DISQUS

10e20: The Ins and Outs of Forum Marketing

  • Dee Copeland · 1 year ago
    Ok I have to agree with you here! I'm a member of a ton of forums, AgentsOnline, Active Rain, REIclub.com, Bigger Pockets, etc. Way too often a new member will log in and immediately start marketing themselves. That's a huge turnoff.

    You also didn't mention a huge pet peeve. NO CAPS! I'm not sure what the urge is, but no one does business with people who can't even exercise basic 'net sense.
  • Danielle Winfield · 1 year ago
    YOU MEAN LIKE THIS? :) Just kidding.

    I agree with you. The all caps thing when not used to make a specific point can definitely get annoying.

    Thanks for the comment Dee!
  • Sam Freedoms Internet Marketin · 1 year ago
    I like how neat it looks and most of the information is very good. I have to tell you that you're speaking to mediocrity, however, when you tell people to avoid controversy and self-promotion. Like anything else under the sun, such things can be employed artfully, and have been.

    It can go so many levels deep and even if it gets you just a handful of people who would be interested in such a style, it's up to the marketer to know how to amplify his or her results once the people are in and listening.

    You don't just flail your arms in the air or call someone names and then hope random people will like it and come hang out at your website for tea and crumpets.

    Just take a clue from the ever-growing bogus phenom of reality TV, people cannot avoid a drama or rubbernecking a car accident. So why project this "be nice" approach onto everyone and everything when clearly a creative person could use it to advantage - not that I need the competition mind you. ;-)

    Sam
  • Brent Csutoras · 1 year ago
    Wow. I am impressed with how simple yet effective this advice is for anyone wanting to start out in forums and marketing within them.

    I like #4 best. People will look past any self promotion or plugs if you are being helpful and offering your content as a valuable resource.

    Great post. :)
  • Stephanie · 1 year ago
    New Years Resolution # 540 : Become more active on forums.

    Thanks Danielle, excellent advice!
  • oilman · 1 year ago
    Let's not forget about the chance to head off reputation management issues before they even start. Find the major communities related to your product or brand and get involved early so that people praise your for how you handle a crisis vs roast you for messing it up.
  • Danielle Winfield · 1 year ago
    @ Sam: Thanks for the comment! I am very happy that you found some/most of the article useful.

    I did post above that I recommend "Steering Clear of Personal Drama". By all means get involved in the discussion and give your opinion regardless of whether it is in agreement with the majority. What I do not agree with, and see far too often, is a good discussion getting completely derailed with personal attacks, insults, and comments that contribute nothing to the original topic. Yes, a topic will get a lot of attention that way, but I don't really think that stirring up useless drama is going to be productive. I wouldn't advise my clients to act in this way.

    Speaking to the self promotion comment, as you said, there is an artful way to do so. I think we've all seen people jump into a community, and work what they do or sell into a majority of their contributions. It gets tiresome, and I've seen people banned for it. It might seem obvious to you that blatant link drops are not the way to go, but apparently not to all, since I still see them constantly on forums of all kinds.

    @ Brent: Thanks!! You've got the gist of what I'm trying to get across with that point.

    @ Stephanie: That's an impressive number of resolutions you've got there! Glad this post added one more! :)
  • Rhea Drysdale · 1 year ago
    As a major forum user on several unmentionables I can't give enough props to Danielle for great tips.

    I should note that some of those rules can be broken, especially the no drama rule. Forums love a good tiff and if you can throw down and win you'll earn even more credibility. Of course some fights will never end, so it's important to know when to walk away the bigger man. =)

    By the way, if you befriend the forum owner it's often very easy to get some prime real estate on the homepage of the site or other highly trafficked areas.
  • Danielle Winfield · 1 year ago
    @oilman: Totally agree. I've seen some situations, especially on the wedding one where a vendor has messed up, and then tried to join the discussion, and they get the community in an uproar because they consider it a place for the consumers to post freely. Important to get in there and be established before there is any issue so it doesn't look like you jumped on to put out a fire.
  • Rhea Drysdale · 1 year ago
    By the way, on the drama note - I would never recommend a corporate entity do this. If you're an individual go for blood, but businesses need to steer clear just like Danielle said. (thought it best to clarify that position)

    Again, great points for an area that lots of people overlook!

    Love this site by the way:
    http://www.omgili.com/
  • Danielle Winfield · 1 year ago
    @Rhea: Thanks for the comment! We are in agreement about the corporate entity, and with individuals, I believe you really have to be great at controlling the situation to get involved with the drama and not get carried away. And thanks for the link! I'll be checking that out for sure.
  • Daan Jansonius · 1 year ago
    Good post Danielle.

