your forum. Grownupgeek did it like that, their premium membership lets them see private Myspace pages.