The Truth About Forum Advertising

[tech4talk]

The Truth About Forum Advertising
written by Chris Luongo

Ironic, this is being posted on a forum advertising website. This is a 2 part article series. The second article being on why you should not run a Forum Promotion forum. This first part is about how to REALLY advertise your forum, the correct way.

Forums About Forums
Forum Advertising seems like an idiot proof plan to get people to your forum. So idiot proof, that millions of cookie cutter websites are popping up left and right. "Come advertise your forum for free!" yelling at you. Seems like a win win right? WRONG!

The only time forum advertising on forum advertising forums work, is when your promoting on a VERY large forum promotion forum. Even then, its risky. 3/4 of the people on these sites, signed up to advertise, THEIR forums. Not read about yours, and sign up on yours.

Lets say theirs a category where you post your forum in a new topic. If your on a LARGE promotion forum, there will be 50+ threads a day. People SCROLL through this and dont even look. You will see "Replies: 0" "Views: 5" even days after. People DONT come to forum promotion forums, to find new forums.

Why do these forums exist then?!
Don't get me wrong, it can help. But it depends on so many factors. The community on the forums, what their goals are, if they're for themselves or for others, how large the forum is, how active it is, how many people read it. It goes on and on.

Chances are, its a waste of time. Thats the ugly truth. People will skip over your topics about your forum, and not even flinch. They are their for THEMSELVES. Not you.

These forums are here, for the same reason your forum is there, to make money. (in most cases) Or just the satisfaction of having a large forum full of members. Yes, sometimes the admin might actually care and want to help people promote, but rare.

Advertising your Forum Promoting Forum on a Forum Promoting Forum...wait what?
If you are running a forum that lets people advertise their forums, DO NOT ADVERTISE IT ON A FORUM THATS FOR ADVERTISING FORUMS! Especially if your forum is new or small. People will NOT join it. There is simply NOT enough people on your forum, to even view your topic.

Leave it to the sites already out there, do not create a forum promoting forum. Its senseless.

So how do I advertise THEN?!

See part 2 of my article, coming soon.

 

[Acorn]

Why not, if it's free anyway? If you have a couple hours to blow, it can't hurt to sign up and post your ad around. "Risky" isn't the word I'd really use to describe it, unless you're talking about the risk of wasting a couple hours for a day. Chances are you're putting a lot more time into your forum already anyway.

I agree with you that the forum itself is unlikely to get you many if any hits, and those hits will mostly come from people curious to either affiliate with you, or take a look around to see what your "secrets to success" {or failure} are. Or to review your board, if you signed up for that.

Nevertheless, signing up on a large promotion forum, such as this one, can be helpful because of the community. People can get and exchange ideas for how they CAN promote their boards more effectively. I learnt a lot about SEO, stat counters, stats, and other issues about forum management from browsing the topics here. Plus it's just fun. 🙂

I'm one of the folks who isn't in it for the money. I found a forum in february 2008 that was just a great RPG and community and had great potential, but was suffering from mismanagement that was going to bring it down if I didn't help {and a couple times it nearly did bring it down}. I'd seen how quickly RPGs come and go and how suddenly they can shut down, and I didn't want to lose this game, so after a couple months of wavering, I expressed interest in a staff position and from there the rest is history. So I promote my forum with the intention of keeping it at the top of its game, so to speak so I and my best buddies can continue to enjoy it. I guess you could say that's a selfish want just like money, but what isn't? 🙂

I agree about not wasting your time creating a new promotion forum. The market is saturated, and if you're only plugging away at it for monetary gain there are probably much more efficient ways to do that.

 

[Nathan]

You people seem to forget that;

A) Backlinks are always good from a forum of any size.
B) Even if people don't click your link, your still getting your name out there.
C) If you play you cards right and utilize all the resources around you, you'll find yourself booming in SERP in a matter of no time (you'll see what im talking about in a few weeks or so)

Either way you might find that they don't work, but like I said, if you utlize all the resources around you, you'll find that you'll get members, not only from the advertising forum, but from search engines as well 😉

You know what else is funny? I haven't seen any advertising forum so far which has been in it for the 'money', whereas your site (the tech one) basically says "ADVERTISE HERE NOW!" but yet you think about other people advertising on their forum isn't good and you shouldn't join it. Good luck with part 2, and you should take this post into consideration.

