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Your Best Tips + Tricks for Forum Marketing?

by DrBloggood
11 replies
I have a creative writing blog, and this is what I did: I got me a really nice banner and looked for the biggest creative writing forums allowing banners in signatures (sometimes it was a hazzle because they have a limited banner size/only allow banners after you have donated/etc...). I also looked into screenwriting forums, novel writing forums, etc...

I only post on public sections every guest (not just member!) can see, and only post on the first page of a thread. I go to the threads with the most clicks, but also to the ones where I can solve a problem for somebody. I keep in mind that generally I'm not just writing for any forum member in particular, but above all for guests (less than 10% of the visitors on these forums are actually participating members, the rest is just guest without accounts). I spread my posts out over the forum sections with the most visitors.

I introduce myself in introduction sections and also, if possible, in sections in which you are allowed to introduce media. Try to keep the tone very non-advertisment-like, you don't want to sound like a cheap car salesman. Mixing up longer value-packed posts with short fluff posts - the latter ones are just to make my signature seen. Always respecting the forum rules, being friendly to mods, etc, etc...

It's all pretty common sense, and that's all I can think of at the moment.

What do you have to add, what are your forum marketing strategies?
#forum #marketing #tips #tricks
  • Profile picture of the author Pushkar Gaikwad
    Don't take forum as a medium to market but take them as a medium to share information. I have noticed a single good post gives higher ROI instead of 10 mediocre posts.
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    • Profile picture of the author DrBloggood
      Originally Posted by Pushkar Gaikwad View Post

      Don't take forum as a medium to market but take them as a medium to share information. I have noticed a single good post gives higher ROI instead of 10 mediocre posts.
      Great, I think so as well!

      But additionally, mixing in a couple of very short posts in forum sections you are usually not visiting, makes for a good cost-benefit calculation (cause a post like that only takes you 30 seconds and makes your signature visible).
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  • Profile picture of the author PeckhamPirate
    Add useful how-to guides to your own blog, as well as explainer videos, then link to them from your forum posts.

    If you find a really hot topic, or something really targeted at your own niche, create the perfect post/video/answer on your own blog first - something that exactly solves the questions asked, or the topic of the thread, then add a comment like;
    'Funny you mention that, cos I just wrote a blog post on the exact same subject today - check it out here...'

    (This seems to work especially well with videos, btw)
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  • Profile picture of the author JensSteyaert
    You shouldn't see forum marketing just as a way to drive traffic to your site, you should also see it as a way to establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

    That's why it's important to add valuable posts and do so on a regular basis. This way people will start to know you and trust you and that's when you'll get the most traffic or make the most sales.
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    • Profile picture of the author DrBloggood
      Thanks, Peckham Pirate and writeaway!

      Originally Posted by JensSteyaert View Post

      You shouldn't see forum marketing just as a way to drive traffic to your site, you should also see it as a way to establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

      That's why it's important to add valuable posts and do so on a regular basis. This way people will start to know you and trust you and that's when you'll get the most traffic or make the most sales.
      Would you say concentrating on 2 forums is better than on 5 (supposing the same amount of overall posts)?

      I heard 5 posts a day on 5 forums is the sweet spot.
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Focus on forum threads that have a GOOD post to VIEW ratio. Too many forum marketers neglect this. Of course, you should only post on forums that are directly relevant to the IDEAS you're promoting. Notice I mentioned IDEAS not spam?
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    I use the forum as a ...forum.

    You all seem to put a lot of thought into this:
    only post on the first page of a thread
    Focus on forum threads that have a GOOD post to VIEW ratio

    'Funny you mention that, cos I just wrote a blog post on the exact same subject today - check it out here...'
    Doing this on WF is against the rules.

    As always, I suggest being yourself.

    Do you want to know the absolute best traffic generating post I've ever done? It's killer, awesome and a doosey all rolled into one. Here it is: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-required.html
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    Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
    All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
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    • Profile picture of the author writeaway
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      I use the forum as a ...forum.

      You all seem to put a lot of thought into this:




      Doing this on WF is against the rules.

      As always, I suggest being yourself.

      Do you want to know the absolute best traffic generating post I've ever done? It's killer, awesome and a doosey all rolled into one. Here it is: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...-required.html
      I mentioned ideas, not spam. Thanks for the SELECTIVE quote though. When quoting-always provide context. Also, you might want to post a link to the supposed section of the rules you're claiming. Kinda makes your assertions more believable
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  • Profile picture of the author PeckhamPirate
    @Brent Stangel - Where's the problem if your post / article / video is on message?
    What's not to like about a usefull link made on a forum?

    Used with care in the right places it's a killer.
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    • Profile picture of the author jamescanz
      Post first as often as possible.

      If / when the thread blows up...

      That means your post will get many more eyeballs (which is a good thing, of course).
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      • Profile picture of the author DrBloggood
        Originally Posted by jamescanz View Post

        Post first as often as possible.

        If / when the thread blows up...

        That means your post will get many more eyeballs (which is a good thing, of course).
        Yes, that's a good one as well.

        And in any case, post on the first page, that's my opinion.
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