April 29, 2013
Forum marketing has emerged as the go-to tool for savvy online marketers, who are willing to engage a relevant audience with minimal efforts. When done correctly, forum marketing can go a long way in building your Austin TX business’ reputation in the online world, and encouraging internet users to visit your website. The key to efficiently market your business on online forums is in choosing the right forums for your business. Most businesses make the mistake of wasting their time and efforts on forums that are not really worth it. Here are some of the top features to look for in a forum-
- It should have around 15-20 new posts every day, and should have at least 1000 members. The total number of posts on the forum should be around 10000.
- The forum should not be flooded with spam.
- Make sure the forum you are posting on has not been created by your direct competitor.
A good way to look for relevant forums is to search on hub sites like Board Tracker using the niche-specific keywords for your business. You can also ask people in your circle, such as employees and business associates, about the forums that they are active on.
When it comes to forum marketing, consistency is the key. Once you find a forum that meets your needs, waste no time in registering on it and becoming a member. Seniority plays a major role in determining your impact on most online forums. Also remember that forums should be viewed as a long-term marketing strategy, as opposed to a way to let word about latest advertising offer.
As insignificant as it might seem, your username and avatar on forums have a significant impact on how you are perceived by other members. Using your real name could be a good idea if it is strongly associated with your business. Remember to keep things simple and thoroughly professional. Also take out time to create an impressive profile on forums, with a clear description of what your business is all about, and what your areas of expertise and experience are.
Before getting active on forums, take out some time to get a sense of the community and understand the general tone of the forum. This will avoid you being shunned away as a newcomer. Make an effort to make worthy contributions to the forum, as this shall help to build your respect among the users, allowing you to gradually introduce more aggressive marketing campaigns.