 

[Sparkz]

I find that it helps alot. It is more like....
You show your site, improve it, until someone sees it, and goes wow, I want to join.

 

[hcfwesker]

Here we go again, someone who thinks they have it all figured out ...

Advertising your forum on a promotion forum is "only" optional. they don't guarantee you a gazillion hits, or a gajillion members.

Think about why anyone joins any forum. There's a certain theme, and you join because members have the same common interests.

What makes a promotion forum any different? Did you stop to think that maybe it's just a good place to join, and meet OTHER advertising admins, all with a common goal. To Advertise, and learn how to get their forum to achieve more.

Most members know just posting an ad topic will not do so much. But promotion forums are a common ground for advertising admins, cause they're all here for the same reason.

Same reason why anyone joins any forum out there, common interests! Advertising here is just the icing on the cake while you get to meet and learn from other admins on promoting forums 😉

 

[tech4talk]

You people seem to forget that;

A) Backlinks are always good from a forum of any size.
B) Even if people don't click your link, your still getting your name out there.
C) If you play you cards right and utilize all the resources around you, you'll find yourself booming in SERP in a matter of no time (you'll see what im talking about in a few weeks or so)

Either way you might find that they don't work, but like I said, if you utlize all the resources around you, you'll find that you'll get members, not only from the advertising forum, but from search engines as well 😉

You know what else is funny? I haven't seen any advertising forum so far which has been in it for the 'money', whereas your site (the tech one) basically says "ADVERTISE HERE NOW!" but yet you think about other people advertising on their forum isn't good and you shouldn't join it. Good luck with part 2, and you should take this post into consideration.

First off, you should NEVER use forums as a means to get back links. Thats one of the worst possible ways ever. Its called advertising, not optimization. Good try though.

Next, not necessarily in it for the money, but just the satisfaction of owning a huge community, with plans of selling it FOR money. Ive seen plenty, with google ads plastered all over them. Because honestly, to run a forum where people just advertise THEIR forums isnt that much fun. Now if you created a forum about ADVERTISING in general, and how to's, that would be different.

Second, no it does not say "ADVERTISE HERE!!!" in huge letters, it says "WIN FREE ADVERTISING". Big difference. Its motivation to get people to sign up. Next difference, people come to advertising forums with this mindset "fuck everyone elses site, mine mine mine". People dont come to niche forums thinking that, so if they see an ad for a neat website at the top of the page, theyll sometimes check it out.

Here we go again, someone who thinks they have it all figured out ...

Advertising your forum on a promotion forum is "only" optional. they don't guarantee you a gazillion hits, or a gajillion members.

Think about why anyone joins any forum. There's a certain theme, and you join because members have the same common interests.

What makes a promotion forum any different? Did you stop to think that maybe it's just a good place to join, and meet OTHER advertising admins, all with a common goal. To Advertise, and learn how to get their forum to achieve more.

Most members know just posting an ad topic will not do so much. But promotion forums are a common ground for advertising admins, cause they're all here for the same reason.

Same reason why anyone joins any forum out there, common interests! Advertising here is just the icing on the cake while you get to meet and learn from other admins on promoting forums 😉

Yea...no need to be a d-bag dude. Im not claiming to be a know it all, im sharing what I do know and have experienced myself, sorry it doesnt mold to the general assumptions of the community.

I never said they guarenteed you a million hits, yea, its optional...duh.

And next, I wouldnt say half those "promoting forums" TEACH you how to promote. They just give you opportunities to post topics and have banners. Thats not TEACHING you jack shit. I see forums for ARTICLES but they RARELY have articles on HOW to advertise, outside of forums. Because advertising on forums isnt the ONLY way, and frankly its NOT the best.

