Forum Marketing for the Beginner

The numbers of fledgling marketers who take to forum marketing network businesses are growing! Unfortunately, so are the numbers of marketers who will return to the same forum the next day to be perplexed. When they attempt to log in they find out that their forum persona and access was deleted, as well as posting privileges denied. What happened? All you wanted to do was to market your home computer business idea, or get help for it. What could you have done so wrong? Well, let's explore correct procedure to marketing in a forum.

Generally speaking, the odds are good that your forum posts were considered spam by enough of the other players that an administrator was contacted, who eventually took action and banned you from the network. The fine line that exists between forum marketing and spamming is often a heated topic of discussion on said forums themselves, and there is no hard and fast answer.

Yet in an effort to make it easier for the newbie, forum marketing is a three step process.

1. First and foremost, you need to decide which angle you want to market. In other words, are you looking for down line candidates, or for product customers? In the same vein, do you want to find individuals who not only want to buy your product but then also turn around and sell it? Each and every angle requires you to use a different approach. In other words, each and every angle requires you to write your forum posts with great care and expertise. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that this is a task most commonly outsourced to an experienced freelance writer.

2. Secondly, you need to create your forum persona. Stay away from obvious monikers that will have other forum participants roll their eyes and instantly steal your credibility. Examples include, "make money losing weight", or "get wealthy online" from names like, "wealthymarketer" or "thecashcow". Instead, opt for a persona with a respectable name or handle. If you do not want to use your real name, decide on a name like BusinessBob, or TexasShirley. Next, you need to create a profile. This is a great opportunity to mention your business and also your role in it, but do not turn the forum profile section into a cut and paste job from the company website. There is not a person alive who will read through a lengthy promotional profile. Last but not least, if the forum permits, create a signature. This could include a link to your website, but it will be more effective if it includes a link to a personal blog or even online newsletter with a gripping teaser. Something like, "a candy bar at three in the morning cost me two hours of sleep, and $10" is an example of a headline that will lead to click through traffic simply because it seems too implausible and everyone wants to know more about the story. Do not disappoint the website visitor, but instead deliver a gripping tale or blog entry so when you change your signature to feature the next article, those who know you will come and look.

3. Last but not least, do not post lengthy wellness product reviews in a gardening forum. Similarly, do not post an explanation on how to lose weight in a forum dedicated to childhood diseases. Two cardinal sins are incorporated in this approach: a lengthy posting and an inappropriate venue. Only post in forums that are somehow related to your business. Secondly, keep the posts short and simple, especially when you discuss your product. Do not just reply to a topic with the message...."I agree with that." Make sure any of your messages have content in them.

So, go to forums and market your home computer business idea, product or any other idea you are trying to sell. Just make sure your messages contain the three things above and you will be on your way to more customers, more links to your site, and more friends on the internet.