Forums are just the Web 2.0 versions of the old Chat Rooms from the BBS days. You will find them on all social Networking sites (such as Facebook, Linked In etc.) and some Wordpress blogs. These can be a boom or a bust depending upon on you use them and how you act in them. If you are careful and polite they can be a goldmine in marketing your business. If not they can leave people with a bad taste for you and your services.
Forum Marketing is the use of online forums to promote your product or service. forums are usually broken into categories. Find the right forum where your targeted audience would gather. Create a forum profile with your ad, business info, or signature file in it. Announce to everyone in the forum something interesting or free that's offered on your web site. This will draw visitors to your web site. Always be aware of forum rules before engaging the visitors in a sales pitch that could be considered SPAM.
Send electronic messages to target people in the forum that would be interested in your products or services. Start a conversation with them. After a few moments indirectly bring your sales pitch into the conversation. This is a great way to do one-on-one selling electronically. Do not directly SPAM them with your messages.
Marketing With Your Web Site's Forum
Just having a forum on your Web site can create an online community and bring visitors to your Web site. Host a free online seminar in your forum about a subject of your expertise. Use a forum to meet with current customers if they have any questions or problems. Regularly schedule free events in your forum. Schedule experts to speak in your forum.
Host other people's forums as an expert. Charge for doing this to earn extra money or just do it for free to gain publicity. Make sure your spelling and grammar is correct when chatting, so people understand what you are typing.
Use some forum emotions and acronyms to help people understand you're typing.
Use " :D " to show your laughing
Use " :) " to show you are smiling
Use " BTW " which means "by the way"
Use " FAQ " which means "frequently asked questions"
Use " IMHO " which means "in my humble opinion"
Use " LOL " which means "laughing out loud"
Use " TU " which means "thank you"
Marketing your products or services in forums is a more personal way to gain new customers. Prospects are actually communicating with you instead of reading your ad. You may even make a few friends along the way.
Remember to know the rules before you post and advertise. Following the rules and being helpful will go a long way to building your reputation and your business.
Come back next week for more tips, tricks and techniques to assist in your marketing efforts. Remember that we're all in this together and I'm pulling for you.
Mahalo.
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