So you run an online business or are an affiliate of a big online MLM or you want to promote your blog and have a low budget and thus cannot advertise with the big boys on Adwords, ValueClick Media, DoubleClick and other big ad networks? Not to worry. You can still get a piece of the Internet cake albeit you have to work smart for it. How? I’d show you in a few minutes. Read along…
There are indeed several methods you can promote/advertise your online business without paying a dime for the promo/ad. I have used these methods with varying degrees of success over the years and willing to share it with you here and now. In this blog post however, I will be discussing only one of them – Online Discussion Forums.
It is indeed possible to reach out to a target audience through online forums – without paying for it. You sign-up at forums that best meet your needs, and then contribute meaningfully to the existing threads, or even create new threads of your own. Be careful not to be too aggressive in doing this, as forum admins/moderators might consider your action spamming if you tend to be too explicit for comfort.
What you need to do is search the forum for topics that relate to what you intend to promote. You then add your opinion and ideas to the discussion, and can then point to your URL (web address) where it is necessary to do so. Forum members would start noticing you when they find your contributions useful and would not only click on any link you recommend, but would also contact you directly for further explanation about your business. These are leads – potential customers. Again, remember not to spam. You might be banned if you splash your URL all over the forum indiscriminately. Whether you point to your URL in the thread or not, the users should see your signature – which should contain your URL.
That brings me to the next issue: Signatures
You can advertise your website on discussion forums by including a text link or banner image to your URL in your signature section. Some forum admins restrict the lenght of text you can include in your signature section so you need to use this very wisely. Where a lenghty text is allowed, you can include a 468×60 banner ad. Your banner image should be attractive, well-designed and not too flashy. Where possible, have a web graphics designer design a professional banner for you.
Where the text length allowed is for example 60 characters, you need to be very creative. Your marketing text would then have to be crisp and sweet, in a nutshell, it has to be free from all elaboration and superfluous detail. If your URL is a long one, you can shorten it by using services like TinyURL or that of Justin Hartman – TinyLink. With a short URL, concise marketing text, your signature should do just fine and attract the much needed clicks to your website.
Finding a good discussion forum:
Search for online forums that have a huge number of active members and that target your core audience. Aside huge numbers, look for forums that have rules and enforce them so you know you’re protected if you stick to their rules, and that no other user will encroach on your rights.
The forums I am suggesting below are not the only ones out there. Research for more.
Ghana – GhanaWeb
Nigeria – Nairaland
e-currency users – TalkGold
CAUTION:
*Do not spam. Spamming is counter-productive. Forum members would ignore your links if you are too aggresive and always posting duplicate content. You can get banned by the forum administrators or moderators when found.
*Use decent language. Do not go around attacking other members on the forum. Research and have a good knowledge of a subject matter before you post. All these would go a long way to bring some respect to your person, and some attention to your business.
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yeah i agree with you
you can also send articles or posting on forums
like http://www.articlejoint.com for posting free articles
and http://www.egusiland.com
a general discusion forum that touches several topics
David can’t be closer to the truth.
You can also check out forums like:
Nigeria- http://www.naijafootballfans.com .
It’s a good niche forum especially if you are promoting sports product.
Great tips. I have been trying to promote my web site for a couple of months and with a very small advertising budget, it’s tough to compete against the bigger players. Thank you
what an intresting site small people like me and others get no help. good work
Good idea
hi,
i am in to Network marketing.but the best thing is that , even if some one joins and not able to introduce some one he still earns money. because the business is investment in forex. if some one introduces people he/she makes more money, if not he/she makes money for his /her money invested in Forex.
keep in touch
regards,
Prem Anand
+91 98844 86609
http://www.ashwin-international.com/ecash_invest.html
Thanks for the advice
You can also get setup with other people sharing banners. Not exactly banner ad campaigns where you have no idea what you will be advertising, but swapping banners with other people and friends.
i need help dont no nothing about doing this::
Hi my name is Karen I own kabiolas webstore, please check it and tell me what you think. Thankyou Kabiolas
Good article. Asides advertising you should also ensure your website is optimised for search engines.
U have provided a good aportunity to advertise sites for free
I saw somewhere that you also make some few bucks through this process.But seems inappropriate for someone who doesnot understa nd it but still wanta free advertisement.
Thank you about the articles I will check them out. I dont mind writing articles. I do have some recommendations to help others as well. If you love to right articles or you want to get noticed. I joined a few website like Helium and eHow that you can go to my personal website and join the sites there. Also there are a lot of ning site that are great to get to know pros and beginners of all different trades and professions. One is called Start Up Biz a social networking site.
These sites are all free to join and advertise your business as well as get others to visit your site and create your own profile site of what you do. I love it and you get a lot of pros that can help and great people too! I have a spiritual site and you can check out my site and join there on sites I recommend and eventually you will be invited to many others. There are free downloads on my site for internet marketing that I received from top marketers and these are free to download.
Hopefully, I have been some help and you can also email me too. Abundance to you always!
Brigett
thanks for the great ideas i will get my husband to use them on his wevsite:grin:
That’s really true. I realised this and got my link free2win.co.uk into loads of competition and freebie forums. As long as everyone appreciates you being in the forum then its a great way to advertise.
I completely agree with you suggestions. I am going to follow through on them. Thanks
thanks for the information. i believe your stategy will work if only you are in right forum with large members.
I render ecommerce services (free online store) for merchants.
Thanks