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138512
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Nov 18, 2014 21:12:50 GMT -8
Cuethelaugh
612
March 2009
cuethelaugh
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Post by Cuethelaugh on Aug 28, 2014 13:15:41 GMT -8
I advertise a lot and I'm constantly googling the name of the show that my roleplay stemmed from trying to get hits. There's some other groups on sites to help with that too and I've been having some luck.
Above all logging in EVERY day to at least check in (and even posting) definitely helps. Members don't want to be a part of a site where the admins aren't active.
I would LOVE to get my site up to 500 guests a day (right now we're in the 100-200 range). Would love to know how you guys accomplished that. Do you think it's the site topic or how you advertise?
Thanks in advance!
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inherit
170169
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Sept 3, 2024 0:22:10 GMT -8
Mid
273
August 2011
midnightsoul
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Post by Mid on Aug 28, 2014 14:33:35 GMT -8
I advertise a lot and I'm constantly googling the name of the show that my roleplay stemmed from trying to get hits. There's some other groups on sites to help with that too and I've been having some luck. Above all logging in EVERY day to at least check in (and even posting) definitely helps. Members don't want to be a part of a site where the admins aren't active. I would LOVE to get my site up to 500 guests a day (right now we're in the 100-200 range). Would love to know how you guys accomplished that. Do you think it's the site topic or how you advertise? Thanks in advance! Bit of both for me. Warriors is a pretty popular subject, which also means there is a lot of competition. My forum went through a pretty rough time a few years back when I was busy playing Minecraft with my friends (we were all obsessed with it at the time) so I wasn't spending as much time on it and it nearly died, but now it has around 40-50+ active members. After 3 years, not a lot of advertising really needs to be done anymore. We love new members, but most people are able to find us pretty easily nowadays, though I do like to hold advertising contest types of things every few months or so. We're all over ProBoards forums and are listed on some topsites as well as search engines. It really is based on effort and time. When your forum is only open for a month, the ads haven't really "sunk in" yet usually. It can take a year+ before you get some really good activity from all of the ads you've been pasting all over the place. It helps if you enjoy advertising. I've met very few people who actually enjoy advertising like I do, but if you loathe doing it, your forum's probably going to fail, because it takes more than 50 ads to get it somewhere. Mine has at least 1,000 out on different ProBoards forums and I can usually hit about 30 ads in an hour if I have no distractions. I've actually never understood the hate toward advertising - I love seeing how other forums have things set up - their rules, layouts, etc. It's always been a pretty entertaining thing to me, but most people find it boring. The more you advertise, though, the better.
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212226
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Nov 20, 2014 6:06:12 GMT -8
loonawynd
27
August 2014
loonawynd
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Post by loonawynd on Aug 29, 2014 5:53:12 GMT -8
Same, I've got no idea how to get this. I've also got people that view, but only 19 people have registered. Maybe I need to reskin the forum? I've got no idea I have no idea how old your forum is, but trust me, it takes a long time. In my experience, large population bursts in the beginning of a forum's lifespan often fizzle out not too long after. If it starts out small and steadily grows bigger, that's good. Running a forum takes a lot of dedication. I've been running one of mine for three years and I can safely say that my name has been in the "online in the past 24 hours" every single one of those days. I've never met another admin who has been able to do that, but if you can do that, it helps, trust me. When I'm on a forum, if the admin's name isn't in the "online in the past 24 hours" list, I start to wonder if they'll come back or not. Even if you're just quickly logging in on your phone and don't have time to do anything else, your name being in the list means something. I'm on mine every day.
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207574
0
Jul 18, 2016 17:53:18 GMT -8
bellsprout
222
April 2014
bellsprout
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Post by bellsprout on Aug 30, 2014 5:54:35 GMT -8
I usually try to advertise and become an affiliate with popular Proboards sites- namely Warriors because that's what my forum is about- and I usually try to ask people to check out my site. My staff and I try to work as a team to bring more members into the site, and it's doing well. The only problem is that most members on my site came from WCRPG or Xanje, and those are popular forums.
Currently COAW- my site- is not trying to go into competition with big sites like WCRPG, because we feel as if that's kinda pushing our members, and it'll just drive them away. And I'm usually on every day, posting a few threads so members can voice their opinions and suggestions for the site, and we try to help members that are lonely, confused, etc..
Despite my site not being active, I find it as a nice little forum area. It still needs some improvement, but it's still a big achievement of mine and the staff.
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Ward
New Member
Oscar Company is recruiting!
Posts: 141
inherit
202368
0
Feb 1, 2022 14:08:53 GMT -8
Ward
Oscar Company is recruiting!
