Forum promotions?

There are more and more forum promotions these days than ever before, you may have noticed the "win an ipod" banner, I can't really talk as we hold our own promotions as well. I'm just wondering what everyone thinks about these type of contests? The type of contests i'm specifically refering to our the referal ones, where you have to refer x friends to join for a chance of winning.

Do you think it's a good way to kick start a community? Have you actually joined a forum because of the incentive of winning a prize? And finally, what sort of promotion attracts your attention?

Personally, I'm not a fan of "referal contests" they just end up bringing the wrong type of people, they bring posters and not long term members. I think by giving away prizes more relevent to the community (like we give away sitepoint books, vb licenses, advertising, banners) it keeps people interested.

I've started a prize draw on my new forum for a free PSP and game (it's a PSP website). The first 200 people to sign up and make 10 posts get put in the draw.

I did the promotion this way as I have quite a bit of traffic coming to the site that isn't converting into members but it just doesn't seem to be working.

Does anyone have any ideas for what might work?

Well Jops, don't think simply because you're holding a contest the people participating will suddenly become regular posters at your forum.

For one, i've looked at your site and it's not that great (design wise) the forum is very dark, it needs to be lighter and more appealing...it looks very generic at the moment. Secondly, you need to be creating threads for discussion, even if no one else is posting, make topics to get others involved. Last but not least....where are you promoting this contest?

yeah I am with you Robson I hate referal promotions and contests. They happen quite alot. But what is going to happen after that person does win that prize, they probably will stop posting. I am in the process of making a site, I am working out a plan to make it SEO and market it but I am trying to steer clear of these sort of things.

I also think that if somebody is holding a competition like that, it usually reflects the admin's inability or laziness to market there own site.

I have some stuff like that, but it's geared towards my existent members, not a lot but I do have a bunch of good posters. They get promotions, banner ads and stuff like that, or some templates I designed. I have a cash mod installed so that they can "buy" stuff with the "money". I am no longer looking to attract a lot of people since I want few, but heavy posters. I had my share of lurkers and spammers, now I am just taking it easy and creating a so called community spirit.

Contests can sometimes work, but I don't think they are a winner all the time. We need to create a nice atmosphere and yes, a lot of topics

I was interested in that free IPOD that keeps flashing in the banner on top of TF for ewebtalk. However when clicking the link, it comes to say I've been IP banned. Well managed website I suppose--since I've never visited it before that.

Anyhow, I think they work and they dont work. Some users will be all for it, as where some just want to use the forum or take the information from the board and not worry about all the little promos or politics.

Well, I think its a good way to open things. I've been making a site in the background with my design work taking the forefront. And when its ready, (should be quite soon) the money that i have saved on the hosting (free) and not going with vbulletin and doing the design work myself, and also exercising some links in the field that the forum is centered around i should be able to offer a big promotion to "cut the ribbon" so to speak.

Its not a way to get regular members (even though they might turn out to be) but i think its a good way to open or start something new. The site i'm working on is not business like in the slightest just a themed community. I too would be interested in knowing as posters what people think of this idea?

As with robson: the price package is going to be themed to the site, as it will save me and my partner money with the links we have. I've just not thought of what the promo will be yet!

Hi,

Coming from an everyday users perspective and not the marketing side. They are alright. However, I see these kind of content so much that it is old. A certain forum to increase posting does a Member of the Year award for prizes and free gas money each week. You need to be creative and sometimes giving something away is not always the best way to do it.

Lets say you spend $80.00/Ipod and you give away 6. You have just spent nearly $480.00 you could have spent brining in loyal users.

Be creative and work your butt of you'll get much further instead of contest that are overrated. Just my 2 cents.

These contests can be both an advantage for a site and a disadvantage. It just depends who you are targeting and where you are targeting.

Robson: btw what is your opinion on similar contests..a while back you seemed to be promoting one The type where prizes are not oriented around the theme of the site being promoted..

eWebTalk, I was working for someone else then I don't think giving away ipods and stuff is very effective....because people will simply join to get the prize and leave, it will bring alot of untargeted members.

If you're giving away stuff some what related to your theme then people who do join are much more likely to stick around.