Guide to Advertising Your Server

[SectorSeven]

Many peoples' realms fall because of alot of things, but the number one issue is not enough people on their realm. This guide is to help you get the word out.

Step 1: Professionality
Step 2: Legit
Step 3: Actual Advertising


Step 1: Professionality
This is major on getting your server to be popular. You most exhibit the following characterisitics:
-Using proper grammar
-Using proper capitalization; nobody likes a server called the doom realms
-Don't name your realms stupid stuff like: Barney Returns Realms
-Try to specialize your server off one realm, then expand
-Try not to give the player too much, look at the top servers, none of the top servers do it
-Get a domain name; if you can't, make your realmlist look professional and short (examplerealms.servegame.org)
-Have professional GMs. They don't use .announce or .wannounce exept for the upmost important things. Make sure they use proper English
-Don't use Hamachi, I don't care if you can't do it with a DynDNS, hamachi servers suck terribly and will never get anywhere
-Have a professional website
-Only advertise a completed (or 95% completed) realm


Step 2: Legit
You have to proove that your server is legitamate and is not some server run by noobs. The best way to promote this is to post Youtube videos of your server, even though they may not get many views, when people don't believe your server specs, just pop em that link to that youtube video.


Step 3: Advertising
I can't even begin, to start with your going to have to spend some $$$. Heres what you should buy: Google and Yahoo Adcredits. They cost either $25 or $50 and I would recommend you buy them for the tag "Private server". I also recommend you get a professional banner (Flash or Animated) and also write up an ad that you are going to put on sites like Mmowned. Every emulation site has one, just search around. You also are going to want to take advantage of ANY social relationships you have: Ex. Friends. Tell them and they will tell others ext. Make sure that you remember the facts from Step 1. You may also want to upgrade your computer.

Running a private server is risky, as you, to have a successful server, have to spend some money in the beginning. I would recommend that you have a budget, lets say $80 a month. You will definatly loose some at the beginning but you probably will gain it back over time. As your server gains more and more people, upgrade so that your income and spent are near the same until you are with only the best. I would recommend that you only do donations like: Premade Characters, Mounts, Gold and not things like Custom Donator Gear. This ruins alot of the point of a server.

Your also going to want to join sites like Xtremetop100 and WoW-V Server listings. Give your members gifts, like, free gnome masks if you reach your goal for the week. Be reallistic. Don't expect to be in the Top 50 in a few days, that can take weeks. Most importantly, have fun. Running a private server is risky, and should definatly not be required upon to earn large amounts of cash.

Also, try to make deals with databases (Such as Ascent Blizzlike Database) for you to promote their database. Ascent Blizzlike is currently offering a link switch, you add them to a news page, they add you. Visitors are exchanged. But little things may get you into the hundreds, and eventually, thousands. You may also want to take advantage of this: http://www.mmowned.com/forums/wow-emulator-servers/100424-new-way-advertise-emu-servers-mmowned.html. Its a great oppurtunity to get word tp a site of over 175,000 people out. Its easy if you are dedicated, don't give up, and don't do anything too illegal.

So long and I hope this helped,
SectorSeven

[joober]

These are great ideas and nicely written. +Rep

[SectorSeven]

Appreciate it!

[Xtinction]

Thanks Man I Really Love This It Helps Out Alot

[SectorSeven]

No problem... Enjoy!
Suggestions welcome...

[joober]

Just went to look up on the Google Advertising, and is it really that expensive? I saw something that was up to 400 dollars? Or am I looking for the wrong thing?

[SectorSeven]

No your correct, but it usually depends on the search term.

[Syplex23]

nice +rep man now i know how to advertise properly

[Algorithm]

No your correct, but it usually depends on the search term.

i dont agree with sector...

you do not post your adverts on sites like Mmowned.. All it does it brings fking hackers to your server..

I would only advertise on youtube and extremetop100

advertising with Google never got me anywhere, waste of money.


You want your server to grow. make 5 cool videos with somehting cool and unique, add a very nice Keywords to your video,.

Open extremetop100 account , add voting system on your site, and simply give it time.

[SectorSeven]

Ah, yes. Protect yourselves. Another great lesson.

And btw that doesn't bring hackers to your server anymore than any other method would.

[DarkYoshi87]

I'll try this once I get a server up and running. Thanks.

[Cursed]

i dont agree with sector...

you do not post your adverts on sites like Mmowned.. All it does it brings fking hackers to your server..

I would only advertise on youtube and extremetop100

advertising with Google never got me anywhere, waste of money.


You want your server to grow. make 5 cool videos with somehting cool and unique, add a very nice Keywords to your video,.

Open extremetop100 account , add voting system on your site, and simply give it time.

Like SS said: Advertising on MMowned doesnt bring more hackers to your server than other methods.
Try to protect your server (maybe catch a good programmer and think of methods to stop WoWEmuHacker as an example)

Anyway very nice guide SectorSeven and +Rep 2x

Edit: Have to spread, sorry... :/

[SectorSeven]

This is a medium skilled script to do in C++, I have it for my test realms. Glider, Innerspace, FishingBots, WoWEmuHacker, WoWinfinity...none of them work and you automatically recieve an account ban for using them

[Mr.Jebus Christ]

0 . 0 me want script lolz

[SectorSeven]

Haha - Not gonna happen and risk being leaked