141
November 2013
jonathanward
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Post by Ward on Sept 3, 2014 18:35:08 GMT -8
I run a Halo military RP centered around a platoon of UNSC Marines. I have a handful of dedicated and relatively active members, most having stumbled upon the site by accident or through advertising.
I've advertised pretty much everyone I can think of and my site was added to Google and I believe Yahoo!. We're a part of the PB Directory and I'm a part of several sites where I link to my site via my signature.
We get a lot of guests per day, but we only ever get new members every few months it seems. And sometimes they register and then never log on ever again, even after we send them an E-mail to make sure they hadn't lost the URL. I understand we fill a kind of niche, but I really would like to get more players.
I even had us receiving opinions about our site and, well, while we did get some reviews it seemed that thread was largely ignored. We appreciated the reviews we did get, though.
I guess my site is the type that builds up members slowly. Which, I'm happy with the members we have as they're a wonderful bunch, but I definitely wish we could get at least a few more.
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212226
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Nov 20, 2014 6:06:12 GMT -8
loonawynd
27
August 2014
loonawynd
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Post by loonawynd on Sept 3, 2014 19:18:54 GMT -8
I guess my site is the type that builds up members slowly. Which, I'm happy with the members we have as they're a wonderful bunch, but I definitely wish we could get at least a few more. Word of mouth is really the only way anything grows online. There are so many websites for everything that its easy to get overlooked. Like you I'm getting a lot of guests but not always a lot of new members registering or even posting. So I have the link in my sig in a few places and I've told different social media outlets about it. That's really all I can do. Over time I will get more people to join and post in discussions but for now its quiet.
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212958
0
Oct 19, 2017 20:43:04 GMT -8
jajabad
72
August 2014
jajabad
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Post by jajabad on Sept 10, 2014 10:03:54 GMT -8
Are forum directories effective? Which ones would you suggest?
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212226
0
Nov 20, 2014 6:06:12 GMT -8
loonawynd
27
August 2014
loonawynd
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Post by loonawynd on Sept 13, 2014 4:17:52 GMT -8
Are forum directories effective? Which ones would you suggest? I just had a new member just do a search for witchcraft forums and they found me. So I would say they can be if you have a proper description that matches your forum
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212958
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Oct 19, 2017 20:43:04 GMT -8
jajabad
72
August 2014
jajabad
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Post by jajabad on Sept 15, 2014 11:15:11 GMT -8
thank you for your help.
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212226
0
Nov 20, 2014 6:06:12 GMT -8
loonawynd
27
August 2014
loonawynd
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Post by loonawynd on Sept 15, 2014 17:53:58 GMT -8
Not a problem. I don't know if registering with Google or other search engines cost anything but that may also be an effective way to increase traffic to your forum and get active members.
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inherit
205542
0
Nov 26, 2024 15:47:29 GMT -8
Sonikku1011
Gotta go fast!
235
February 2014
sonofstone
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Post by Sonikku1011 on Sept 16, 2014 8:48:59 GMT -8
Most of my traffic came from this place, but I also indexed my gaming forum on Google as well. So some of my traffic must have come from Google as well. Haven't posted the link anywhere else yet really but I plan on doing some research before promoting my site on different promotional sites. Might check out a directory as well too.
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212226
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Nov 20, 2014 6:06:12 GMT -8
loonawynd
27
August 2014
loonawynd
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Post by loonawynd on Sept 16, 2014 20:21:22 GMT -8
Most of my traffic came from this place, but I also indexed my gaming forum on Google as well. So some of my traffic must have come from Google as well. Haven't posted the link anywhere else yet really but I plan on doing some research before promoting my site on different promotional sites. Might check out a directory as well too. I dont know how much of my traffic comes from here. I just know that a search for a forum with my subject matter was done and my forum came up and a member joined for that reason. This is why I say directories and proper descriptions are useful tools. Aside from this forum (where I have a thread to advertise and its in my sig) I really haven't done much directory wise. I have posted on a few Facebook groups, blogs, and other social media sites the link. How many members I have gained in such fashion I don't know I just know I have seen an increase in traffic on the days I have posted links on social media pages.
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212226
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Nov 20, 2014 6:06:12 GMT -8
loonawynd
27
August 2014
loonawynd
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Post by loonawynd on Sept 16, 2014 21:43:20 GMT -8
How did you get traffic to your forum? list free ways **Sorry if this wrong place or not allowed** I've used social media (facebook groups and personal FB pages, Tumblr, blogs, Twitter, mailing groups etc) and I have links in my signature on a few forums. This is the main way I have attracted attention.
