A forum is sure a lot of work,
you need to be there daily, even you dont post its already good members see you online.
We are in the lucky position to have a very nice Staff team,
it took some time to find the right crew, lol
they are doing wonderful and of course we pay them something, and let them also do some own advertisement, like for Poker or Bingos and somtimes also for Casinos.
A good Crew is very important and you have to keep them motivated.
Another point what i find important is
Your members have to feel as a person, if ya understand what i mean,
If you reply in a post to a member its always nice to put in the members name or some kind words.
Try to involve them, ask for their opinions, ask them for help, ask for their experiences at a special Casino and so on.
Show your members that they are important.
I think you need also to be the right person to run a forum,
you need to love to do it, then normally it grows and grows and you enjoy your job.
And i totally agree with Gamtrak
a good Platform is very important, dont go with freeboards,
you dont have access to all what would be important.
you may only customize them,
i have learned my lesson.
I believe my next forum will be Vbulletin either, still need to check all out.
Regards
Marina