Administration/Moderation Tips For Newbie?

[Fragg]

Hello TAZ!

I'm starting up a forum, and this seems like the perfect place for me.

A bit of background:

While I have 0 experience In running a forum, I have tons of experience In SEO and marketing. In fact, I manage the SEO for a couple clients that run forums (I played a big role In them becoming pretty damn successful).

Keyword rankings and traffic will take little effort for me, but actually managing a community Is scary thought for some reason Any good reading material you suggest? Mainly In the administration/moderation area.

I like the concept of the "Launch Team", but It seems to have died. Would have been nice to have unique people posting when traffic starts rolling In.

Things I have:

Domain - Very niche relevant & brandable, easy to remember, under 10 characters.
Forum Software
Premium Theme - A place holder for now, but the ability for visitors/members to change the colors and background Is a plus.
Automated spam shouldn't be a big Issue for me. Been combating that for years.



-Thanks

 

[Meeko79]

Make sure to have something specific or unique that your community can offer. Furthermore, keep the number of forums/categories low until posts start to roll in. You should be posting a lot and have a face in every part of the forum so your users know you and feel comfortable with you. As activity starts to grow you can post a bit less but always be there and show them that from time to time.

 

[Fragg]

Make sure to have something specific or unique that your community can offer. Furthermore, keep the number of forums/categories low until posts start to roll in. You should be posting a lot and have a face in every part of the forum so your users know you and feel comfortable with you. As activity starts to grow you can post a bit less but always be there and show them that from time to time.

Thanks for the tips. Any good set of forum/post rules?

 

[Meeko79]

Here's an article I've written about starting a new forum if you are interested: https://theadminzone.com/threads/common-webmaster-mistakes.98280/

Forum/post rules for you or your members?

 

[darnoldy]

Fragg

First, you have to remember that your mission is to create a thriving and engaged community. Ad clicks and keyword rankings are the reward for fulfilling your mission—not the reason for the forum's existence.

You'll be happier and more-successful if the forum's topic is one you have a genuine interest in—not just one you have a brandable URL for. Think of the forum you are about to start as a neighborhood bar, where everyone has an interest in common.