I'm struggling with advertising, i've submitted to search engines and such but I can't do post exchanges and things like that because of the nature of the site (I don't want people having to pretend they are ill it doesn't sit right) I do have FB but i'm worse than useless with it and don't want to 'spam' my site either, if anyone is willing to advertise sensitively for me i'll willingly divide up all my FP cash.
That's the struggle of being an administrator. Not to be harsh, but asking people to advertise for you won't get you anywhere either.
I'd suggest finding websites similar to your niche, exchange with members there. Advertise your forum there and maybe even affiliate with them to help each other out. I haven't owned a forum with a very specific niche, but if you keep trying and never give up, you'll get there. It takes time, if things don't work out, think of another perspective to approach 🙂
You could search stuff on Twitter and just start conversations with people using your site's Twitter account and maybe get more people onto your website.
Also, you should put it in your sig at least and also take advantage of the website field in your profile. When I like a member's posts, I will look to their website field because there are so many other websites listed in most sigs that they're normally ads. Using the sig doesn't hurt, I just personally don't look there first.
Thanks to all, I've now created a section in my forum called 'Friends of Living with COPD' where anyone who wishes to exchange ads with us can have a topic to advertise their site in, please pm me if you're interested in an ad exchange, this is the site: http://livingwithcopd.forumotion.co.uk/
Try finding people with COPD and tell them that you run a forum about it, in conversation.
Don't make it seem like you're only talking to them to promote your site though. I'm sure if you search hard enough you can find Facebook, Google and Twitter communities regarding COPD.
Finding a new host/domain though will make your site seem more professional and reputable.
Not to be contradictory, but I think a post exchange would actually work. THe person posting in the exchange could post to the general chat section such as about Mother Earth. You might try becoming more active on forums about 'health/COPD/' as these forums will have many potential members that your site would want.
And though I know you don't want to 'fake' posts, you should consider how most people won't join a forum to help you build it up and only come to a forum looking for answers to their problems or looking for a place to share about their issues. So take some time to add more content to each of the sections. If you can't add the content for yourself, then hire a professional writer to create forum posts for each section.
