Forums are a great way to jump start your internet business. If you have never used forums for marketing then there is not a lot to learn but these ideas should help you out right away.
1.Do a Google search for forums in your niche by searching +forum. Join relevant forums that are in some way related to your niche. For example, someone involved with a diet related product, many types of forums could apply….everything from Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers to calories and fitness.
2. Choose popular forums. There is no point in wasting your time and energy on forums that few members and few posts. Google page rank and the amount of active members and threads as well as page views are a few good ways to check for this.
3. Choose forums that allow a signature. If it’s possible read the rules before joining and pay attention to them. Your time is important, too. It is better to find out that a forum doesn’t allow posts with signatures or links before you join so that you will eventually be able to promote products that you support.
After you have joined follow these steps to become better at using the forums to your advantage.
1. Keep your signature short and update it regularly. The ideal thing is to limit yourself to one link, preferably to a product page on your site, too many links will water down your signature and people may not click and ling then.
2. Don’t ever push your products hard, this just offends people. This is the most important rule I believe because it only displays the marketers lack of experience if he does so. At best this kind of post will be deleted by the monitors after killing your trust with the other members of the forum….at worst, it is grounds for being banned.
3. Become a great helper to all forum members. Be an active member on the forum. Plan to spend at least an hour a few of times a week and take the time to get to know the users. Take the time to introduce yourself with intelligent questions depending upon the forum’s topic. And always add to the conversation, never just type “I agree”
As a marketer becomes a regular member, they will hopefully develop a good reputation and without saying a word about their promotion, those who are interested in their product will approach them.