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So, how can I get a successful forum going?

by WARRlOR
13 replies
Since I was a pre-teen, I've wanted to run a popular forum. I've taken part in many, many forums in my time. I'd say I probably have well over 150,000 posts total. I have plenty of input on just about any topic, and I love sharing my opinion and discussiong the topic with other people. It's a hobby.

I've tried running forums. I've tried tech, music, hip hop, Eminem, general discussion, more tech, more music, etc... I fail each time though. I don't know how to perform good SEO. I don't know where to post my site. I don't know where to get ACTIVE members.

I know how to operate and modify phpBB, MyBB, SMF, xenForo, and Vanilla. I've put so much time and effort into having a successful forum with active people, but I don't get much back!

I'm getting tired of doing the same thing over and over again. I need some guidance. I want to eventually have a successful forum with a thriving community, and maybe even place ads and member upgrades to get some income. I'd rather have a thriving community than income... I'd easily drop a couple hundred dollars for a newer, active forum.
#forum #successful
  • Profile picture of the author Micah Medina
    This is all theory, I haven't run a big forum before...

    1. Start a really high-traffic website/mailing list and THEN add the forum. When you have a lot of good content and then say "okay this really good stuff is for forum members" it breaks that vibe of no members because no content because no members. Really, the traffic is the trick, you can make a small but intense forum for something like a band but it's tougher to get big numbers without years of content.

    2. Buy a forum that's rolling, bring new people in.
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    • Profile picture of the author WARRlOR
      Originally Posted by Micah Medina View Post

      This is all theory, I haven't run a big forum before...

      1. Start a really high-traffic website/mailing list and THEN add the forum. When you have a lot of good content and then say "okay this really good stuff is for forum members" it breaks that vibe of no members because no content because no members. Really, the traffic is the trick, you can make a small but intense forum for something like a band but it's tougher to get big numbers without years of content.

      2. Buy a forum that's rolling, bring new people in.
      The first recommendation sounds like a good idea. Loads of content, then members. I feel as if it's easier said than done, though.

      And for the second one, where would I be able to find a forum to buy within the $150-$200 range?
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      • Profile picture of the author Micah Medina
        Originally Posted by WARRlOR View Post

        The first recommendation sounds like a good idea. Loads of content, then members. I feel as if it's easier said than done, though.

        And for the second one, where would I be able to find a forum to buy within the $150-$200 range?
        Right, but that's why yo don't see really strong forums everywhere online. Especially with social media around.

        As or forums for sale, try digitalpoint and webhostingtalk? Don't expect to see people selling their communities for 2 days at McDonalds, though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Williams
    You can also do paid forum posting. Where you hire a handful of people to make meaningful posts and get the forum rolling. Something like $0.20-50 per post used to be the norm, no idea anymore.
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    • Profile picture of the author WARRlOR
      Originally Posted by Kevin Williams View Post

      You can also do paid forum posting. Where you hire a handful of people to make meaningful posts and get the forum rolling. Something like $0.20-50 per post used to be the norm, no idea anymore.
      I've tried services like this, such as postloop. It's a temporary solution, but I don't have that kind of money. When I stop paying, so does the content.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Mensah
      Originally Posted by Kevin Williams View Post

      You can also do paid forum posting. Where you hire a handful of people to make meaningful posts and get the forum rolling. Something like $0.20-50 per post used to be the norm, no idea anymore.
      Generally in the beginning but once your forum picks up you wont even have to do this because the members will become moderators and posters just like the WF.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jreed
        I've recently implemented a forum on my blog.

        I've done no "real seo" on my blog, but I think my content is good. And so do my visitors.

        It started slow but is steadily growing and gaining in popularity, roughly about 180 visitors a day, my bounce rate is less than 1%.

        I decided to start a forum when I started consistently getting questions at least once a day.

        Now when ever I can, I try to direct as many questions to the forum in order to build content there and establish it as the meeting place to get advice.

        My forum is pretty ugly, and as it grows I may upgrade to somehthing a bit better but it works for me.

        I don't buy FB likes, Fake forum posts or anything. Just patience and good content. And of course redirecting email questions to the forum.


        You can take a look here if you would like. Air Force Forum
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        • Profile picture of the author Malcolm Thomas
          Originally Posted by Jreed View Post

          I've recently implemented a forum on my blog.

          I've done no "real seo" on my blog, but I think my content is good. And so do my visitors.

          It started slow but is steadily growing and gaining in popularity, roughly about 180 visitors a day, my bounce rate is less than 1%.

          I decided to start a forum when I started consistently getting questions at least once a day.

          Now when ever I can, I try to direct as many questions to the forum in order to build content there and establish it as the meeting place to get advice.

          My forum is pretty ugly, and as it grows I may upgrade to somehthing a bit better but it works for me.

          I don't buy FB likes, Fake forum posts or anything. Just patience and good content. And of course redirecting email questions to the forum.


          You can take a look here if you would like. Air Force Forum
          THIS is the key and the right way to start up a successful forum. Having a site or blog that already receives some traffic, then once you see yourself beginning to get tons of questions from your visitors, you start a forum on your site and make it a community and THE place where all questions should be asked AND answered.
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  • Profile picture of the author DotComBum
    Join some forums which are for forum admins to promote their forums
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Greene
    To run a successful forum, you will need a forum with a good number of active users who will contribute to your forum regularly. To bring such regular members at your forum, you should visit some other forums of your niche and use your forum's link within the signature.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nicole Sakoman
    Originally Posted by WARRlOR View Post

    Since I was a pre-teen, I've wanted to run a popular forum. I've taken part in many, many forums in my time. I'd say I probably have well over 150,000 posts total. I have plenty of input on just about any topic, and I love sharing my opinion and discussiong the topic with other people. It's a hobby.

    I've tried running forums. I've tried tech, music, hip hop, Eminem, general discussion, more tech, more music, etc... I fail each time though. I don't know how to perform good SEO. I don't know where to post my site. I don't know where to get ACTIVE members.

    I know how to operate and modify phpBB, MyBB, SMF, xenForo, and Vanilla. I've put so much time and effort into having a successful forum with active people, but I don't get much back!

    I'm getting tired of doing the same thing over and over again. I need some guidance. I want to eventually have a successful forum with a thriving community, and maybe even place ads and member upgrades to get some income. I'd rather have a thriving community than income... I'd easily drop a couple hundred dollars for a newer, active forum.
    Find people that does know things you don't and team up with them. Big projects were never in hands of one person. Form a mastermind group with that people and be sure you share the same interest, and same passion.
    Eventually, you'll be like one organism (super human) and will be closer and closer that thing you want to accomplish
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  • Profile picture of the author PerformanceMan
    Seems like an impossible task since social media took over.

    You'd be better off starting a community on Facebook or Google+. It's much easier to get traction there.
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  • Profile picture of the author apeee
    You should do the following:

    1. Start forum of your interest.
    2. Hire some experts in the same niche.
    3. Post 150-200 good questions in the forum and make the experts answer them. All your answers should be resourceful.

    Tip: Try to post questions which are common problems in the niche.

    If people find solutions to their problems in your forum, they will surely participate. Best of luck!
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