Okay, I launched my new site. Now what?

Levina

Levina

Active member
How or where do I find people to sign up?

My former forum seems to think I'm a threat. They removed a link to my new site from my sig (which is something that is allowed per the forum rules - I put those in myself! 😅 ) And they have taken away my PM permissions. I can't send out PM's. Apparently they are afraid I would start recruiting. I have no intention to. It's a community I helped build and I don't want to harm it, just to get to the staff. What did happen is the staff came over to my site and immediately changed some of the layout on theirs, putting in sidebars where there were none. Copy catting me it seems. So it's rather the other way around.

But anyway, back on topic: where do I find new members?

I'm not on social media. Should I? And then, how does that work in recruiting people there? Any tips, hints, advice? Help maybe even?
 
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Can said:
Unfortunately, forums have lost out to social media. Many of us are experiencing this process and problem of finding members.
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Yes, forums are not what they used to be. I remember on the old forum (Photography on the Net) I couldn't keep up with daily traffic. Just a steady stream of new posts. From about 2014 traffic began to slow down and in the end only about 1200 people were still active. And then those moved over to FoP.

80sDude said:
The main piece of advice that I’ll give you is just have fun with it. It's not easy to make it thanks to the walmart of forums social media, quora and reddit but nothing can stop you from enjoying your forum.
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That is such a great thought. And you are right. It is also the reason I started my forum: the fun I have in creating it, tailoring it to what I think it should look like (still a work in progress), designing styles (I love that, also still very much learning). I just love the work and I love the interaction with people. So yes, the enjoyment is a big factor for me. Thank you so much.

Brian Jones said:
People, as a whole, like colors and pictures. May help to put your article widget in the top spot above the forums. Looks like you are using @Bob AMS, has very good widget for that.

Lots of content, and make sure the search engines are checking your site.
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I had that initially, but changed it around because images are always the major focus point on a photography forum. I just wish I had a better widget for those images. Like I said before, I would love a media wall with justified images.
 
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Levina said:
Oh my. I have three new members. Two are posting, started threads.
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I've sent you some more links on Administrata with places where you can advertise on. ;)

Some swear this is pointless, but I've always done it. It's good to have some initial group to register and discuss and from there you can move forward to organic growth.
 
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CedricV said:
I've sent you some more links on Administrata with places where you can advertise on. ;)
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Thanks very much, Cedric. Much appreciated.

CedricV said:
Some swear this is pointless, but I've always done it. It's good to have some initial group to register and discuss and from there you can move forward to organic growth.
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That is my thinking too: a small, active user base to start with and then grow from there.
 
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Developments. A dozen people I know joined tonight, some good friends that came through for me.

Traffic and stats now:

Focus stats.webp

Forum stats.webp

I know it's early days yet. But happy with these developments.

I want to thank everybody in this thread and those who PM'd me for their advice, help and encouragement. It's truly much appreciated. 🙏
 
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Open a membership every day. Each member produces content and responds as admin. Do this for a long time. Open 20 members per day. Each member content questions etc. enter. Reply as an admin or open a fake moderator. Keep doing this until real members arrive
 
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Two of the googlebots are trying to register?

I take it it's just crawling all corners and it doesn't mean anything, right? Except I would expect a warning sign behind the name and there isn't any.

Scherm­afbeelding 2025-01-12 om 14.02.22.webp
 
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Write a few good photography articles and join some photographer facebook groups, claim you are new to the hobby and would love some input on your blogging of what you learned so far and link your article. Be sure it has a great title and eye catching image for open graph to use in your post.
 
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My thoughts....

Are there any current controversial topics in photography? Start some threads based on those topics. Post in the form of a question that will provoke responses. Don't be afraid to go way out on a limb, topic-wise.

Or just post a question topic...
"How do you _______ (some technique or method or approach to something?"
"What is the best way to __________?"

I call it "priming the pump." The admin / owner has to be willing to create content. Lots of it. But leave it open-ended such that others will be compelled to put in their own "two cents" worth of opinion.
 
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ForumFan said:
My thoughts....

Are there any current controversial topics in photography? Start some threads based on those topics. Post in the form of a question that will provoke responses. Don't be afraid to go way out on a limb, topic-wise.

Or just post a question topic...
"How do you _______ (some technique or method or approach to something?"
"What is the best way to __________?"

I call it "priming the pump." The admin / owner has to be willing to create content. Lots of it. But leave it open-ended such that others will be compelled to put in their own "two cents" worth of opinion.
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Excellent suggestion. I can think of a few question topics right away. Thanks!

