Build Up Network Membership

**financeblogger123** · 05-18-2009 05:55 PM

We all know that YE is the largest online forum for young entrepreneurs, but how did they do it?

I have a content rich social networking site for young investors and I have tried all of the traditional methods to build up my membership...I have supplied quality conent, regisitered in all the directories, I have an active blog that is shown through feeds on other sites, I have utilized twitter/digg/stumbleupon etc., I have joined other forums in my niche and tried to provide quality posts, I have posted on other blogs of similiar topics, I have used Adds, I have started Facebook groups, I have been featured in 6 newspaper articles in the past few months...

I have done all of the traditional "google it" type of marketing techniques. I am now trying to build up my membership base on the site and I am curious if anybody knows any out-of-the-box type techniques to go about this??? Is there anyway to tap into a network of email addresses or inform masses amounts of people of my site...Or have I missed any traditional methods above that I should try out??

I look forward to checking back in to find the answer that will be the game changer!!!

**BizGuy** · 05-18-2009 06:19 PM

Well, that's a great question!

Firstly, it did not happen overnight that's for sure. We launched YoungEntrepreneur.com back in 1999 (its amazing to think that we have recently celebrated our 10th year of being online!) Isn't that equivalent to 100 years in 'internet years'.

We have done quite a few things over the years to try and enhance the users experience and have recently re-read hundreds of emails from members and site visitors that suggested some ideas/new features that they would like to see in our new launch this summer.

So, firstly, its listening to what your community wants and needs. In our case here, its giving our members more tools, solutions and support for starting, managing and growing successful business ventures. With our new launch you will see several new features that will be helpful to us all!

Working on your site layout, articles, user interaction is always very important as well for both your site visitors and also your SEO.

We plan on continuing to build up the site & community (its an ongoing process) to always enhance our users experience.

It sounds like you are off to a great start with your diligence on joining groups and forums and working on your SEO etc. Continue to the building process and always try and improve and build upon what you have.

If you have any other specific site building/membership questions, I'll be happy to answer.

Thanks,

Adam T.

**financeblogger123** · 05-18-2009 06:26 PM

Thank You for your response Adam! YE has been a great help throughout the process and I feel as though I can speak for us all when I say this. I look forward to seeing the new site design when it is relaunched!

I particularly am going to pay close attention to the community sentiments...because afterall, the site lies within our quality members.

**SeaSquirrel** · 05-18-2009 07:41 PM

My advice is to redo your forums. It's way to confusing and has 4 pages of different areas to post. Get something more general similar to how YE has "general business" which covers almost everything and then add other posting topics as needed. An active community will let you know when you should start a special interest place for specific posts. Just my two cents.

**financeblogger123** · 05-23-2009 06:01 PM

Thank you SeaSquirrel, you are actually the second person to suggest this so when I read this post I made sure that I fixed this on the spot. Hopefully now it will be much more user friendly!

**jbeaton04** · 05-23-2009 06:52 PM

It looks like you put a lot of effort into the network portion of your website. It also seems like you have some decent content but you have to navigate quite a bit to get to any actual articles.

I am a random walker myself.

**financeblogger123** · 05-24-2009 03:47 PM

Thank you! I think that this is a problem as well, we have a great amount of content all over the site, but how are you expected to find it? I am trying to develop a new platform that will make this a bit easier.