| Most people start a forum because they have a | | | | or 'Car Repairs' or 'Electric Cars' or even narrower still |
| passion for a particular subject. They want to form a | | | | - 'Aptera Cars' - is more likely to get a following than |
| discussion group of like-minded individuals. If you are | | | | 'Cars' in general. |
| thinking of starting your own forum you need to ask | | | | Likewise say with pets. A forum on the topic of |
| yourself whether there will be sufficient interest from | | | | 'African Parakeets' is likely to get a solid membership |
| others to make it worthwhile. A forum where there | | | | base compared with one on 'Birds' simply because |
| are only ever a small amount of members can be | | | | the birdsone would be too general. |
| discouraging, and will often fold after a while. | | | | Finally, do try to go for something that hasn't been |
| There are some kinds of forums which will always | | | | done before, or there is still little competition. In one |
| attract a high level of interest. Among them are | | | | of the earlier examples I mentioned the 'Aptera' car. |
| 'Webmaster' forums. After all, if you run a forum, a | | | | If a forum was created as soon as the Aptera |
| blog, or a website, you are a webmaster. And, as we | | | | electric motor vehicle was first being discussed and |
| are all learning all the time, trying to keep up to date | | | | their website came online, then the chances are that |
| with new technology, advertising methods, SEO, web | | | | this forum would get a loyal membership eager to |
| design and so on, discussion forums on this topic will | | | | talk about this particular vehicle. And, as interest in |
| always get members. | | | | the car grew, so would the membership on the |
| Usually the most successful forums aren't too broad | | | | forum, even if it was an unofficial one. |
| in focus. Take for example a forum on cars. One | | | | The same is true of any other forum. If you can get |
| might think that a forum discussing cars in general | | | | in at the beginning you stand a good chance of |
| would be popular, since it would cover anything and | | | | success. If it's been done before, then you have to |
| everything to do with cars. But, most people want to | | | | be better than the rest to stand any chance, and |
| talk about the type of cars that interest them. So, a | | | | that's never an easy task. |
| forum on a narrower topic, such as 'Old Classic Cars' | | | | |