Next, sorry if you guys dont AGREE with my article, but really there is no need to get attitudes and give me -rep. Thats so childish and stupid. I never claim to be some great web master God, but you know what, I have learned a lot since a young age and I take pride in that. I try to analyze web tactics and how people do stuff, and so many people just agree with this because everyone else does. Learn to challenge stuff, learn to make up your own thoughts and ideas. If you dont, your just another fish in the sea, playing the same sad old song.

So once again, dont be a prick because you dont agree with me.

 

[Nathan]

You people seem to forget that;

A) Backlinks are always good from a forum of any size.
B) Even if people don't click your link, your still getting your name out there.
C) If you play you cards right and utilize all the resources around you, you'll find yourself booming in SERP in a matter of no time (you'll see what im talking about in a few weeks or so)

Either way you might find that they don't work, but like I said, if you utlize all the resources around you, you'll find that you'll get members, not only from the advertising forum, but from search engines as well 😉

You know what else is funny? I haven't seen any advertising forum so far which has been in it for the 'money', whereas your site (the tech one) basically says "ADVERTISE HERE NOW!" but yet you think about other people advertising on their forum isn't good and you shouldn't join it. Good luck with part 2, and you should take this post into consideration.

First off, you should NEVER use forums as a means to get back links. Thats one of the worst possible ways ever. Its called advertising, not optimization. Good try though.

Next, not necessarily in it for the money, but just the satisfaction of owning a huge community, with plans of selling it FOR money. Ive seen plenty, with google ads plastered all over them. Because honestly, to run a forum where people just advertise THEIR forums isnt that much fun. Now if you created a forum about ADVERTISING in general, and how to's, that would be different.

Second, no it does not say "ADVERTISE HERE!!!" in huge letters, it says "WIN FREE ADVERTISING". Big difference. Its motivation to get people to sign up. Next difference, people come to advertising forums with this mindset "**** everyone elses site, mine mine mine". People dont come to niche forums thinking that, so if they see an ad for a neat website at the top of the page, theyll sometimes check it out.

Combing forums for backlinks along with other resources is actually a great way to get backlinks. They may not be 100% quality, but they are often at a good standard.

Some assumptions you've made which are dead set wrong:

A) People only make promotion forums to sell ad spots.
B) People only make promotion forums to be 'huge'.
C) People make promotion forums so they can sell them later (just because it was done with FP, doesn't mean it will be done with them all.)

You really need to think about your assumptions before you make them.

"To advertise here for just $5 a month, contact Supaafly" is basically the same thing, so don't even bother accusing/critising other people for 'selling advertising spots' on their promotion forum/any forum.

Your really good at making assumptions based on other forums you've seen, when you actually don't know squat, just stick to your own forum, and don't tell other people how to run them/how their going to run them :roll:

 

[Zenrer]

I thought that was the point of this forum, Nathan :lol:

You are completely right though, but FP was only sold because MhW had no time for it and wanted to move on.

 

[Nathan]

I thought that was the point of this forum, Nathan :lol:

You are completely right though, but FP was only sold because MhW had no time for it and wanted to move on.

What's the point of FP? I didn't understand what you mean't 😛

Haha, it was actually Ste that wanted to sell it 😛

Never trust MhW anyway, you can believe that from my experience :roll:

 

[Zenrer]

Ste?

No, I meant this forum we are posting in, Promotion Tips and Tricks

 

[Nathan]

Ste?

No, I meant this forum we are posting in, Promotion Tips and Tricks

Ste is Efc, sorry should have been more clear.

Yeah well not to post rubbish 😛

 

[Zenrer]

Agreed 😛

 

[fantanoice]

Not sure about you, but I certainly look at some of the forums advertised here. :roll: I've also made some pretty good friends here as well and have learnt a lot about Forum Administration.

I guess smaller promotion forums won't get you much exposure, but having a link anywhere is still improving your chances of a new member. (Though on the smaller promo forums I usually just lurk the package forums, teehee.)

