Starting Out

My first forum!

[Livenomadic]

I've just about to launch a revised verson of my main site, it is now (literally.. I calculated it) 750% larger than it was.

I do not receive a lot of traffic currently, but home to start recieiving a bunch when I launch my revised version.

What do you suggest forum-wise for a first time community develoer?

1. One forum (until it reaches a tipping point) or many?

2. How do I promote people to post in the beginning?

3. Should I have fake discussions to promote discussions?

Thanks!

[rogerd]

Congratulations on your first forum, livenomadic. There have been some good suggestions for jump-starting new forums in the Starting a Community [webmasterworld.com] thread, as well as other threads in the Community Building Library [webmasterworld.com].

If your forum topic would lend itself to 3 - 5 subforums, that would probably be a good starting point. If a few of them take off, you can look at the types of threads and perhaps spawn some addional topics, eventually adding grouping as needed. Good luck!

[faltered]

roger: Thanks for those links. I'm also starting a new forum. Some nice tips there.

Livenomadic: Good luck with your new forum!

[rogerd]

Good luck and don't falter, faltered... :) Come back and let us know how it's going.