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How do I do Forum Marketing without getting banned?

by Jorge Vidaurre
17 replies
Hello I saw a video recently about forum marketing and having links in your forum signature. Well I decided to try this out so I went to a weight loss forum and created a forum signature that was like How to Lose weight now Click here more info that was linked to a blogger blog where I have an article about weight loss and my affiliate link. and went into a weightloss forum to start creating value. When I tried to login in the forum I couldnt because they had banned me for spam. What do I need to change in my forum marketing method to not get banned again?
#banned #forum #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
    Did you read the terms of service?

    The rules will be different for each forum regarding signatures.

    You said you added value - that's good. I would make sure I understood the terms of service and then participate in some of the discussions, providing substantive information before promoting any product or service.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by 568129 View Post

    What do I need to change in my forum marketing method to not get banned again?
    Two main things, I think ...

    (i) Whenever posting on/submitting to a site you don't yourself own, always read the terms of service, rules and regulations carefully first, and ...

    (ii) Always add value. If people reading your posts/articles/submissions know or suspect that the reason they're there is to show your sig-file, you should assume that it will eventually lead to problems.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      I went to a weight loss forum and created a forum signature that was like How to Lose weight now Click here more info that was linked to a blogger blog where I have an article about weight loss and my affiliate link. and went into a weightloss forum to start creating value. When I tried to login in the forum I couldnt because they had banned me for spam. What do I need to change in my forum marketing method to not get banned again?
      Without knowing the terms of service for that site, I cannot say specifically, however having moderated at another forum, I can tell you that people who make a new account and fill out their signature with a link, then log out, raises red flags with moderators.

      Perhaps if you joined in the forum adding value first, before creating a signature link, it may have gone differently for you.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Contribute to the community.

    Become an accepted member of the community before advertising.

    Most forums are extremely offended by lazy marketers, who try to promote before giving real value. You may have gotten bit by that bug.
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  • Profile picture of the author AFI
    What I did when I started my own WAHM forum is I went to WAHM.com and started posting there with my forum in my sig (it was allowed). I made good quality posts, I made friends with people there and invited them to my forum. Before I knew it, I had over 1000 people on my forum.
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  • Profile picture of the author yougpeter
    Must say it will always be that way is you sign up and the same day will put you signature.You need to comment and feel forums life and then you can put your signature in it.Aprox it is like minimum 7 days after you posted your comment!
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  • Profile picture of the author slcroft
    As has been said, always read the terms and conditions first.

    Check to see if they allow signature files first, then check to see what type of things are allowed (some forums wont accept affiliate links for example).

    Always go with the intention of adding value to the discussions not just saying 'good point' just to get your post count up and your link seen.

    Start your own threads by either asking valid questions or by starting a discussion on a point of view you have. Always be polite with your responses, even if someone offers a differing point of view. If you get a good reputation in a forum, especially a large, active forum, people will become curious about your sig file and will click it.

    Hope it helps a little.

    Simon
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  • Profile picture of the author ddDonPaul
    don't spam & provide quality information.
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    "At the end of pain is success." E.T.

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  • Profile picture of the author StephanieMojica
    Some sites are just not friendly to those of us using links in our signatures, no matter how much value we add. I can think of a few writing-related forums that only seemed to want mods to have links in their signatures.

    I would move on; there's plenty of forums out there that allow you to offer value and also link to an appropriate site in your signature.

    Good luck!

    Stephanie
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  • Profile picture of the author Dann Vicker
    I guess not all sites will allow you a free hand in this, but it is difficult to assume you simply got banned because you provided good value in your posts. It must be something related to a contravention of their TOS. Maybe the affiliate link in your post was the trigger.

    Anyway, if you feel you're in the right, you could also contact the moderator of the forum. I'm sure a friendly tug explaining that they might have made a mistake would get your account back. Afterall, who doesn't want an extra forum member

    Dann
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  • Profile picture of the author imdomination
    Another thing to be careful about is how much you're selling in your signature link. Something along the lines of "FIND OUT HOW TO LOSE TONS OF WEIGHT NOW - CLICK HERE" sounds a lot more spammy than "Check out the book that got me started on my weight loss journey by clicking here"
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    • Profile picture of the author kix
      Make sure you aren't breaking the TOS and actually make helpful posts and contribute to the community. If it looks like you are posting jut to get you sig seen then you will most likely get banned.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Click here more info that was linked to a blogger blog where I have an article about weight loss and my affiliate link. and went into a weightloss forum to start creating value.
        Learn what it means to "create value" - it doesn't mean "go to my free blog so I can sell you something"....
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        Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
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  • Profile picture of the author Kael41
    As someone who owns approx 21 message forums, my best advice to you is this if you really want to make money off of those who utilize the forums: become involved. Don't post bull**** stories, or posts that have no bearing on what people are actually trying to do on some of these boards. Engage them, ask them what their goals are, what problems exist, how are they doing, basically become someone that the community can look to if there may be a solution to something.

    But here's a pro-tip: 99% of the "marketers" who try this tactic fail. You know why? To much work to provide honest to god value to a community. In an age of one click backlinking, the grass roots approach is a concept that fails many people because they want it quick and easy served up ala Mcdonalds style. Forum marketing is NOT that.
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  • Profile picture of the author mattflynn
    My guess is until you develop a reputation on each forum, you'll be scrutinized more. When other posters see you're not just there to make money, you'll get cut more slack, imo. It's like anything else, you have to pay your dues, before expecting to reap benefits.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cataclysm1987
    1. Read the rules

    2. If in doubt, just don't do it.
    Signature

    No signature here today!

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    • Profile picture of the author Marty S
      Ask NOT what your forum can do for you, but what YOU can do for your forum. ;-)

      Hey listen, in all honesty it's just like any other social media - don't be selling, but DO be engaging and start building relationships by joining in the conversations.

      That means a lot more of asking questions than it does lecturing or marketing your wares. Once you earn a signature link in a forum you can think of it as a passive selling tool, but just keep doing the same.

      Hey, when was the last time you appreciated an Amway salesperson talking up his products? Certainly not in a social setting, that's for sure. Same for forums. As soon as you open your mouth about YOUR products, it's like being the Amway dude at a party everyone is avoiding.

      Let the buyers seek you out because of what you know and how you can help, rather than what you are selling.
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