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alisha
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject: What makes a forum popular? |
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What do you think makes a forum popular? I'm not talking about forumbooster or other traffic enhancing systems but the general forum itself. What makes people want to come back day after day and post? For me I like the whole feeling of being in an online community, where you are part of something and there are people who are there to help and support you along the way, whatever topic you are interested in.
Anyway answers on a postcard......! |
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puchchu
Joined: 23 Apr 2007
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:04 am Post subject: |
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| i think the more intresting categories and more number of people make a forum intresting |
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amberlute
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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Good question, alisha! I think there's a number of different reasons and one that you mentioned is a biggie. 
| Quote: | | ...the whole feeling of being in an online community... |
You hit the nail on the head there..to me, it's how it makes people feel that determines the popularity more than anything. If they feel welcome, have fun, meet nice people they'd like to hang out with and know that next time they come there'll be some great new things to read and discover or catch up with, chance are they'll come back.
If there's an admin with staff that's willing to put in that wee bit more effort by keeping things both orderly and fresh, then they'll keep coming and will bring their pals and will contribute their own posts too. It sure doesn't happen overnight but with a lot of dedication plus blood, sweat and tears, forums can become popular. Any new forum owners should take heart that even the biggest forums started with just a handful of members and a few posts.
Lovely to meet you, alisha! |
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cinbadd
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:05 pm Post subject: Forum popularity |
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There are a variety of reasons a forum may be popular. As has already been mentioned, members of a forum like to feel that they are a part of a community. Specific subject matter can be important, as well. Also, people who are friends in "real time" will participate at a common site to chat as a group.
I know when I go to my favorite sites, I like to see that there have been new posts made and new threads started. I look forward to reading what the friends I've made are adding, and I anticipate making new friends, too. Ultimately, it's the peoples' participation that makes a forum popular, whether they be hosts, moderators, loyal members, or newbies wanting to break the ice. |
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FireOnIceŠ
Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 7
Location: Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:27 am Post subject: Forum popularity |
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Active & Sensible Members in the forum captures my interest too, thus for me made the forum popular too because they put "life" in the community.
I have about 5 forums that i visit regularly at least 3x a week simply because I'm interested & always looking forward to read the thoughts and opinions of members who is consistent in the personality/character that they project online (conscious or unconsciously). Those member who always have "something" that is worth reading  |
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cam
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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| I think great topics makes a forum popular. You have to give people something to talk about. If you put together ideas that people find interesting then, I'm sure that you won't be able to avoid having a popular forum. You have to find your niche market. If you have something that you are interested in, then most likely you will find other people who feel the same as you. |
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BlackWatch
Joined: 11 Dec 2007
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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One word, participation. You have to have people signing up and participating in your forum. You have to have content (threads and posts) that will make people want to reply and add their experiences. It's all about getting people to participate....  |
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blackwizard
Joined: 11 Dec 2007
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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The basic fact of making a forum popular, is its Niche, or in simpler words, something liked.
Basically, It revolves around the age group of people you are targetting.
For example, Gaming for kids.
Some of the good niches out there are :
Gaming, Domains, SEO.
One must remember that, there are great competitors out there and you must be unique i your way to get to the peak!
Cheers,
~Wiz! |
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BlackWatch
Joined: 11 Dec 2007
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:40 am Post subject: |
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| blackwizard wrote: | | The basic fact of making a forum popular, is its Niche, or in simpler words, something liked. |
I agree on your comments regarding niches. In deciding on the subject matter of a new forum, I look for areas that I have an interest in and the start researching (using Google) to see if there are any other forums in that niche. My most successful forum was the first forum related to it's subject matter. Now there are probably 10-12 others but they can't catch up. With 4 years, 17,000 (mostly good) members, almost 600,000 posts under our belt it would be very hard to be knocked from the number one position. The niche your forum occupies is very important.... |
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blackwizard
Joined: 11 Dec 2007
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Glad, my words are taken. So, as it shows, Experience and skills plays the game! |
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