How to Use Message Boards & Forums for Web Site Marketing

Message boards and forums, from the start and to this day, are still one of the best ways to get the word out about your business. By helping others and sharing your knowledge and experience! You participate in forums and offer your expertise to others and they get to know you.

Members see how you handle yourself, how you communicate, your professionalism and feel more comfortable contacting you when they need your product or service — because they’ve grown to trust you.

As always, there is a proper way to approach tacit marketing on message boards and forums. Be too commercial, too transparent and other members will know exactly what you are up to and disregard you as a potential resource when a need arises.

Here are some tips to make sure you have a more enjoyable, constructive and productive experience when participating on message boards and forums:

• Review the “Charter” or rules for the message board and abide by them. If you don’t like the rules, search out another board that is more in line with what you feel is appropriate or are willing to abide by. It is the right of the owner of the message board to dictate terms of use. If you don’t like them, find another message board or better yet, start up your own! Most rules are common sense and in place to ensure the boards remain on topic and of value to all members
• Setup your profile to include a link to your site. Also configure your signature file to include a link to your Web site and a short slogan or note of a special offer you may have. Regardless if the forum is related to personal interests, hobbies or your business market — this information can direct interested parties your way. Unless someone specifically asks about your product or service, you should not post a sales pitch about your business and even when asked, post humbly and briefly and point folks to your site for more information. Use your experience and knowledge to contribute to conversations and let your signature file soft market for you.
• If new to the message board, “lurk” for awhile to get a feel for the community and personalities of the regulars before you post. You will be participating in an established community and don’t want to just bust in and blurt out answers or questions before getting a good idea for the feel of the group. Then, in your first post, a short intro about you before you comment is recommended and helps you start to become part of that community.
• Keep in mind there will always be differences of opinion. Try to remain objective and not personalize issues if at all possible. Rise above all that and leave a sterling impression! You can disagree with others by being firm and expressing your opinion with clarity without resorting to name calling, slurs or innuendos just to make your point. Losing your temper will not only reflect on you — but on your business as well.
• Be sure to down edit, or remove any part of the post you are replying to that is no longer necessary to the ongoing conversation. This includes anything within the >>> that no longer applies and previous poster’s signature files. Learn how to use the forum interface which can help you down edit posts you reply to. By down editing, you will show your command of the technology in which you are participating, while doing your part to keep the conversation focused and easy to read by the other members. Making these efforts will be greatly appreciated by your fellow members and will also give others an idea about what it will be like to do business with you.
• Always review your post(s) before you click send/post. You never know who may pop by and review your post — a customer, a potential new major account, a new opportunity! Make sure your post expresses the appropriate tone you want to relay. If you are joking, add a ;-). Use emoticons to reflect the seriousness or lack thereof of your comments. Most forums provide you with standard emoticons so you can do just that with just a click. Also be sure to check your spelling and grammar to do your best to make sure you are viewed as someone who made it out of grade school.

Participating in or starting your own forums opens doors to new contacts, opportunities and networking for your business. Used wisely, prudently and properly message boards and forums can generated allot of interest for you and your business!

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