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Forum marketing is a form of Internet marketing, where you use discussion forums to advertise your product or website. Unfortunately, due to spamming, forum marketing has a negative sound to many forum administrators. This is because some marketers go into forums purely with the intention of marketing products or services.
This is the wrong way to go about it and will usually only lead to either you being ignored or banned from the forum. Discussion forums are not marketplaces (at least most are not) and when used as such, the marketer’s actions will only inspire the wrath of fellow members.
In order to effectively use discussion forums, you need to use the forums for what they are meant to be used. Take actively part in discussions and focus your posts on the topic, instead of your own website. Leave actual marketing to a minimum and become a respected member of the community.
How to Benefit from Forums
Only after you have contributed towards the forums significantly should you consider actively mentioning your products or services. Even then, only point out your own website in a helpful way, as an answer to a problem or question.
Signature space (which is allowed on many forums) is a good place to mention your website by linking to it. On some forums these links will also have a search engine optimization effect, but even on other websites they will point interested traffic your way.
Remember that forums are meant for exchange of ideas and not marketing. By being helpful you will develop a good reputation and your opinions will be valued. As a respected member you can market in an effective way without being obtrusive about it.
by Sutocu | January 16, 2008 
you have articulated this issue beautifully!
while this, like much of the “web 2.0″ infrastructure, is simply no-nonsense business wisdom, it is SUCH a novel custom to many eager beavers who don’t want to “miss out this time”.
it boils down to the kindergarten lessons like; be nice, share, and don’t chew with your mouth open.
namaste,
renee
Exactly. We should all make sure we understand the basics before moving on.
As an administrator of a large forums and also as I’m trying to create another successful one, I must say I’ve red this post really carefully.
You’ve made some good points there and I must agree with you!
Especially about the part with the signature space! This makes people to want to post more so the links there will get to be seen by more people!
It works quite well to post on a hobby forum related to a niche blog on the same topic. Not only can you get a good signature link but you can link to your articles for even more relevant backlinks. As long as you’ve taken the time to make your post look legit and community oriented no one will complain that you’re spamming.
I think that is wise advice for everywhere you comment, if you don’t have anything useful to say you won’t make any progress and people will right you off as a spammer. Know your content and you will get noticed for it, people love good advice and follow those who give it.
Nice article, good tips, im following them. A summary of what i currently do on forums though , is only use the do-follow. So my sig links in my signature count as backlinks. And i make sure the forum has high amounts of traffic so i can gain some traffic off having sig links in the forum. I will use your advice to make my forum marketing even stronger.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Very educational.
great article.
thanks.
you have articulated this issue beautifully!
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You have some nice points here, forum advertising can also make you’re site look bad, if you “overdo it” ofcourse. Before starting to advertise you’re site/product or w/e you want to, you should get to know the community.
what do u say about this stuff yeah! Totally! (:
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