I have a few forums I have started in the past that have worked well, and are still growing strong after a few years. On those forums, I made several accounts for myself, a few for family members and we started posting questions and answers using different accounts. With a few dollars of advertising, we had no problems attracting and keeping members.

I have two new forums I have been trying to start up using the same techniques, and neither one can get any traction at all. We get a sign up here or there, but that is about it.

What suggestions would you have for a successful startup?

have you listened to the podcast over at www.forumtrends.com?

the actual site itself also has some GREAT advice called In the Beginning you might want to check out.

Originally Posted by Matthew

the actual site itself also has some GREAT advice called In the Beginning you might want to check out.

Thanks, I will head over there and check it out.

Is there a need for a place to discuss these new forum topics? Generally speaking, if there is a need, and you are available (ie. in search engines, etc.), people will find you and use your resource (provided you have follow basic usability principles and all that).

On the other hand, if there isn't really a need for what you are offering, you will have trouble.

(And please don't take this as criticism - I have noticed that many people don't really research the market very well for their topic before starting. If I were launching a new forum today, I would spend a very long time tracking that niche before I did anything else. Perhaps you have done this, and this little post would benefit someone else. )

Laura

Originally Posted by NBF

(And please don't take this as criticism - I have noticed that many people don't really research the market very well for their topic before starting. If I were launching a new forum today, I would spend a very long time tracking that niche before I did anything else. Perhaps you have done this, and this little post would benefit someone else. )

Laura

LOL, criticism is welcome! I doubt you could offend me anyways.

The two forums in questions have been researched quite a bit.

1. The first one, there is no direct competition at all. The subject is addressed as a part of some larger forums with a broad focus, but nothing directly in competition.

2. The second one, same type situation, but a much larger audience and more direct competition.

I am not really worried about the first one, it will make it. The second one is a bit iffy, but I am pretty confident that once we start really working on it, it will be ready to go.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

have you go some links so i can have a look