Convert visitors to members?

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So you want to be a webmaster?

Link exchanges or submitting to directories?

Things you need before you can install a forum

[trebul]

What are some way to try and make a higher percentage of visitors join in on the discussions?  I seem to have been in a lull for getting new members.

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[njoker555]

give them something to come back for, run contests, give valueable information, based on the niche of course.

[Harro]

You can also try to make certain parts of your forum/site private.
Don't overdo it though.
Creating a 100% private forum isn't good (in my opinion).

[njoker555]

not good at all, but dont hide away all the good stuff, list somewhere that Board only accessible by registered users.  works sometimes but no guarantee. you should have a pretty active memberlist at first.

[trebul]

The only board I have hidden from guests is the marketplace, other than that everything else is open to everyone.

[Dude200]

Are you talking about making guests register? Or making them register + post.

The private forums thing might motivate some to register, just to read the posts, but that doesn't mean that they'll post as well.

However, once they are registered, they might feel more motivated to do so.

[trebul]

I would prefer to get them to post.  But I don't mind people that just sign up.

Edit:  Would sending out a newsletter every so often help keep people more active?

[Harro]

Sending a newsletter is definatly good to remind people of your forum.
I only send a newsletter every now and then.
Perhaps once every 1 or 2 months.
But everytime I send one I see people again that didn't visit the forum for some time.
And maybe they didn't post when they came back, they did see any changes and new activity and can return later again.
Always possible that people just forget about your forum and just need a little reminder

[trebul]

Thanks I might have to try it because a lot of people have joined when there wasn't as much on the forum so hopefully they will come back.  Now that activity has picked up a little bit.

[Dude200]

Here's some tips for a good newsletter...

Talk about something interested related to the main theme of your forum + some forum news

For example, you run a business forum, write something interesting about business that recently happened, and then talk about how your forum has progressed, we now have --- members etc.

[Harro]

I always put one of the most interesting new topics in my newsletters.
Together with a few a small list of titles of new topics, stats and a short "news" message.
You can see our newsletters here: http://www.forumaffiliates.net/newsletter-p24.html

[Dude200]

You can also offer some downloads to your users as an incentive. I've seen people give away themes they made, ebooks, or webmaster things like scripts, graphics (banner psds etc).

[trebul]

I sent out my first newsletter today but after I sent it I realized I put newletter...   I hope no one notices lol.

[Harro]

Haha, nice one
Just a little typo, everybody makes them. So don't worry

[njoker555]

i havent sent out any newsletters yet but i do plan to sometime in the future, does html work when sending out newsletter from admin panel in smf? never tried it

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Forum Affiliates Network > Forum > Forum administration > Running a forum > Topic: Convert visitors to members?