Okay. I'm hooked! It hasn't all been smooth sailing, but so far, my NEW experiences with Internet Home Business forums and discussion boards has been GREAT! Here's an update ... and a few important forum tips for you.© GT Bulmer
http://www.StarrBizz.com A few weeks ago I mentioned here that one of my
Internet Home Business mentors encouraged his marketing students to branch out on the World Wide Web and visit some additional
online business forums and discussion boards.Well, I'm not one to doubt the wisdom of an experienced mentor, so I followed his sage advice, and now look what has happened to me! I'm hooked!
What a great experience it has been, so far, and a real eye-opener. Not only am I picking up some great insight into a variety of
Internet Home Business ideas and opportunities, but I am also meeting some interesting home business marketers AND I am discovering new things about
online marketing.
One thing that is a bit challenging, though, is learning how to set up your profile and navigate through each of the different
forums and discussion groups. Some have similar formats, but some are quite a bit different and take some time and effort to figure out.
The other challenge is setting up your signature! That is a very important element, or benefit, of
forums and discussion boards - the privilege of including your signature, which is, in effect, a form of advertising and promotion for your website, your products or your services.
Your signature should
not be the focus or the purpose of your participation in a particular
forum or discussion board, but if you are going to be there anyway, why not take full advantage of the opportunity, right?
The challenge I'm having is, some forums allow you to set up your signature using
HTML code - that's the arrow brackets:
< >. Some allow
BBCode, using the
[ ] brackets.
BBCode is a special implementation of
HTML. It includes
tags to allow you to quickly change the basic style of your text, for example, adding
bold,
italics or
underlines.
As a relatively new student to
HTML and
BBCode, I sometimes have quite a time getting my signature sorted out and set up properly! It seems that not all forums provide instructions on this. Also, each forum has different rules about the length of the signature information.
It's good to be able to figure out the
HTML and/or
BBCode requirements because when you set up a forum signature, you should use
hyperlinked text, rather than just your plain old web link.
For example, I usually write something like,
"Read GT's Web Bizz Blog!" and
hyperlink that text to my
http://www.starrbizz.com/blog address. I recommend you do the same with your website and any
affiliate link you might include in your signature.
Not only is participation in
online business forums a great way to help promote your
Internet Home Business, but it is, as I have mentioned,
educational and
inspirational too. Here are a couple of tips to help you get the most value out of
online Internet Marketing business forums:
1) Before jumping in with comments, take some time to tour the forum site to become familiar with it. Read the rules and FAQs. Review the index listing of the various topic threads.
2) Read comments in the various topic threads to get a "feel" for the "personality" of the particular group. The more closely you can match and mirror the style of the participants, the better able you will be to offer comments at their level and fit in with the
community.
3) Before posting comments, always remember this very important rule of
forum and discussion board etiquette:
keep your comments relative to the subject. Nobody appreciates somebody coming out of left field with an unrelated comment.
Three Types Of Messages To Post1) Informative CommentsPost information that would be informative to the people who participate in that
forum or discussion board. I would caution you to keep your comments brief. However, if there are appropriate threads, you could post an article or a study you've completed.
2) Ask QuestionsPost a question on the discussion board you would like answered. This will give you a chance to meet other
experts and experienced marketers and could lead to a profitable joint venture.
3) Answer QuestionsPost answers to questions asked by other forum members. When you answer questions effectively, you will become known as an expert on the subject. It's an excellent way to develop your image as a trusted source of information and insight.
For me,
forums and discussion boards are an important part of my daily
online marketing routine. I learn so much, receive so much valuable inspiration and encouragement, and feel that I am contributing to the online business and
Internet Marketing community.
I am so glad that my
Internet Home Business mentor encouraged me to branch out to
online forums and discussion groups like this!
Sincerely,
GT
StarrBizz.com* Check out THIS forum:
ConquerYourNiche Forum - one of my favorites!Resource Links:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To find GT's best Internet Home Business ideas and opportunities
and Work at Home resources visit:
http://www.StarrBizz.comReverse Funnel System - Fully Automated! http://www.StarrBizz.com/recommends/3FreeEbooks http://www.StarrBizz.com/recommends/PlugInProfitSite-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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