    A great point is raised by Rhea about site owners. I've been an admin at a major forum for Liverpool fans for years and it's so true.

    We don't view other forums as competition (we don't do it to make money) and don't mind people dropping links to them. However, if someone signs up simply to name drop they get an instead ban. Have a quick word with the owner and see what is ok and what isn't. This'll help you avoid running into problems. As has been pointed out, these communities tend to be highly protective of their enviroment, so better to be safe than sorry!

    Btw, this has given me a thought for a post ;)
  • SpostareDuro · 1 year ago
    Great suggestions Danielle. I agree especially with not diving in and taking over the planet when creating a profile and hooking up.

    Giving yourself time to get to know your surroundings and casually introducing yourself by asking questions and laying back at first gives others a chance to see your sincerity (if sincere) and desire to give as well as accept the same.
  • Robert · 1 year ago
    Great tips. I think it comes down to common sense, most online are like walking into a strangers dinner party - you don't walk in the front door and start selling timeshares, you get to know the people around the table. You have to be patient, but the payoff can be extremely loyal customers that will evangelize your brand for you.
  • Linda · 1 year ago
    Thanks for the tips Danielle. We are thinking of utilizing forums predominately for test audiences. We are looking for feedback for new product development. About how many hours are spent on a single test forum post? I know it will vary, but I assume there is a general amount of time one can expect to spend on response since a majority of the reponses will be with the first couple of days of the post.
  • UnknownPriestKiller · 1 year ago
    There will always be exceptions, in the same way some non-tattooed people might say tattooed people are drop outs, I'm fairly sure we're not haha.
    Recently I discovered a rant on quite a respected figure in the tattoo community's Myspace. I say rant, it was more like pure venomous hatred.
    It would seem that some find young people with visible ink, impatient and disrespectful, and they must all just think it's cool to have visible work.
    I'm 23, My first tattoo was on my shoulder, then my wrists, then I got a full sleeve. Then I moved to my hands, then neck and I also have a large part of my leg tattooed.
    It took me about two years to get the opportunity to get my hand tattooed by my idol, and then my neck by an artist I greatly admire, a lot of time, effort and thought was put into both of these.
    Even though I'm somewhat older and do have a fair bit of coverage, I might still be classed as young and "under-tattooed" to have such visible work, and I can't help but think that's kinda crazy!
    Sure I've seen some 18 year olds with kanji on their necks or poorly executed skulls on their hands, and you can almost tell they rushed into it, wanting everyone to see their new work as clearly as possible, and fine that to me is impatient and maybe even attention seeking.
    Basically what I'm trying to say is that not everyone who has visible work is disrespectful to the art, some people invest a great deal of time, money and effort into getting that particular location inked with the highest standard work possible.
    It's kinda funny to find prejudice within a community that tries so hard to divert it away from itself.

    Thoughts?
  • Ace S. · 1 year ago
    Thanks a lot for very useful information about social media marketing. I am thinking to go for social media marketing.

    Ace S.
  • RohitK · 8 months ago
    I also agree with Ace S....u had provided good useful information about social media marketing...
    I also want to add that Forum gives more traffic than blogs...here u will get good number of suggestions also..which in terms will benefit someone.
  • Dhane Diesil · 1 year ago
    Thanks for the tips!
  • dazvenginzks · 1 year ago
    I've recently joined and wanted to introduce myself :)
  • CALtrersemese · 1 year ago
    new to the forums

    glad to be a member... just wanting to say hi

    whats up everyone?
  • Brad Simon · 1 year ago
    I have to agree with many of the comments above. One of best things to remember is that the search engines are looking for good content. So the more you can provide, real, live helpful content, the better off you will be. Of course, this takes a lot of time and is thus harder to do. Even so, in the long run, these types of comments will help the most.
    Brad
  • HainiHeallwam · 1 year ago
    Hi, everybody!

    I think, that this is a great forum. Very intresting and useful.
    But I can't find the search function, cause I want faster find the topics that could be intresting for me to express my opinion...
    Please help me with search function on this forum!
  • RIVES · 1 year ago
    That are cool ideas for forum marketing. But answer me one thing that- is it necessary to explain myself if I want to do online marketing.
    Well all the ideas whatever explained by you I will try to follow in my waysfor marketing.
    ________________________________________________
    Rives
  • Brent · 1 year ago
    Great article, you'd be surprised how many people absolutely butcher #4 and then wonder why the only people following them on services like twitter are spam-bots!

