[Admin Edit: All threads started about promoting forums has been merged with this thread. Please seek your answers here.]

I wonder if promotion of a forum is the same like web-site promotion? It seems to be a more difficult task, because we should make other people not only come to a forum, but also make them post there.

The point is that we've recently started a new forum http://www.1-800-espresso.com/forum.html This is the place to share info and talk about coffee, coffee makers, espresso machines, ice cream and kitchenware etc.

I am pretty much concerned now in how can we promote this forum, make it a lively place and encourage more people posting there. I wonder if this forum might be of use as it is now integrated in a store?

Do you have any ideas?

Hi 1800espresso
Why dont you try Search Engine Optimization?
It will drive targetted traffic to your site.
Need any help. Plz msg me

no matter the trafic you bring, the quality is that matters. so,
for start you have to get a team of good topic admins that
will answer any question so people get some benefint from
wasting their time on your forum.

you should also post some starting topics, like some tips and
interesting information

try and run a contest, or a promotion for those who register and are active within your forum. As smartguy mentioned find some good mods to help you out.... i am currently in the same position as you - i have recently launched a new forums are am trying to find ways to promote it

I like the name of your forum. Do you own the toll-free number too?

In any event, you should promote it like any other website in order to get a large number of visitors who will convert to active members. The Internet is all about sheer numbers. However, you should do some targeted marketing, especially since your site would be considered in a niche market.

In addition, you should offer an incentive for people to join and post messages. Give away something for free, or provide a service that is conditioned upon forum participation. Another idea is to promote your site at local coffee shops. Perhaps you can work out something where the most active members get a coupon that can be redeemed at your partner's shop. In turn, your partner can advertise for free on your website. However, you would first need to get traffic to your site to make it worth while for your partner to want to do this.

Good luck!

VW Jetta Forums

VW Jetta Forums

i've made this forum long time ago, but i have only 50 members
I tried advertising on other VW sites, but it didnt do any good.

any info

Niche forums may be very difficult to promote. Is this forum about VW Jettas only? If so, that is very narrow in scope and may be harder to find people interested in it. And that is not a negative criticism.

I would definitely suggest that you recruit the help of those that have already joined. It may be good to go to local VW dealers and advertise your site. I think this could be a good Jetta support site!

Good luck.

Dave

i had a similar thread some time back - have a read of ppls' responses:
http://www.webmaster-talk.com/showthread.php?t=7128

Good job, Totalservers!

I may combine these later to keep the answers together.

Dave

Thanks Dave and Totalservers

Hi All! I have a forum site that I need help promoting, can u give me help?

http://www.goradic.com

Also if you can...plz register and help me get some traffic!

Pay them to visit your forum. Works for sure!

get yourself listed on volkswagon related sites

Go to car discussion forums and put the link in your signiture. Get listed in directories request link exchanges... there are always things you can do for your forum.

Make your forums look active, get all your friends to talk or even create a seconed identity and talk to yourself. That will at least get the people that do come to maybe start posting. If they enjoy your site, they may tell their friends. Good luck.

If you offer them something for free that they would like AND it would keep your information in front of them AND they can pass it on to others which would give them your information, it might just build into something big. Check the sig.

Hi,

Please tell me How to get more people on my forum.

http://forums.educationindex.net/

Thanks

i had a similar thread some time back - have a read of ppls' responses:
http://www.webmaster-talk.com/showthread.php?t=7128

submit to search engines.. affiliate with people that are popular.. offer original stuff.. update frequently..interact