How To Generate Leads & Network Effectively on Forums

By Scott On September 5, 2009 Under Lead Generation

By Mark Worthen

Participating on forums is one of the best ways to attract new customers or distributors to your business and to network with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Here are some quick tips for “forum marketing:”

1. When you register for the forum, use your real name as your Username. For example, instead of registering as “supernetworker935″ set up your Username as “John_Doe.” Some forums allow a space between words. If not use an underscore.

You want people to get to know you and begin to recognize your name.

2. Read the forum rules! As a moderator of a couple of forums, I’m still surprised how many new members (and a few old ones!) don’t read the rules.

You look stupid when you break the rules. Don’t do it.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you try to sound like an expert all the time you’ll seem fake… because you are.

No one knows everything and you can learn as much as you would in a $200 course by asking a few good questions.

4. When you know an answer to a question, post it. It builds your credibility, gives your sig file more exposure, builds your karma, and helps you to make more friends or contacts.

5. Sig what? A sig file is geek-speak for “signature” – a few lines of text at the bottom of your post in which you can usually put a link or two along with some “attract the click” copy.

You usually set up your sig file in your Profile. Make sure you know what the forums rules are about signatures. Look at experienced members’ sig files.

6. Write your signature as if it were a PPC (Pay Per Click) or classified ad with a strong headline, persuasive copy,including a “call to action,” and a link to one of your web sites.

Example of an Ineffective Signature:

Get this free report that will help you work full time from
home: workfromhomefreereport.com

Flaws: No headline; anemic prose; no “call to action” (that is a fake URL, by the way)

Example of an Effective Signature:

M L M – W A R N I N G!
Breakthrough New REPORT Reveals
The Cold, Hard Truth About M L M …
Click Here to Access Your Free Copy

Strengths: Strong headline; emphasizes that the report is free; compelling copy; call to action; tracking link to measure effectiveness.

RECOMMENDED FORUMS

CYN Forum – You receive add credits based on activity. The ads are displayed on the forum.
conqueryourniche.com

Better Networker – Sign up for the free 7-day video “boot camp” training series first; then look for the email which will grant you access to the forum.
BetterNetworker.com

Work-At-Home-Moms Forum – As the name implies, it’s primarily for women but men are welcome too.
wahm.com

WhyDoWork Forum – Good traffic, often shows up on search engines.

Work-At-Home-Forum – Well managed forum with a crisp, clean format.
WorkAtHomeForum.com

MLM.com – Strict rules, e.g., no sig files allowed; antiquated forum software; sometimes inconsistent moderation. But a lot of experienced and successful network marketers hang out here. Note that there are three forums: General, Companies, and Party Plan. You can be a little more promotional in the Companies forum but be sure to read the rules.