Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,636
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2013 11:10:46 GMT
Need advice promoting the forum
I seen some members talking about making a banner to place in their blogs ,site etc.
I open to idea's to get the word out. At the moment we are on page 3 on a Google search for stamp forums.
I thought of Facebook and social media
I just did a few Google searches using subject matter from some of the posts here on TSF and happy to say we are coming up on searches. I knew it would take some time .
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scb
Member
Inactive
Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 10, 2013 12:03:14 GMT
The best advice I can give is very simple: 'It's all about the quality content. Build it, and your server will crash' I would not worry too much about SOME, or banners, or similar... All this forum needs is quality discussion. Lots and lots of it.
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Post by Perfs14 on Aug 10, 2013 12:17:48 GMT
IMO it all depends on what our vision is: do we want to grow huge or are we happy with a small nucleus of regular members and steady growth. But in either case, I reckon that the following are basic:
1. We need an easily recognised logo/symbol. 2. We need to get it out there: banners on blogs, social media, stamp dealers, eBay (and other auction sites) sellers/buyers, stamp fairs/shows, give-aways to schools etc. 3. Also, somehow need to get the post count up if Google is important to us. 4. Spend some money in printing business cards, postcards, personalized stamps etc.
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Post by Perfs14 on Aug 10, 2013 12:19:03 GMT
There you go two completely opposite (almost) points of view in just two answers.
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scb
Member
Inactive
Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 10, 2013 13:11:12 GMT
There you go two completely opposite (almost) points of view in just two answers. Nope... The goals are not the opposite. We are reaching for the same goal but from two different directions
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Aug 10, 2013 13:31:38 GMT
It would be good to register a domain, which is only about $10 per year. A quick check and I see "stampforum.com" is taken (but not in use). However, "stampforum.net" is still available.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,262
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Aug 10, 2013 13:32:22 GMT
In my limited ebay sales, I promote APS membership. I'll also add a plug for this forum and suggest that others consider doing so as well.
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,636
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2013 13:43:24 GMT
I think a domain is a good one BC. I also like the idea of promoting through eBay sales. Easy to make up a invite letter that can be enclosed with stamps.
Content of the forum is very important and I think we are doing a great job on that. It will take time to build up but we are doing very well.
I really don't want to do a facebook page, too much work
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Aug 10, 2013 14:04:35 GMT
Content IS important, and I think it is great how you have created those sub-forums for easy placing (and finding) content. [thumbs up]. Oh, we need a thumbs up smiley! (borrowed from another forum)
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,636
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2013 14:18:53 GMT
I just reg a domain STAMPFORUM.NET
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Aug 10, 2013 14:21:14 GMT
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,636
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2013 14:27:35 GMT
Now the fun part begins. Have to work out how to switch. I allowing proboard to host but it wont let me I going to wait a few hours and try again
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Aug 10, 2013 14:29:52 GMT
Whoever you registered the domain from should have a forwarding service, forwarding stampforum.net to thestampforum.boards.net. It is usually included in the domaine price.
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,636
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2013 14:46:50 GMT
I with godaddy. I have forward to thestampforum.boards but its still not working. I going to let it rest for the day and see if its working later. might just need a little time for every thing to set up. If it not working by tomorrow I will call out for help.
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Aug 10, 2013 14:52:34 GMT
It works! Good job Jack!
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cjd
Member
Posts: 1,107
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Post by cjd on Aug 10, 2013 15:01:05 GMT
I had no idea it was that simple...I think I paid someone to do that once...hopefully, not too much...
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,262
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Aug 10, 2013 15:10:16 GMT
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Aug 10, 2013 15:18:23 GMT
I don't see my avatar Steve!
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,262
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Aug 10, 2013 15:29:48 GMT
Blame Jack -- it is his image!!!
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,636
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Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2013 16:11:35 GMT
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Aug 10, 2013 17:11:05 GMT
:DJack, I meant on the logo medley
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Post by Perfs14 on Aug 10, 2013 17:33:17 GMT
Here is a logo:
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zipper
Member
Posts: 2,649
What I collect: Classic GB, QV, France Ceres/Napoleon, Classic U.S., Cinderella & Poster Stamps
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Post by zipper on Aug 10, 2013 20:10:57 GMT
How about an article or ad in Linn's?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2013 22:09:04 GMT
perfs 14 Quote
Now a Personalised Stamp or 2 or 3 different TSF images is just something that I will do. My eBay area for these get a lot of traffic.
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Jerry B
Departed
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Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Aug 11, 2013 5:14:48 GMT
Hi Jack
How about becoming an APS member. Also advertise in the ASDA magazine.
Jerry B
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,636
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Post by Admin on Aug 11, 2013 5:28:59 GMT
I wrote to the aps asking about the forum being a chapter a few weeks ago .Still have not heard anything back yet. I running a donation auction this coming week and will be using the proceeds for membership dues etc for APS & BNAPS
I not a member so maybe if one of the members here is might be able to help out with that?
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scb
Member
Inactive
Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 11, 2013 10:56:06 GMT
Maybe a stupid question, but what are the benefits of getting a forum as a chapter of APS or some other organization?
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,636
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Post by Admin on Aug 11, 2013 12:35:42 GMT
Maybe a stupid question, but what are the benefits of getting a forum as a chapter of APS or some other organization? By being a chapter it helps promote both the hobby and this forum. We also have club benefits. Members of the forum will access to online publications. We will also be on the directory.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Aug 11, 2013 13:29:53 GMT
Well, so far: 1. I have a link on my blog (which my mother and one other person in Ukraine know about this place. ) 2. Posted a link on the Philately subreddit (http://www.reddit.com/r/philately) 3. Posted to Google Plus 4. Posted on Twitter. I gave up on Facebook 2 years ago, so I didn't do anything there. I will be posting a link to this and other forums in my stamp album pages, as I make new ones. One thing I am concerned about is how many forums there are. I'd love to see some consolidation. It would be great if we could merge with another community and grow the membership that way. This is where I thought Usenet was superior to today's web forums. One stop shop for all posts. I have concerns with how Proboards runs things. I much prefer a self-hosted phpBB solution. That way YOU own the data and can take the forum anywhere you want to. But that's just me. It's your show Jack, and you can do as you please. I'm just along for the ride.
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Post by Perfs14 on Aug 11, 2013 22:00:17 GMT
I am not sure that consolidation of two or more forums is possible ore even a good thing (all the eggs in one basket). But, the possibility of linking to other friendly forums would be a good way of increasing traffic and get new insights, members and material. We could set up a 'family' of sister-forums or something similar
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