Starting from zero
 

Ok, with a site that has no members, no posts, no threads; What is the best way to generate membership? Advertise in a newspaper? Advertise online? SEO optimization? Everyone started with no members. How were the first 500 members attracted to a new site? How did they even know it was there? What can I do to make my site seen and encourage people to sign on as a member?

I've started a single city forum. It has forums for everyday life, food, things to see, shopping places, housing and the night-life. I've lived in this city for more than 30 years. I know that thousands of people would love to be in my group IF they knew about it and IF there was something there to see already.

I've started posting myself, but that's one person. Tell me how to get this thing moving.

Any local newspapers? Or bulletin boards where flyers are posted for upcoming events?

well my friend...im just a newbie to all this too... (my site has been up for 3 months now) so theres a few things i can help with...

Start posting the name (and link) to your site everywhere! Like now..in your post..you should have your link right there...i know i would of clicked on it to see what it was like ;-)

also..friends and family. Get anyone and everyone to join and start posting. The more active posting, the better the search engines will pick up on it. Also, who hosts your site...make sure you check their site cuz im sure they have some kind of search engine help ( i know mine does)

The forums your a member of now..is your site in your sig? If not it def should be.

Trade links with people..I'll definitly trade links with you..i own a car forum.

Also..this aint the best place for finding this advise...check out vb.com/forum...theres a lot of good posts over there pertaining to this topic..

hope this helps...Like i said...im only 3 months into the game and i'm scraping by with the bare minuimum of members...

p.m. me if you would like to talk more ;-)

vb.org does not allow advertising. A link in your signature is fine, but please don't post links to your site for advertisement purposes. They will get removed.

Thanks for the hints folks. I'll check out the threads on the vB site.

I think I'll put an ad in the two local papers.

The site is for St. Augustine, Florida.

Sorry, I misunderstood the rules and had a link to my site in my post.

I just came back from 2 weeks in Satsuma and spent a lot of my time in St. Augustine. I'll tell my Florida friends to go and sign up at your site.

Print up some fliers and put them at the pier, the flea market by I95, and the places of interest like the fountain of youth, and that area where no cars are allowed on the streets. It'd also be helpful to get word out at the local schools.

You might also want to make deals with local businesses to direct customers to them, and have them send members to you. Most people will do anything for free advertising, so if you could get fliers on the counters of every Kangaroo within 15 miles, you'd be in good shape very quickly.

Thanks, GasketCase. Those are good ideas.