You guys are getting it all wrong.
PPC got v7n started with signs ups
SEO contest increased sign ups
contextual network increased sign ups
the bluefind web directory increased sign ups it got people more aware of the forums
yadi, yadi, and etc I could go on, and on.
but as far as maintaining the forums yes it was people helping each others out and asking questions.
The idea is to get at least 5,000 people signed up (Just using that for an example) then you can leverage them people into more signs ups by creating controversy, and etc. People will spread the forums name if its a good forum, but you have to do something to get them talking about the forums and thats why john started the seo contest and did many other things that made the forum kick start just test, test, and test and see what works.
Numerous forums fail due to lack of knowledge or motivation, business only fail, and companies only fail because people give up. The thing is a lot of people put forums up thinking hey I'm going to exploit the users and then come find out there more to it then what they realize, but if you have great online marketing experience then you can do it, but thats a big majority of the reason why forums and blogs fail is because people give in. Just common sense if you ask me.
It was numerous things its pretty simple process, just takes time and someone continue creating ideas. Plus john use to a be a moderator in several forums and has been around the block for awhile so he had a lot of leverage to work with.
Its all about the hook