And by the way, we now have 46 members. Board is pretty lively. Obviously some natural dips during the 24 hour cycle when a time zone enters into the night. But it's going pretty well.
 
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Levina said:
Excellent suggestion. I can think of a few question topics right away. Thanks!

And by the way, we now have 46 members. Board is pretty lively. Obviously some natural dips during the 24 hour cycle when a time zone enters into the night. But it's going pretty well.
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I took a peek at your forum. Looks like you're off to a good start!

Another suggestion, which will meet some resistance here, is to have an off-topic section. In my opinion, topic-focused forums attract members for the main topic, of course. BUT... the main topic can get repetitive / boring to seasoned hobbyists or professionals. So their participation may wax and wane.

However, having sections that are off-topic can do two things. First, it adds another facet, constantly adding fresh topics to the forum. Secondly, it keeps people interested and coming back for more discussion. An example would "Current Events." And if you're adventurous.... "Politics." Or even "Photographers in the News" (where the photographer BECOMES the news). You could add sections that pertain to other hobbies common among photographers but not related to photography. A photography forum might also have a section about "Hiking & Camping." For example... a forum about cars could have a section about watches. A lot of "car guys" are also "watch guys." Just some ideas. :)

Just like in real life... You can be a member of a local Archery club. You make friends with other archers. You go have beers and lunch. Do you ONLY talk about archery? Probably not. Other subjects may come up and generate conversation. That's how conversations happen in real life. I submit that it's the same with forums. They originally COME for the interest in common.... Photography..... Cars.... Watches... Astronomy.... Aquariums.... Dogs.... whatever. But they STAY for the COMMUNITY that is created. A common specific interest may initially forge a friendship. But the friendship persists when they find OTHER commonalities.

Oh! No matter what the specific hobby or focus is... Everyone likes HUMOR! Have a humor or jokes section! Always popular.

My family visited your country several years ago and really enjoyed it! A few (of hundreds) photos attached! I used to be into photography but fell out of the hobby. These were all taken with a simple phone camera. Some day I'll get back into it. But I've got enough expensive hobbies as it is!
 

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ForumFan said:
My thoughts....

Are there any current controversial topics in photography? Start some threads based on those topics. Post in the form of a question that will provoke responses. Don't be afraid to go way out on a limb, topic-wise.

Or just post a question topic...
"How do you _______ (some technique or method or approach to something?"
"What is the best way to __________?"

I call it "priming the pump." The admin / owner has to be willing to create content. Lots of it. But leave it open-ended such that others will be compelled to put in their own "two cents" worth of opinion.
Click to expand...
You may want to watch out with controversial topics. You could attract the wrong kind of reply.

I've got that explained here:

Engagement - Are controversial topics a key to engagement?

Every community leader wants an active community where members are constantly engaging. But let’s face it - controversial topics often get people talking faster than anything else. Think about it’s heated debates, polarizing opinions, or sensitive subjects, these discussions seem to spark more...
administrata.net administrata.net
 
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CedricV said:
You may want to watch out with controversial topics. You could attract the wrong kind of reply.
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That's the idea! LOL!

I was mainly referring to controversy within the specific hobby. Controversial topics within Photography, in this case. If you're involved in any sort of hobby, you'll find there are STRONG opinions about various specific subjects. I'll make one up.... "Which is better? Zoom lenses? Or primary lenses?" Or.... "Mirrorless cameras suck. Here's why!" Stuff like that. Be provocative. That's what gets people furiously typing on their keyboards! :) In other words.... it precipitates ENGAGEMENT.

If it occasionally brings in some ne'er-do-wells.... So what? We're adults, right? I don't believe in "safe spaces" or sterile social environments.
 
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ForumFan said:
That's the idea! LOL!

I was mainly referring to controversy within the specific hobby. Controversial topics within Photography, in this case. If you're involved in any sort of hobby, you'll find there are STRONG opinions about various specific subjects. I'll make one up.... "Which is better? Zoom lenses? Or primary lenses?" Or.... "Mirrorless cameras suck. Here's why!" Stuff like that. Be provocative. That's what gets people furiously typing on their keyboards! :) In other words.... it precipitates ENGAGEMENT.

If it occasionally brings in some ne'er-do-wells.... So what? We're adults, right?
Click to expand...
And before you know it your so called adults drive away other members. ;)
 
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