Increasing user base

[carpman]

What has been your most succesful means of increasing users?

Would being in a niche market make a difference?

[chrison600]

This is an interesting topic for me because I haven't really gone down a path, I have only considered the options.

I have tried minimal forum posting, to some fairly positive effect, but nothing like I should do, and I find it time-consuming to maintain consistency.

I would like to try an affiliate program, but need something more than the registration code mechanism that GC suggests. I would like the ability to pay affiliates based on registrations and/or item listings, and would also like to be able to place minimum thresholds on rewards as well as a time limit on click-through to purchase behavior. There are some affiliate packages out there that do this, but integration is an issue. I would be willing to pay for the integration "plug-in", provided that a good affiliate package was chosen.

Link sharing is intriguing, but I struggle with how to present my links in a tasteful manner. I have had several offers, but need ideas as to how to add a "links" page without having a "links" page, or I need to be convinced that a links page isn't bad. I feel that it dilutes the site.

In my niche, I have the ability to sponsor or "retain" individuals as agents for my site. I could have them pass out promotional items at events and generally talk the service up. I think this might be even more promising than an affiliate program. Not all niche's can take advantage of this. Actually, I am considering this more strongly since I know there is not an affiliate integration for GC.

Chris

[carpman]

hi, an affiliate program is high on my list of promotional ideas, but as you say it is finding a good one and being able to intigrate it. The thing is at what point to you introduce an affiliate program? to early and you may end up paying out without any return.

I have been thinking about carp bumper stickers, though this would more for my portal/forum community site which would heavly promote GC site.

The other thing i have is that i have many domains related to main target group, i did setup a site that was selling email addresses on them but it was not successful. I am now going to convert it to free email and each email sent will contain tag line that advetises GC site.