The value of Forum Networking Outside of Your "Comfort Zone"

 This article stresses the value of forum networking, not just amongst your peers in the same industry, but also within your business's target market(s).  If you want to become visible to your potential customers and truly find out what their needs are, it can be extremely beneficial to 'swim where the fish are'.

 The value of Forum Networking Outside of Your "Comfort Zone"

 Many of you with small or home-based businesses already understand the value of networking online.  One of the quickest ways is to join internet forums that are comprised of members just like you within the same industry group.  There you can rub shoulders with your peers, exchange various marketing tips, and generally lend moral and technical support to one another.  This is an extremely valuable tool and an excellent resource for information related to your own business.

 But how can you use forum memberships to help you get more in touch with your actual target market?

 One often over-looked method of getting your business 'out there' in front of your potential customers is to join their online communities wherever possible.

 Let's say you have a new pet store or gardening centre or are offering your unique baby accessories over the internet.  Join a forum dedicated to Iguanas (yes there is one), join a gardener's forum, join a parents' forum.  There is no better way to find out first-hand what your customers want and need.  This also gives you a chance to establish your own credibility and provides your potential customers with a chance to get to know you better, even if it is just over the internet.  Most folks want to do business with someone they feel they already know and can trust in the future.

 Having said that, there are certain rules that must be followed at all times, or you risk being ignored or worse, being labelled as a "spammer".

 1. Don't spam!  Never join an online forum with an introduction that sounds like an ad for your business or reads like a slick press release.  Most people will likely clue in immediately that you are only there to gain their business and have joined their forum for cheap advertising.

 2. Contribute.  When you join an online community, you must be prepared to contribute your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to the other members.  Remember, you must genuinely care about the other members because someday they could become your clients.

 3. Add a Signature.  When posting on many forums you are encouraged to add a signature line which can include your name, the name of your business and a hyperlink to your business’s web site.  This can be invaluable in increasing traffic to your web site as search engines will crawl forums and detect links in signatures.  Remember to read the forum rules carefully first, because not all forums allow this practice.

 4. Listen.  Even if you join an internet forum under a pseudonym because business advertising is not permitted, just soak up everything you can from the posts of the other members.  Learn about them.  Listen to them.  Use these forums as another method of an informal marketing survey for your business and you will be surprised to discover what the real needs of your customers are.

 5. Watch what you say.  On most forums, every single post you make is recorded and archived by the search engines.  People surfing the internet will possibly be reading your posts for years to come, so always maintain a professional and courteous attitude.  What you say today could reflect on you and your business for many years to come.

 
Internet forums have become a great meeting place for all sorts of individuals seeking advice, friendship, technical support and inspiration.  Joining a forum of one's peers is a great way to learn, but it can also be beneficial to dip your toes into the waters where your fish are swimming.

 So to sum up, if you want to really get to know your potential customers (and for them to get to know you), join the forums where they hang out. You’ll be rewarded with some amazing insights as to how you can better market your own business, and you’ll get a chance to establish yourself as a trusted and credible expert in your field.