Happy Birthday to my Forum

[VanWoman84]

On Monday my forum

ukhippies.boards.net/

Will be a year old. That is, it's when I made the first post. Most of the forum isn't visible to guests, just the Hello section and the General section. The rest of the forum is members only. Despite this, we now get on average over 2000 page views a day, have 928 threads and 23,302 posts!
So far, I don't think that's bad. Things seem to be getting busier, even though we only have 172 members.
What do you think? Am I over the survival hump? Will things get better and better or will it level out now?

[Kami]

Congratulations!

And to be honest I don’t think that’s really something anyone can predict. A year is a significant milestone, but I’ve seen forums close just after their first anniversary. Conversely I’ve seen forums survive an entire decade.

I would say, however, that the chances for stability (at minimum) are relatively high. Whether or not things get “better and better” will be up to you, your members, your advertising, and the content available.

Best of luck!

[VanWoman84]

To be honest, I've done hardly any advertising.
A key core of members (ten or so) came over from another forum when I opened. I've had a few delete, two signed up again and one keeps coming back as a guest.
I've only denied two sign ups, one reported spammer and one an obvious troll.
I've never deleted anything (unless requested) even if there's a bit of a falling out (rare).
All in all I think that's pretty good.

[Kami]

I’m glad that’s worked out! Just so you know I’m not saying advertising is a requirement, just that it (or the lack thereof) will play a part in (but won’t be the sole determining factor of) whether or not things taper off or continue to grow.

[VanWoman84]

Any suggestions? I have tried here. I'm not big on facebook or other social media.

[Kami]

I mean, I have plenty of suggestions. I work closely with marketing in corporate for a big international retailer.

But if you're "not big" on other social media platforms, then the only real solution is SEO & pouring a lot of money into ad campaigns which most individuals can't afford to do, especially if you're running a hobby site (not in a bad way, just to distinguish it from a professional or corporate site).

[VanWoman84]

I think that, as long as growth is steady, I'm happy with slow. My forum is largely closed to guests, and the members like it that way. We have a fair few van dwellers who wouldn't want much of their posting being public.

[Kami]

You do, however, need to be prepared for it to plateau as well as drop off; not because it will happen, but because it’s always good to be prepared for those cases, especially if you are not an aggressive advertiser / don’t have your content open to the public.

Honestly I think tho you’ll be mostly fine. If I search UK hippies or UK hippy forum yours comes up as one of the first results so you’ll definitely attract anyone looking for those keywords.

The only recommendation I have at this point since you’re not looking for advertising tips is to find a theme that’s a bit more contemporary in terms of design methods, and change it up to be more boho/retro in style — but that’s totally up to you.

[VanWoman84]

The only thing I am thinking of doing is making the board titles visible to guests, but not the content.

[Kami]

okay

[Kalo]

Kami,

I agree with many of your recommendations however forums are mostly individually based and not corporate based and the resources available to complete alot of those marketing techniques just aren't there for most people. The best way you can advertise and build your community is networking. Which I believe you did identify as well however your focus was in the social media platform as I observed. Networking can be done both on and off the forums and internet. People use the internet wherever they go and proboards is fortunate in the fact we have a mobility option to review our forums in a limited capacity. If you show people your work that might be interested in the theme outside of the internet - you will build a community both local and global which will ultimately satisfy all optical views of socialization and grow your community to the maximum potential. Encourage your members as their friend to do the same and build a community on word of mouth. This also is a strong indicator of a larger network and could blow your current numbers out of the water if you do it effectively. You never have to spend money to market in the private non retail world you just have to find like minded individuals

Hope this helps you grow for years to come - and above all else, never lose interest in your own community and subject. That is what kills most forum communities as we have seen over years of proboards greats.

Kalo

[Kami]

Mar 18, 2019 18:11:07 GMT -8 Kalo said:

Kami,

I agree with many of your recommendations however forums are mostly individually based and not corporate based and the resources available to complete alot of those marketing techniques just aren't there for most people. The best way you can advertise and build your community is networking. Which I believe you did identify as well however your focus was in the social media platform as I observed. Networking can be done both on and off the forums and internet. People use the internet wherever they go and proboards is fortunate in the fact we have a mobility option to review our forums in a limited capacity. If you show people your work that might be interested in the theme outside of the internet - you will build a community both local and global which will ultimately satisfy all optical views of socialization and grow your community to the maximum potential. Encourage your members as their friend to do the same and build a community on word of mouth. This also is a strong indicator of a larger network and could blow your current numbers out of the water if you do it effectively. You never have to spend money to market in the private non retail world you just have to find like minded individuals

Hope this helps you grow for years to come - and above all else, never lose interest in your own community and subject. That is what kills most forum communities as we have seen over years of proboards greats.

Kalo

What recommendations? I recommended (almost) nothing. Please re-read my post. In fact, explicitly​ stated that my suggestions were pointless because of exactly what you're saying, which is why I refrained from providing any corporate marketing suggestions.

Mar 13, 2019 8:59:48 GMT -8 Kami said:

But if you're "not big" on other social media platforms, then the only real solution is SEO & pouring a lot of money into ad campaigns which most individuals can't afford to do, especially if you're running a hobby site (not in a bad way, just to distinguish it from a professional or corporate site).

