Quick Tips for Forum Marketing

How To Generate Leads & Network Effectively on Forums

Participating on forums is one of the best ways to attract
new customers or distributors to your business and to
network with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Here are some quick tips for "forum marketing:"

1. When you register for the forum, use your real name as
your Username. For example, instead of registering as
"supernetworker935" set up your Username as "John_Doe."
Some forums allow a space between words. If not use an
underscore.

You want people to get to know you and begin to recognize
your name.

2. Read the forum rules! As a moderator of a couple of
forums, I'm still surprised how many new members (and a few
old ones!) don't read the rules.

You look stupid when you break the rules. Don't do it.

3. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you try to sound
like an expert all the time you'll seem fake... because you
are.

No one knows everything and you can learn as much as you
would in a $200 course by asking a few good questions.

4. When you know an answer to a question, post it. It builds
your credibility, gives your sig file more exposure, builds
your karma, and helps you to make more friends or contacts.

5. Sig what? A sig file is geek-speak for "signature" - a
few lines of text at the bottom of your post in which you
can usually put a link or two along with some "attract the
click" copy.

You usually set up your sig file in your Profile. Make sure
you know what the forums rules are about signatures. Look at
experienced members' sig files.

6. Write your signature as if it were a PPC (Pay Per Click)
or classified ad with a strong headline, persuasive copy,
including a "call to action," and a link to one of your web
sites.

Example of an Ineffective Signature:

Get this free report that will help you work full time from
home: workfromhomefreereport.com

Flaws: No headline; anemic prose; no tracking link to
measure effectiveness; no "call to action." (that is a fake
URL, by the way)

Example of an Effective Signature:

M L M - W A R N I N G!
Breakthrough New REPORT Reveals
The Cold, Hard Truth About M L M ...
Click Here to Access Your Free Copy

Strengths: Strong headline; emphasizes that
the report is free; compelling copy; call to
action; tracking link to measure
effectiveness. 

RECOMMENDED FORUMS

CYN Forum - I'm a moderator there so I visit fairly
often; be sure to say hello.

MS Forum - Sign up for the free 7-day video
"boot camp" training series first; then look for the
email which will grant you access to the forum.

Work-At-Home-Moms Forum - As the name implies,
it's primarily for womenbut men are welcome too.

WhyDoWork Forum - Good traffic, often shows up
on search engines.

Work-At-Home-Forum - Well managed forum with
a crisp, clean format.

Online-Marketing-Forums - My forum focused on
network marketing, direct sales, and Internet
marketing.

About the Author: Mark Worthen, Psy.D., trained as a
clinical/forensic psychologist at Baylor and Harvard, now
earns a full-time income working from home in direct
sales & Internet marketing. You can contact Mark via
one of his web sites:  BestWayToGetPaid.com

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