Some Posting Advice For Forums and Groups Think it works
Social media is a wonderful opportunity to promote your business, cause or product, we are living in the days of plenty of opportunities the only ones that can really blow it is ourselves.
Make the most of the opportunity you are a marketer and you want to make money to pay the bills as simple as that keep it in your focus at all times. If you want to make friends and share with family then keep family and friends separate from business
Business is business, Remember that simple rule
If you were about back in the day I am sure that you came across a friend or family member promoting a certain MLM company it got to that stage when you knew that they were going to be at a function or you saw them coming you would either not go or walk off in the other direction. Do you see what I see?
Some tips for engaging in forums and groups.
- When you arrive folks don’t Know you, walk in stand at the back of the room
- Check out the rules and try and abide by them, you don’t own the forum or group.
- Check out the resources there may be some really helpful goodies, for you as you walk through the door.
- Check out the feel and energy of the place get a feel for it. Just observe for a little while.
- Work out how you are going to leverage your position this is the big one
- Check out the stayers, the players, the influencer's, the never there's, check out the stand at the back of the roomers that wade in with complete value folks, check out the grandstander's, the suppliers of false information.the manipulators Just check it out.
- Sort out who is posting links what links are they posting usually against the rules ,but folks still do, it.where are they taking you whats their game?
- After you have things sorted, start posting always add value don’t even think about promoting.
- Look at the middle tier of members they are there down to earth just like you doing their best to get ahead in the online world post comments on their threads. They may respond, folks will still notice you that is a starting point.
- The influencers are not going to acknowledge you, they post put a comment on their thread try to add value step outside the general feel of the comment thread they won’t see you others will, It is about making ripples, not waves.
- Keep posting comments folks will get to know you in the process you will be creating trust and then folks will acknowledge you or comment on your comments
- Start posting at this stage, always offer value don’t even think about promoting.
- Remember the 80/20 rule 80% value 20% or less "your outcome results."
- Work out what it is you want to do and achieve, do you want folks to trek back to your website, or to your offer/promotion or do you just want their email addresses. Right at the beginning you need to work out what it is that you want to achieve and every piece of content you post, should be leading in that direction.
- Above all else don’t try to intentionally break the rules, and try not to ride into “ Dodge City “ with all your guns blazing.The platforms and administrators are there to protect the town they are the sherriffs and they do a pretty good job.
Just some ideas I would love to know what you think if you agree or disagree or if you can add some value to the conversation
If you follow along I think that forums and groups will be a source of great rewards if you crash in you will get a short shift banned and known as a spammer, remember we are all connected these days and we are sophisticated and can spot dodgy deals and dealers three miles away.
Remember you are a marketer develop your marketing style .giddy up and just ride off into the sun set all goals achieved.
Just some thoughts from observing some of the forums and groups that I am in.
Alexander
Recent Comments
31
Good advice, since I just joined a FB group in my niche. I backed out of one when they wanted to know who had referred me to their renowned company, who was my mentor. I wish these groups would make it clear straight up what company they are with. The group I stayed in is in the same company, but I am in there, not as a seller, just to learn and promote safety, later, as you recommend. I am following these guidelines, already, in Instagram and see more of what I can do, so thanks Alex!
Lynne
Hi, Lynne, it can be rugged out there, a measured and determined approach seems to work, it is not a race and results come by actively and consistently participating.
We have to be mindful of what it is that we are trying to achieve thank you for your comment it is very much appreciated.
Great practical advice Alexander.
Depending on the niche, forums are a bit like some social media platforms just more targeted. They serve the great purpose of getting your name known, very much like twitter in that respect.
When someone thinks of your niche you want them to automatically think of you so always use the same profile pics and handles(Names) as you use on your website within forums.
Treat forum members like your friends, you do not want to promote directly to friends but want them to feel that they could come to you for advice if they need it.
So I would never promote directly on forums but give links to information pages/posts on you website in forum posts or add a link to your website in your signature if allowed. You could even create a quick post on your website to immediately answer a forum question and link to that rather than reply in full in the forum. Use this tactic sparingly though not for every post. DON'T abuse your friends!
This all should be seen as providing extra supporting information to your "friends". Your website should then take over the promoting element.
If a forum does not allow links in signatures or posts people are likely to look you up if they find your advice helpful.
I see forums as a place to promote YOURSELF primarily NOT your business but ultimately this can lead to the same thing.
The TRUST factor is one of the best promotional methods moving forward, any time spent building it is valuable.
Hi Jamie brilliant response thank you much appreciated, at the end of the day it is about getting our name and brand out there and if we can appear as organic as we can all the better it does pay dividends down the track steady and sure wins the race.
Thanks Alexander
Every contact you have with a 3rd party whether a person, company or website is an opportunity to build (or DESTROY) your brand. This doesn't mean handing them a business card etc. but just your manner in communicating with them, treating them with respect.
I think the trouble for many is that they haven't got a clue who their audience is ("Well it's everyone isn't it ") so any attempt at promoting their services/website is no more than a stab in the dark. On finding a targeted audience people become over excited and try to bombard them with promotions.
I think of it like this. If you had a new neighbour move in next door do you
a) Welcome them to the neighbourhood, invite them for a coffee and let them know you are around if they need any help or advice.
or
b) Try and sell them a new lawnmower as their lawn obviously hasn't been mown for a few weeks
I wonder which would build the better long term relationship MMmm!
I think that years ago, I would barge into a group and be high and mighty. Now, I do what you have advocated-stand back and take note of the atmosphere.
Thank you for the reminders
Classic we can get excited and full of enthusiasm, which can be a plus but it can also have a downside, to it. Steady as it goes wins the race, thank you for sharing Ann much appreciated.
What you describe looks very resonable but it takes too much time. The real problem is, such groups in mu niche do not allow any promoting so it is useless. Do not understand where people find groups that allow promotion, have seen such reports.
Hi, Jovo I am just making some observations, based on things that I have observed. Most forums and groups have this thing about posting raw links.or spamming the group.
You are right about the time factor, I am not sure how some folks manage to achieve the results that they here in the forum.it is beyond me. There are software's out there that enable you to automate the processes, there are ways to work around things. if your niche doesn't allow promotion. The easiest way to find groups or communities is to search from the platform G plus, for instance, there are plenty of communities that align with your niche, Facebook is another one. some are public and some are closed groups, forums, communities, each will take a slightly different approach I guess it is all about common sense.it appears from observation, that some allow the posting of links and promotion.
The time factor to the return is the big thing in the first place. If we can see advantages then we can leverage our positions. I have made some real blues, but looking on if one takes a measured approach we can obtain results.perhaps not spectacular in the beginning but start small end up big I guess.
Hi, Kyle, I would imagine that you will be fine, it is all good I am, just making some observations.
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Hi Alexander, thank you for all that excellent advice. are business is to help not to sell help people solve problems by gaining their trust in turn they be come repeat buyers. We need to build trust. As you say try not come "Dodge city with all are guns blazing" Once again thank you!
Hi, Brenda you have picked on a very valid point more so than ever we need to build up a trust so that folks feel that we are bringing value. it is easy to get excited and to enthusiastic, it can cause us issues. so pleased that you found some value in the post