What is the best way of market a forum?

[jakoob]

What is the best way of market a forum?

[rankwatch]

Directory Submission, Press Release Submission and advertising are helpful to market a forum site.

[jakoob]

I was thinking of a PPC to start get some members when the forum is new. And then have some contests, like SEO and posting contest. What do you think about that?

[StevenPayales]

Try Social Media Marketing .. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and even blog commenting or forum posting.

[Carrieli]

PPC is a fast way. Other methods are Bookmarking, Forum posting, Directories submission, social networking and so on.

[junkyjack]

hopefully.... promote it through SMO and drive link on some forum websites.

[Dreamrage]

Social Media for one would be a good option, and this includes other forums (where you are allowed to that is) You can also market through your existing members, offering them them something in return for referring a few quality new members. That being said, competitions are also a good way. People pick up on these rather quickly, and sometimes many of the new members that join for the competitions become regulars.

[denysaputra]

Originally Posted by jakoob

What is the best way of market a forum?

Probably not much different from other promotional techniques (web marketing).
My My suggestion, do a social media campaign, advertise or contribute in other related forums, and I got inspiration from my friend about how them promote their forum, it's by held a contest.
He pays for the services to spread the contest and gain more interest people.

[enterscope]

I would start as many interesting topics as I could that were original like Questions and fun threads like finish the sentence, etc. That way you'll start showing up in google. At first I would pay people to post on your forum just to get some active threads going. I would also get your friends and family to register and post for awhile till your forum gets going. I'm sure they won't mind logging in for 20 minutes a couple days per week to help you out. Good luck!

[snakeair]

Originally Posted by rankwatch.com

Directory Submission, Press Release Submission and advertising are helpful to market a forum site.

This is backlinking methods but won't continually bring in new active members and fresh content on the forum. I'm not saying these are bad methods but they won't get people to join right away.

Originally Posted by jakoob

I was thinking of a PPC to start get some members when the forum is new. And then have some contests, like SEO and posting contest. What do you think about that?

I agree with PPC marketing, you can target your audience a lot better which could lead to faster signups. Whether they create threads and contribute to the forum, that's what your job and your moderators job is to do. Get members to post.

Contests are a great way to get the viral marketing going much faster. Maybe give away free advertising in prime locations to the winner or winners. Perhaps find some sponsors and make it a cash prize or cash prize's...etc Get creative and make your contest the talk of the town sort to speak.

Just be sure to create contest rules and don't bend them as people always look for ways to cheat the system. Some members already talking about using social media to market and I agree with what they said. (Make sure you create a fan page for the forum and a Google page)

Originally Posted by mobilelover

Bookmarking
Forum posting
Directories submission
Link exchange is best way to increase traffic.

These are backlink methods and not ways to get members to start joining right away. I'm thinking the OP wants to market the forum but also continually get new members to signup right away and be active. It's hard to take a new forum with little to no traffic and get people to post daily. Lot's of boards with next to nothing as in content in them sometimes turns people away from creating thread's. The admins and mods should be the ones creating threads in the beginning till members start to do this as the forum picks up. PCC marketing get target your audience and perhaps get some signups right away.

I'd stay away from exchanging links if you are a forum owner. Keep the footer section clear from having tons of links with some niche's not related to your forum or sites gone to spammy sites.

[Puneet]

Forum would get boost by doing viral marketing .. Banner advertising, PPC, having a contest is also a nice idea but try to get more n more of members to participate in the contest

Get reviews on as many blogs you can. This is also a nice way to get recognized online

Useful contest or posts is the most common thing which u already know

[cmpe]

In my experienced, I've never participated in a forum like this because I saw it on a banner ad on some site. If there was a subject I was interested in and wanted to discuss it with others interested in the same subject, I'd google it. "{$keyword} forum" or even "{$keyword} message board" and see what forums show up.

Another example - well, actually this was a real life example. I am looking for a video card that has two Dual-link DVI ports so I can use two QHD monitors. Of course, when I googled it, I came across the typical Tom's Hardware/Anandtech/Hardforum sites.

I think the best way to start a forum is to participate in other forums and provide information that is somewhat closely related but not a direct competitor. Like if you have a forum about tablet computers, go to a forum that talks about computer hardware or mobility.

[sjr4x4]

Starting a forum is one of the hardest things I've ever done. There's nothing worse than having a conversation with yourself!

Marketing wise, other than a bit of link building, keep it organic. You just need lots of relevant conversations. No one joins a dead non active forum (other than link dumpers). Look for link bait worthy titles, ask friends and family to join, and shhh don't tell anyone, but make up a few accounts Anything it takes to get conversations going.

Within 6 months you can consign any alteregos to history once you have enough genuine members.

Don't go down the route as someone suggested and pay for forum posters, you will get enough one liner and gibberish posts from spammers without paying for them!

Key thing is patience. It won't be an overnight thing, so keep the faith and it will happen.