Webmaster Forums

[Konvict Aftermath]

How can I market my Webmaster Forums?

Any ideas apart from things like Competitions?

[CyberBoy]

Boy will this be hard/costly. Have you took a look at what Tyler has done already? He published this forum and posted up two contests already and gave high prizes out but in return he doesn't get much.

So there you have it, you need some good money to promote it well. Contests/competitions doesn't help reach a lot more audience but it helps get the forum more active. You should consider another type of promotion besides contests. It may even be a lot cheaper but you never know.

I was attempting to create a webmaster forums, but due to the competition out there I didn't. I didn't have the money to enter nor was I ready to.

[trigatch4]

Give up now... oversaturated market.

Unless you have a legion of followers, it'll be impossible to break through. Tyler has 800+ RSS subscribers and $4000+ in prizes and it still isn't easy. Your chances of failing are 99% IMHO. Spend your time on something more unique, because unless you already have a following, nobody is going to follow you.

It might be different if you were trying this in a different niche... that was equally as saturated... but you'll have a hard time convincing webmasteres that your empty forums have any value.

People have a reason to come here. They know Tyler. They've followed Tyler. They like Tyler. He's created somewhat of a "brand"... so what do YOU bring to the table? If not much... I suggest you drop that project and think of something else to pursue.

[CyberBoy]

Besides the webmaster forums market, I really think it's a little to start publishing new forums. Without having anyone know you on the web to help you grow a lot faster, how soon do you think someone would be interested in a dead forum? Probably never until something helps you stand out. Am I right?

Give up now... oversaturated market.

Unless you have a legion of followers, it'll be impossible to break through. Tyler has 800+ RSS subscribers and $4000+ in prizes and it still isn't easy. Your chances of failing are 99% IMHO. Spend your time on something more unique, because unless you already have a following, nobody is going to follow you.

It might be different if you were trying this in a different niche... that was equally as saturated... but you'll have a hard time convincing webmasteres that your empty forums have any value.

People have a reason to come here. They know Tyler. They've followed Tyler. They like Tyler. He's created somewhat of a "brand"... so what do YOU bring to the table? If not much... I suggest you drop that project and think of something else to pursue.

[Trusttec]

If you are serious for a little while you are going to have to pay people to post so it looks like its active. Then maybe install a point system and when people get so many points they get the chance to have a free domain etc. I have seen it work before I am sure it will work again.

[legend]

Man, honestly, it's not worth it. Look at your competition, sitepoint, DP, this site. Unless you have something really unique it's just a waste of time which you could spend developing something else.

[Arthur07]

I wouldn't say give it up but you will need a bit of cash + a few contacts.

First of all, get all your contacts within the industry to signup and use the service. Ask them to recommend it to friends. If your quite networked you should get a few 100 members this way.

Then you can try some advertising but make sure you advertise on relevant sites - you don't want to be throwing your money away.

You can always post a few tutorials on your forums, then add them to a few directories. This should bring in some additional traffic, particularly if they are useful.

Of course a competition does help, you probably don't need to do it on such a grand scale as Publisherforums.com. One prize of $200.00 cash would probably be enough to do it.

Hope that helps :)

[trigatch4]

One prize of $200.00 cash would probably be enough to do it.

I would disagree... just ask Tyler.

He's put together an incredible contest with a ton of cool prizes valued at 20 times the $200 you mentioned... and it's not like this place has been a zoo. I'm surprised because it really is a great contest. Maybe it just needs some time to pick up steam.

[Arthur07]

Theres not a lot of actual cold hard cash involved in the competition though (not that I'm complaining).

I would say that $200.00 was sufficient for a startup forum. Publisherforum is much larger than you think - there may only be 500 members but I presume it gets a lot of traffic since the most users ever online is well in excess of 800.

[trigatch4]

I'm pretty sure that in the past, Tyler has done a CASH contest for this forum and if I recall it was $500+

Tyler? Want to chime in here?

[Arthur07]

I'm pretty sure that in the past, Tyler has done a CASH contest for this forum and if I recall it was $500+

Tyler? Want to chime in here?

Yes there was a contest for $1000 in cash. I'm just saying, some people would still enter if the contest was $200.00. You don't need to go all out, particularly if you're starting up on a budget.

[legend]

Yeah, I agree. You can't build a forum with contests, you can grow one, but not build one. Even growing one is hard by giving stuff away, as Tyler can probably attest to. He has done some great contests (which I wish I would have found out about earlier), only to have 2 people take 80% of the prizes.

[Arthur07]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I'm just saying, if someone can take an idea and can make it better why shouldn't they? Telling people to give up is certainly not the best policy.

[Trusttec]

I feel you would be much better paying $200 to higher some posters to post so your forum looks active and more people will join. This forum is getting more active every day and pretty soon many new members will be signing up and posting its just a matter of time

[trigatch4]

Internet marketing is a business and if you want to be successful you should approach web development with a business mentality. You have to evaluate:

Time vs. Return
Opportunity vs. Risk

Obviously, a quitters mentality won't get you anywhere. I'm simply saying I think his time would be much better spent elsewhere, in a niche that isn't already dominated by a few major players, especially when he doesn't have a brand name, following, finances and other assets to "throw at the wall".

But by all means, prove me wrong. I'd wish you nothing but luck and be the first person to congratulate you upon your success.