(Emphasis added)

That said, I have been in the 'forum' sphere for almost twenty years now, and in the ProBoards sphere for nearly fifteen. I'm fully capable of translating ​​​​​​ the basics​ of online marketing adjusted for hobby forums and little to no budget -- I did it for myself since 2005. I still have yet to spend a single cent on any marketing (though I admit I do shell out for a custom URL).

For example:

• social media engagement (which doesn't have to be advertising, but could be way to increase visibility through SEO + giving already-existing members a way to add it to their friends/family's timelines through their "likes" and various other engagement)
  
  
• making sure that content is indexable by bots (which OP has somewhat covered, to the extent they desire, at any rate)
  
  
• and in an increasingly digital word the electronic "word of mouth" would be through encouraging members to engage in off-site activities that lead people back to the forum which is honestly what any sort of "big corporate" marketing campaign does in addition to their big SEO spending.

An individual who has the time and inclination is fully capable of doing the above without spending a single dime, but the point is moot if OP isn't interested in social media! (I am of course excluding things like mailing lists / newsletters since the people who would be interested in signing up for that would either join or are already members, and any other sort of e-commerce promotion like a sale since it's not that kind of forum).

Of course, I completely agree with word-of-mouth networking IRL too -- it just wasn't a suggestion I personally had because most of my personal​ knowledge is with advertising within the online community.​​​ I'll also acknowledge I could have made it clearer that when I specified the "only" solution was in regards to the internet specifically.

Anyway, the only suggestion I actually made​ was to update their design to a more contemporary approach while still retaining the 'retro' or 'bohemian' theme they're going for, which can easily be done either with help from PB or by making a request in the Theme Request Board. (For free, I might add!)

I appreciate your attempts to be diplomatic about disagreeing with me, but we're actually in agreement that my "professional" advice would be pointless in this case!

[VanWoman84]

I'm glad people are talking about this!
I did a mass email and a couple of existing members logged on after some time. I've had a new member too.
Everybody knows it's posters not high membership that a forum needs.
I might have a go at requesting a new theme.

[Kalo]

Mar 18, 2019 18:48:09 GMT -8 Kami said:

Mar 18, 2019 18:11:07 GMT -8 Kalo said:

Kami,

I agree with many of your recommendations however forums are mostly individually based and not corporate based and the resources available to complete alot of those marketing techniques just aren't there for most people. The best way you can advertise and build your community is networking. Which I believe you did identify as well however your focus was in the social media platform as I observed. Networking can be done both on and off the forums and internet. People use the internet wherever they go and proboards is fortunate in the fact we have a mobility option to review our forums in a limited capacity. If you show people your work that might be interested in the theme outside of the internet - you will build a community both local and global which will ultimately satisfy all optical views of socialization and grow your community to the maximum potential. Encourage your members as their friend to do the same and build a community on word of mouth. This also is a strong indicator of a larger network and could blow your current numbers out of the water if you do it effectively. You never have to spend money to market in the private non retail world you just have to find like minded individuals

Hope this helps you grow for years to come - and above all else, never lose interest in your own community and subject. That is what kills most forum communities as we have seen over years of proboards greats.

Kalo

What recommendations? I recommended (almost) nothing. Please re-read my post. In fact, explicitly​ stated that my suggestions were pointless because of exactly what you're saying, which is why I refrained from providing any corporate marketing suggestions.

Mar 13, 2019 8:59:48 GMT -8 Kami said:

But if you're "not big" on other social media platforms, then the only real solution is SEO & pouring a lot of money into ad campaigns which most individuals can't afford to do, especially if you're running a hobby site (not in a bad way, just to distinguish it from a professional or corporate site).

(Emphasis added)

That said, I have been in the 'forum' sphere for almost twenty years now, and in the ProBoards sphere for nearly fifteen. I'm fully capable of translating ​​​​​​ the basics​ of online marketing adjusted for hobby forums and little to no budget -- I did it for myself since 2005. I still have yet to spend a single cent on any marketing (though I admit I do shell out for a custom URL).

For example:

• social media engagement (which doesn't have to be advertising, but could be way to increase visibility through SEO + giving already-existing members a way to add it to their friends/family's timelines through their "likes" and various other engagement)
  
  
• making sure that content is indexable by bots (which OP has somewhat covered, to the extent they desire, at any rate)
  
  
• and in an increasingly digital word the electronic "word of mouth" would be through encouraging members to engage in off-site activities that lead people back to the forum which is honestly what any sort of "big corporate" marketing campaign does in addition to their big SEO spending.

An individual who has the time and inclination is fully capable of doing the above without spending a single dime, but the point is moot if OP isn't interested in social media! (I am of course excluding things like mailing lists / newsletters since the people who would be interested in signing up for that would either join or are already members, and any other sort of e-commerce promotion like a sale since it's not that kind of forum).

Of course, I completely agree with word-of-mouth networking IRL too -- it just wasn't a suggestion I personally had because most of my personal​ knowledge is with advertising within the online community.​​​ I'll also acknowledge I could have made it clearer that when I specified the "only" solution was in regards to the internet specifically.

Anyway, the only suggestion I actually made​ was to update their design to a more contemporary approach while still retaining the 'retro' or 'bohemian' theme they're going for, which can easily be done either with help from PB or by making a request in the Theme Request Board. (For free, I might add!)

I appreciate your attempts to be diplomatic about disagreeing with me, but we're actually in agreement that my "professional" advice would be pointless in this case!

Kami - I reread your post and I misread your post - for that I apologize. We are definitely on the same page now ^_^

Kalo