Running a forum

[FrontRow]

Hey all,

I am getting ready to take my first crack at running a web forum. You can see the beginnings of it here: http://www.ratemovies.com/forum/

I could sure use your suggestions, advice, warnings, or other benefits of experience as I venture into this. I would also welcome any of you who would be willing to register and help me "prime the pump" so to speak. I don't plan to officially launch for a couple of weeks, but it will be a lot easier if there is already some activity there.

Help!

p.s. that is probably not my final logo...

 

[webmasterinfo]

Im checking it out right now. Seems good!
Good luck with it!

 

[wicked_gal00]

I wish you the best of luck with it. I was just telling Sohil the other day that I wanted to start a forum too, but I thought it would be too much work :lol:

 

[dude]

ive always wanted to help with forums, but...

 

[wicked_gal00]

but..?

 

[dude]

no one ever lets me

 

[wicked_gal00]

If I ever start a forum I'll let you help me run it, Randy! :D

 

[CenterPoint]

Very nice FrontRow I will recommend it to a couple of movie buffs I know.

 

[dude]

Originally posted by wicked_gal00
If I ever start a forum I'll let you help me run it, Randy! :D

lol your probably the only one

 

[romantic__]

Cool!
Hmmm...tips...just make sure everything stays in line! lol.

 

[FrontRow]

Thanks everyone for the comments so far. Dude, if this takes off, I will be interviewing moderators, so there's hope for you yet

I would really appreciate it if some of you would register and leave a few posts. No long term commitment or anything, just help me start it out with a little activity, so when I do start directing traffic there, it doesn't look lame.

 

[MonsterBucket]

I run a few of these invision board forums. Once you learn it its not so bad. If you get into technical difficulties let me know.

 

[Miyavi]

Best advice I can give you for running a forum:
-Make your own color scheme. Those defaults get irritating/old.
-Keep it clean! Don't allow too much spam/profanity/etc.
-Integrate something into the forums that makes them unique/better than others.

I would be able to help you out a bit, but the only forum I am thoroughly experienced with is vBulletin. Although, I'm sure it wouldn't be 'that' hard to figure out. :]

Best of luck!

 

[FrontRow]

thanks everyone - I'm sure I'll take you up on your offers

 

[Miyavi]

Best of luck!
-Keep us posted with any major updates and/or color-schemes you do/come up with.
:]

 

[GCgirl4ever]

I was an admin on a popular forum (2000+ members) and I also ran my own.. but both were XMB.

I would suggest making it original and getting your own theme up (colors/pictures/etc.) also advertise a lot.. keep a few rules so nothing gets out of hand.

 

[FrontRow]

I am having trouble find explicit instructions on how to make my own theme. Can anyone help point me in the right direction? I am a bit of a dummy at this level, but with good directions I can ususally get by.

 

[fonzerelli_79]

you might find these sites helpful

http://www.ibskins.com/
http://www.invisionskins.com

 

[GCgirl4ever]

I would help but I don't know invision too well.. sorry.

 

[Jeff]

Looks good, FrontRow!

http://www.ratemovies.com/forum

Don't forget a Forum for the "Classics" ... for some of us old geezers! :o
Good Luck with your new venture.

 

[Miyavi]

Originally posted by CoolHost.com
Don't forget a Forum for the "Classics" ... for some of us old geezers! :o

Maybe he is targeting a younger audience only. :hehe:

 

[FrontRow]

Actually, I started out with a forum called "classic movies" and killed it, figuring I could wrap it into the "archive" category for now and maybe break it out in the future if the posts justified it.

I am already intimidated by the scope of this thing, and it ain't even launched yet!

 

[sierratoo]

I hope it is successful! Looks awesome!

 

[FrontRow]

Thanks Sierra!

Why don't you join & post a few?

 

[Lauren Stephens]

Originally posted by dude
no one ever lets me

i have a forum ill let you mod! it isnt completely finished yet but....

advice for forums?

1. let people say what they want
2. reread #1