Forum Marketing looking for advice

by EmergencyMonkey

Posted: 11 years ago 13 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Since the majority of people I am targeting seek out a particular forum, how do you IM experts recommend getting these people to check out my site? Here's what I've tried and it got me banned for 2 weeks.

I tried the web address in the sig line.....apparently against the rules
I posted a Q&A in multiple sections that got a total of 3k+ views and a handful of comments....posts locked because of multiple same posts despite the fact that they were applying to different subcategories of my overall target audience.

I interact and give advice and get great feedback but can't figure out a good way to drive them to my site.

I thought about the profile page and maybe something in my signature that drives them to the profile.
I also thought about PM'ing people who respond to certain threads that relate to my niche.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

#advice #forum #marketing

Eutaw 11 years ago

You can put a link in the signature line as long as it's your content (no affiliate links).
Look at other member's signatures.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
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- EmergencyMonkey 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Eutaw
  
  You can put a link in the signature line as long as it's your content (no affiliate links).
  Look at other member's signatures.
  
  I will have to re read their guidelines but I think they had something about promotion even if it was your website. I will have to look through all my "banned" moderator private messages :-) looks like I was getting off to a rough start on that forum. Obviously I hope I didn't shoot myself in the foot.
  
  Thanks
  
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butters

11 years ago

Originally Posted by EmergencyMonkey

I tried the web address in the sig line.....apparently against the rules

If the forum doesn't allow you to link out in a sufficient way where you can drive traffic, move on. Well thats what I would do, I wouldn't want to waste my time on a forum where I can't get maximum impact for my efforts. There are millions of niches on the web and I would want to put my efforts into them because I know my returns will be greater because I will get the best bang for my efforts.

Thanks
2 replies

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John Romaine 11 years ago

Originally Posted by butters

If the forum doesn't allow you to link out in a sufficient way where you can drive traffic, move on.

This. ....................................
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EmergencyMonkey

11 years ago

Originally Posted by butters

Unfortunately it is "the" forum in my niche and I am yet to find one that comes even close

Thanks
1 reply

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butters 11 years ago

Originally Posted by EmergencyMonkey

Unfortunately it is "the" forum in my niche and I am yet to find one that comes even close

It could be the king of forums, if you can't link from it to get traffic, there are better ways of spending your time on driving traffic.
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John Romaine 11 years ago

Forum marketing should account for about 5% of your marketing efforts.

Either participate, establish relationship and drive traffic, or move on.
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- 1 reply
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- EmergencyMonkey 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by John Romaine
  
  Forum marketing should account for about 5% of your marketing efforts.
  
  Either participate, establish relationship and drive traffic, or move on.
  
  Good point. I may be getting too focused on what "I" think is the way to go and missing the big picture.
  
  Thanks
  
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Woodward82 11 years ago

You can still drive traffic through those forums. Even if you cant use a link in your sig. Try a couple of these things.

1: Be creative - Make up a sig that will trigger curiosity and have them google looking for your site. (of course this depends on if you are in the top spot of a certain term for google) this could even be the name of your site. Just dont use an actual link

2: Really interact - Become personal with members pm them respond to there post by using there name. Once you know you have an established relationship with a person you shouldnt have any problems bringing up a conversation in a pm with your link in it. Again dont just send messages saying 'hey check out my site' go back to being creative and bring it up in a general conversation. Also make sure you have a good rapport with this person before ever thinking about linking to your site.

3: Is it possible to link to outside sites within a forum post? If so then AFTER you have made some friends and become a known poster (and trusted) then every now and then (dont abuse it) write an article surrounding one of your blog post/products/services and link to the rest of your story ect.

4: Advertise on that site if they allow it. Talk to the owner express your interest and try to get a banner up.

5: While making friendships ask those members if there are other places they hang out. Make a facebook fan page, use your regular fb page and while making contacts ask them to become a friend on fb. After a while and while also connecting with them on fb (your normal page) send out request to join your fan page.

Just use creative ways to funnel these people to your site.

To your success
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John Romaine

11 years ago

Question - Are you absolutely certain that you're not allowed to put a link in your signature???? That to me, seems odd. I know on a lot of forums you need to have a minimum postcount before they grant you that feature.

Thanks
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EmergencyMonkey

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Woodward82

You can still drive traffic through those forums. Even if you cant use a link in your sig. Try a couple of these things.

1: Be creative - Make up a sig that will trigger curiosity and have them google looking for your site. (of course this depends on if you are in the top spot of a certain term for google) this could even be the name of your site. Just dont use an actual link

2: Really interact - Become personal with members pm them respond to there post by using there name. Once you know you have an established relationship with a person you shouldnt have any problems bringing up a conversation in a pm with your link in it. Again dont just send messages saying 'hey check out my site' go back to being creative and bring it up in a general conversation. Also make sure you have a good rapport with this person before ever thinking about linking to your site.

3: Is it possible to link to outside sites within a forum post? If so then AFTER you have made some friends and become a known poster (and trusted) then every now and then (dont abuse it) write an article surrounding one of your blog post/products/services and link to the rest of your story ect.

4: Advertise on that site if they allow it. Talk to the owner express your interest and try to get a banner up.

5: While making friendships ask those members if there are other places they hang out. Make a facebook fan page, use your regular fb page and while making contacts ask them to become a friend on fb. After a while and while also connecting with them on fb (your normal page) send out request to join your fan page.

Just use creative ways to funnel these people to your site.

To your success

Thanks for the suggestions I will definitely find a way to implement!

Originally Posted by John Romaine

Since my 2 week ban, I have been meaning to look more closely at their rules and adapt accordingly.

I really don't want to give up on the forum. At any given time during the day 3500 people are on the forum 1000 of which are definitely my target and the others, maybe I can find a way to include them as well cause you never know when they will come in handy.

Thanks
1 reply

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Luis Vaugier 11 years ago

The best thing to use is the link on the signature but first read the rules of the forum and play with those rules
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Stuart Walker 11 years ago

If they allow links in sigs, why wouldn't they allow you to link to your own site? What else are you going to want to link to?

Forums that don't allow links piss me off, at least reward me with a little something for putting lots of time and effort into contributing to your forum.

Does the forum allow banner ads? Try those...
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