Get Traffic & Sales Using Discussion
Forums
by Jean Sutherland
Message
boards, discussion forums and newsgroups can all produce very
profitable results for you and your business. Most of us already
participate in one or more of these and the more you participate
the bigger the benefits to you and your website will be.
So
let's find out how to make this a profitable venture for you.
Posting
on forums, newsgroups and boards is the start of a relationship
between you and others who read these venues. Many message
boards and forums also allow you to use a picture of yourself.
This adds to making the whole experience much more personal
between you and other readers. It allows for many friendships
to be formed. I am constantly told by readers of my newsletter
that they have often meet people they deal with online and
many friendships have been developed.
With
these venues you have the potential to reach thousands of
people, all who can help you and your business and may form
some lasting friendships in the process..
This
is one of the most productive efforts that you can involve
yourself in online. Time is money and a lot of you are also
working full time jobs while trying to build an online business.
Set aside time on a daily basis to participate in at least
one of these ventures.
-
Join boards where your expertise can help relevant traffic
and leads for your site.
-
Join areas where you have an opportunity to help others and
others who may be able to help you.
-
Join areas where people are involved with the same interests
that you have in websites you have developed.
I
have an online newsletter (http://www.emailpromotions.net)
that is aimed at people working on the internet. I offer free
software that I have found online as well as marketing tips,
traffic tips and computer tips. I also have a website that
focuses on Resort Spas Worldwide (http://www.spasoftheworld.com).
I participate in a great number of forums and newsgroups and
it is a tremendous help in building my online businesses
1.
Look for message boards that get a lot of traffic. The more
traffic on the board the better your chances of getting more
traffic to your site and making good connections with others.
If the forums contain spam, avoid them like the plague. They
are a waste of your time.
2.
Let people know who you are. Use your real name and if possible
post a picture of your self. Don't be afraid to also use the
logo from your site if you have one. You need people to trust
you in order to build an online experience with them. You
will be surprised at how well known you will become by using
this simple method. Not only will people get to know and trust
you but they will refer others to you. Word of mouth/email
is a very powerful tool for you to use.
3.
Success in getting your post read is your first priority.
Subject lines MUST catch a persons eye in order for them to
open it. Stick to topics that are hot or create your own hot
topic. That way your message is right at the top. People like
to look at hot topics and busy threads.
5)
When posting or responding to a topic, use keywords that people
using the search engines would use to find that topic. Put
those right in the subject line since the search engines do
index many popular discussion boards.
4.
Keep in mind that message boards are also websites and search
engines pick up keywords. Make sure you use a lot of good
keywords in the body of your message and also in the subject
line if possible.
5.
As well as keywords, offer a link to someone that is free
that people can use. An ebook, a free software program etc.
The link alone will bring people back to the topic time and
time again, bringing more and more traffic.
6.
Signature files...you should already be using a signature
file with your emails but make sure to use them every time
you post. Make sure it explains your site and your product.
This will also count as sites that link to your website and
thereby increase you popularity and rankings. Make sure you
do it tastefully or you will see your message tossed very
quickly.
7.
Make sure you are contributing something of value when you
participate in these communities. Once you start to become
a valuable contributor others will be more trusting of you
and will feel safe making purchases from your site.
8.
Forum etiquette. Make sure you follow the rules to a "T"
or you will develop a reputation for being combative. So many
people attack others and if you must respond to someone attacking
you, take it to private messages. Attacking others or attacking
in defense will drive business away from your site faster
than you can blink an eye. Before you post any message, read
it carefully and make sure it does not sound combative. Always
read your posts before hitting the submit button.
9.
Posting on a regular basis will give you more traffic than
you dreamed of. Set aside ½ hour a day to monitor boards
and to post on some. It should pay off very nicely in the
end.
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Jean Sutherland has successfully run her own ezine for over
5 years and has a subscriber base of 35,000. Her ezine revolves
around people doing business online and beside offering free
software, it also provides traffic & marketing tips, informative
business articles, free ebooks and computer tips for those
trying to work online. http://www.emailpromotions.net
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are left in place.