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Thread: Running forums and making money...

      
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    I'm New! hootnholla is on a distinguished road
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    Default Running forums and making money...

    I wish I knew how to use php and run a forum. Honestly, I REALLY know how to monetize websites. I have my own, all built using html and they are all fairly simple. I love the idea of running a community and being able to monetize the site once you get "dedicated" traffic. Just curious,

    1. If you DO run a forum, have you monetized it?

    2. If so, how much do you make a month? $XXX, $X,XXX, etc..or $0

    3. What methods do you use for revenue? Adsense, etc...

    3. Did you create a forum based off your own hobbies or off a particular profitable niche?

    5. To get traffic, was it organic? paid?

    6. If organic, how long did it take to get PR0,PR1, etc..

    Any guidance, assistance would be greatly appreciated...

    This may be the motivation to get me and all the other forum "nubs" a kick in the ole keester!

  2. #2
    Jedi Master PromoJunkie is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I use AdSense and Clicksor and they pay me good.
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  3. #3
    Grand Masters Jani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to beholdJani is a splendid one to behold Jani's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    Me too using only adsense on my forum. I tried to get advertisers but I don't like running after advertisers and asking "Do you want ad on my site?" I just reserved all the ad spaces for google ads.

    Now if anyone wants advertisement on my forum he will have to ask me, not me going to ask him

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I've never ran a forum to make money
    Maybe that's my problem, but I've ran adsense and some affiliate programs and it all helps pay the hosting
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    Are you running a successful forum? If so, I'd love to blog about it.

  5. #5
    Jedi Master cldnails will become famous soon enoughcldnails will become famous soon enough cldnails's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I have dabbled in a few forums, some that grew fairly large, but none that made a red cent. I think forums are one of the most difficult sites to monetize, possibly because of their community 'feel', interaction, etc.
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    I'm New! gunsuka is on a distinguished road gunsuka's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I think the type of site is important as well. I did some work for a major news website, they had a couple million visitors a month to the website & forums.

    Problem was the amount generated per click, the CPM rates were just crazy low. I was involved with the site for about 3 years and never saw it make any money... well, it made money just not enough to cover its own costs.

    The site is under new ownership now, hopefully they are doing better but I doubt it.

    Basically, the CPM/CPC rates for general adverts is too low to make any money. If you ran a forum that was about cancer, or maybe something like plastic surgery then the CPM/CPC would be MUCH higher and you could probably make a profit.

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    I'm New! Musical frog is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I run a forum, it's just a small community, I sell direct links and ads and make about $25 a month. It's not much but it covers hosting and I enjoy doing it so it works out.

  8. #8
    swg
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    1. If you DO run a forum, have you monetized it? Yes, we have a selection of Adsense banners in rotation with private adverts as well as some text links in the sidebar

    2. If so, how much do you make a month? $XXX, $X,XXX, etc..or $0
    For our community it changes a lot from month to month but on average I'd say around $200-$500 dollars (I'm from the UK so exchange rate will influcnce that value)

    3. What methods do you use for revenue? Adsense, etc...
    We use adsense banners at the top and bottom of the page for all members, plus an extra banner after the first post which is only shown to guests.

    In rotation with the adsense banners are other banners which are sold privately at a flat rate per month.

    We also sell text links in the sidebar of the layout

    3. Did you create a forum based off your own hobbies or off a particular profitable niche?
    I started the forum originally based on a favourite TV show of mine which was a very small niche and I believe I was the only forum based on that show. From there though the forum has grown to become a large general chat/entertainment forum.

    5. To get traffic, was it organic? paid?
    Traffic was completely organic built up from link building, seo and basic (free) online marketing

    6. If organic, how long did it take to get PR0,PR1, etc..
    I really couldn't say now, we are only currently PR4 after being open for 3+ years

  9. #9
    GCM
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    To start making money you need visitors to your forums. Target a specific niche such as domains and or web hosting. Stick to that and add other stuff. Put some adsense up and companies who operate in that niche will usually want to sponser you.
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    I'm New! barrierstarkrish is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I am also thinking of starting a forum.

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    Running a forum is too much work. Usually forums are run to support a product or service.

  12. #12
    I'm New! drydon is on a distinguished road drydon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    Quote Originally Posted by gunsuka View Post
    If you ran a forum that was about cancer, or maybe something like plastic surgery then the CPM/CPC would be MUCH higher and you could probably make a profit.
    That's the key. People tend to start forums on a subject they're passionate about and then spend months, years, building it up. Few do it the other way round and base the forum, from the start, on CPM/CPC rates. A forum's not like a static website - you can't just build it then leave it sitting there with a few minor tweaks. A forum's like making a garden, it needs daily weeding! If people are cynical and start a forum based on CPM/CPC rates they're unlikely to go the distance.

