We’ve all heard for years that participating in forums is a great way to get traffic to your site. It’s an old Internet marketing staple. But it’s not as easy as just signing up, writing a few posts, and getting traffic back t your blog for life. You’ve got to pay your dues. Joining a forum is like joining a gang, and here’s how to do it right:
(But first, a quick disclaimer: While this piece will for sure bust a cap in your grill, you need to know that I’m a 24-year-old kid from the suburbs. Everything I know about gangs I learned from Gangland on the History Channel. And I in no way am encouraging you to join a real gang.)
1. Have street cred
You can’t just join a gang, start bossing people around, and expect them to start blindly icing fools for you. You’ve got to prove that you’ve got what it takes. You’ve got back up them fightin’ words. The best traffic I get from forums is from forums that I’ve been active on for a while; people know who I am. People know me, man. They know what I’m capable of, and they respect that.
2. Don’t be a cop. Whatever you do, don’t be a cop!!
No one likes a nark. Don’t be a punk, and don’t ruin other people’s fun. The other gang members will ostracize you and maybe even put a bomb in your mom’s car.
3. Get cool tattoos, not wussy ones
Your forum signature is your tattoo. You wouldn’t want a tattoo with a winky emoticon on it, right? Right. Make your signature something that you can be proud of, something that represents you and your blog well.
On a related note, some forums don’t allow signatures; people have to click on your user name to find a link to your blog. Avoid these. The kind that allow signatures will help direct significantly more traffic to your site.
4. Start a gang war
You want to get noticed? You want people out for your blood? You want to live in infamy? Start a gang war. You want to get noticed on a forum? Start up a thread that will get A LOT of replies. Like what?
The way I see it, there are two main types of forum posts that will get lots of attention: controversial things, and things that everyone has an opinion about. Asking for people’s opinion about controversial things is self-explanatory, I think. As far as things that everyone can weigh in on, some examples are, “What would you do with $1000?”, “When/how did you start ____?”, and “What’s your favorite book/blog/movie about ____?” Note how each question is broad and can be tailored to pretty much any niche. The more people that view your thread, the more people view your signature, and the more people will click on it to visit your site.
5. Volunteer yourself for those missions no one else wants to do
Er… In other words… be as helpful as you can. Quality of your work is important.
6. Be active in your gang
The only way for people to notice you in your gang is if you’re out on the front lines, doin’ crap, sellin’ crap, hustlin’ crap. Same thing goes with forums. Quality of posts is key (remember tip 5?), but quantity is just as important. Don’t just be a one hit wonder (you’ve got to admit that was a pretty great pun).
7. “The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club. The second rule of Fight Club is: You DO NOT talk about Fight Club!”
Know the rules, follow the rules. If you don’t, you’ll get banned forever from your beloved homemadetransisterradiofortolkienfansforum.com forums. You don’t want to commit a faux pas in your gang and wake up in the morning with your house on fire.
There you have it. Follow those rules and you should live to fight another day. People will revere you, and you’ll grow up one day to become the online mob boss you’ve always wanted to be.
Photo: duila.org
Twitter: janetcallaway
says:
Why is it, Tristan, that common sense just makes so much sense?! Well said, my new friend. Have a great weekend. Aloha. Janet
Hehe, hi Tristan!
This was a really great post and had me laughing. I love the way you speak gangsta about forums. Though I’ll admit, the “homemadetransisterradiofortolkienfansforum” really threw me for a loop. Had to slowly read it a couple of times.
And great advice. Because getting traffic from forums really is NOT as easy as it might seem. Well, OK, it actually is pretty easy if you follow the rules above. Like the first rule of fight club! LOL
Many people do try and abuse forums. And that’s unfortunate. Like many blog owners, though, forums are figuring this out and finding ways to combat the link trolls.
Recently I joined a forum that, in order to display a signature, you must have at least 25 posts and have been active a set number of days. They also remove profiles that are not active for a certain amount of time.
Great news for us gangsta’s though, as it gets rid of the wannabees and makes way for real discussions and real opportunities to let yourself shine.
Thanks for the post, the advice and the laugh. And please, no bombing my mama’s car. She just got a paint job.
Vince
Vincent Parker´s recent blog post ..A GDI Marketing Question From David Rodriguez
Twitter: FamousBloggers
says:
You remind me with the good old days Tristan
I like the rule #1, some times, talking about the fight club drive passionate new fighters! mmm.. this could be another school!
Talking about Social Media Fighting Clubs lol, I remember some funny happen, and it was interesting to me, the guy who started the club and invented the gang, once he got everything running, he gave the management tasks to couple of other guys!
I realized latter that he did the right thing, he was getting under cover, saving his time, and still getting the benefit as being a basic member
Nice one man, really good stuff.
