A while ago when I ran a big forum I got it started with hundreds of dollars in paid posters. It helped make it solid and I would hire them for 2-3 yrs for a start. Which is much longer then the typical term but I picked people who were good leaders from popular forums and paid 50 cents a post which is way more then the 10.

I was wondering if this is still a good method Most of the companies that do it I've seen have gone out of biz.

Perhaps those that did it went out of biz because once the "paid posters" stopped posting, there were few non-paid posters around to carry on. My guess is that the only one who makes out good in a situation like this is the the poster who is being paid.

IMO It's much like opening a store and then paying customers to come in and buy from you... or giving your products away for free. What happens when you start trying to charge? You had better hope you have a great product and the free samples got them hooked (like that first hit of "crack"). Otherwise, you'll be out your product AND have no customers.

If the "good" posters on your site leave when you stop paying them and you haven't gained lots of non-paid good posters, you will have wasted your money.

But that's just my opinion. Given the right circumstances you can make anything work.

I agree with social-media. You are better off finding other avenues to grab the attention of people who fit in with your subject and getting them posting. Involve people - give them some credit - it really is more valuable to a lot of people out there than you think. I've had some of the best people stick around for years without being paid.

I am currently in the process of begining a program in which I provide low income housing and education to those in need. Due to recent changes in my communty about 50-75 people will be displaced and the local governtment has no plans o helping these people, I have seceral ideas and a few people in the community on my side yet I am unsure where to start this project, my main concern at this time is funding.

No dought. Face book and twitter is the best of all.

Originally Posted by J. Aston

No dought.

doubt is the correct word BTW

Originally Posted by chrishirst

doubt is the correct word BTW

Also:

Facebook
Twitter

And of course

"are the best of all"

Which then begs the question, can both the the best? As being best implies exclusivety at the top.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

And of course

"are the best of all"

Which then begs the question, can both the the best? As being best implies exclusivety at the top.

Which now leads to the assumption he/she just threw down some posts for sig links.

Starting a contest for members is also a batter technique.

Originally Posted by dWhite

Which now leads to the assumption he/she just threw down some posts for sig links.

oooooo, no you didn't!

Originally Posted by newbie2010

Starting a contest for members is also a batter technique.

No NO NO! THIS is a batter technique


http://www.webmaster-talk.com/html-f...tml#post991292

I myself have always found paid advertising to be as just as good as free advertising.

Blog posts that is the same niche as your forum/website that possibly have dofollow backlinks could gain you both some traffic and PR.
As well as posting at forums with the same niche as the website/forum you own and placing the website in your sig is also a good way to gain traffic, of course the backlinks are going to be nofollow but that won't really make that much of a difference.
Another form I have found to be useful is making affiliates with other websites/forums that are in the same niche as yours. This could possibly gain a fair few members if the other board is of a good size and can even gain some activity to your site from the staff of the other forum/website, I would as it helps out the affiliate which could return the favour.
Another one that I've been trying out is twitter, I haven't quite got the hang of it yet but with the tags, mentions and followings could possibly get you a small amount of users that are searching twitter for such a niche. As well as the free backlink that is nofollow from the tweet you did.

hope this has helped you a little bit. If you need any more help, just ask.

You had better hope you have a great product and the free samples got them hooked (like that first hit of "crack"). Otherwise, you'll be out your product AND have no customers.