Here you go:

http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread16886.html

If your having difficulty getting traffic to your forum and getting people to post to begin with (which is only normal) perhaps take part in a forum post exchange.

I have talked to muliple forum owners who told me they launched using adwords and adsense. you have to spend a bit off the start usually to make it back later.

another option is to ask a few friends to post there and maybe give them free ad space or moderator positions too. the trick is to get at least a core group of people around which give the perception of active discussion.

replying fast and good to posts is a must also

Hi,

I have just launched a discussion board for lawyers viz

I am just inviting lawyers all over to join the community

The best way to forum is to participate in the related forum and promote that you have new site .

Quality is your main friend: good design, unique content and a lot of work. Promote with links in signature and post good messages, not spam. make some exchanges, put the link in free to add directories with pr. Pay some adwords campaigns .. work constantly and you'll make it

hi

If you are really looking to drag traffic to you forums, You have to learn the basic SEO. Its not rocket science , just placing and playing.
You can start with social book marking and tell the people about your website forums. Article Submission, Forum Directories Submission etc.
I am sure you will get traffic now and then.!

STeve

SEO is not the best way to get people to your forums. And most of the techniques you mentioned won't deliver much, if any, traffic.

Most forums are targeted to a niche. So you need to advertise on the sites those people visit (i.e. related sites). You also can participate in other forums of the same niche and put your URL in your signature. You should get a steady stream of new visitors if you participate regularly and make intelligent and helpful posts.

Thanks stymee. Your really a good adviser.