Promoting a "Slashdot" Style Site

[zulufox]

I am getting ready to launch a new site, this one is something completely different than what I am used to. I have always made "content" sites, I write articles, post them, SE gets them, SE brings me people.

However, this new site is very similar to slashdot (in a smaller niche). Most of the site's content is new story submissions (like slashdot), book reviews (like slashdot), interviews (like slashdot).... you get the picture.

If anyone has any experience starting-up a site like this, I'd love to hear your advice.

[trillianjedi]

I have always made "content" sites

You still are, you're just inviting the public to contribute.

It's no different - without content, you will have no visitors. Expect to be writing the first 6 months worth of content yourself. 3-5 articles a day if you can (Google alerts make for great fodder).

If you leave it empty, it will stay empty. I would suggest you have a read through some of the library posts in the community/forum building forum.

TJ

[zulufox]

Thanks Trillian,

One of the neat things about this site is that it is on the same topic as my PHD work will be (next year). I figured since I will be researching heavily in this topic and am expected to be knowledgable, I could kill two bird with one stone if I make a successful site on this topic.

I am thinking of starting out by targeting some easy niches to drive some minimal traffic to the site.