How do you start a successful forum and get people to join?

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Hi, I'm working on starting a forum and I want to know what you think makes people join one? Have you ever tried to start a forum? What did you do and did you succeed in getting a lot of traffic? Tell me what you guys think!

*scratching head...*

Dude, I think we we should be asking you those questions!!

Oddly enough I was wondering how you did it.

First I'd say, you need a topic, one people are interested in. Second, you need to create an interesting space that is easy to use (key!) for people who stop by. Finally- get the word out. I think that's probably the hardest part is advertising yourself on the web. Most people google and most people rarely look past the first page. This can make it hard to spread the word.

Also, keep it interesting. New content is very important. Running a forum is easier than a regular website in that respect, as the members hopefully provide the new content that brings people back. Regular updates, new features, etc. Being a little involved, but not too much. I was a member of one forum a while back where the admin/owner had more posts than any 2 other people combined. I left... pretty quickly.

So what do you think? How would you go about it?
And do you think telling us about the secret messages would be possible? It's creepy/annoying and I'm not the only one it bothers.

Do you consider this website successful?

(edit)

sorry, weird web experience, same post.

I don't see why any one cares about thoses messages. They look harmless enough.

I don't see why he won't answer the question.

Even saying "I don't want to say" is a better way to go about it.

I have a feeling that it is an anagram.

thank you! (really!)

I have a feeling, that if one were to look under Random Fun, on THE FIRST PAGE of the Grandma Haters thread, you will find your anagram answer.

One of WP's finest minds has figured it out.

People who start up forums normally pay other people to post on their forums.

Once you got loads of threads, you can climb the search engine rankings to attract traffic to your site.

Interesting people.

Makes sure it tops the search engines. Just try googling "dark cry forum" and press "I'm feeling lucky"

I started a phpBB2 forum, and it was quite active. It's not right now because my host is down - metawire.org .

I found a niche, and it was a speciality group, so it was quite appealing.

Kind regards,
Chris