Hey guys. This is my first (and most likely not last) post on GameRenders, and I thought I'd start out with a little personal question that I've asked on a couple game design forums. My problem is this: Currently, I run a very small community that focuses mainly on game design, along with 2D and 3D art. Using Google Analytics, I can see that I get about 1000 views every month, and we aren't quite at 1000 posts yet. As far as members go, we only have 2 or 3 members that can be considered active out of the 34 that we have signed up. I've made sure that I'm making the site as efficient as possible, advertising nearly wherever I am on the internet (and even offline, as well), but haven't seen any new content for about 2 weeks. I've read several websites on how to grow your forum's numbers, but I just can't seem to do it. I realize that this section is for general discussion, and I'm posting it on a gaming art site, but I just need a fresh perspective on things, and wanted to see what you guys had to say about it. If you're interested, the link to my forum is http://forum.moltenbytedesign.net. I've had success in the past in running a forum, but for some reason, this just hasn't taken off. If you get the chance, drop on by, and help us out a bit with a couple posts, if possible. Thanks in advance for any insight or visits, Gunn3r
People don't join forums that don't have interesting content or a high user base. You need to run some kind of promotion to attract a base community.
Thanks, inverse. I'll think of a promotion to get going soon, but our main focus is getting a beta of our application out. It's a Steam-like client for independent gamers, and it features a media store (think Turbosquid + Steam). We should be able to start up a beta within a week or two, so that should draw people in. That's a good idea on the promotion approach, though. Thanks again!
I can think of a few, but none would yield greatly, but put together they get a fair few people, but can't think of much. Obvious starts are the 'tell a friend' which im sure you've done, and you've said you already with google and other search engines and their advertising. so affiliates are another step, but you'll have to ask the admins here if they're interested. Promotions has been said. constant tiding of forum (not just posts but the inactive members) doesn't help in terms of gaining interest but, keep you up to date on whos who. people also appreciate it, cos i do, if i go on a forum and i click a member, or go on a post and its like a month old, i just turn right back out. actually a forum that shows how NOT to have you forum is http://joker44.proboards.com/index.cgi? if you see people are just inactive, and its now even used by other people just to advertise to the small handful of members, plus anyone who just happens across it. sorry im not much help -.-