    Cheers,
    Brent
  • Blogger · 12 months ago
    Must appreciate. This is one of the best posts i have seen on forum marketing. I really like your thoughts. Thanks a lot for sharing this great info with us.
  • Emma Lee · 8 months ago
    Excellent information Danielle,
    By following these guideline forums will be a much more enjoyable and beneficial to both owner and users alike.

    www.myimprovement.info
  • Lostraum · 7 months ago
    Wollten sie immer schon ein Traumhaus besitzen? Oder ein Traumauto fahren?
    Vielleicht ist aber ein Luxusurlaub eher nach Ihrem Geschmack?
    w w w.lostraum.com
  • FeasableCase · 6 months ago
    Hi all! Who wants to join me on twitter. I am into celebrity gossip. Check me out on twitter. My name is Barenipples
  • IngaSvensson · 6 months ago
    Hi, sorry to go off topic, but my sister graduates on Tuesday and I really need to find her a cool gift that she will remember forever…

    Anyone who knows a really unique gift that doesn't cost a fortune?
  • Lymnsype · 6 months ago
    Tired of a competitor's site? Hinder the enemy? Fed pioneers or copywriters?

    Kill their sites! How? We will help you in this!
    Obstructions of any site, portal, shop!

    Different types of attacks: Date-attack, Trash, Attack, Attack, etc. Intellectual
    You can work on schedule, as well as the simultaneous attack of several sites.

    On average the data, ordered the site falls within 5 minutes after the start. As a demonstration of our capabilities, allows screening.

    Our prices

    24 hours of attack - $ 70
    12 hours of the attack - $ 50
    1 hour attack - $ 25

    Contact via ICQ: 588 666 582
  • Cedheique · 6 months ago
    In case any of you are having problems with your computer I came across these guys. I ordered their service and got my computer fixed the next day.
    Techsol Onsite Computer Service and Repair
  • Pyclelype · 6 months ago
    Hi everyone..Im new here. :)
  • snundSwelllek · 6 months ago
    Victorias Imports is having a Semi-anual Sale
    Granite Countertops starting at $39.99 Installed

    www.victoriasimports.com
  • tweddytog · 6 months ago
    Hello,

    Like 2 days ago I decided to say hello to all on different places so I decided to give it a try and
    leave my confort zone and begin to talk like when I was younger so from now on I will be around for a while and I will try to do my best to give
    the best of me... anyway let's continue with the topic... Anyone else thinks like me? ... too many vodkas

    :o)
  • CaseyFronczek · 6 months ago
    I saw that Casey Fronczek is offering fishing trips now down in south Florida. Does anybody have any input on these trips or has anyone been on one of these trips before?
  • SnuhNiltSoutt · 6 months ago
    Hi iam newbie to this forum my name Thomos
  • vientuanutt · 6 months ago
    [b]Seasons holidays[/b] is really one of the best holidays i have ever taken with my wife and family, we went to Portugal and the reception we got was just fantastic, the weather was really good also, i think this was definately in the top 3 of the holidays i have taken in my entire life.
  • sharonkrropxx · 6 months ago
    Hi all!

    I`m new user on this forum. My name is Sharon I`m 23 yo girl from New York.

    I hope to have good time here
  • Luis · 5 months ago
    Combine the power of social media marketing with affiliate marketing, specially with the Clickbank Code and you will be on your path to riches!
  • Heeseeden · 5 months ago
    Hi iam newbie to this forum my name Mark
  • SheencyCese · 5 months ago
    Newer member, just wanted to introduce myself. I hope to learn a lot from everyone. :)
  • Queergyribe · 5 months ago
    Hi My name is Todd and Im giving away my house its a nice manufactured home on over a acre of land in the city of
    Bunnell, Florida. What im doing is giving it away to the person who is judged to write the best written or video essay.
    Heck you never know why dont you check out my site and read more at http://freehouseandmore.com/?page_id=18 it explains everything
    and soon Im going to have a way for you to talk to me live so you can see its legit. go check it out.
  • Naimmimbgab · 5 months ago
  • avavoicigidly · 5 months ago
    Hey, I'm online! ). And see you again.
  • manomanju · 5 months ago
    Nice post. very interesting... Thanks for sharing.
  • interestedonexch · 5 months ago
    Hello, i am interested in exchanging quite a big amount of liberty reserve to webmoney. I tried vice versa and it was ok, but LR to wmz exchange seems to be automatic
    on http://www.exchangelrtowebmoney.info how long does it take?
  • david182007 · 5 months ago
    Hack again?!
  • UntoniaSeiste · 5 months ago
    Just thought I would ask anyone who knows because I came across this site here:
    http://join-proxycomm.com

    Please let me know if you think its legit..think I will sign up to earn some extra money if it is...
  • wearabletowelguru · 5 months ago
    AOL, Glamour , women tribune
    -NEW YORK FASHION-

    "MUST READ"


    First Name: CJ
    Last Name: Arabia
    Company: America Online

    We Try It -- As-Seen-on-TV Beauty

    There are some inventions that seem, if not exactly brilliant, at least worth a try -- until you do. Lemondrop had a few of its writers round up the best (and worst) As Seen on TV beauty products and give them a shot. We try before you buy.

