|
When you register or join an Internet marketing forum, you
will be asked to choose a
username. This username is
used to identify you when
you make a post on the forum.
If you haven't registered
on a particular forum yet,
my advice is to use your 'real
name' as your username. It's
common practise for most people
to use a weird 'made up' username
on forums, but I think that's
a mistake. Every time you
make a new post on a forum,
it's an opportunity to build
up your name recognition amongst
your target market. Whether
you have your own website
now or in the future, people
are more likely to buy your
products, or those that you
recommend if they already
know you. Think about it...are
you more likely to buy something
from a complete stranger,
or someone you already know?
It's obvious isn't it? You
may have made a thousand posts
on an Internet marketing forum,
and be considered as someone
who really knows their stuff
and is worth learning from.
However, all that trust and
respect you've built up could
mean nothing away from the
forum, if people don't know
your real name. I see so many
forum posters contributing
some great information, but
I haven't a clue who they
really are. They are really
losing out on a prime 'name
branding' opportunity. When
someone visits your website
for the first time, they are
much more likely to buy your
product, or click on your
affiliate links, if they recognize
your name. That's why it's
important not to waste your
forum posts, by hiding or
forgetting to include your
name with every post. All
Forum Signature Ads Are Not
Created Equal When you make
a post on most marketing forums,
you have the option of including
an ad in your signature. If
you have your own product,
this provides you with an
opportunity to promote it
with every post you make.
If you don't have your own
website yet, you can use this
space to promote an affiliate
program you recommend. Again,
this is where making your
real name visible to people
is going to really help you.
Consider this... You see two
forum posts with the exact
same signature ad, 'word-for-word'.
Which ad are you more likely
to click on? 1. The anonymous
person with the obscure username.
2. The person using their
'real name' to identify themselves,
and who seems willing to put
their name behind what they
are recommending. If you already
use a nickname on forums,
you might want to consider
signing off your post with
your real name at the bottom.
Also, don't make the mistake
of assuming that because you've
made a number of posts, everyone
on the forum knows you. There
are thousands of new people
coming onto the Internet every
day. They won't know who you
are or what you are about.
For those people, building
up your name recognition with
them, will often start with
the last post you've just
made. So make it a good one,
and make sure they know who
you are, by making your name
visible to them. Jason Lewis
is the author of the highly
acclaimed 'Business Brainwaves'
Newsletter. Uncovering new
business ideas and marketing
strategies. Subscribe today,
while it's still free! New
Business Ideas and Marketing
Strategies |