But alas, some of the services these forums provide are fantastic. I just wish I had come across these forums earlier in my foruming days.

 

[tech4talk]

You people seem to forget that;

A) Backlinks are always good from a forum of any size.
B) Even if people don't click your link, your still getting your name out there.
C) If you play you cards right and utilize all the resources around you, you'll find yourself booming in SERP in a matter of no time (you'll see what im talking about in a few weeks or so)

Either way you might find that they don't work, but like I said, if you utlize all the resources around you, you'll find that you'll get members, not only from the advertising forum, but from search engines as well 😉

You know what else is funny? I haven't seen any advertising forum so far which has been in it for the 'money', whereas your site (the tech one) basically says "ADVERTISE HERE NOW!" but yet you think about other people advertising on their forum isn't good and you shouldn't join it. Good luck with part 2, and you should take this post into consideration.

First off, you should NEVER use forums as a means to get back links. Thats one of the worst possible ways ever. Its called advertising, not optimization. Good try though.

Next, not necessarily in it for the money, but just the satisfaction of owning a huge community, with plans of selling it FOR money. Ive seen plenty, with google ads plastered all over them. Because honestly, to run a forum where people just advertise THEIR forums isnt that much fun. Now if you created a forum about ADVERTISING in general, and how to's, that would be different.

Second, no it does not say "ADVERTISE HERE!!!" in huge letters, it says "WIN FREE ADVERTISING". Big difference. Its motivation to get people to sign up. Next difference, people come to advertising forums with this mindset "**** everyone elses site, mine mine mine". People dont come to niche forums thinking that, so if they see an ad for a neat website at the top of the page, theyll sometimes check it out.

Combing forums for backlinks along with other resources is actually a great way to get backlinks. They may not be 100% quality, but they are often at a good standard.

Some assumptions you've made which are dead set wrong:

A) People only make promotion forums to sell ad spots.
B) People only make promotion forums to be 'huge'.
C) People make promotion forums so they can sell them later (just because it was done with FP, doesn't mean it will be done with them all.)

You really need to think about your assumptions before you make them.

"To advertise here for just $5 a month, contact Supaafly" is basically the same thing, so don't even bother accusing/critising other people for 'selling advertising spots' on their promotion forum/any forum.

Your really good at making assumptions based on other forums you've seen, when you actually don't know squat, just stick to your own forum, and don't tell other people how to run them/how their going to run them :roll:

Once again, no, its called advertising, not optimization. Thats not how you get back links.

Assumptions? Think about them? I did, thats why i came up with MULTIPLE assumptions. Its a guess, you dont have to be dead set right. That would be a conclusion. Once again, thats like Magellion telling everyone the world might be flat, and everyone just going "Nah your an idiot".

Dude, you dont understand. Thats an ad spot. In small, 12 point font, it simply says "to advertise contact me". $5 a month is cheap is fuck to begin with, im not FLASHING it in peoples faces, if they want it, they can have it. Its ONE spot on my forum, for ONE ad. You SERIOUSLY do not understand the differences here.

Next, I dont know squat? Thats hilarious bud. You dont know JACK-SHI*T about me or what I do, or have done. YOU are make incorrect assumptions right now, thus making you a hypocrite, and a moron. Attacking me because I wrote a simple article with what I believe, NOT FORCING PEOPLE TO DO THIS, but just an article, and YOU attack me for it? Grow up. Seriously, and just leave my thread now, you lose. Game over.

 

[Nathan]

You people seem to forget that;

A) Backlinks are always good from a forum of any size.
B) Even if people don't click your link, your still getting your name out there.
C) If you play you cards right and utilize all the resources around you, you'll find yourself booming in SERP in a matter of no time (you'll see what im talking about in a few weeks or so)

Either way you might find that they don't work, but like I said, if you utlize all the resources around you, you'll find that you'll get members, not only from the advertising forum, but from search engines as well 😉

You know what else is funny? I haven't seen any advertising forum so far which has been in it for the 'money', whereas your site (the tech one) basically says "ADVERTISE HERE NOW!" but yet you think about other people advertising on their forum isn't good and you shouldn't join it. Good luck with part 2, and you should take this post into consideration.

