Are you using posting exchange often?

[Nomad]

@InMyOpinion I understand what you mean. Post exchange does not give you genuinely interested member, they will be posting as long as you are posting on their forums. These days there are a lot of platforms where people can interact, engage, and share. They have multiple options, so for a forum it is really difficult to get genuinely interested user. Therefore, just like you said, post exchange, or even buying posting packages from promotional forums is just a temporary fix.

 

[Cedric]

I’ve never been a fan of post exchanges. More often than not, you don’t get what you expect - or anything at all. Unless there’s a strong reason to do it, like networking, advertising, or engaging with a forum in the same niche, it rarely feels worthwhile. If it seems like a waste of time, it probably is. That time would be better spent creating great content for your own forum instead.

 

[Cpvr]

When I was an admin I would use posting exchanges however I never felt like they would really work because though there would be someone posting on the forum they would only post for the exchange and then go MIA so it didn't really bring in new members though it would help with a bit of threads and posts. I would also find I would then have to spend time on someone else's forum instead of focusing on mine and working on my forum. I'm not saying that post exchanges don't work, they just never worked for me.

This is why I prefer long-term post exchanges over short-term ones.


They can be highly effective if you find the right people to collaborate with, especially when the exchanges benefit both forums.



Forum activity is essential for community growth, and the additional engagement from exchanges is always a plus—especially when partners actively contribute.


I’ve been doing exchanges for years, and they work quite well. However, I’ve also had my fair share of exchanges where the other person disappeared.



The key is to prioritize your own forum before posting on others, ensuring that the exchanges work in your favor.

 

[InMyOpinion]

This is why I prefer long-term post exchanges over short-term ones.


They can be highly effective if you find the right people to collaborate with, especially when the exchanges benefit both forums.



Forum activity is essential for community growth, and the additional engagement from exchanges is always a plus—especially when partners actively contribute.


I’ve been doing exchanges for years, and they work quite well. However, I’ve also had my fair share of exchanges where the other person disappeared.



The key is to prioritize your own forum before posting on others, ensuring that the exchanges work in your favor.

I've never really thought of long-term post exchanges but yeah it could definitely benefit both forums. I just find that if you're on someone else's forum you don't have time to concentrate on your own forum. I'd consider hiring staff to do post exchanges for you that way you can still focus on the forum while other staff can spend their time on the other forum(s).

I agree with you that forum activity is essential for community growth, but I just don't know how genuine that growth is if it's all just posting exchanges. Yes, it creates new threads and replies but if the person isn't going to stick around its only temporary activity.

On your comment about doing post exchanges for years and people disappearing that would be very disappointing and frustrating for sure, especially if you do your end of the deal and then you just never get anything in return.

I also completely agree with your statement of prioritizing your forum over posting on others and ensuring that the exchange works in your favour. I'm still not sold on forum exchanges though. Like I've done them, and I do sometimes post on other people's forums to help them with their activity but I also don't have my own forum where I need to spend my time and resources on.