    First up: The Wearable Towel

    Lemondrop Tests: Does the Wearable Towel keep you comfy in the summer?

    Do you want to know how to meet tons of hot guys this summer? Get a http://www.wearabletowel.com . Trust me on this.

    What is the Wearable Towel, you ask? It's basically the summer version of the Snuggie. I got the Wearable Towel because I'm a total dork. I own just about every infomercial product known to man. The less I need it ... THE MORE I NEED IT. But little did I know that when you go to a pool or beach party with the super-dorky Wearable Towel, each and every single person at the party will talk to you. That includes every single cute guy AND all of their friends.

    I'll tell you exactly why you need this stupid towel:

    1. It's very soft -- the silkiest towel I've ever owned.

    2. It comes in three patriotic colors: red, white and blue. With the election of President Obama it's cool to be patriotic again so I suggest collecting all three. The only way it would be better is if it came in an actual American flag pattern ... or black. Who doesn't love black?

    3. It's perfect for the beach and pool parties. You don't even need to wear clothes. It's actually a cute little dress when it's on. If you want to look fancy, just throw on a belt.

    4. It comes in every size you can imagine. No matter how fat or skinny you are, they make a Wearable Towel in your size.

    5. And most important of all, it's the ultimate icebreaker. You will meet a ton of people if you are wearing a Wearable Towel. Every single cute guy at the party will come up to you at some point and ask you about the towel or make some kind of goofy joke about it.

    You are always the center of attention in a Wearable Towel. It's also the perfect excuse for further contact. When people see you in the Wearable Towel, and they see all the attention you're getting, they will feel like they need one too ... so they will ask you where to get one. If they're ugly, tell them to Google it, and if they're hot tell them you'll email or Facebook them the link. Ba da bing -- contact made, friendship started and the next thing you know the Wearable Towel has landed you a hot new boyfriend and/or booty call.

    Get your stupid Wearable Towel now and thank me later.

    Price: $19.95 plus shipping and handling
    Rating: 5 out of 5 ShamWows

    CJ Arabia is a writer living in L.A.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Welcome to Glamour.com
    slaves to fashion:
    Move Over, Snuggie: The Wearable Towel Has Arrived!

    The Snuggie did its part to keep you warm all winter (more than a few of you 'fessed up that you were the proud owner of one or were hoping to become one!), and now that summer's almost here, it's time to say hi to the wearable towel. "Because robes are heavy and hot!"

    The next generation of infomercial "fashion" has arrived in the form of the Wearable Towel, a terrycloth wonder with three arm holes that can be worn as a toga or a tunic, by men and women, and helps you stay covered up after showering or swimming. Just like with the Snuggie, I think the true brilliance of this product is in the marketing. Check out the infomercial now:

    I must confess, I did have one of those towels with the elasticized tops in college, and I did wear the hell out of it while drying my hair and drinking Milwaukee's Best in my dorm room. And this one can actually go to the beach, since it unfolds into a regular towel. And it comes in red, white, and blue, instead of the powder puff pink one of my past. Considering an infomercial gadget recently changed my sister's life, I'm open to the possibility of a similar experience. Dare I say it--this just might be a stroke of product development genius. And all for the low, low price of just $19.95!

    What do you think, dolls? Is this the heir to the Snuggie throne? Could you see this thing being of practical use to you this summer? Have you ever owned one of those Velcro topped-towels? Will you invest in a Wearable Towel? Discuss!
    ------------------------------------------------------

    women tribune

    Sick of Fighting with Your Towel?

