Improper planning can lead to disastrous results on new forums. Many new administrators launch their forum too quickly and too soon. This is probably the biggest mistake I have ever encountered among new and even some experienced administrators! It is not an easy matter, but most administrators are not determined to work hard enough during the beginning stages to even accomplish a relatively active community.

This is due to the fact that they did not plan ahead, they had no idea what they were going to do after they launched. They probably didn’t even launch well enough. Launching a new forum is like launching a new business and must be taken with that much seriousness if at all possible. So let’s talk about a few things you need to be certain of before launching your forum.

1) Do You Know Where You Can Recruit Members?

Knowing where you can properly advertise is a very important step to the overall success of a new forum. If you cannot properly advertise your forum, then you will not have a good launch. Not having a good launch gives you no “New Forum Energy” and not having that is a huge disadvantage to new forums. You need to scout places where you can inform users of your new forum.

2) Do All Of Your Forums Have Posts In Them?

This is overlooked by many administrators, but having posts already created in all your forums is actually very beneficial in “jump-starting” activity. A lot of users will not be the “first” to post, so you should be. This is very important to keep in mind every time you add new forums, later on as well.

3) Do You Know Your Goals?

Having goals for new forums is very good because it allows you to work towards those goals, instead of just accepting what you get. Goals also help you with time management on your forum. This also motivates you to reach those goals, and we all know motivation is the key to a forum’s overall success.

4) Are You Motivated And Dedicated?

If you are not motivated or dedicated to your forum, then don’t even bother launching. Forums take a lot of work and if you are not willing to put in the effort, then don’t expect success. This is a flaw I see in many administrators as well, they think it is “easy” to run a successful forum, and every administrator that runs one will tell you otherwise.

5) Do You Have The Time?

Being motivated and dedicated is fine and dandy, but do you have the time to manage your forum? Managing forums can be very time consuming, and if you cannot put in at least one hour daily, then you probably won’t be very successful. Most administrators pour in hours and hours daily to keep their forum running smoothly and actively. One thing you can do to give yourself more time is check out the Top 10 Time Management Techniques.

6) Do You Have A Few Users You Know Are Going To Be Active Members?

Having activity from the beginning motivates many members to register and get involved. Many users will think that the forum could really work out if they see so many other users posting and becoming active. Activity breeds activity, so having a small and selective core of “active members” for the beginning is very helpful! Another way to motivate early posting is by rewarding those members that post in your new forum with “Forum Founder.”

7) Is Your Forum Easy To Navigate?

If your forum is too hard to navigate, a lot of people will not register. Having the simplest forum can actually be better. Bad organization will make guests and members leave.

8) Is Your Forum Overwhelming?

Having too many forums from the start can be very overwhelming for members, and considering you don’t have much activity, it makes your forum look dead. Instead of launching with a lot of forums, try launching with a few and slowly grow from there. It allows for members to get situated and activity to be focused.

9) Is It Easy To See What Your Forum Is About?

Many new forums think about everything, but this. It’s sad to see a new forum where you have no clue what it is even about. They work so hard on the content, forum organization, etc. But you still have no clue what their focus and genre is. So make sure you convey what your forum is about easily and effectively.

10) Do You Have Plans For The Future?

Having plans for your forum beyond the launch state is very good to have. If your members know you are already planning on having updates and are willing to create a better community, they are more inclined to stay. Having plans for the future is also very good for yourself and your development as an administrator on the forum. You should always be thinking of something for your forum and what better time to think about the future than the beginning.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about launching a new forum soon, I urge you to read through this and check off anything you think you are confident in. This article is very link heavy for that reason. If you want to learn more about why I said each point, then I have those article linked for further reading. I hope this article helps you with your new forum launch, and if you have any questions I’m always here to listen to them and respond!

Thanks!

Related posts:

1. Technique for a Successful New Forum
2. Motivation is Like Working Out
3. What Keeps Forums Active
4. Forum Mod & Staff – Top 10 Tips To Becoming One