How do forums generate revenue?

**peteyflow** · 01-05-2009 05:05 AM

I have a question, how do forums generate revenue? Just through ads right? Like this site for instance. They make money only through ads right?

**businesgoonline** · 01-05-2009 06:49 AM

I would say the only way to generate revenue from any website is through ads and affiliate program.

**GuyBBY** · 01-05-2009 08:12 AM

Ad's first and foremost. Also, there are a few ways that they acquire assets, if you will, that are not directly monetary but rather can be used to convert into dollars in some capacity. Those examples would be just the sheer amount of contact/marketing data they have from their users and depending on their terms and agreements of the initial registration, what they propose to do with that info can convert dollars for them at some point.

Also, if you have an extremely targeted market or niche forum with high traffic/membership and is reliable with information and commentary, you can set up polls and surveys that capture realistic and helpful data which can, again, be converted into dollars in some direct or indirect way by you or those interested in it.

Guy

**HarveyJ** · 01-05-2009 09:07 PM

You can also merchandise a forum through something like Cafepress.
If you have a strong community, people often want to show that they're ap art of it with a mug or shirt.

**Shift** · 01-06-2009 01:34 PM

I am a member of a car forum that offers a premium membership for around $10 that lets you navigate through the site without seeing ads and you gain access to a 'premium member only' area. Their ad packages are rather expensive, but they also have 60k plus members.

**TheBigIdea** · 01-06-2009 06:36 PM

mmm, paying money to not see ads? not sure if it's a viable business model with the emergence of ad-blockers built into your browsers these days.

**VI_Ruddell** · 01-06-2009 07:51 PM

I was thinking that a forum like this might sell books or other well known information products that can give us the informatiion we need. For example, maybe the Rich Dad series or Think and Grow Rich. Just something along those lines.

I participate on a REI forum that offers Teleseminars with investors who are well known in the industry and also one that provide products. They have an extensive list of other products and recommend books. I don't know about all of their products but the one I bought from Steve Cook on wholesaling was the best product i've ever seen on that subject and provided me with the information and the steps to begin wholesaleling.

A forum could offer stuff along those lines to its members and create sales with that. They might not even have to carry products just drop ship them.