Best way of advertising for a server?

[Oberdiah]

Hello, I'm starting up a server, slowly, and I've got about $250 to spend on advertising. I've tried contacting YouTubers, but our player base pretty much doesn't exist, so they don't want to play on an empty server.

I'd quite like to purchase a slot, but I can't find one in my price range. They're either too expensive, or too cheap.

What's the best option for me?

 

[FTSOwner]

Hello, I'm starting up a server, slowly, and I've got about $250 to spend on advertising. I've tried contacting YouTubers, but our player base pretty much doesn't exist, so they don't want to play on an empty server.

I'd quite like to purchase a slot, but I can't find one in my price range. They're either too expensive, or too cheap.

What's the best option for me?

$250 in the advertising "department" won't yield good returns and more so when your server is EMPTY.

Your first order of business is to get some people joining your server and then you can go from there. Sign up for free server listing that are most relevant to the server that you have (example if your running a Faction server then you should look for listing who lists Faction related servers). Also do not overlook local sources as well (if you have friends tell them, if your in school/college classmates who may be interested, and etc). Finally MOST importantly be sure your able to answer the "million dollars question". Why should I join your server vs the 10,000's that are there and counting?

I hope this help you start generating a player base.