why is it so hard to build local disucassion forum/message board?

[MichaelCash]

Just wanted to see if someone else faced a similar issue and what could be the reason
I was trying to build a local discussion forum for a quite large city where people can discuss local things. It was a forum for tech people, which includes job talks, tech business, looking for a business partner, startups, etc, etc. What I found is that it is extremely difficult to do this. It looks like local tech folks are interested in communications in real life, e.g. at meetups, conferences, etc. but nobody wants to do this online. I am wondering why? Would it be great to have a discussion forum where local tech folks can talk? I think, not everyone has energy and willingness to go to meetups, some people may want to chat online with other local people. So why it doesn't work in practice? I know only one active local discussion group in a kinda difference domain, which is nextblock social network which is getting momentum now. But there are no technology discussion forums for New York or LA or SF Bay area. Any ideas why?

Thanks,
M

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

Doesn't NextDoor.com do this?

 

[Lex DeVille]

Just wanted to see if someone else faced a similar issue and what could be the reason
I was trying to build a local discussion forum for a quite large city where people can discuss local things. It was a forum for tech people, which includes job talks, tech business, looking for a business partner, startups, etc, etc. What I found is that it is extremely difficult to do this. It looks like local tech folks are interested in communications in real life, e.g. at meetups, conferences, etc. but nobody wants to do this online. I am wondering why? Would it be great to have a discussion forum where local tech folks can talk? I think, not everyone has energy and willingness to go to meetups, some people may want to chat online with other local people. So why it doesn't work in practice? I know only one active local discussion group in a kinda difference domain, which is nextblock social network which is getting momentum now. But there are no technology discussion forums for New York or LA or SF Bay area. Any ideas why?

Thanks,
M

Don't mean to sound mean, but your spelling and grammar sucks and if it was like that on your forum, there's 0 chance I'd join. It's hard because nobody had a reason to care. You have to give them reasons to care. When you do that, they'll come to you. Then they'll tell their friends. Then you'll have a community.

Here's some questions that come to mind:

1) What did you actually try to get this going?
2) How long did you keep at it and when did you quit?
3) How did you add value for other people (value they would care about)
4) How did you try to get the word out about your discussion?
5) How many people total did you talk to about this?