Forums! It's always interesting to join in worthwhile discussions, especially if they are on similar lines to your blog niche.And if you simply enjoy forums for what they are - great, but they can also be a valuable tool for producing extra traffic to your blogs - if they are used properly.
Using forums as a traffic generating tool, and therefore a money making tool as well, is different to using them purely for fun and entertainment.
For traffic it's all about when and how you start and join in discussions. But first you have to get your forum 'signature' in order.
Most forums will allow a link or links within a signature and these should be utilised to the maximum. Use however much space is available and in such a way as to spark an interest or desire to entice the reader to click on the link(s).
Think about the content of the signature carefully as this is often the main tool, on a forum, to generate extra traffic to your blog(s).
Okay, you may have a well designed signature but it's not much use if people don't see it. So you have to try and gain prominent positions on the various forum threads.
Let's look at starting a new thread yourself.
Why would readers want to click on a particular thread? Mainly because of the title. It may have the greatest subject matter but it's the title that will get them to read whatever it is you have written.
Make the title as interesting as possible, maybe hint at some useful knowledge or some question that can be answered and so on. You want people to look at your thread out of curiosity but ...
... the thread needs to be towards the top of the page that lists all of the threads in that particular category. Otherwise it will get lost and not noticed. But how do you keep it there?
By keep bumping it back up to the top.
With most forums, when a reply/comment is made to a thread, it automatically goes to the top of the list. You therefore need a theme that will get replies.
One way to do this is to ask questions or ask for help. Forum members are then more likely to write some sort of reply. Or maybe mention something controversial, funny, unusual or a tip or helpful hint.
If you can get regular comments or replies this will bump you up the page, but what if your thread is slipping rapidly downwards and will soon disappear?
This is the time to make a reply/comment on your own thread to bump it up the page yourself.You can add some supplementary info, to what you originally wrote, or comment on what others have commented on - agree or disagree with them, thank them for their reply etc.
You should, in my opinion, only do your own comment on your own thread when absolutely necessary. Leave it until your thread looks like it's sinking fast. I also personally feel that own comments should only be made providing there are other 'unanswered' or 'unacknowledged' comments. But that's an ethical thing. I do know of bloggers who have several accounts on a forum for bumping purposes, but I'm not going to recommend this! Each to their own.
A few things not to do: Don't comment yourself on other people's threads, within the category where your thread is, unless they are above yours in the list.
If you do, your own thread will be pushed down the list, which isn't what you want.
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't comment on other threads (and indeed you should) but choose to do so in a different category, so that it won't interfere with your own thread's position.
By all means comment yourself as much as possible (within other categories) as this will get you known and your 'name' seen. The more people see you about the more likely they are to comment on any threads you have created - and click on your links.
If you are commenting you should check that your profile page is up to date and has any links included (if allowed) to your blogs. Also use a recognisable avatar.
I think I've gone on long enough about forums but the main message is to think about how you use them. If it's for fun do anything you want but if it's for money making and/or traffic a little cunning and thought can generate more of, whatever it is that you want.
Good luck,
Mike.