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inherit
212226
0
Nov 20, 2014 6:06:12 GMT -8
loonawynd
27
August 2014
loonawynd
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Post by loonawynd on Sept 16, 2014 21:44:19 GMT -8
Has any one else used blogs and facebook for forum promotion?
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Former Member
inherit
guest@proboards.com
155913
0
Nov 27, 2024 9:21:46 GMT -8
Former Member
0
January 1970
Former Member
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Post by Former Member on Sept 17, 2014 5:14:32 GMT -8
Well I'm still slowly getting more members. I have 150 and have gained about 15 in the last 4 or 5 days. First and foremost, understand that I left my site abandoned for months at a time before and had NO new members sign up in that time period. But I have went on an advertising binge with ambition to get my site back on the roll in the last week. So as I'm not a pro at this, I have done my research and have been at this for about 10 years, and this is what I have learned: Your Forums LayoutThe first thing to consider is the look of your forum. If tables and images are all uneven and crammed, it just looks unprofessional. No matter what type of theme your forum applies, it needs to be a clean look. The next thing to consider is how easy it is for your guests and members to get around your forum. I always think the first thing visitors should see is a message stating "what your forum is about". You can see my forum where I have a welcome message describing what we are all about on the top of the main page. Also a "getting started" section is almost imperative. It helps members know what they should do at your forum. If they are confused, or instantly annoyed out of confusion, they will leave and never return. Here is my "getting started" message. So, basically your forum needs to be attractive in every aspect. Getting guest to your site is a small part of the mission. Getting them to sign up for a membership is another small part. Getting them to stay active is key. Your Forums Content
Always have something happening at your forum! It keeps your forum active and your members engaged. For instance, right now I have a rap battle league taking place on my forum. It keeps members active and gives them more reason to be there. You could have a contest of some sort also. Another thing that I have is a "Question of the week". This really helps members stay engaged. So, just remember that you are the one who is going to get the ball rolling, not your members. It's up to you to think of fun and engaging activities or discussions.
Social MediaConnecting your forum to social sites is very effective. The best way to do this is to add their buttons or links to your forum. It's basically like the golden #1 advertising strategy in the real world: Word of Mouth. Adding a Facebook link gives your members the convenience of sharing your forum with their friends. Which is then shared with their friends friends and so forth. Twitter is really effective too. Because as soon as you start your Twitter account for your forum, they'll give you a long list of 50 or so people to follow. And in your first hour, you will have 20 or so followers. That's an instant audience of 20 heads, and it just keeps growing rapidly. You just tweet what's happening on your forum and leave a link every time. It will bring visitors surely. Instagram's another one. Joining Forums Like YoursThis is kind of evil, but join forums like yours and PM their members. You can't just say, "Hey, come join my forum!". They obviously already have a forum that they are a member of, so they won't be too intrigued on joining yours. But if you have something to intrigue them .. like, "Hey, I have a contest taking place for ..... "whatever", and you're free to enter it.", And then leave a link to your forum, they will be intrigued. Of course you really do need a contest to be available if you say that. This will most likely eventually get you banned from a lot of forums, but who cares, right! Advertise on ProboardsAs you can see, I have my forums logo in my signature here which links to my forum. Proboards doesn't mind, and it gives me another instance of advertisement every time I post. Also, use their advertisement board. I know I have gotten a couple of members from that. Use their "Get Opinions About Your Forum" board also. Here is an instance where a person who was rating a forum actually joined it. Be Active EverywhereLike me, right now i'm being active. Yes I am helping you with some great tips. But I am also spreading the word on my forum at the same time. As I already mentioned, my logo is going to be at the bottom of this post, I added a link to the beginning of my post here, and I have talked about my forum a lot. Take your forum with you everywhere on the internet.Sign An Advertising ModeratorOf course you are not going to pay them, so if they don't do their job, at least it was worth a shot. But their job is to solely bring members. It's just nice to know that you have somebody on your team. If you put a "Need Moderators" post up, you'd be surprised of how many are willing to help! Also, make sure that your moderators always welcome new members. Submit Your Site To Major Search EnginesI've done this a lot throughout the years because I've always read about it, but I'm not sure how well it really works. Although I've read that it can be very effective. I've never seen my forum at the top of the search page. OverallThe best thing is just to be active and prepared for the long time consuming road ahead if you want success. It takes a lot of work to get your forum active. Of course there are them few that just blow up over night, just like there are them few people who win the lottery. But in most cases, it's hard work. Good Luck.
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