Do you advertise your forum?

[Shawn Gossman]

For those of you who pay for advertisements for your forum, how do you do it?

What's your spending budget?

Where do you purchase advertisements?

How do you advertise your forum? (Banner, text, etc.)

Have you found advertising to be a successful way to get traffic to your forum? How about members?

 

[AWS]

Adwords works. I used it in the past and it did very well getting new users signed up. The Google algorithm has a way to get visitors to your site that are interested in your content.

I haven't used it since I re-opened the sites. I will once I get the consolidation of sites complete.

 

[Mike30]

I haven't paid directly for advertising that I remember, It's has been mainly on my signature and on some threads about my projects. MicroLikes and its users did the most part to get known.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I think the best advertising might be relevant forums that use the same software as you.

You already have:
1. Forum people
2. Niche
3. People used to the software

What do you all think about my observations here?

 

[Mike30]

Those are 3 valid points.
About the niche. Also on niches "close" to yours, not necessarily the exact niche only.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Those are 3 valid points.
About the niche. Also on niches "close" to yours, not necessarily the exact niche only.

Yeah, either a direct niche or one that is very close and would benefit the members of that forum.

 

[Mike30]

I believe it's just better on complementary niches rather exact niches.
In complementary niches, creates more value for all (advertiser, forum where advertised and for the user)
In direct niche it creates a kind of competition for the same resources (the end user). Even if the forum allows competition to be advertised

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I believe it's just better on complementary niches rather exact niches.
In complementary niches, creates more value for all (advertiser, forum where advertised and for the user)
In direct niche it creates a kind of competition for the same resources (the end user). Even if the forum allows competition to be advertised

A lot of direct niche might also be the same audience, too. I mean the same people at that. You might be advertising to people who are likely already members of your forum.

 

[Mike30]

I don't know if this relates directly to the thread, but I think it's close.

Example, If your forum is about admins, target those willing to become admins, (not just existing admins or new admins)
On your advertisements, offer them how to become admins of their own forum. Offer some hosting plans, prepare a team to work on their new forum,
offer them moderation/promotion/guides to start on their NEW journey (they will become loyal members to your community)

Don't just advertise your logo or a link to your forum, advertise value

 

[Shawn Gossman]

For this forum (admin forum), I would target just that as you stated.

I'd also be more willing to advertise on forum support forums and general webmaster forums.

I'd advertise on other admin forums, too, but mainly to help them out because I love the niche.