Before starting your advertising with a forum..

[SheepishWolf]

Want to know something that bothers me? When forums open, they have a nice software, they have a nice idea, nice theme, or whatever, or even if they don't *takes breath* and they have forums with 0 posts, or only "what's your favorite color", "what's your favorite song?", "what's your favorite color?" type threads. The default no-discussion only "I'm posting here either because I'm doing a post exchange or want to raise my post count" type threads. And I've been seeing so many forums with so much potential start out roughly because they have 0 content to start.
So I took the time to point out ways to simply get those empty forums filled with good, not basic content =] Enjoy.

How to get posts completely by yourself:
Make 5 or so topics yourself. Make 5 or more topics in each forum before you even do anything else is what I always suggest. Why? Because it makes you look dedicated (even if you're not), and plainly is the easiest way to get some active members, because members won't join when they're the only one posting, and there''s nothing else in that specific forum. Make sure the topics you make arn't "what's your favorite color" topics (ie.), because a forumer could go to virtually any forum and find a topic like that, nay go out of your way to make topics like on a specific movie giving your thoughts, and a review/rating....make a topic on a pop artist...heck, ask what bug scares them most or even write a guide on something you're good at! Just be creative and original. This is your website, your corner of the internet, don't fill it up with same old -same old crap 😉

Make a double account. Some people feel this is a dirty, dishonest way, but it can seriously help. Make a thread asking for opinions, then reply with one opinion on one account and a different opinion on another. It will spark some clean debate, and possibly make others want to contribute. You can ditch this when your forum becomes more active (or you quit your forum). The problem with this is, what if a real member befriends this fake member? Then you have to continue it, and if they find out it's a fake they could lose trust in your community and leave. So, be careful with this one.

Promotion forums (important!):
With the recent uproar of promotion forums, you should not have a problem finding some to make 10 or so posts on. But, in case you haven't noticed the amount of promotion forums that are currently out there, I will list some for you:
http://www.forumpromotion.net
http://www.forumansion.com
http://www.promotionbox.fi.st
http://www.advertisehotspot.com
http://www.advertisehighway.com/
http://adminjunction.co.cc/index/
not all of them are 'great', but they are active-semi active. Make the required amount of posts and topics to request the highest package you can. While you wait to get a package, or are making posts/topics do some exchanges for posts and topics with other members. You can even post in the 'general chat threads' if they have one to interact with other members and make Efriends. Then they may come to your forum simply because they are your friend, like you, and want to help you out with your forum. Back to post exchanges and posting packages, yes, you're not getting active members from this but you are getting some posts (not all high quality, depending on who you exchange with, who does your package, ect.) to fill up the forums. Not all of it is quality, and people say 'quality over quantity' but seriously, if a forum had one great article for 20 forums and never any more would you join? no. Besides, after you get some of the forums filled up you can add content, or your fake account can (if you made on). Then that may encourage other people to. Back to promotion forums () after you request a package if you have enough cash (or have the time to make a few more posts to generate the forum cash) then requesting a review to see what you can improve on can benefit your forum as well.

invite your friends:
A lot of people miss this step, but in most cases it works best. Why? Because they're your friends, typically have the same interests which may contribute to your forum, and respect you and the rules already. You can almost guarantee they will stay active because well, they're your friends and friends help each other out.

buying posts:
Buying forum posts can be great, they go for about 2/3 US cents if being sold on promotion forums (ie. forumpromotion.net), but can go for typically up to 5 US cents from professional forum posters. You get guaranteed quality, non spam posts from them. You get what you pay for, and you're paying real dough so expect some good quality. If you're to lazy don't want to do any of the steps above I suggest getting minimum 100 posts from a seller.
Side notes:
Yeah, spelling, punctuation and junk may effect on regular members visiting your site. If I was at a webmastering forum for example and saw the forum rules frequently misspelling, using poor grammar, and no punctuation, chance are I will not visit there again. This has nothing to do with starting content, but I felt it was important to add anyway. Another thing that may help you starting up your forum is getting a good TLD. It makes you look like you're going to stick with it, are dedicated, and just gives it a better look when you do start advertising 😉

Anywho, that's just my little how-to for getting starting posts. So, if you're starting a forum after reading this and have 0 posts in the forums, then expect a visit from me 😉
Seriously. Know how simple this post was? Quite simple. So simply don't advertise a forum if it has 0 posts/same old - same old topics and posts 😉 It will get your forum off to a much better start.

 

[Grumpy]

Fantastic guide, it's amazing, well done on it! 🙂

 

[Cam]

Great guide, I especially agree with the default threads, although if you get a posting package, that's the type of threads they are more likely to make.

 

[Darthmaul]

Best. Guide. Evar.

 

[SheepishWolf]

Thanks for the feedback guys 🙂

...although if you get a posting package, that's the type of threads they are more likely to make.

Yes, but it really depends on the packager 😉 and, I see that's how packages typically are, but like I said they help you fill the forums up, then if they arn't good content or quality then you can go on and do better posts by yourself (or with your fake account)

 

[David]

Your "Promotion forums" part is flawed. Have you ever realize the same or similar userbase? Out of them, the main "mother forum" is FP. You only need to advertise to FP, and get backlinks off the other. Why make a great post on a forum with the exact same members? You just get the same people replying etc.

