I am thinking...

[DeepDiverBob]

we need to find some way to promote this site.

[Atlaua]

we need to find some way to promote this site.

Well, the first step is to get a good listing on the search engines. I've submitted us to many engines, though it can take up to 6 months to be listed on some of them. Getting your page ranked high on the list is another feat, sites are generally ranked based on the number of other sites linking to them. So, if you see a place with diving links, suggest they add us...

Advertising:

I just started using Adwords on Google yesterday. We'll see how that works out. Other than that the only place we've been advertised at all is my signature line on ScubaBoard and a couple of other forums. Forums generally don't like you making posts that read "Hey come see my forum." but most don't mind signatures. Adding a link to us in your signature any other forums will not only allow people there to find us, but will also create more links improving the search engine rankings.

I've currently got someone designing a professional logo for the site and am expecting sketches soon. Once the logo is completed I plan to print up some shirts and bumper stickers to attract attention. I'll also probably print up some flyers to stick in dive shops.

Converting Guests/Lurkers into Members:

Most important thing here is to have content. Few people join empty forums. The more you post the more people will sign up to join in. Many boards are started by having the creator(s) create multiple sock puppets and having conversations with themselves. It works but I'm not nearly warped enough to hold full conversations with myself yet :D. So in other words, post more!

Any other suggestions are appreciated, but new forums are usually slow to start. Finally the best way to let people know we are here is word of mouth. Tell your dive buddies about the site when you see them.

James

[DeepDiverBob]

It works but I'm not nearly warped enough to hold full conversations with myself yet :D. So in other words, post more!


I'll leave that one alone. lol