One of the things that makes the Internet fun is all the message boards and forums. You can sound off about nearly anything, get and give advice, and even build a relationship or two.
But message boards can be great for another reason: They're a free, effective place to market your business. You spend nothing but your time, but you make valuable connections with potential customers, and get your name out to members and guests alike.
With a link to your website included in your signature, you also can generate traffic. And, if those links are visible to guests, and the forum is indexed by search engines, those links may be counted by the spiders and improve your ranking.
Naturally, there are rules to follow if you want to effectively add forums to your marketing arsenal.
First of all, choose wisely. Keeping up to date with forum happenings takes time, and you want to make the most of it. So be sure you are posting on message boards that are visited by your prospects. You'll also get the most benefit from boards that allow you to put a link to your website in your signature, and that make those signatures visible to guests as well as members.
Your signature should contain a link to your site, as well as a tag line. Be careful not to be too pushy in your signature. A quiet link and your USP are more effective than a blatant ad.
Nothing ruins a forum faster than a bunch of pushy, in-your-face ads trying to disguise themselves as posts. Make sure your posts are genuine additions to the conversation, not just commercials, or you'll wind up doing yourself more harm than good. And you may even find yourself banned and your messages erased.
You'll get more out of your message board involvement if you put more in. Ask and answer questions. Give helpful advice, without mentioning your business. Remember that your goal is to build relationships. The more good, quality free advice you can give in your area of expertise the better. Besides just being a good thing to do, it builds goodwill and positive exposure.
Think of forums as an online version of a networking group. You don't want to be the guy in the polyester suit, pushing his way into everyone's conversation, and irritating them with constant commercials. You do want to be the guy who leaves with a stack of business cards and several new relationships.
If you've got the time, and can resist the temptation to be pushy, message board marketing may be just the boost your business is looking for.
Does your marketing forge an emotional connection with your prospects? It can. Lisa Packer delivers persuasive, targeted copywriting that dramatically increases your business. Unleash the power of words on behalf of your business by visiting http://www.dramatic-copy.com today.
I could tell you that the average temperature in the... Read More
What is the single most important thing you can do... Read More
First, define the end user (or ideal client) of your... Read More
I recently drove by a business that had a sign... Read More
How to Gain your Prospective Clients' Attention and Generate the... Read More
We all know the saying, "Failing to plan (prepare) is... Read More
Why would you use an email or online survey when... Read More
Many times when a trade show is planned for there... Read More
Can you remember the last dozen advertising messages beamed at... Read More
Marketing your small business takes tons of time, years of... Read More
Niches are like bathrooms; you never notice them until you... Read More
Every company searches to lure customers to their product. Unless... Read More
Recently, a client asked what he could do to help... Read More
Tactical marketing processes are once again undergoing fundamental shifts from... Read More
I knew this one would get your attention. How can... Read More
Is your marketing plan dull, flat, and downright boring? Is... Read More
With all the shuffling that's been seen in the search... Read More
You may be in business for yourself or as a... Read More
The Logo: a little historyLogotype, commonly know as a logo,... Read More
Who says scientists can't market? Here are 10 easy marketing... Read More
A recent issue of Entrepreneur magazine included a marketing story... Read More
1. Business CardsIt is very important to market yourself via... Read More
Today I want to share a question from a reader... Read More
Dear Friend:Don't do it.Don't start your fundraising letters with "Dear... Read More
Every direct mail package you drop in the mail should... Read More
Most businesses realize that they are simply a click away... Read More
Direct mail can be one of the most effective tactics... Read More
Are you still waiting for business to turn around before... Read More
Do you cringe at the thought of trying to promote... Read More
To be your own marketing expert you first need to... Read More
Face it?you know you've got to do something to keep... Read More
Entering into Global markets is a great way to organically... Read More
Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows... Read More
Entrepreneurs pay a lot of attention to the mechanics of... Read More
What is the most valuable asset your company owns? Inventory?... Read More
The challenge in business-to-business direct mail is knowing where to... Read More
How many times have you heard the same sound bites... Read More
Research shows that the gay and lesbian market is worth... Read More
How well do you know your customers?What is the primary... Read More
Ever sit with a single puzzle piece of clouds and... Read More
This is a pretty tough global economy and it is... Read More
As a business professional, you probably realize the value of... Read More
Finally, Something You Learned In Math Class Makes Sense In... Read More
Hey, as business owners we CAN'T be all things for... Read More
Second in a series of three articles:What if you could... Read More
Motivating strangers to give their money away is one of... Read More
Preparing a Marketing Plan for your product or service is... Read More
6 Secrets to Stellar Sales PresentationsEvery sale is won or... Read More
Whether you market online or offline, you already know the... Read More
Regardless how small or large your budget is, there are... Read More
Marketing Marketing |
|