Last time, when looking at off-site SEO and the need for high quality, incoming links, I covered the need for good quality content as a starting point.  Without good content you won’t get good quality links.

Now I want to start looking at some ways to get people to see your high quality content - without spending any money.

And the first area I want to look at is Forum Marketing.

Forum marketing is about becoming an active member of a forum in your niche (or a closely related niche) and establishing yourself as an authority.

Remember – the objective is to point people to your site so that they see your content and link to it.

Remember, also, that off-site SEO is an ongoing project – something that you never stop working at.

OK – so the first step is to identify forums that focus on your niche.

Check them out to find the ones that are well managed and sufficiently active.  This would require you to follow them for a while to gauge the levels of activity and the general tones of each of the forums.

When you find one that’s active and professionally run, and if the subjects that are discussed are related to your product or service, then join it.

The subjects that are covered are important, because you want to be able to participate in them and add valuable insights and contributions.  That’s a key part of becoming recognised as an authority.

So make sure that you join a forum where you’re going to be able to participate meaningfully in the discussions

Once you’ve joined a forum be sure to set up your profile as fully as you can.  You want people to see that you’re a serious, professional long-term player.  Your profile is one way of doing this.  And, most importantly, add a link to your site (with a brief statement about your business or service) to your Forum Signature.

Why is this important?  Because it’s the only way in a forum that you can publicise your site.

None of the professionally run forums will allow you to directly promote your product or service in forum posts.  That’s considered Spam and will be very quickly stamped out.

Your post will be deleted and you may receive a warning from the moderators in some forums.  You’ll also probably receive some sarcastic comments from other forum members – not the best way to start out on your objective of becoming an authority!

Once you’ve got your profile all set up, then you’re ready to start participating in the community.  Make sure you get a feel for the forum before jumping in with both feet – just as you would in a real life forum or discussion group.

And, most importantly, remember that your goal is to establish authority for yourself.  To become recognised as a trustworthy expert in your field.

Most forums will have a sticky with the Forum Rules set out.  Be sure to read them and abide by them.  And when responding to discussions, or initiating discussion threads, be sure to always write professionally and politely.

And be as helpful as you can.  ‘Give and ye shall receive’ is a very good motto to follow for the way you participate in the forums.

Gradually you will begin to become known in the forum and then people will start checking out your profile and clicking on the link in your signature to see what your site is all about.

That’s when your high quality content will blow them away and they’ll start linking to you!

As with anything, forum marketing takes time, effort and consistency.  I have a rule of thumb (which I don’t always follow, I have to admit!) of responding to 2 posts each day.  Some days there may be nothing I can respond to, while on other days I can respond to 2 or 3 threads.

However it works out, you need to be participating consistently, thoughtfully and helpfully to become recognised as an expert in your field.

And, as you do this, so people will start clicking your link, visiting your site and (hopefully!) linking to your content.

OK – forum marketing is one way of getting people to your site so that they link to your content.  Next time we’ll look at Social Marketing.

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