Giveaways to start-off a forum

[vans]

Hello.
I am currently working in a new website-forum about Esports but not limited to it (all gaming-focusing, but can talk about anything if you want).
I understand that starting off a forum nowadays in 2018 is kind of hard (harder than years back), and that's in part because there are TONS of websites of every typical thematic, so big forums of certain thematic controls that market (in my opinion, at least).

I have been thinking about social media to advertise the forum. And, of course, people get their interest in an interesting site, but also if it has real giveaways.
As we are talking about "Esports", I was thinking about spending some of my income in giving away, every x time, some things.

Maybe steam games, or like a promotional code of $xx to spend in steam.
In a more specific advertisement (CSGO, other games), maybe some skins, or even a monthly subscription in third party sites where you can play more smoothly.

Of course those giveaways would be promoted in the social media, but you have to redeem them by registering and by posting content (well, only posts), in the forum.
My forum will have the cash points system where you earn them by posting. I was thinking that by doing a RT/like/posting in forum and then when you reach xx posts (which would lead to xx coins) you get to redeem the gift.

Do you think this would work?
What else do you think it can be valid to promote in social media to incentive users to register, to post, and to get to know the site? (Of course, quality content will be posted, so they get engaged with it)

Thank you, and feel free to post your opinion so we can start off sone conversation!

 

[MrHorror]

Not sure giveaways are a good idea to 'start' a forum. The problem with that is, if they came just to win the prizes - what happens when there are no more prizes to give away? Or when there's a lull between contests? Will they all just disappear? A better way to start off a forum is to advertise the hell out of it before hand. Build up some buzz. Use the 'launch' or 'countdown' page as an asset if you have to. Once the forum is officially launched, you'll have a ton of people signing up.

 

[vans]

Not sure giveaways are a good idea to 'start' a forum. The problem with that is, if they came just to win the prizes - what happens when there are no more prizes to give away? Or when there's a lull between contests? Will they all just disappear? A better way to start off a forum is to advertise the hell out of it before hand. Build up some buzz. Use the 'launch' or 'countdown' page as an asset if you have to. Once the forum is officially launched, you'll have a ton of people signing up.

Of course the giveaways are a tiny part of the advertisement tools. Of course once you are in the page, there will be tons of tools, forum customizations, that with the content quality has the goal of keeping the current members.
The thing is: starting from scratch, how do you really advertise the hell out of it? I understand that "social media" ads are a big impact to bring traffic but is there any manual way that is really effective that I might not know? 🙂

Thanks for the input though 🙂

 

[Mushmellow]

Hello.
I am currently working in a new website-forum about Esports but not limited to it (all gaming-focusing, but can talk about anything if you want).

Now that's a forum I'd join. I'm into eSports, alot. Let me know once you set it up so I can join. Also, let me know if I can help. I love eSports!

 

[vans]

Hello.
I am currently working in a new website-forum about Esports but not limited to it (all gaming-focusing, but can talk about anything if you want).

Now that's a forum I'd join. I'm into eSports, alot. Let me know once you set it up so I can join. Also, let me know if I can help. I love eSports!

Thanks for your interest!
I will for sure let you know; I am still working on it. The forum is basically finished, but I plan to have a portal where tons of information will be posted (and the forum will be to discuss, to find teams, to get information, and to have chitty chat).

I plan to open a beta once I get some staff. I plan to get a Junior Admin to help with some perspective, always respecting current structure of the project. But of course, I am open to any kind of help.
I have a programmer who does the job; even tho he is going step by step because obviously, this project is for me as a hobby, so the budget is not high (I do not expect to get an income with the forum); so it goes slow.

I also will be looking for some staff, and obviously loyal members to help with it once it starts. But well, I will most likely open a thread over this site to find the right people to start this! I have spent already a good amount of money and time to make it what it is now, with many features who will make the stay funnier (or thats what I hope)

Best regards and thanks for answering!

 

[MrHorror]

Of course the giveaways are a tiny part of the advertisement tools. Of course once you are in the page, there will be tons of tools, forum customizations, that with the content quality has the goal of keeping the current members.
The thing is: starting from scratch, how do you really advertise the hell out of it? I understand that "social media" ads are a big impact to bring traffic but is there any manual way that is really effective that I might not know? 🙂

Thanks for the input though 🙂

You will certainly keep some members after the contests dry up but it could also end up drawing too many people who're specifically there just to win an item. Once those people strike out or the contests end they'll slowly fade away. That's why I am personally against starting off any ventures with giveaways unless it's a physical venture like a store opening or something. As far as advertising, yes social media works. But also try pouring some money into SEO services. They work if you buy the right ones, shop around.

 

[Jerlene]

Giveaways are great for getting users but most, if not all, will be temporary. Try making a long contest, at least a month, to try and get them into the site and make it a regular part of their daily online activity.

