Hi Webmasters. First, I would to thank you all for helping me. I have just setup a forum for people to talk and discuss about local businesses. I use VBulletin which I heard is the forum software out there. Everything is setup and working now. However, my biggest challenge is find people to join. I've emailed all my friends and the people I know to tell them about the foru. So far, very few responded.

I've even hold a contest to give a way prizes such as Apple Ipod to try to get people to participate. But it is very slow.

Can I get some suggestions on how I can get my forum started.

The url is http://www.gomaika.com/forum

There are several things you do. I would start by simply having a few of your friends posts. No one will join if it doesn't look active. You said it's local business - so is it specific to your area? If that's the case, try some print/radio marketing if you can afford it. If it's not completely local, try advertising in forum signature links and stubleupon. Keep the site active. Buy advertising spots. I could go on and on.

Local businesses can also be attracted by local advertising. Direct word of mouth. Know anyone in your local Rotary? Chamber of Commerce? Here in my town at a local restaurant, anyone who is anyone goes there on Tuesday nights to socialize and swap war stories. Hope it helps.
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