How to market New Small Biz Forum

[bizdev]

So, is there a better way to market a new forum?
Those of you that added forums to your sites, how did you get the word out? Do you use the same tactics that you use to market your main site? How long before you saw meaningful numbers (visitors)?

Please take a peek at my brand new forum and ofer your advice (and register while you're there ).

[Lynn Terry]

Hi Sylvia,

The first thing you will want to do is email your subscribers and invite them to the forum. Your "warm market", or people who already know and like/trust you are most likely to take you up on a direct invitation.

You will also want to promote the forum on each page of your website. A link in the navigation of course, but you can also link to specific discussions that are related to content on specific pages - giving your visitors the opportunity to "discuss the topic".

Another great place to attract new forum members is in existing forums on the same topics. Since those people are already familiar with forums, know how to use them, obviously enjoy the discussions, and dont mind signing up for one... they are an ideal group to introduce your own forum too. You cant spam in other forums, of course, but you can run an interesting signature and get involved in the discussions, which is the best way to indirectly invite them over!

[angelaaa]

I don't mind helping you out -- I will link you from my WAHM Blog.

Everybody's got to start somewhere, right?

Angela

[*Delecia*]

I post in many other business type forums, and put a link to my forum in my signature. That is a great way to market your forum.

We also have a link to the forums in the navigation which is on every "main" page.

Have you thought about a press release?