[Sam]

Real members will only show up if either you have a lot of content, offer something unique or because they like you.

Here are my tips for making a popular forum:

1. Have a well thought out forum (design and board management wise).
2. Post new topics in every forum every day.
3. Exchange Posts with other members.
4. An opening contest is always good to get an initial boost.
5. Help members out on their forums and they will help you.

What other ideas have you guys got?

[Mr.Panos]

I would like to add a couple of suggestions:
6. Do not have inappropriate or annoying ads.
7. Use SEO

[Anushajain]

DOn't you guys think that we should have a chat box on forum apart from PM? It will a quite good idea to increase the communication with the members on the forum.

[CyberFreak]

The issue with chatboxes are that they can take activity away from the forum. Rather than posting on the forum, they are instead posting in the chatbox.

[Sam]

DOn't you guys think that we should have a chat box on forum apart from PM? It will a quite good idea to increase the communication with the members on the forum.

Exactly as Fowler says- Chat boxes take away from posting on a forum. Instead, a chat thread might be a good idea. Chat boxes have little / no SEO benefit.

[Brad W]

I never use chat boxes because of the 2 reasons above.

[MoneyBox]

Some great tips guys. My tip is just dedication. Just keep going even when times are slow and then you will get somewhere.

[fords8]

The issue with chatboxes are that they can take activity away from the forum. Rather than posting on the forum, they are instead posting in the chatbox.

I feel the same way about chat boxes.

[jacktheking]

I thought of putting up a chatbox for a few month. So that people will join and be really active. After that I uninstall the chatbox. Will that help me forum?

[draco99]

A chat box is really useful
I have one for my forum and it helps for better communication - and fun

[TimeRider]

The thing matter most these days for a forum to run successfully is contests. Apart from these, you should always advertise your forum wherever possible. Also, SEO is handy to get your forum in No. #1 on SERP.

I think chat box can be great for quick conversation and help.

[MoneyBox]

A chat box is really useful
I have one for my forum and it helps for better communication - and fun

Does it not take away from the amount of posts on your forum though? I know it has for me in the past.

[Travis]

I would say that it is always a good idea to look around on sites like BuySellAds, you can get a lot of members that way.

[Garfiun]

These are some good points, In the past I have made forums for the sake of it and they just fizzle out. My current forum is something personal and will only gain members if they are invited, so it doesn't actually need to be advertised.

[Fergal]

...My current forum is something personal and will only gain members if they are invited, so it doesn't actually need to be advertised.

The idea of invite only forums is an interesting one. Garfiun would you mind saying what the topic of your forum is?

[Garfiun]

Its is for a gaming clan forum. A place that will be used to attract members, new members can only post in the apply section, with details like the games they play, how often they play etc and the current team ( 3 of us) will discuss it over. If we don't think they are right for the clan eg don't play the same games then we don't accept them. It has the sole purpose of finding and creating a team.

[fords8]

Invite only forums work in some cases.

[Fergal]

Thanks for the explanation Garfiun, it sounds like a great way to build a strong community of people that have a genuine interest in the game. I hope it goes very well for you.

[juststeven]

Nice tips there but I think the most important is constant advertising and patience. If you keep trying to create new content and keep advertising there is a high chance your forum will catch on as long as it has a decent layout and design.

[merdinyo067]

the only to create a popular forum is to provide unique content and acceptable website design