Tips and tricks for bringing members to my forum?

[Saohc]

I operate a forum and I'm trying to attract members..Could someone I guess help me?(If you want the link, go into advertisements or whatever and find the topic "Hocotate Freight")

This is the current layout:


We have a arcade and a area for MUGEN stuff..

The name of forum is the same name of the fictional company from Pikmin 2(You obviously know this is a gaming forum)..

We also have a area for Game Maker 7/8 stuff

I'm not trying to advertise here, it's just I'm asking for some tips..
I'm working on a full game and that will be the main site for it..
Ranks,Emoticons and such are set up..


I have a couple of features installed and the forum is mostly ready for members, it's just it lacks members..

I can't exactly think of a real reason for users to want to join my forum(I haven't even made a beta of my full game..)

Every forum has ranks..

We have something pointless called "The Secret Fez Club".. but that won't bring people in..

Most forums already have arcades and stuff..

I just don't know what the hell to do...

You want the link? fine..

(click to show/hide)

http://hocotatefreight.forum-motion.com/forum.htm

(and please do not put this thread in the advertisements area..I'm asking for tips, so technically this can fit in General Discussion)

I do have a loading screen for the forum though and a unique system for just in case we are going to get raided..(Called DEFCON, not related to the defense system used here in the US..)

[Playing Enemy]

You could try making a bunch of cool mugen and gamemaker videos for youtube. That's how I found a lot of the sites I go to. You could make some with fights, and some tutorials for other stuff too if you have any secret knowledge of anything at all. Say that your looking for other people to help bring some more stuff to life, and also that it's a cool place to hang out and play games and what not. If it's got a cool vibe, and relatively non-lame games in the arcade, it will slowly pick up. Definitely try to get some competive games in the arcade though, people like to beat other peoples high scores, a lot. Homepage looks pretty slick so far though, I'll check it out some more tomorrow too. 

[shootYr.]

You've found a new home Luigi.

[ATiC3]

You've found a new home Luigi, pls stay in it. 

Uh... excuse me. You may want to rephrase that. Thanks.

[GLB]

Assuming your forum is a mugen forum, I have some advice.

1. Always have a link to your forum in your signature at other forums. Also get other members of your forum to do the same, Administrators etc...
2. Whenever you release material link to your forum, this way it will get more hits then just being in your sig.
3. Delete all unnecessary boards, do not copy other mugen forums boards, if people come in expecting a mugen forum, they don't expect to see things like general discussion everywhere, the want material. However, you have the people in Mugen that do general discussion boards, so make your Mugen boards the biggest/most filled area of your forum.
4. Make sure you enforce your rules and get everyone else to do the same.
5. As said before, if you are well known at other forums or releasing material pertaining to your forum quite often, you'll get hits.
6. All forums have something unique to them, for example IMT has their alternate language boards, and Mugenguild has many tutorials and tips for newbs, and rMx has there "Mugen community Coliseum" Which is their popular board, for talking smack. Basically all forums need something that makes them unique, this is how you attract members.
7. Always have a nice layout/look, even if it's basic, keep it clean and nice.
8. Treat everyone with respect and show your their to make a team, not boss everyone around.
9. Do not name a forum after yourself, ever. This is a huge failure, the only forum that will ever succeed that way is Club Syndicate, but I have been there, to naming a forum after myself. Trust me nobody goes.
10. If your forum isn't mugen, have it pertain to something else interesting. Anything that you and other members think are remotely interesting, others should as well.

[Saohc]

Well we have something called "The Secret Fez Club" and it gives you access to a couple of boards normal members cannot access.

You can also host your stuff there..(we have something that allows you to upload stuff.)

We also have something called the "DEFCON" system(used for raids, not related to the actual defense system used in the US)

[GLB]

I was just looking over your forum now, I would suggest letting guests be able to view image/DL links. Nobody likes a private forum. Also, the area for guests to post doesn't let guests post. When I attempted to It told me I must be logged in. =P

[shootYr.]

Uh... excuse me. You may want to rephrase that. Thanks.

 

[Saohc]

You should be able to post in the guest area, now..

[GLB]

Alright, just a heads up. I am liking the updates! Very nice, but is it a mugen forum? If so why no mugen section 

[Saohc]

Well my forum is in pretty good shape, despite the lack of members and traffic..

I guess we just need to be more active and such..

[Saohc]

Well I guess no one has tips..

[The Hulk Hogan]

make it a database