When talking about social media, most of us immediately think about the usual suspects…Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Some of us may go a bit farther down the list of 200+ social media sites and include Instagram, Google+ and Tumblr. All are great sites for connecting with your audience! But there’s another key platform that’s really making headway these days as a successful marketing strategy, and that’s online business forums.
Whether you join an existing forum, or create your own, an online business forum is a powerful way to connect with people in the same industry, as well as potential or existing clients. For coaches with group programs, establishing a private online forum is a convenient way for your coaching clients to connect and share, get questions answered and find support and encouragement as they go through their coaching program.
Just as with the other social networking platforms, there are many professional forum sites to choose from, such as ProBoards.com and Boardhost.com. If you’re interested in adding online business forums to your marketing strategy, here are a few guidelines to help you get started:
- Find the forums that are right for you. Just as with the other networking sites, you want to be where your audience is. Do your research, and ask your colleagues and peers where they hang out. You can also visit forum hub sites such as Board Reader and search for specific niche keywords.
- Read the fine print. While all user agreements will include the typical legalese, each site will have its own specific rules. You need to understand them and make sure they fit with your goals for selecting that forum.
- Create a reader-friendly username and avatar. Select a name and image that reflect your business, are easy to identify, remember and pronounce. Using your high school nickname and your dog’s image may be cool for you, but will it speak to others as an identifier of your business? In keeping with that, you’ll also want to make sure your profile clearly describes your expertise and business services. You can include a few bits of personal info like hobbies or favorite sports, but keep it brief.
- Be professional. Many forum users are respected experts and bloggers in the area of interest of that particular forum, so you’ll want to maintain a high level of professionalism as you engage with the other users. Remember, you’re using this forum ultimately as a marketing strategy, so be aware of the underlying message you’re sending as you post your messages to the group.
There are so many benefits to using online forums as part of your business marketing strategy. For more great tips and advice, I recommend this article at Inc.com.
If you need help with your marketing strategy for online business forums, we are here to assist you! Our Virtual Team works with extraordinary life and business coaches who are looking for a true business partner to bring their BIG ideas into tangible, clickable reality. Want to learn more?
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