Also, promotion forums help other promotion forum owners, and webmaster forum owners and maybe discussion forum owners. If you promote a "window making" company forum here, how many people do you actually think you'll get? FP is full of admins, and they all have the same purpose; to promote their site, but it is in itself, flawed as your not advertising to the right niche.

 

[SheepishWolf]

Your "Promotion forums" part is flawed. Have you ever realize the same or similar userbase? Out of them, the main "mother forum" is FP. You only need to advertise to FP, and get backlinks off the other. Why make a great post on a forum with the exact same members? You just get the same people replying etc.

Also, promotion forums help other promotion forum owners, and webmaster forum owners and maybe discussion forum owners. If you promote a "window making" company forum here, how many people do you actually think you'll get? FP is full of admins, and they all have the same purpose; to promote their site, but it is in itself, flawed as your not advertising to the right niche.

You can just CTRL+V your presentation thread and it doesn't take much effort 🙂 In my opinion, even if you're getting nothing out of it it is beneficial to post your forum on as many forums as possible (not spamming posting your forum out...)
And how can you be sure that there isn't just one person who isn't on here that is on another forum that would benefit your forum? There is a chance (as small as it may be) that if you post something there there may be someone who isn't a member here.
And if you only advertise off of FP you'll only get limited people. Going to other places of the internet (not even in the promotion genre) and putting your link/banner in your siggy would be much more helpful, because if every one of your members is from FP then you wouldn't be getting outside information that the people of FP may not know.
And, not everyone here only promotes their site, they do look at other sites and if it interests them then they will join.

 

[David]

You can just CTRL+V your presentation thread and it doesn't take much effort 🙂 In my opinion, even if you're getting nothing out of it it is beneficial to post your forum on as many forums as possible (not spamming posting your forum out...)
And how can you be sure that there isn't just one person who isn't on here that is on another forum that would benefit your forum? There is a chance (as small as it may be) that if you post something there there may be someone who isn't a member here.
And if you only advertise off of FP you'll only get limited people. Going to other places of the internet (not even in the promotion genre) and putting your link/banner in your siggy would be much more helpful, because if every one of your members is from FP then you wouldn't be getting outside information that the people of FP may not know.
And, not everyone here only promotes their site, they do look at other sites and if it interests them then they will join.

Funny, you just avoided my whole point. There may be a few different people, but by your limited list, there isn't. Also, I never said "only advertise off of FP" in terms of advertising. I related it to your example, not the whole Internet. Again, avoiding the fact that it's limited if you promote to other promotion forums that promote here. :roll:

 

[AnAccount]

You know, I tried the double account thing on a former forum. I should try that one with this forum as well...How long would you suggest going with the double account? Do you go at it like heck and then make it like the "person" just "Disappeared" or what do you do there?

 

[David]

You know, I tried the double account thing on a former forum. I should try that one with this forum as well...How long would you suggest going with the double account? Do you go at it like heck and then make it like the "person" just "Disappeared" or what do you do there?

But that's the nature of forums. People always disappear eventually. They move on or have forgotten the link. One thing I'd avoid if you do something like that is to ram your post count on those two accounts to 500 posts each and then the next member has 20 posts. That doesn't look good, so just easing it in with other members would probably be the better way to go if you choose to use that method.

 

[AnAccount]

You know, I tried the double account thing on a former forum. I should try that one with this forum as well...How long would you suggest going with the double account? Do you go at it like heck and then make it like the "person" just "Disappeared" or what do you do there?

But that's the nature of forums. People always disappear eventually. They move on or have forgotten the link. One thing I'd avoid if you do something like that is to ram your post count on those two accounts to 500 posts each and then the next member has 20 posts. That doesn't look good, so just easing it in with other members would probably be the better way to go if you choose to use that method.

So what do you mean by, "easing it in with other members?"

 

[David]

So you don't want to be on 500 posts and your next top 10 posts are on 20, 15, 12, 10 etc. You want to make sure you don't intimidate members, so maybe have the double or triple account to spread 500 posts worth so members don't feel like it's an admin dominated forum.

 

[AnAccount]

So you don't want to be on 500 posts and your next top 10 posts are on 20, 15, 12, 10 etc. You want to make sure you don't intimidate members, so maybe have the double or triple account to spread 500 posts worth so members don't feel like it's an admin dominated forum.

So, say, do probably 10-15 posts on my main account (admin) a little less than that for account number 2, and even less than that for account #3? That kind of thing?

 

[David]

Sort of. As long as people don't become suspicious in thinking "why does the first two accounts have 200 posts etc.?". Also, it seems "bot-like" if you have a two person conversation every where you see on a forum. If you choose to do this, you need to ensure people will be still willing to join and post. I think with added post exchanges, you could get people to think that it's all legit.

I personally don't support this, but I can see why people do this.

 

[Watch Me Sink]

I agree with dotdavid's first post on this thread. Promotion forums indirectly got me all my activity, by exposing me to better ideas, SEO, andthe rest. But directly, I've gotten very few members. I say don't spend much time on promotion forums, unless you have a solid userbase.

 

[Shole]

Awesome 😀
The second tip Make a double account is called Fake member trick I used it when i was new to forum making and it helped me a lot