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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    1. If you DO run a forum, have you monetized it?
    Yes

    2. If so, how much do you make a month? $XXX, $X,XXX, etc..or $0
    $XXX/mo

    3. What methods do you use for revenue? Adsense, etc...
    Adsense (~50%), direct ad sales (adpeeps)

    3. Did you create a forum based off your own hobbies or off a particular profitable niche?
    Yes, own hobby, and it was really the only forum for on the subject for a year or so until I was copied a few times.

    5. To get traffic, was it organic? paid?
    Contacted vendors who sold my hobby products.

    6. If organic, how long did it take to get PR0,PR1, etc..
    PR 3 in a few months, but PR doesn't matter.

    The forum can sometimes be a real headache since there always seems to be a ton of drama I get involved with, for example, vendors promoting their products too much, people trolling, etc. Lots of people complaining about "censoring" when we try to implement rules.

    The forum makes some decent money, but not as much as some of my other sites which are a lot more fun to maintain.

  14. #14
    Grand Masters Sarahlee is a jewel in the roughSarahlee is a jewel in the roughSarahlee is a jewel in the roughSarahlee is a jewel in the roughSarahlee is a jewel in the roughSarahlee is a jewel in the rough Sarahlee's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    We're thinking of creating a forum for our hosting site instead since it would be less complex in dealing with browser compatibility and screen resolution issues for visitors. If we do then of course it will be monetized with google ads & normal advertisers from our advertising on forums & the like. Not sure how much would be made as far as the ads go but probably a decent amount because a decent amount of people like to advertising on a hosting site I have come to notice.

    I'm sure this would be hard work but it would probably be worth it and give clients & potential clients an easier way to view our site & also be able to help themselves with answers instead of emailing staff etc. We are also thinking of offering free hosting so that might get more visitors which would turnover to clients & advertisers would be more than likely to pay for adspace.

  15. #15
    I'm New! tmnoonan is on a distinguished road tmnoonan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    This would be a good idea since you might only be answering the same questions one time. People can look at it as sort of a FAQ and won't have to ask questions or wait for answers.

  16. #16
    Grand Masters Bogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of lightBogart is a glorious beacon of light Bogart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I still believe that to make money you should a services and products to sell. If not your own services/products than you should have advertisers and cut out the adsense middleman.

  17. #17
    Jedi Master Elder is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I dont make to much, google adsense.. i used clicksor because I like the popupt ideea but 3 months and 10 dollars isnt to goodd :P (thats for clicksor at adsense I have 100 ) ..

  18. #18
    I'm New! Asil is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    adsense is the best

  19. #19
    Jedi Master kaze is on a distinguished road kaze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I don't make much with google adsense, but I do make like 1-2-3 $ / day. Anyway you need alot of visitators to make some money with your site.

  20. #20
    Jedi Master The Leader is on a distinguished road The Leader's Avatar
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I find the regular users don't click on ads so you'll need to rely on people passing on through to make you money!

  21. #21
    Jedi Master vxdesigns is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    Thanks, this is a useful thread

  22. #22
    I'm New! stephen186 is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I think whether it is forum or a normal informative website, you need to make sure your adsense placment and color makes no difference with your regular content if you want to have higher CTR..

  23. #23
    I'm New! pmogre is on a distinguished road
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    Thumbs up Re: Running forums and making money...

    how do we start our own forum? that is PHP based and start revenue sharing on it.

  24. #24
    Jedi Master soccer jerseys is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    It is really amazing to know that you can use the forum and make money.. how is that possible..how a social networking website gives you the earnings..

  25. #25
    I'm New! dealking is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    According to me it is easy to use adsence and traffics as per SEO.

  26. #26
    Jedi Master Steve Powers is on a distinguished road
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    I've never built a forum for commercial use.But I think you can determine all the things by
    yourself just as your website.Maybe the way of management will be different.But the way
    to make it popular and the method of promotion will be the same.If you choose a paid way
    to promote it,you should have a budget in your mind.Adwords is a good choice if you can
    manage it well.Well,hard work will be inevitable,too.
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  27. #27
    Jab
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    Default Re: Running forums and making money...

    Humm, i don't make money from adsense i do by selling ad space thats all about $200/month on my forum.

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