First off, you should NEVER use forums as a means to get back links. Thats one of the worst possible ways ever. Its called advertising, not optimization. Good try though.

Next, not necessarily in it for the money, but just the satisfaction of owning a huge community, with plans of selling it FOR money. Ive seen plenty, with google ads plastered all over them. Because honestly, to run a forum where people just advertise THEIR forums isnt that much fun. Now if you created a forum about ADVERTISING in general, and how to's, that would be different.

Second, no it does not say "ADVERTISE HERE!!!" in huge letters, it says "WIN FREE ADVERTISING". Big difference. Its motivation to get people to sign up. Next difference, people come to advertising forums with this mindset "**** everyone elses site, mine mine mine". People dont come to niche forums thinking that, so if they see an ad for a neat website at the top of the page, theyll sometimes check it out.

Combing forums for backlinks along with other resources is actually a great way to get backlinks. They may not be 100% quality, but they are often at a good standard.

Some assumptions you've made which are dead set wrong:

A) People only make promotion forums to sell ad spots.
B) People only make promotion forums to be 'huge'.
C) People make promotion forums so they can sell them later (just because it was done with FP, doesn't mean it will be done with them all.)

You really need to think about your assumptions before you make them.

"To advertise here for just $5 a month, contact Supaafly" is basically the same thing, so don't even bother accusing/critising other people for 'selling advertising spots' on their promotion forum/any forum.

Your really good at making assumptions based on other forums you've seen, when you actually don't know squat, just stick to your own forum, and don't tell other people how to run them/how their going to run them :roll:

Once again, no, its called advertising, not optimization. Thats not how you get back links.

Assumptions? Think about them? I did, thats why i came up with MULTIPLE assumptions. Its a guess, you dont have to be dead set right. That would be a conclusion. Once again, thats like Magellion telling everyone the world might be flat, and everyone just going "Nah your an idiot".

Dude, you dont understand. Thats an ad spot. In small, 12 point font, it simply says "to advertise contact me". $5 a month is cheap is **** to begin with, im not FLASHING it in peoples faces, if they want it, they can have it. Its ONE spot on my forum, for ONE ad. You SERIOUSLY do not understand the differences here.

Next, I dont know squat? Thats hilarious bud. You dont know JACK-SHI*T about me or what I do, or have done. YOU are make incorrect assumptions right now, thus making you a hypocrite, and a moron. Attacking me because I wrote a simple article with what I believe, NOT FORCING PEOPLE TO DO THIS, but just an article, and YOU attack me for it? Grow up. Seriously, and just leave my thread now, you lose. Game over.

Wow very mature, you barely even make sense. Anyone you can keep posting here, I know im not, it's pointless talking to nothing more then a baboon. Ok, cya.

 

[hcfwesker]

So, what I'm seeing here is, you can dish out criticism very easily ... but you can't take it when it comes back at ya. At least not in a mature manner.

 

[tech4talk]

Dish out criticism? I wrote an article, its not criticizing anybody.

When people come in this thread being douche bags, then im compelled to be a douche bag back. -Repping me because im standing up for my article? Incredible, YOU grow up.

"o0o your so mean to me because i was d-bag to you, heres a -rep!!1!!"

Its an article, I dont expect people to agree. But no need to be a dick. I can take criticism fine baby. And I make no sense? Way to get out of replying to my post, because you have nothing more to say.

 

[Zenrer]

You are so stupid, you criticized not in the article, but after someone criticized you. Also, mutual actions is never the best way out.

 

[hcfwesker]

When people come in this thread being douche bags, then im compelled to be a douche bag back.

So, if someone feels compelled to give their outlook on the topic, they're a "douche bag"? Difference between me and you, is I don't have to resort to insults and name calling. I graduated the 4th grade a LONG time ago 😉

 

[Zenrer]

And honestly, with your belief's tech4talk, if I shoot someone is it OK for them to shoot me back?