Starting a forum

[supe]

Can you guys give some tips on starting a forum? I'm thinking about creating a local forum to my city...There isnt one yet, at least not a good one in my eyes...

[TheFriend]

http://www.v7n.com/forums/forum-lobb...ity-forum.html

First you need a lot of members - people who like to sign up and post there.
Second you need a good forum software i would recommend vbulletin.
Third you need content and forum specials.
That's it!

[webcosmo]

Get your friends in it who gonna post daily. Its hard to do forums all by one person. Either you gonna need friends to post or paid forum posters.

Get all your friends sign up. More members is better.

vBulletin definitely recommended.

[Nemisisx]

Hey man, make sure you don't give up on it. If there is forums in your current city maybe become a member there and see what they are talking about/want. After the you make it stay in the forum and advertise your new one, in stuff like signatures and so forth! Like was mentioned above, make sure you have vbulletin or something! All the best!

[HostingITrust]

It is a good idea, but you need members which will be quite difficult in the beginning.

[pgzn]

I'd agree with using vbulletin. Also imperative is making sure it is set up with great built in SEO. vbseo is my choice, although quite pricey when you purchase the two, I wouldn't do it any other way.

As for potential success - I just set a city forum up a couple months ago, and getting new members, and especially members who will participate is a long slow process. But the site has pretty much taken over the #1 slot for just about any search having to do with the city.

[HeathMan]

It is a good idea, but you need members which will be quite difficult in the beginning.

A lot of people pay for posts when they first start out...

[Mediahuset H2]

Its difficult to start a whole new forum, start with a free forum software and promote your site in your city and as webcosmo said: get your friends to post ther daily!, nothing is so bad as a dead forum.

[selfhelpebooks]

I heard using vBulletin as your platform is the way to go.
Of course, aggressive marketing will be important.
Ad sites, other discussion groups, etc. will be start.
Good luck.

[hem]

You need to attract the members. Most of the people join forum for the links. So do follow signature option with google adsense sharing option will attracts the users and your forum will be popular soon.

[ForumFuture]

well before starting any work do a research on the particular niche you are interested in. and then proceed forward.

[kevster1]

Originally Posted by ForumFuture

well before starting any work do a research on the particular niche you are interested in. and then proceed forward.

exactly you have to pick a niche you a comfortable replying in as all new members will want to see a very active admin or forum team

[tampa_man_33]

Keep adding posts daily have friends post, send emails letting everyone you know about your forum, ppc campaign, free classifieds.

[blond]

Make a forum interesting and visitors will find you

[jtaporco]

what's everyones take on paid posting? i've been thinking about doing it as well, but want to know if someone has a successful forum that started out with paid posting. how much does it usually cost btw?

thanks,
jtaporco

[Nepopec]

just try to buy an advertisment on other sites and just to fill your forum interesting information

[Rambina]

Write down content. Lots of it. So when you open the forum, there are PLENTY of topics to reply to. Always remember that there is no hurry. Take your time and plan it out

[jtaporco]

should you make the posts under different usernames that are all you or just do it as the moderator?