Would you start a site/forum on something you didn't really know about?

[Pumazooma]

I've noticed a gap in the 'market' for a forum but it's on a subject I'm certainly no expert on but I think it would be a useful internet resource and discussion forum.

Do you think it's a good idea to start a forum on a subject you don't know or do you think that if it looks good and it's well run you can do a forum on anything?

The really difficult bit is to get users to sign up to a brand new forum with no posts or users on it but it's doable.

[kev woodman]

...know how to reach your target audience I don't see why you can't go for it. In the end you're providing a service for the members - whether you contribute or not is up to you.

[Peter]

I think it is imperative for you as a Forum Admin to be an expert on your forum subject. However if you are not an expert, you should have sound knowledge of what your forum is about to be able to reply to the threads made by other members. For a new forum to get started as an admin you should contribute with new threads and posts as nobody likes to join an empty forum.

[paul]

Peter is right, btw I think at least you should have few members in advance those having good knowledge and expertise in particular line and few of them can take the lead.

[kev woodman]

If you are able to recruit a few knowledgable people to start posting then do you really need to know much about the subject yourself? You're acting as a service provider amd as I would say that you don't need to take an active role in teh forum other than as admin/moderator.

Of course you need to reach those knowledgable people first. Depending on the topic it may be possible to approach some directly and explain the situation to them.

[Pumazooma]

Originally Posted by kev woodman

If you are able to recruit a few knowledgable people to start posting then do you really need to know much about the subject yourself? You're acting as a service provider amd as I would say that you don't need to take an active role in teh forum other than as admin/moderator.

Of course you need to reach those knowledgable people first. Depending on the topic it may be possible to approach some directly and explain the situation to them.

Yeah that's kind of my line of thinking. Yes I have a smattering of knowledge but not what I'd call expert but as you say, as admin I'm there to make sure it all runs smoothly and not necessarily to know much about the subject. But I do have access to people in the field so a target audience might not be too tricky to sort out.

[sMaRtiEs]

well 2 be honest... u can walk on the line and start this forum but u shud hav a few members who reali know abut the forum... and they shud better be active and i think it can work out... chances are 70 - 30

[Pumazooma]

With a domain and some hosting space it's less than £50 down the drain for a years effort if it doesn't take off. No great loss. A bit of google adage will cover some of that too.

[Peter]

Well I am still not convinced whether you as an Admin should start a forum on a topic on which you are not an expert. Unless you get a good number of experts whom you can trust and rely on to get your forum off the ground you shouldn't take a chance. Ofcourse that's just my opinion..

[Pumazooma]

Well for the subject I have in mind I don't think I need to be an expert. Just have a little knowledge and I've got that covered. It'll be more of a self help/support type of site. I have a couple of good places i can get some promotion/exposure through and then it should work by the users exchanging help and experiences themselves and a few experts providing help where necessary.

Like I say, it's no great loss if it doesn't take off but I think I'll have fun finding out .

[kev woodman]

Sounds like you're all set to go mate

Good luck - let us know if it takes off.