Keeping Members

[Quacker Jack]

One of the forums I work at is struggling right now to keep its member base as it works on its awesome new version. I see major problems when that happens, and I have been trying to help them avoid this, with loads of advertising. But in the end, it doesn't seem to help much.

When your forum is coming into a rough period, how do you keep a member base? How do you gain more members into a dying member base?

 

[David]

If you know how to advertise at the beginning, then you should not really have this issue. If you start promoting and only promote at FP, then you may come to a halt because it is admin dominated so they have their own forums to look after. If you promote in your signature on other forums of similar niche then you've got a much better chance.

To answer your question, I would probably just move on and forget those who don't return. I would look into Web 2.0 advertising as that is a booming industry. I would probably also (depending on niche) look at paid results to get higher rankings if that was an issue.

 

[Nebulous]

Keep in mind that it is the middle of the summer (for the northern hemisphere.. David 😛) and this is the slowest time of the year for forums (from what Ive noticed over the past couple years).

 

[David]

Keep in mind that it is the middle of the summer (for the northern hemisphere.. David 😛) and this is the slowest time of the year for forums (from what Ive noticed over the past couple years).

I must be on one too many Australian based forums then 😛

But seriously, you've got the other half of the world to promote to. If you're only target the northern hemisphere then you're missing out on a lot.

 

[Nebulous]

The majority of forum go-ers on english speaking forums are from North America and Europe though. 😱

 

[David]

The majority of forum go-ers on english speaking forums are from North America and Europe though. 😱

There are at least 5 million Australians who are fluent in English and have fast Internet access. Consequently, there are at least 1 million Australians who are interested in niches that are being promoted around FP. Why can't you get those extra 1 million members?

 

[Nebulous]

I have several Australians and New Zealanders on my forum (one is a staff member). However the fact is most people on forums are from Europe or North America. You will always be the minority. 🙁
You guys are great fun though! I wish there was more of you. 😀

 

[David]

I have several Australians and New Zealanders on my forum (one is a staff member). However the fact is most people on forums are from Europe or North America. You will always be the minority. 🙁
You guys are great fun though! I wish there was more of you. 😀

I know we're a minority; a shame, but we don't really mind 😛

 

[Justin]

:lol: That was awesome.

 

[Grumpy]

One thing is key. Never give up promoting. I learnt this a year or so back. My old forum had no posts in two days, but I kept promoting. A day later, my forum was back to normal.

Just a few rough days occasionally for some forums. 😉