Why You Should Join Forums

Forums have been around for centuries, not at all what we are used to today. This picture is what's left of a forum that used to exist in ancient Rome. These remains can be found in Pompeii Italy and was probably damaged in the earthquake of 63.A.D. In those days the Forums of Rome were used as gathering place, sometimes for social meetings and other times for political meetings. Unlike today's forums they had certain advantages, like being held in the open air, air that was probably a lot purer that what we are used to today.

Then again they also had certain disadvantages in that if you weren't all that popular there was every chance that someone would stab you in the back. Sort of brings to mind that fateful day when Caesar whilst at a Senate meeting was stabbed 23 times by 60 conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brutus, causing him to utter that now famous phrase "Et tu, Brute?", at least that's what Shakespeare would want us to believe. And to think one or two stabs would have been enough.

Anyway, today's modern forums have one major difference, that is that it can be held online, and while you can be subject to 'flaming' at least you won't have to worry about a dagger in the back. Where once it was fairly local involving only a small community now it's quite global involving many countries around the world. Whilst the first online forums came about during the days of the bulletin boards they didn't have the same reach as today's Internet Forum.

The reasons people join forums are varied and as there are forums that cover a wide range of subjects the reason may depend on what the forum is about.. Usually people join a particular forum because they are seeking information and if they can't find the answer they are looking for they post their problem in the hope that one of the members may be able to help solve their problem.

There are some people who become members for an entirely different reason, for the sole purpose of marketing their site or blog. Of these there are two kinds, the good marketers and the bad ones. The good ones will drive targeted traffic to their sites and the bad ones remain unnoticed. So, how to be a good marketer?

Work out who your market is and join a forum related to that market. If you're selling electronics you would join a forum based on electronics etc.

Once a member you need to fill out your profile. One important aspect of your profile is the signature as the signature will contain the link to your site, so every time you leave a comment your link bearing signature will be attached to that comment.

Look for topics that you know you can provide constructive help as this will build you're reputation and will more likely lead people to your site

Do not leave silly short comments, remember the bad marketer, as these will go unnoticed and could possibly lead to loss of membership!

Definitely do not leave comments that intentionally link to your site, especially if it's unrelated and this will definitely get your ass kicked out!

Here are some of the forums that I have joined.

Image Source Paul "Tuna"