Building a forum: Post Buying for Forums?

[Bookworm-seo]

Anyone here bought posts for their forums? I'm thinking about the people who'll post X posts with a minimum of two paragraphs in each post, in exchange for x dollars.

I've noticed that Lee Dodd and Jon here have both started quality content contests whereby they're offering prizes for good quality content posts.

 

[Dave]

Contests will be better if you can get it out there, and known by people, but paid posting can give your forum more life (briefly).

 

[madawgz]

your best bet is hiring posters, but they have to know what their talking about

 

[dre]

Hiring posters is only short time and can end up being a waste of money if the contract ends and the site dies again.

 

[ebittner]

I think contest are the best becasue you have the best chance of getting the most posts for the least amount of money.

 

[wickedDUDE]

I've never seen forums populate as fast as Jon's and Lee's... so these two are pyramid examples. If I ever began a forum I would model the promotion on what they're doing now (contests, etc.).

 

[Learning Geek]

I have been on message boards in various industries for five years now. I was doing posting for pay. It was easy for me because I was on so many forums anyway and figured why not. The extra money helped with my latte addiction

Some tips from my experience if you are going to pay someone to post for you.

* Give them the username and password that you want them to use. Or at least have them tell you what it is. That way should they quit working for you or other problems arise you still have access to the posts/links if needed.

* Have them send you a report letting you know where they posted. Be sure and tell them any forums you may *not* want them posting on.

* Have them start with 10 or less posts at first so they don't appear *spammy* then have them go back and reply to new posts.

* Whenever possible try to pick a username with the letter A or B - closest to the front of the alphabet.

I think thats it. You can also hire people to post real replies on blogs. Most of mine were never deleted because I made sure to be helpful not spammy. Most blog owners will leave a keyword name in place if the post is relevant and still have them sign the body of the email with a name.

Like anything else don't do anything in excess, moderation is best.

 

[Bryan Le]

A contest is better in the long run - if you've got the budget to do it. One of the reasons that Lee and Jon's forums are both blowing up because of their contests is because of the enormous purse that both of these forums offer.

On top of that, they have a very big network of people - a lot of the bigger reputation people support and will endorse them. With a reputation such as Lee's and Jon's, and with the right people, any forum they launch will blow up equally as fast.

 

[$5 Submissions]

We do bulk posts for 6 cents to 16 cents a post.

 

[Bookworm-seo]

geekgirl: thanks for the tips! much appreciated.
Bryan, I think you pick up on a good point. Now the question is, anyone have tips on building up your network? faster the better...?

 

[Bryan Le]

Forums...Forums...Forums. Talk to people and offer advice, ask for help, etc. I sort of stumbled into my friendship with Lee - we're in the same industry (forums).

As for Jon, I've yet to be able to talk to him personally.