FamousBloggers´s recent blog post ..How to Schedule Facebook Fan Page Updates
Twitter: wordpresswb
says:
OMG this is fantastic writing! I have come across these gangs on the internet and they are very clicky people and it is really hard to “break in”…LOL
I really can’t stand those guys that are doin’ crap, sellin’ crap, hustlin’ crap!! I am sure they have no gang behind them!
Mitz Pantic´s recent blog post ..Extract Mp3 audio from your AVI video in Camtasia Studio
Tristan let me start by complimenting this well written and creative article…great style. Now as for the content, it’s right on! It speaks to being bold and proactive. Thank you for sharing this will be a great help.
Todd´s recent blog post ..Add Your Signature To Post & Emails Video
Hi Tristan,
Joining a gang is a great idea but it isn’t easy to join it. Joining a gang means being part of that crew/team/family. I like the way you write, you’re a true wordmsmith! Thank you very much for sharing this great article, this great idea will sure help a lot of beginners. Keep up the good work!
Best regards,
Maria
Maria Pavel´s recent blog post ..CNA Online Training And Certification
thank you so much for your post.i have been thinking on how to promote myself.i have join couple of forum but did not very active.i think i will go back each forum that i join or just pick that suit for me and make gang with other people.Once again thank you so much
littlefairuz´s recent blog post ..Valentine Gift For Him – Ray-Ban Bubble Wrap Aviator Sunglasses
Twitter: wdesigngallery
says:
Nice article. It would be interesting to have a list with forums which are worth joining
Christopher´s recent blog post ..World of Warcraft
Twitter: RetroCollage
says:
Most of the clubs that deals with the specific type of art I work in seem to mostly consist of self-promotion. I haven’t been involved in forums yet due to lack of time.
Given a choice between commenting on interesting blogs (like this) which do not directly relate to my own blog and getting involved in forums, which would you choose?
Art of RetroCollage´s recent blog post ..The Human Cave
Tristan, Great post homes. I belong to a few forums and I’m gonna have to start a gang war. Thanks for all the ideas.
Hello, I like your post, and i like the way you do. but I want to ask something, is it necessary if you will join there is an initiation?
Hey Tristan,
I enjoyed reading this post it was great how you showed how joining a gang and joining a forum have some similarities in a sense. I like your number 4, Start a gang war. That’s the point of joining a forum in the first place is to get some attention and get noticed.
So what better way to accomplish this than to start a controversial thread that will get a bunch of replies. Your number 1 on Have street cred is very true also. Thanks a lot for the great read Tristan.
John´s recent blog post ..How to Naturally Stop Sweating With Household Items
Twitter: reitertweets
says:
As a new blogger, I’m just blogging for bloggings sake. Just trying to get my voice out there. I do like when people actually read it. I’d say most of my core audience returns the next day for more.
I’m also trying to be consistent which for me means writing a blog Monday through Friday. Not as easy as you might think. I don’t have a team of writers or idea-people to help out.
My leadership and inspiration blog could be useful to people who are in business trying to grow there own brand. I’m still looking for appropriate forums to join. I should look a little harder.
Really fun read. Thanks.
-Matt
Matt´s recent blog post ..You must lead them- Part 1 of 5
Twitter: RoofCleanMD
says:
Great post and very true! I joined a few exterior cleaning forums and my web traffic has picked up tremendously. It does take a lot of participation and getting involved before you reap any benefits.
Tristan
I was waiting for you to creat a post here! It was only a matter of time
you have a very unique way of wiriting which grabs attention and sticks with a person. I wanna be one of the cool people and get some cool tattoos HAHA!
I just recently had a phone interview with a big time vintage toy collector, posted about it on a forum and immediately got a crap load of traffic
This advice is GOLDEN – no one wants to read things that have been reposted everywhere
if you want traffic you need to be unique – end of story
zoopco´s recent blog post ..FREE Superbowl Domain Advertising
Thats some really nice tips….thanks for sharing
blogsew´s recent blog post ..How To Make Google Adwords Do Your Marketing Job
Twitter: NicoleSellsRE
says:
The most entertaining piece I have read today. You are ‘pure gangsta!’
The tips were great and very true. They can be great sources of traffic, but you must ‘pay your dues.’
Nicole Arsenault´s recent blog post ..109 Red Rock Dr Huntsville- AL 35811 in Turner Farm-For Sale Under 235K
Twitter: DeeBishop
says:
Great ideas… and I have to say, I love your disclaimer! ;o) Glad I stopped by (even though I should be working).
Darlene ‘Dee’ Bishop´s recent blog post ..10 Keys to Writing for the Web
Twitter: pegbaron
says:
Hey Tristan,
Funny post and a great way to get your message across. I know you walk the walk (I’m envisioning you in the picture above with a non-wussy tat), especially #5 and #6.
