Using the forum effectively

What do you expect to happen?

You're basically saying, "people should x, y, z", but reality says differently, and unfortunately it's like you deciding you should be able to fly just because that's what you want to happen - the laws of the universe don't change.

If you're not getting the results you want, and ever want to succeed as a marketer, YOU need to change to cater to your customers, the world, and the way things work.

What kind of questions are you asking? That would be the first place to look if you're trying to isolate the problem.

It's a big ask for detailed answers to the questions that get asked over and over. 'How do I build a list?' 'How long does it take to get free traffic?' I see that sort of question getting full of value replies from patient and generous contributors. Occasionally there are golden answers to the most mundane newbie pleas for help. I find that quite heartening. There is value here. It takes some sifting.

Could it be that most of those views are from new people who have little knowledge to contribute, but are also simply looking for answers to the same question posed in the thread?

I've seen this statement: "I've been a long time lurker here" being mentioned allot lately by those who finally decide to post something.

See above.

There, you answered your own question as to why there may be more questions than answers.

This is because the questions asked lately, have been asked "hundreds" of times.
And the answers have been given, "hundreds" of times, by experienced marketers.

Tired of answering the same old questions, and looking for new original questions to tackle.

If you see a question that is of interest to you, but there is little engagement in that thread, simply copy and paste that same question into the forum search bar.

Be sure to use the bathroom and eat before you do, as you will have answers for days....

There are a lot of questions here that is being asked multiple times everyday and as someone who's been lurking on the forum for quite sometime now.

It''s sometimes tiring to answer all of them when in fact they could have answered that easily by using the search function.

It is disappointing on the part of the people who wants to help newbies but don't want to help themselves.

Post some valuable threads that makes more impression.

I leave my computer logged in throughout the day whether I'm working my business, making phone calls, at lunch, or any number of other daily activities. I'll check back, on and off, during the day and evening when a higher priority item is not taking my time.

I try to help with a thoughtful answer when I can . . . but I've got to tell you, I get pretty frustrated with the same brainless questions coming up over and over again. Some people see this forum as a place where they are entitled to waste the time of people here without doing any observation, research, and work on their own.

Then there is the "what's the easiest, fastest, no work way to a quick million" type of posts that are ridiculous.

Then there are the product and software support questions that would never come up if people weren't too lazy to find the answers at the manufacturer's site.

In addition, how many times do experienced Warriors go to the effort to post thoughtful answers only to find the OP ignoring all the discussion and moving forward in spite of the warnings or suggestions otherwise.

Spending time trying to assist on the forum is a "labor of love" in many cases . . . yet those that are most successful in their own businesses ask for nothing in return. It's not too hard to figure out why "engagement" is not always what the newer members think it should be.

Steve

If you are going to use forums to get people to visit your site, make sure that you never spam and only give out value.

Before you join a forum, make sure you read their rules.

Well, a couple things.

• The majority of the users here are people looking to learn how to 'make money online'. They have none of that 'intelligent' conversation and debate to bring to the table. The next largest group are the semi-successful (not losing money/making $4000-$40,000/year). Not a large amount of experts in that 10,000 figure.

• Major sectors of IM are CUTTHROAT. An expert comes on, hands out a tip, and 10,000 people read it, apply it, and s/he is screwed and just lost their income stream. Experts won't even reveal (generally) what verticals they operate in, nor their traffic sources, for if they do, everyone will pimp the same offer to the same traffic and s/he will no longer be able to profit on that campaign. Everyone spies on and copies/steals everyone else's work. Throwing all the 'goods' out on the WF just aids that process. It is just the reality of the situation.

• See the above two points, especially the first one.

And the hits keep coming...

Newbie: "Will you teach me how to make money online?"

Me: "Sure! Here's a step-by-step list of instructions - it's exactly what I do."

Newbie: (Internet equivalent of a blank stare)