    Typically, once I get out of the shower I apply body lotion or body butter for the day, grab a towel, and then try to maneuver my towel to allow me to use my arms and hands effortlessly to apply makeup and do something with my hair. However, this hardly ever works because most of the time, the towel comes undone from around my body leaving me completely uncovered and frustrated, especially since I’m relying on that towel to absorb the water from my shower so after I’m done with my hair and makeup I can walk into my bedroom and get my clothes on and go about my day. So when I came across the Wearable Towel I was pretty excited, thinking about having a towel that would stay around my body after the shower, leaving me able to have full range of motion of my arms to get myself ready for the day.
    The Wearable Towel allows me to go about my morning (or afternoon since I work from home and have the freedom to not have to get ready to start my day until the afternoon) completely hassle-free. I don’t have to fight with a towel or walk around the house holding it up so it doesn’t fly open or fall off. I will often get out of the shower, put a towel around myself, and come downstairs to get a mug of coffee to enjoy while getting myself ready for the day, so the last thing I want is my towel malfunctioning while I’m walking in front of the window. I also cannot tell you the amount of times I have had the UPS delivery person at my door while trying to get clothes on. With the Wearable Towel, you can just wrap it around yourself and hurry to the door to get your package before the delivery person writes one of those notes I always hate getting telling you they will try again tomorrow.

    But the Wearable Towel isn’t just for after morning showers; it can also be brought with you and your family on vacation this summer to the beach or to the neighborhood public pool. It is made of 100% cotton and is very absorbent so you can wrap one around your child to get dry after being in a pool or the ocean and they are still free to run around and keep having a great time! And don’t worry about losing the fasteners to get the Wearable Towel to fasten around your body because there aren’t any. The Wearable Towel has arm openings allowing you to simply slip your arms into the openings and you’re completely covered and free to go about your day.

    The Wearable Towel is not sold in stores, but it is sold online. Just go to the Wearable Towel’s website to order or call 1-866-618-6444.

    Tags: Bath & Beauty, beach vacation, beaches, cosmetics, hair care, pool, summer, summer vacation, towels, Wearable Towel, Your

    by Holly
    Filed Under Bath & Beauty, Your Style
    ________________________________________________
    NEW YORK FASHION
    The Wearable Towel: Summer’s Snuggie?
    If we're wearing blankets with sleeves in the winter, we may as well wear towels in the warmer months. And alas, the summer Snuggie has arrived: the Wearable Towel. It looks like an ordinary towel, but it has holes on the edges for you to stick your arms through so you can wear it — like a shift dress! Or, if you're a dude, a toga! Dealing with a tucked-in corner coming undone on an unwearable towel is just too much trouble when you're grilling turkey burgers by the pool or washing your baby in a pot in the kitchen. Or when you get out of the shower and are so in need of the newspaper that very instant that you don't have time to throw on clothes to go outside to get it. Allow the infomercial to enlighten you.

    Wearable Towel: The Towel With Arm Openings
    By: Amy Odell

    Filed Under: summer or bust, snuggie, this will scare you, wearable towel
  • RABEONY · 4 months ago
    Good article, you provided some ethic rules you MUST respect on a forum. Forum is used to ask for help or to help others or to give ones' opinion
  • YELLOWPAGES.travel · 4 months ago
    http://www.RealTravelYellowPages.com launches. Now you can search the major travel sites on one screen with a click!
  • ordinionompib · 4 months ago
    Greetings I'm here only going to post to make sure this works on this forum and just wanted to say hi.
  • weiscuddertes · 4 months ago
    Hi

    I was checking around and I've noticed that Internet marketers make money using affiliate marketing,
    sorry for my question :(, DO you know where to find good info about affiliate marketing?

    Thank you :)
  • MafiaScriptt · 4 months ago
    Have you all tried this yet?
    Mafia games online are huge and growing fast. Game-Script.net has launched they're newest version.

    [b]version: 3[/b]

    You can get it on discount right now save 50%
    http://www.game-script.net/

    Mafia game script v3 open now. V4 coming soon. Join the forum, or keep track of the site and watch for new features coming soon

    this is great for mmorpg game scripts, rpg game scripts, and mafia game scripts is what its geared towards.
  • netwarezaa · 4 months ago
    ?? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??????????? ?????????? ???!


    ??? ?
  • Mohsin Rasool · 3 months ago
    Hi,

    Nice tips, Myself has built complete business using forums and one thing i always suggest
    to new members practice religiously is to stay away from negative and drama (as you advised!) post...

    Negative posts and discussions simply robs the time and energy of that member and the whole community. and it does not bring any positive result but more negativity!

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic,
    Regards,
    Mohsin
  • sprintforfree · 3 months ago
    Looking for a new cell phone ?

    Get a free iphone*
    or Blackberry


    Save an extre $350.00 off the cell phone of your dreams

    Sprint Coupon Code, lowest price assured!

    http://www.allcel.sprintorders.com

    or

    http:/www.allcelaccessories.com

    or call us at

    877-744-5523