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5 Effective Ways to Promote Your Website For Free Online
1. Generate Targeted Traffic from Online Discussion Forums. Online discussion forums provide an excellent way to promote your website without paying any money. Nowadays, you don’t even have to lurk around before you begin to post. Just...

How To Capture Leads For Your Business with Classified Ad
There are many free online/offline classified ad out there. Some people thinks that it doesnt really work to get the prospect with that service. The fact is that many new marketers using it, posting their offer over and over again....

Making e-Business Your Business
If you don't use the Internet in your business today, even the word "e-business" may be a little intimidating. But it doesn't have to be if you take it one step at a time. Here are a few tips that can help in building and promoting your e-business. ...

Online Promotion Beats Traditonal 30-1 for the Author or Publisher
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Writing a Sales Copy that Sells
Copyright 2006 Peter Tarrida del Marmol When writing a sales copy, all internet marketers know that a long copy will sell more than a short copy. This does not mean that the more words the better; the quantity and the quality of detail is...

 
Using Forums to Promote Your Business

When is work not really work? When it's fun!
Using online forums, also called message boards, can be a fun way to promote your business in a low key way.

Benefits:
You cultivate relationships with others
You learn about all kinds of topics
Your marketing message is presented without screaming advertisement
By answering questions related to your topic, you are positioned as an expert in your field

How to Use a Forum for Promotion:
First, find a forum that is of interest to you and frequented by people in your target market. A great place to start is to go to ezboard.com and search for forums by keywords that reflect your target market.

Next, I suggest you "lurk" or just watch the activity for a few days to get a feel for the tone of the forum. When you feel confident this is an appropriate place to represent your business, introduce yourself. Often message boards have a 'New Members' type place to post your first message.

After you have been welcomed, scan through the topics and post answers to questions others may have about your area of expertise. Repeat daily or weekly.

Tips:
Of utmost importance is to have a signature line that is added to the end of each


message you post. This is like your calling card, and is what makes this method so subtle. You may be posting a famous recipe, but everyone who checks it out will see your business name. Most forums have an account setting or options area where you can set up an automatic signature or you can cut and paste your signature each time, but this is much more cumbersome.

Don't spam boards by visiting once and posting an advert everywhere. It will give you a bad reputation - not what you need to increase sales.

Check the regulations of the board to be sure signature lines are allowed. Some forums strictly prohibit marketing of any type.

Revisit your posting frequently to address any replies. Also, add new postings of interest every few days to keep your business in the message board's eye.

Message boards and forums can be a very valuable marketing tool. While you're at it, be sure to check out the fun topics, too!

About the Author

Megan Corwin is a personal coach who enjoys helping work at home professionals grow their businesses while maintaining an organized household. Download Megan’s free ebook "How to Market Your Small Business Online for FREE": http://marketonlinefree.wahwoman.com