Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

My question was not so much if people like the site or found it interesting, as to what can I do to improve and monetize the site. 

 

I realize that it will offend some people.  But I guess that`s the point.  We live in a society where talking about racial  issues is like walking on eggshells.  Aither`s comment of "what was I thinking" proves my point.  Don`t believe me, try and find a forum on the web dedicated to American race relations.

 

It may interest people to know that I am African-American.  I created the site because I believe that we as a country choose to ignore race issues and instead internalize our resentment concerning them, instead of discussing them openly. The Duke and Imus scandals and America`s love-hate relationship with hip-hop are just a few examples that prove my point. 

 

I hope the site shocks people.  I hope it disgusts them. I hope it makes them think. And in doing so, I hope it makes for some open and honest conversation.  Wow, I almost thought I was in a poly-sci class for a minute.

  

Regardless if you like the site or not, this being an entrepreneurial forum, can anyone help me with my original quesiton: a) what can I do to improve the site (from a technical standpoint), b) how can I monetize the site, and c) how can I drive traffic?

 

I`m not sure how helpful I can be, I`m rather new to internet marketing (about five months old).  Even though you don`t care who likes your site, I happen to like it. Of course I tend to think from a different perspective than others. I believe it causes people to think, and anything that provokes thinking about what and why we are saying things is a good thing.

 

As far as monetizing it, using adsense like you are is one way.  Offering reading material could be another way. The type of books would depend on what your goal is. Are you trying to educate ignorant people about the words they use, or help stop racism?  Or offering humorous but through provoking stuff, or extremely contraversial books, people will tend to buy the things that piss them off, it gives them something to rant about in the future or material to defend there own position whether it`s for it or against it. You could either publish your own book, or promote other people`s books as an affiliate.

 

Getting traffic can be done many ways and depends on what monetary resources you have. Free methods would be through article writing and submitting to ezines, creating a squidoo lens, Digg-it, press releases, through forums with your signature and free site submission.

 

Paid methods of course are PPC, and paid site submissions. I wouldn`t recommend this unless you have money to burn or money coming in.

 

Getting people to revisit your site can be done with an email "opt in" for newsletters.

 

As far improving it, that I`m not sure about. I`m still in the process of learning how to create my own website. I do know that in order to get ranked well in the organic search engines, you need to have keyword rich and relevant content throughout your site. It appears that you do from what I read. I`m still learning about that too though.

 

I hope this helps answer your questions and congrats on doing something you feel strongly about.

 

Julia