 

[vans]

Giveaways are great for getting users but most, if not all, will be temporary. Try making a long contest, at least a month, to try and get them into the site and make it a regular part of their daily online activity.

Yeah of course. I mean; those giveaways will most likely have some rules where "xx" posts should be posted in the forum, and some content should be shared. Meaning that it is going to take some time to redeem the prize, but I will attempt to attract them to stay in the forum. I understand many will leave; but as much as few stays, I'd be happy. That's my primary goal at least.

 

[Jerlene]

Giveaways are great for getting users but most, if not all, will be temporary. Try making a long contest, at least a month, to try and get them into the site and make it a regular part of their daily online activity.

Yeah of course. I mean; those giveaways will most likely have some rules where "xx" posts should be posted in the forum, and some content should be shared. Meaning that it is going to take some time to redeem the prize, but I will attempt to attract them to stay in the forum. I understand many will leave; but as much as few stays, I'd be happy. That's my primary goal at least.

That's definitely the goal because the few that will stay will be the ones that make your forum what it is.

 

[Jason76]

I have been thinking about social media to advertise the forum. And, of course, people get their interest in an interesting site, but also if it has real giveaways.

I think Facebook boosting (boost your posts) is the way to go cause it seems to be the cheapest paid stuff - with lots of traffic and quality.

 

[vans]

I have been thinking about social media to advertise the forum. And, of course, people get their interest in an interesting site, but also if it has real giveaways.

I think Facebook boosting (boost your posts) is the way to go cause it seems to be the cheapest paid stuff - with lots of traffic and quality.

Have you tried it? Do you know who are the most active users from regions? To do the targeting.
The forum will be international, so would like to know which regions are more active or more interesting in online communities.

 

[Jason76]

I have been thinking about social media to advertise the forum. And, of course, people get their interest in an interesting site, but also if it has real giveaways.

I think Facebook boosting (boost your posts) is the way to go cause it seems to be the cheapest paid stuff - with lots of traffic and quality.

Have you tried it? Do you know who are the most active users from regions? To do the targeting.
The forum will be international, so would like to know which regions are more active or more interesting in online communities.

No, but I can see you can do all that when I tried to do it. I couldn't go all the way because I still owe them a small debt from a long time ago.

 

[Xyphien]

I made a full article on this, and in my opinion as long as you're not using it to promote it, it's a good idea. The cons of having a giveaway off the bat and only promoting that is people will be inclined to join simply for the giveaway. Once the giveaway ends you will be left with an empty forum until you start another giveaway. Market your forum on what it has to offer long-term, versus marketing off of a giveaway. That way those who join are willing to stick around past the giveaway, and view it as a bonus of being apart of the community versus seeing it as the only reason that they joined.

 

[Page]

Once the giveaway ends you will be left with an empty forum until you start another giveaway.

That's why I don't do giveaways other then aiming at members who been apart of the site from 5 months back or are very active based members.

 

[vans]

I made a full article on this, and in my opinion as long as you're not using it to promote it, it's a good idea. The cons of having a giveaway off the bat and only promoting that is people will be inclined to join simply for the giveaway. Once the giveaway ends you will be left with an empty forum until you start another giveaway. Market your forum on what it has to offer long-term, versus marketing off of a giveaway. That way those who join are willing to stick around past the giveaway, and view it as a bonus of being apart of the community versus seeing it as the only reason that they joined.

Yeah that is a good point.
In fact, as I can understand giveaways should only be given for keeping current users , meaning that it'd be an addition that might motivate them to keep being active, am I right?

 

[Jason76]

Giveaways and contests are fine - but they seem to drive in a lot of people who come in, have fun, and never return!

 

[vans]

Giveaways and contests are fine - but they seem to drive in a lot of people who come in, have fun, and never return!

And is there any magical idea to try and "keep" those pople who come in because of giveaways? 🙂 Maybe some clever stuff?

 

[Page]

Giveaways and contests are fine - but they seem to drive in a lot of people who come in, have fun, and never return!

And is there any magical idea to try and "keep" those pople who come in because of giveaways? 🙂 Maybe some clever stuff?

Nope, doing one now and maybe one way is that they have to have over 50 or maybe 100 posts to join!!!

 

[Jason76]

Giveaways and contests are fine - but they seem to drive in a lot of people who come in, have fun, and never return!

And is there any magical idea to try and "keep" those pople who come in because of giveaways? 🙂 Maybe some clever stuff?

Nope, doing one now and maybe one way is that they have to have over 50 or maybe 100 posts to join!!!

You simply have to reach people who love being on your site without being bribed to do so. I mean, people are on social media all the time talking, why won't they do it on a person's forum?

 

[Further]

keep yourself focused, committed, and open to a new connection.