And #1 makes a lot of sense, especially when the gang you’re trying to join is “clickish”. You have to prove yourself first.
Thanks,
Peggy
Peggy Baron´s recent blog post ..5 Methods For Setting Up Your Social Networking System
Twitter: islandcreekwed
says:
Its really true. I joined a forum about a month ago and found that i get many views from the forum site. Like you said, the key is being a worthwhile contributer, which takes effort and really caring about your “gang”.
Twitter: alisonjgolden
says:
This WAS a good post. One thing I have been guilty of is dipping into a forum infrequently. Does neither me or my brand any good at all. Thanks for the reminder – and the entertainment!
alisongolden´s recent blog post ..Anyone Else Afraid Of Rats
Twitter: AlisonMSmith
says:
I just passed my 8th blogging anniversary. Dude, we are DINOSAURS!
Great post, as usual!
Alison Moore Smith´s recent blog post ..What Happened to Your New Year’s Resolutions
that was really good post to see…..appreciate your effort and got to learn also from it
bloggers´s recent blog post ..BUY AN EXISTING ONLINE BUSINESS
Twitter: scottcofer
says:
Perfect Tristan. Excellent summary on forum behavior …. these spammers out there would do well to read this. Maybe they would rethink their strategy!
Also, funny how you never see the “gurus” on the forums ….. they’d get pelted!
Best as always,
Scott
Scott´s recent blog post ..Quote of the Day – Continuous Personal Growth
Twitter: four_sides
says:
I haven’t joined any forums even though I tend to read some to get helpful hints on products. Are there any specific forums people could suggest I join that would increase my readership? I’m not a niche-specific writer, so perhaps broader blogger forums or reading/writing, etc.
Any suggestions would be great!
I really liked this post. Too many people expect to increase their traffic by dropping a link in a forum but it isnt that easy and you will just get a mouth full off the regulars. You have to dedicate time and put in a considerable amount of effort.
spifty´s recent blog post ..What is Crowdsourcing
Twitter: techwork_dk
says:
Great post Tristan.
Is it ok to be a member of more than onw Gang? I hope so because I think I already am
Very well written post and great title by the way.
Thomas´s recent blog post ..Help me I’m offline!
Ah… it’s so nice to know that there are real people out there in there blogisphere and twitterverse. I’ve been looking to find the real people since I started blogging – if spam were tomatoes I’d be covered and bruised by now! Off to read the rest of your blog now
aberrantvenus´s recent blog post ..Fashion in Action – Princess Polly
Great post, very witty and yet still very informative! Like the commenter above said, its nice to know that there are real people out there, it seems like Twitter is full of robots these days! Its always good to see real people tweeting!
Harriet´s recent blog post ..The Debt Snowball Technique
Twitter: craftybegonia
says:
Thanks for the tips, Tristan. Sure have seen some this around!
craftybegonia´s recent blog post ..Vivaciously Colorful Rickrack Scarflet
When I had cable, I loved watching Gangland.
Hey Tristan – nice to see you here
I was very popular with a forum a few years ago, but it went under. Hard for me to get back into the groove as like you said, it takes time to build up reputation. I haven’t yet joined any other forums, but I gotta start thinking about it. They are big competition but if you do things correctly and be yourself then you will soon be a more reputable player.
Thanks for the post!
Linda
imarketerlinda´s recent blog post ..My Accomplishments Last Week
Twitter: darrenmonroe
says:
Hey Tristan you have no idea how this and a few more of your articles kicked off a movement towards commentluv. Thanks man
Darren Scott Monroe´s recent blog post ..Why Idiots Outsell Einstein and You Can Too
Twitter: Brad_Harmon
says:
So I guess unicorns and rainbows are out too, eh Tristan?
I like the ideas you gave under your 4th point. Controversial posts can backfire on you, but they rarely go unnoticed. You suggestion to ask a question for which everyone has an opinion is a great one. I’m going to use a variation on the $1,000 question in the very near future.
Thanks for letting us know how to get into a blog gang, and for the post idea.
Brad Harmon´s recent blog post ..21 Resources for Writing Guest Posts that Kick Some Serious Butt
Great article, good points and fun to read, thank you
mark´s recent blog post ..FrontPage
Twitter: glynisj
says:
Great post Tristan. Very interesting way to look at forums. I like it.
Twitter: PureFX
says:
It’s probably best to join a forum because you want to talk to people. Do it because you want blog traffic and it’ll just feel like work. : /
Pete´s recent blog post ..BoE Minutes- Good News For People Planning To Transfer Money
Twitter: in_expatland
says:
As a relative newbie, I really appreciated this post. You made great points, and in a manner that was amusing! Along the lines of the old adage ‘garbage in= garbage out,’ your post reinforces the idea that ‘effort + quality + patience + sincerity = great results’. Thank you
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