Because I do know this firsthand, it really, really saddens me to see people do it so very WRONG. I’m long since past getting ticked off about these things, but it does bum me out.

Why? Because it’s totally UNnecessary to do these things! And also by doing these things, the people doing them risk lifelong explusion from some excellent potential resources not just of sales, but of knowledge and networking. All this stuff is loads easier when you’re not doing it alone, believe me.

OK, here goes:

1. Don’t spam.

Pretty obvious, right? But as both a moderator and a participant on forums, I see it all the time. Granted, some are the work of pro spammers working on a big bank of computers in some dingy basement in some dingy city in some dingy country.

Too often, and more than once is too often to me, this spam is produced by misguided and either mis- or ill-informed individuals who stick a “Me too!” or some other lame message repeated a billion times in a billion place. Sometimes many of those places are on different sections of the same forum. Soooo not cool, soooo not helpful, soooo not effective!

If ever the urge strikes you to do something even remotely spammy, smack yourself silly and give yourself a severe talking to when you wake up. Repeat as needed.

2. Don’t spam by private message either.

I’m a member of a couple of very well-known forums with almost legendary reputations and a few gazillion members. They have so darn many members that I don’t visit them often. How can I feel special with all those other people vying for attention too??

Every so often, I see a private message from one of these forums in my inbox. Usually, it’s obvious that it’s not from the forum administrator (the only one/ones that should be e-mail the entire member list), but from another “member” who apparently joined just to do this. They may honestly believe that this is the way forum marketing is done.

Ahhh…NO.

If you’re a forum member and you want to contact another member with a legitimate question or request, follow that forum’s rules for doing so. Converse, don’t bombard.

Which brings me oh-so-conveniently to my next point:

3. Don’t have nothing worthwhile to say.

The occasional “Attaboy!” or “You go, girl!” encouragement is fine as long as it’s not all you ever do. Your forum visits should be timed to avoid blowing half a day without realizing it, and you should have an objective for your visit. Are you there to ask a specific question? Answer a specific question? Conduct a targeted poll? Research problems and concerns of your target market or maybe clarify the same?

It’s incredibly easy to fall into a “hanging out” habit with forums. I know because I’ve done it myself. Save the hanging out for forums you frequent JUST for fun after work hours. Be there for a real reason while you’re on your own clock.

4. Don’t abuse your signature file.

These few hyperlinked characters at the end of your forum posts are what ultimately make money. They’re that little cyber-doorway for those curious and hopefully interested visitors to pass through.

Don’t lock them out with an over-the-top message!

“Make Megalicious Moolah By Monday!!!” or “Be A Bedroom God!!!” aren’t exactly enticing to most. Low key is juuuust a bit more inviting, like:

“How I Conquered My Acne In One Week”

No screaming, no exaggeration. You must be sure that the destination your visitor reaches tells them what you say it will, or that’ll be their last click on anything associated with you.

For more about the DOs of forum marketing, grab the first lesson, “Week 1: Forums” of Promote ANYTHING Online: Your Step-By-Step Online Marketing Action Plan now.