I believe I stumbled onto the forum while doing a Google search for some firearm-related topic.
If it were my job to market the forum and I had limited funds, I'd consider taking tables in the most important Gun Shows where I'd set out some cheap flyers. The table rental is usually quite inexpensive and the table wouldn't even need to be staffed. The nice thing about this idea is that you could test this once or twice for almost no money (table rental, a banner or two and photocopied fliers from Staples).
I'd put a unique url (i.e. cffshow.com which is currently available) on the flier that would allow me to identify when a new member comes to my site. From there, I'd be able to tally the number of new members who came to me from the flyer and then I could track how many of them become active (number of posts), who pays up, etc.
Yeah, I was a marketing guy long before becoming a gun guy.
We did the Lumberton Dixie show. We have a 8 ft table banner for shows, and business cards made up. We'll also foot the bill if someone is volunteering. Pm me, we'll see about sending some things.I like this idea...its at least worth trying.
I looked up table rent for the Dixie Shows and the site said $65 in advance. It didnt specify if this was for one day or both, but it doesn't really matter.
I will foot the bill for the table for both days at two different shows (one ENC, one WNC)if the Forum Staff thinks this is something worth pursuing.
Maybe get all the site sponsors to send in their own business cards/flyers for the table...if a PAID member has a business, maybe let them send in advertising materials as well. Show potential new members we are more than just the proverbial gun nuts. We are a part of their community, too. At the same time, get all who want to send in promo materials to pay a couple of bucks (except for actual site sponsors, they already pay enough to the site) to help underwrite the cost of the banner.
All the coordination is a bit beyond me, so I'm just kickin tires here to see what happens...
Thanks!