Made a new forum - help and advice appreciated

[chris327]

Hi all. I had some spare webspace, and domain names are cheap so decided to try out something new.
I have interest in sports and fitness so created a forum based on this - mainly due to other forums in this area not offering certain things i like. The website is fitnessboard dot co dot uk , so please go over and take a look (and sign up if you taken an interest )

I'd like some opinion on the current design. It's the basic phpBB style, but I like it. If anyone can recommend any phpBB resources, such as styles
mods etc then that'd be much appreciated.

My main problem, however, is going to be getting users to it. There is currently no content, so nothing to really entice members. Yet, I cannot get content on there without members contributing. So it's kind of a vicious circle.

I've used adwords to promote other websites I've created in the past...this wasn't too bad, but can't really see this working for this. I'd therefore like to hear your experiences on attracting members to a new forum and which works best.

On a side note. I'd be interesting in hearing how much bandwidth etc a forum is likely to use, dependent on the number of users. I know there is
obviously no definitive answer, but some sort of idea would also be appreciated.

Thanks all
Chris

[SkinnerW]

Hi Chris and welcome to the UKWW forums.

First step obviously for you should be creating core group of users who share your interests this way then can help you with content creation. May be you have some friends or you will have to do some forum posts exchange and even pay someone to create new topics.

You can't promote forum with no content - it will be wasted time and effort.

[temi]

Chris,
Welcome to UK WW, Skinners advice is sound, first you need to populate the empty forums and then start the hardwork of attracting members by various means including providing unique contents they cannot find anywhere else but your forum.

Good luck

[Scripter]

Well yea, temi and skinner know best, learn from thier advice, they have put much effort into the forums, and hold a good position today.
Goodluck wih your forums, and all the best from me.