subject: How To Use Forums To Promote Your Business [print this page] If you are looking for ways to build credibility in your niche and increase the flow of visitors to your website then you can't go wrong with discussion forums. Almost every niche has a discussion forum, a place where people hang out online and talk about their problems or share their experiences. Here are five ways you can benefit from participating in a forum.
1. Build your credibility
If you take the time to write well-thought out answers to people's questions then you are demonstrating a real understanding of the issues that people face. You are also demonstrating that you have the answers they need to solve their problems.
Of course by contrast if you post for the sake of it you will lose any good reputation you have very quickly. Add value to the forums, don't spam them.
2. You'll find inspiration
You don't even have to post in a forum to benefit from it. You can simply spend time reading other people's posts and learning more about the issues and problems faced by people in the niche. Need an idea for a new article or even a new product? If you are looking for inspiration for article marketing or even product creation then forums are full of golden nuggets.
3. You can drive traffic through your signature
Most forums allow you to include a link in your forum signature. Your signature appears on every post that you make, so it's a great way to tell other forum members about your free ebook or report. Think of your signature as an article resource box; other forum members who read your well thought out and helpful posts are more likely to click on the link in your signature and visit your website.
4. You can build backlinks
The other useful thing about publishing your link in your signature file or even in your posts where relevant is that the search engines will often count these links as backlinks. Remember to use relevant anchor text for your links where you can and don't post links for the sake of it, you don't want to be labelled a spammer.
5. You can learn something new
Don't forget that forums aren't just for marketing your business, you can also develop your business and learn more about internet marketing by becoming a member of forums such as the Warrior Forum.
