How Does One Promote A Social Networking Site?

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I put $100 for 7 days over at "I am bored". It's too early to give my final thoughts but so far not too good. I thought targeting the bored folks might help, but then again - they're probably too lazy to join

Should I put money into this? Maybe avoid money and try something else?

Thanks.

 

try a banner or link exchange program...
you don't have to spend a penny

 

Nobody wants to hear this, but the best way to promote a social networking site is to spam myspace. It's terrible, and if you do it than you are not cool, but sadly it works.

I have a social networking site and I spent $30/day for a month advertising on Adwords, and my partner spend 3-6 hours a day sending friend requests, comments and bullitons thru multiple myspace accounts, and believe it or not his method generated about 30% more signups.

Eventually he tired out, and now we get enough natural SERPs that the website just runs it self, but if you're desperate enough to soil your reputation...

 

That's a good question. Other social media would probably be the best method. You should promote what is different than the rest. Social media would be good at promoting something new and original.

You can add it to my list of 400 social media sites, but I believe you are already listed.

 

I should also mention, mashable.com. They are the official social networking site blog. I sent them my press release and got a huge boost instantly. They don't publish everything, but they published mine so I know at least it's possible.

 

A lot of good feedback here guys. Thank you. Keep em coming if you have more.

 

Hi,

Would you be interested in a link exchange with my social networking site?
Please see my site here:

mobileground.info

 

Actually, anyone who links or reviews gets their Sivatars on the Supporters page.

Thanks for your interest.

 

The best way is to have an affiliate program and get JVs onboard. If you can't do that, try the various other methods. For bored people, spamming myspace and youtube might work if you can do it and feel ethical.

How about having a video contest that asks people to do crazy things to prove how really bored they are?

You might get some activity there.

 

You can try finding message boards and blogs abotu social networking or boards about celebrity gossip and stuff and become active on them. Join any message board or check out blogs that you think 16-25 year olds would be active. Youtube is probably the best way to promote your social network with programs like tubeautomator.

 

Back in the day before myspace was popular I got like 5 spam emails in my yahoo account telling me i should check out the bands...but that could have just been a band spamming me and not myspace. I wish I still had them, but that was before they raised the memory we could store.....Try email marketing (not spam) haha same thing in my book...

 

Hi,

We've just started a search engine that helps users find and promote social networks, blogs, video sites and other web 2.0 media. People will search via keywords related to their interest and social networks will list with keywords relevant to their theme and content.

We're building up the database at the moment so please feel free to submit your site. Please spread the word!

findasocialnetwork.com

 

I don't understand how nobody says anything about repeated topics. I mean seriously, on the first page alone there are 4 different threads about this exact same topic- "how to promote social networking site". What's up with that? Everybody just wants to take part in the revenue share? That was a bad idea. It makes me want to avoid these forums.

 

This might sound stupid (heard it from a friend) ... but try putting a sticker on your car's bumper