Getting going

[Green-Moo]

I was chatting to a friend about getting a forum up and running & I suggeted that he ask family & friends to contribute, just to get it looking busy. He could even register himself under a couple of ***umed identities in order to get some 'discussion' started.

He said this was dishonest. I ***umed this was something that lots of new forum owners did, but now I'm questioning myself! Someone please tell me whether it's acceptable!

[Stav.]

Hmmm... no, i wouldn't say so. I personally frown on anyone opening duplicate IDs and tend to be pretty quick in deleting them. Besides most people would spot that it was the same person talking to them selves, and it would make them look a bit sad!

Getting family and friends to pop in and make a few posts is the way to go, and perhaps ask them if they would ask THEIR mates to pop in. If the forum is interesting then some will stick around, and word will spread, then you can start thinking about getting listed on directories etc..

[SageMother]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green-Moo I was chatting to a friend about getting a forum up and running & I suggeted that he ask family & friends to contribute, just to get it looking busy. He could even register himself under a couple of ***umed identities in order to get some 'discussion' started. He said this was dishonest. I ***umed this was something that lots of new forum owners did, but now I'm questioning myself! Someone please tell me whether it's acceptable!

I have heard of forum owners posting to themselves while trying to build more traffic. I don't think it is as unusual as many believe.

[Green-Moo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageMother I have heard of forum owners posting to themselves while trying to build more traffic. I don't think it is as unusual as many believe.

I thought it was a good way, as the forum owner, to introduce subjects that you'd like to see discussed. Hopefully, someone else will then pick up the thread.

[Stav.]

We'll agree to disagree.

You could as admin, lead a discussion by posting up a topic you want to see discussed, and asking opinions.

Or designate a mate to be the one to start up debates on certain subject, say a personal interest of theirs.

Posting to yourself though? all seems a bit 'billy no mates' to me

[KyleMyers]

You have to do something to make your forum look busy in this day and age, it's a tough business. There are a million forums for every different topic so in my view, anything you can do to get your forums more hits is perfectly acceptable.

[SageMother]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green-Moo I thought it was a good way, as the forum owner, to introduce subjects that you'd like to see discussed. Hopefully, someone else will then pick up the thread.

When posting to yourself, you also give potential members and idea of the "tone" you would like to see in the discussions.

There's nothing wrong with priming the cosmic pump.