Want A Better Web Presence? Learn from the Romans!
Mar 8th, 2007 by Freddie
Now I would start rabbiting on about this (you’ll see why in just a second)…
But one way to really bolster your online web presence - and by that I mean:
- Get more hits on your website or sites
- Drive more folk to your product pages
- Create a ‘brand name’ for yourself
start posting on forums!
A bit like the Roman’s did, except armed with a keyboard and mouse rather than a stone tablet and a toga…
Ok ok, so I’m biased. After all we have just set up The Money Animal Community…
But honestly, forums are a GREAT place to get yourself known and not just the our forum, other forums. All forums!
Think about it, you read a great post from someone on a forum that interests you. It’s on your wavelength, speaks directly to you… what do you do?
Well if there’s a link to his/her site you’ll probably click on it. If they’re endorsing something you may just pay attention.
Building up a great reputation on forums is a superb way to garner free advertising for your various online business opportunities. But before we go forum crazy, here’s a few tips:
- Always try to be polite. It sounds obvious, but the number of times I see obnoxious, overly defensive or downright offensive posts on forums out there astounds me! Often these remarks are coming from well-informed, interesting characters with great websites. But hey, you can be certain I’ll not give them any business. Why would I? If someone’s rude to you in a shop you don’t just smile meekly and hand over your credit card.
- Don’t just shamelessly plug your website or wares. I know it’s tempting but it SERIOUSLY riles people up. Now obviously I’m NOT saying this applies in all cases. For instance if you went on The Money Animal Community and mentioned something in the New Business Opportunities section or the Swap Shop (for example) it wouldn’t be irritating in the slightest. I’m talking about folk who reply to a post on a forum about say Video Games and then start try to push you towards an affiliate link to something they obviously get a kickback on. There’s a unspoken code of conduct in online communities and one of the rules is: Don’t try and flog people stuff if it’s not the appropriate place to do so. But if you do… don’t try and be sneaky about it! You’ll just get a bad press.
- Put a link to your site in your signature. Now a signature on a forum is very much like a signature on an email. It can include a few words (quotes seem to be popular) and sometimes even a link. If you can, put a link there to your website! No one will ever begrudge you that. If they like what they see of you in the forums, then the chances are they’ll want to click on your website!
Hoorah!
This really is a great way to direct more traffic to your site. Also you shouldn’t be afraid to tell people about your business or products - just make sure you pick the right forums and the right forum sections.
Not only that, it’s also er… quite fun!
ta for now.
Freddie
