Making a living?

[dxyy]

I certainly think it's possible to make a living, but I guess too many people have the wrong attitude going into it. I think you really need to look at your long-term goals and not only try to focus on making a quick buck today. Haha, but then again I haven't made a cent as yet since I don't have any ads on my forum.

Anyway, I'm willing to put myself out on the line and say that I believe I can make a living either directly or indirectly because of my website/s. The reason I said indirectly is because I look at my forum more as a networking tool which can open up many other opportunities based on the trust my community should garner. Of course I don't have any secret for success. As far as I know the easiest way to success is hard work and perseverance. I really think once I get two more things working perfectly on my forum that I can attract many more members.

Haha, well since I'm still a newbie in terms of forums it will be hard for anyone to believe that I can be successful, but I'm confident that I can at least be successful in terms of traffic. Whether or not I can properly monetarize(sp?) that traffic remains to be seen.

[Neorics]

But if I had the secrets for success I doubt I would share them. I'd be earning

thanks karl... ima use that on my MSN <personal message> now hehehe

[ArkServer]

Making a living with my site was my goal but i don't think that's realistic.

I do get a high $$ or low/med $$$ amount from donators on my site but thats not enough to live from. Now i just help people with their programming and occasionally get paid by people that need me to do their programming homework or projects.

[ApplianceJunk]

I plan to release a guide on how to make money with a SMF forum/site. The trouble is I don't know if it's better to it as an eBook or webpage.

Do both, 

[caglezxj]

I make enough to cover my hosting and domain cost plus advertise the site on some others. I have banner ad's and do it by packages, one packages offers more than the other. I currently have 6 sponsors and my site has been up 1 month. All I plan on is having a great site for everyone to enjoy and with the extra money go out and have a good time or buy more accessories for my toys. my site is www.polarisrangerforum.com

[unome]

I Dont think it would be easy making a living off one forum alone.

You would need other content on the site or more than one forum.

I cover my hosting costs easly Last year we donated about £500 ish to charity as well

www.superbikeforums.co.uk

google ads are pants but the $100 every 2-3mths makes good beer money

[AMPro]

It seems like the point is flying over people's heads no matter how many times it is reiterated.

1. Have a forum related to something that has some commercial value, preferably something with a good cost per unit (like the rc hobbyist examples)

2. Drive traffic to your forum to create a customer base (potential value)

3. Sell adds to people who produce items related to your forum that said customer base would be interested in. 

= Happy customers, Happy Vendors, Happy you.

Then of course there's always
4. Spend time worrying that said vendors will just set up their own forums and skip you altogether at some point in the future.

[khoking]

My sites are currently still not making *enough* money to cover on its own, but I have seen some really big sites which make big money from advertising, so my goal is towards that.

However, I don't think I want to be money/profit orientated. It makes running a forum tiresome and will very quickly get fedup.

[starcad]

Well lurking through this discussion there is some really great advice here.  Thanks all of you for sharing your ideas a experiences.  I've set up several forums in the past and found that just because you make it doesn't mean they will come.  As stated above if you want to make money off your forum you really need to have a plan in mind.  And, just like anything else in business it takes time and money to start.

I started my latest forum, The Grey Hair Forum, because I am was to find a way to rid my home of my unwanted son-in-law and couldn't find any information on the internet. 

As for making money with it.  We shall see what the future has.