This is my main method of promotion: supporting my websites by posting actively on message boards. All you have to do is post more on message boards, and the more hits you will get! And since posting on forums is always an enjoyable, relaxing to do, this task shouldn't be difficult at all!

Please allow me to explain my theory. Most message boards provide an opportunity for you to include a signature. By finding an appropriate forum related to your websute's topic, you may be able to get quite a lot of visitors to your site by simply including your website in your signature with a catchy description. If you choose the correct message boards, almost all your hits should be targeted to the correct audience.

In the past few months, I have promoted everything from Aimoo to WebsiteForums in my signature. All the sites I have promoted have reported a great number of referrals from the message boards I visit. However, this only works when I visit webmaster forums. This strategy is almost useless when I post on, say, gaming boards.

Another way you can use message boards to your advantage is to reply to threads where your site would be appropriate. For example (this is a cheap example, I know ), if you run a host and someone is asking for a host, you can recommend your own site, and it wouldn't be considered "spamming" because it is related to the topic. Also, if the message board has an "Ads and Offers" forum, you can also promote your site there as well without being labeled a "spammer".

Now let me get to my second point. Why will posting more increase the number of hits? The most obvious answer is that you're getting more exposure to your signature with more posts. However, that's not all. If you are a newbie to a board, you are apt to notice the signature of a veteran poster with 2000 posts rather than a newbie who just entered and has 7 posts. I guess it's just because the veterans seem a bit more reliable. I don't know, at least that's how I feel when I'm a newbie.

Anyway, I hope you found my strategy helpful, even though I know most of you are already using this method. Good luck!

I usually find a 'free porn here' link does wonders..

Originally posted by Nav
I usually find a 'free porn here' link does wonders..

That's funny. But the bad thing about it is that there are people doing just that, but not necessarily with the 'free porn'. It can be anything free, and still not be about their site.

When I click on a site and have been misled in order to go there, I don't go there anymore. Yeah, they got a click out of me, but that's all they'll ever get.

To tell a half truth like a whole truth makes it an untruth. My point, if they will lie to get me there, they will lie about their services, products, etc.

Good point about the message boards. For newbies, just be careful that you don't spam. And some programs (eg affiliate) do not allow you to post to message boards. If it's your own business, I can see where it's helpful when it's done like you suggest.

Dave

Originally posted by DMo224


Good point about the message boards. For newbies, just be careful that you don't spam. And some programs (eg affiliate) do not allow you to post to message boards. If it's your own business, I can see where it's helpful when it's done like you suggest.

Dave

Oops! I almost forgot! Yes, I agree. You absolutely should not spam on a message board. This annoys the users to a point where they will just simply ignore you. It will also result in banning or deletion/editing of your messages. And I absolutely mean that you should post about only your own business, not some affiliate. Most boards will ban you for that too.

Originally posted by Nav
I usually find a 'free porn here' link does wonders..

LOL while that is funny I do have to agree with Dave. I would end up mad if I came looking for something based on a search result and didn't find it.

Although not neccesarily porn because I don't look for that...

Oo ... drach almost slipped up there.

Originally posted by AhmedF
Oo ... drach almost slipped up there.

LOL! You sure about that, Drach? No genre of websites generates more money than porn.

BTW, I still don't know this board's rules on posting affiliate URLs. Are there any?

Originally posted by AhmedF
Oo ... drach almost slipped up there.

I didn't almost slip up
I don't look for porn...

Originally posted by conkermaniac


LOL! You sure about that, Drach? No genre of websites generates more money than porn.

BTW, I still don't know this board's rules on posting affiliate URLs. Are there any?

Quite sure And I know it is believed that porn sites generate money but that isn't always the case.

I don't believe affiliate urls are allowed in posts however I do think they are acceptable in your signature.

Dave or Chief could give you more insight on that.

Originally posted by conkermaniac
I still don't know this board's rules on posting affiliate URLs. Are there any?

Drache is right that affiliate links are not allowed in posts. But there is a Special Advertisments section if you want to advertise. The rules are posted there.

Your sig can have a link to your site or an affiliate link, but please keep the size small (that's a relative term, but I don't think anyone's abused it yet).

Dave

Hi,

Well, I do know that the Internet porn industry didn't take too big of a hit when the advertising market collapsed. People were still paying for those porn sites like heck!

I'm not sure allowing affiliate URLs anywhere are appropriate. However, I do agree that these rules seem much more lenient then other boards I've been on. In case you're wondering, none of the three sites in my signature are mine, and not a single one is an affiliate URL! No kidding! I'm just promoting them to do them a favor (not making any money off of this either). This is also a great way to test out that message board promotion theory of mine.

BTW, Drachewyn, how do you pronounce your username???

Originally posted by conkermaniac

BTW, Drachewyn, how do you pronounce your username???

Hmm I will try to sound it out as best I can. Since it is one I made up there is no online help for this one.

Drah-Chay-Win

I hope that helps?? That is as near as I could figure it.

Originally posted by conkermaniac
This is also a great way to test out that message board promotion theory of mine.

I know they have received several hits from this forum, 'cause I've been to 'em a few times. But I'm always curious, so I visit a lot!

Dave

Conker, Our rules are Here in case you missed that post in the accouncement forum

Originally posted by Chief
Conker, Our rules are Here in case you missed that post in the accouncement forum

Sorry Chief, I missed it. I did notice it after I made that post.

It's so strange...This is the only board I've been to where the forum rules aren't an announcement.

They are in the "Announcements" Forum and is the first post (made sticky), so Im not sure what you mean by that??

Well, an announcement is different from a sticky. On other boards (and I know this is possible with vB), they have an announcement that comes first in every forum. However, it's not like any regular post. The replies and views sections are blanked out, and there is a title bar that shows something along the lines of this:

Please read our rules on how to post on this forum (11-25-2000 until 01-01-2003)

An example of where you see announcements? (I apologize for this plug to another board)

[Admin. edit]

Hey conker,

I did that last edit. We're in the midst of a discussion on yes/no to allow posts of forums. So, remember that link in case the answer is yes.

Dave

Originally posted by DMo224
Hey conker,

I did that last edit. We're in the midst of a discussion on yes/no to allow posts of forums. So, remember that link in case the answer is yes.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Just my 2 cents, if it helps any... I think you guys should allow the posting of other forums to a certain extent. I mean, if it's for more information (and best for the users), I think it is valuable, but if for spamming, then certainly it should not be allowed. I'm a member at many popular forums (which do have very strict laws), and they do allow the recommendation of other competing (I mean direct competition) forums. *hint, hint*

BTW, that forum link was just to help YOU (and the other mods, of course) get an idea of what an announcement is! So once you've read it, you can delete it, edit it, or whatever you want.

I think you guys should allow the posting of other forums to a certain extent. I mean, if it's for more information (and best for the users), I think it is valuable, but if for spamming, then certainly it should not be allowed.

At the moment we are taking them on a post by post basis on wether we feel they are appropriate or not. One very popular webmaster forum I know of does not even allow signatures. Another I joined deleted my sig because it had my forum link in my sig. Anyway, that is their choice and it does not bother me. We are not trying to have a stuck up attitude here but want the forum to be a quality forum for our members by not alowing affiliate links and SPAM.

Anyway, at this time I do not plan on disallowing forum links, but we will take them on a case by case basis on wether we feel the link adds value, was necessary or was appropriate. I don't consider this a huge issue because it really does not happen all that often but it is something we are discussing in a private forum.

By the way, I checked out that link. I'm not sure how to do that at the moment but it is a good suggestion and I'll work on it.