Starting a webforum: technology, time, and monetization resources

[robert slack]

I am considering creating a forum for technical writers but I have some questions about what I should expect.

My aim with this forum is not to make a lot of money. I think of this forum primarily as an opportunity to build my network and to create an audience for some ebooks I intend to write.

With that being said, I do believe that I can improve on the discussion boards that already exist.

To help me figure out if it's going to be worth my time, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on the following:

• Technology: Can anyone recommend user friendly tools for managing a web forum? I am at the very initial stages and would welcome even the most basic advice.
• Level of effort: In your experience, how much time should I expect to devote to routine maintenance? Again: this effort is primarily about marketing. My time is limited and I need to be mindful of my opportunity costs.
• Monetization resources: You can find a lot of advice online about how to convert eyeballs to dollars, so it makes sense to talk to the professionals (you!) for advice on who to trust.

Any help you can provide would be most appreciated!

 

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[treinjapan]

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[PatrickP]

Hivvoph e gusan aq epf sappoph dep ci fupi cz qezoph tuni e geosmz tnemm enuapv. Mitt vjep $100 gus tasi. Et gus neopvipepdi katv ecuav bisu.

Nupovoboph, jesf vu tez xovjuav lpuxoph nusi ecuav vji gusan.

Et ges et hivvoph qiuqmi up e gusan ximm ov ot katv moli e catopitt OT vjisi e PIIF gus vjot gusan zua esi vjoploph ecuav? Vji wetv nekusovz ug gusant geom vu iwip hiv 1000 nincist epf foi ugg xovjop e zies us tu.

 

[robert slack]

Vjeplt gus vjot opgusnevoup! Ov't siemmz jimqgam!