Contests are one way but I would try and find some good posters and invite them to come to your site. Heck, if you have money to spend, you might think about giving them some kick backs for bringing people in and adding content. Content is key and so is some type of activity. People need a reason to get there.

I don't know if you have to have all those forums but you might want to cut down on some of them at least for the start. Having too many "empty" forums can be a real deterrant. When people show up and there isn't much activity they might just click-out and go someplace else before even digging into what you already have there.

You don't have to delete them but turn it off in your adminCP until people ask for them or there is already traffic available.

I have over 160 forums at one of my communities but I started out with around 10, I think. People ask for new stuff all the time but I don't add them unless there is enough ongoing demand. Forums that I do open and don't get much traffic, I will often merge or get rid of.

I would spend a lot of time posting links and information where applicable. Dig up any web directories that cover your products. Ask people to add your to their links sections, etc. The hardest part is when you start. You really have to bust your tail. Once you get some good and active members, the word will start spreading.

Rule of thumb.. Most all communities don't start taking off for a year. It took my first community a year and 4 months before it started to really blow up.
I think from December 2001 to March 2003 we ended up with about 2,500 members joining? From March of 2003 to this day, we now have 22,161 members. We've haven't been getting as many as we were lately only because of the upgrading and changes that we have had going on since January but we should be back up to about 150 new members a day and 2,500+ posts.

I truely believe that if you want your community to succeed, you can make it happen. Having a viable concept is important but you have to pour a ton of blood & sweat into it and then chances are you will realize your vision.

my 2 cents.
David

content is important start off with making site related posts(unless your site is a general chit chat site than just post chit chat). also as said above try getting people to link to you. i started my site off by posting my site on top lists and also offering top list services to visitors. you need to get things that will attract users such as an arcade and other fun things and also create threads that will start discussion

I agree with the previous post, I also suggest partnership with other forum owners in related topic like my forums <<urls snipped>> exchanging footer links etc can help boost a partner site
Temi

Hi all! I am new here and i have been reading a lot on this forum and I am having some of the same problems with my site. Cannot seem to get to many people to actually register on my site - automotive addicts. I think, well i know i have created an good environment for others in the automotive field to chat with each other. Just seems like a big hump to get over right now and I am on the wrong side of it. I have not been added to Google yet but that should happen in the next few weeks to a couple months. I am trying to wait it out. Any suggestions?

oh.. if you are wondering my site is << url snipped >> ... I know the automotive industry and I am always doing research and also post a little on other forums. Just i have spent my money and time learning some web development and trying to use my skills to better my site and business.

I run a forum (<< url snipped >>)

I was wondering, what do you guys think could spruce the place up, and how would I achieve getting more members, and if you think the board has potential.

I have the same problem and I can't seem to get anything to work. The biggest problem is getting those first few members to post a bunch, but I can't even find a good base.

I think i have found a good base... just some are not joining/registering for various reasons. I think the lack of initial members to start off is a big problem. If your forum is the exact same as it is now and you have 500 members... other are more apt to join. Simple way forums work. No memebers equals guest just visiting your forum and reading every post on there without contributing to anything meaning never joining! Controversial topics is a good start to get others to register/join because they want to add there two cents to topics that they may highly disagree with or highly agree with or have excessive knowledge on that specific topic.

Hello,
There are very little steps you can take that will eventually bring you more visitors:

Here are a few tips to get your forum going:

1. consider post exchange. Contact other forum owners, and agree to exchange post, this does help kick start a forum. If you forum is empty, potential visitors are a but reluctant to post. I tried post exchange, it help make may forum look busy and after that new members seem to have confidence to register and start posting. I am interested in post exchange with my forums
<< urls snipped >>

2. Give new and existing members incentives, it does not have to be huge, little things could help for example when Gmail invites was still hot, I secured a few and gave it to new members who contribute x amount of post, its did work. You can think of some incentives your members will appreciate.
3. Another reward one which I am currently running is a link for new and existing member, I have a PR4 text link I am offering to existing members and new members who contribute a certain amount of post.
4. Promote your forum. Go to all the directories you can find (a link to about one hundred directories can be found here http://www.ukwebmasterworld.com/webm...opic.php?t=138)
and submit your forum for inclusion.
5. Exchange links with other forums and websites.
6. Set a target for yourself and your forum. (I am also new in the forum game). But I set two targets for my forums. Achieve 1,000 post at by a certain time and achieve 100 registered members at a certain time. I missed one target by the deadline I set I did not achieve the second target but it help focus my goal for my forum.

This is not and exhaustive list, I am sure there are other things you can do, but I STRONGLY recommend post exchange, its a great way to kick start a forum. If anyone is interested in post exchange please contact me.

Good luck with your forum.
Temi