27 Internet Marketing Rules for Success. Rule #13: Join Forums and Contribute.

February 16th, 2010 by admin

While paid forms of advertising can be highly effective and targeted, one of the best ways to promote your business is through the passive approach of posting on forums and blogs.

The goal here is to make yourself useful; and to make an overt attempt NOT to sell anything directly. As you build rapport and as people come to appreciate your posts and advice, you will want to use very subtle ways to make your business.

These methods include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Create a high-quality report and give it away for free. No matter what niche you sell in, forum readers will appreciate this—especially if your content is good. In order to get some kick out of this approach, be sure to include links to resources on your site in your book. Also, include links to the opt-in page for your list.

2. Include a signature with each of your posts that explains who you are, in which areas you are an expert, and why people should contact you. Also, include a link to your site, your product, or your list.

3. Become a moderator on the forum without asking for anything in return. This will involve a little bit of sacrifice on your part, but it will pay off in terms of the credibility and authority you gain among members of the forum.

If you’re not sure where to start, go to http://www.big-boards.com and search for forums related to your website’s niche. Spend a few hours each week on a handful of relevant forums that receive a lot of traffic. Find out which of these forums is likely to be the most profitable; and then make an effort to concentrate your time and resources there.

Most importantly, do not show up on a forum with the express purpose of reaping a profit and then taking off. If it becomes clear that you have no interest in contributing to the community, forum members will be unlikely to respond well to you.

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