How to get new members to a new social networking site?

Hi guys, I have a social networking site, and I have it for over 6 months already, and I'm stuck at 3000an plus members.

For you guys who have social networking sites, how do you get new members without paying too much on google adwords? I have spent too much money on it and unable to afford it no more

do I need to change my site design? or should I offer cash to get more members?
suggestions will be much appreciated, thanks.

oh, sorry, almost forgot, here is my networking site:

http://indonewyork.net

 

You may have to join the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) game like the rest of us.

This begins with carefully selecting keywords that are appropriate and that get adequate searches. Then you optimize your site for these keywords and phrases. Then you need to start getting the links (relevant, trusted and probably high PR). Try to include your keywords in the text of the link.

You can start by adding your site to social networking, dating and chat directories (most will require a link back). You may also find that some of these directories will send you quite a few daily visitors.

You might also want to use sites like digg, stumbleupon, reddit, etc.

PPC (pay per click) advertising should only be used to supplement good SEO, otherwise it will cost you way too much money.

You may also want to try local advertising with cards, posters, flyers, etc.

 

Try Google's Adwords for the keywords social networking or social websites in general although you might have TOUGH competition from Facebook and Myspace. Offer something unique and you will get members because people will come to your site for that feature as no other sites will have it.

 

I have put a lot of money on adwords, somehow, looks like I got traffic but not sign-ups, and that what really concerned me.

At the moment, my site is a soccer social networking site, so I'm trying to gather all soccer fans together in a social networking. Probably bad move?

 

I used to use PPC (adwords), and it cost me too much money with no significant result. I wanted to do it Yuwie's way, but I'm not sure how it works and the revenue sharing system.

Cards, Posters and Flyers would end up costing more because I will have to hire someone to give out the flyers, and printing out cards or posters cost a lot of money too

If posting links on twitter or facebook considered spamming?

as you guys can see, my site:

http://indonewyork.net is made up almost entirely of soccer fans, so if I make a group on facebook to gather soccer fans and ask them to join my site would make me getting banned or not?

 

You can build backlinks yourself for free on forums, blogs etc. it's not that time consuming and it will help get members to your site. Local advertising works great as well, print flyers and go put them on peoples cars in parking lots, schools etc.

 

You can make your own flyer and photocopy it for .5 cents to .10 cents a flyer. Or you can have a cheap place make business cards for also between .5 cents and .10 cents a card. You could then hand them out at soccer games or sports bars, etc.

Otherwise, you will just have to try SEO. And yes you can create groups in facebook and myspace to promote your site. Just don't start messaging too many people or you will get deleted (I did).

 

If people can't find it then no new members. If your site is the same or similar to other sites of this type then you need some active members or something unique that similar sites don't have that members will like and talk about. Popularity would help, but it can be tough and a lot of time and work.

 

why not try twitter... you might be getting some instant traffic

 

I used my MySpace friends to get some traffic to my site. Most of my friends joined my site and became part of the active members list. You could also create some of those YouTube soccer videos, and show a link to your url in the vid. You'd get a lot of soccer fans that way for sure.

 

It always hard to begin, but at first stage, I mean, before it becoem a branded one, liek twitter and acebook, u still have to do SEO for it.

And since it is a social networking, so promoting in the other social networking like this may sound like a good idea!

 

I just hope it won't get me banned for spamming