Using Message Boards Properly

We all have our own reasons for joining message boards. Maybe its to meet some friends, or find some ideas for your business. Maybe you just needed a place to announce your party. Whatever the reason, are you using them properly?

There are several purposes of a message board:

1. Meet new people/network ~ This does not mean finding people to advertise to. Networking means just meeting people. A person you meet can do several different things:

- Become a customer

- Introduce you to another customer

- Open up other networking opportunities

- Become a partner

- Become a friend

2. Share Idea/Get Opinions ~ Key word here being SHARE. Asking for ideas and opinions is good, but giving them is more important. Be sure you are giving back to the community.

3. Announce Specials and Events ~ This should be done only in appropriate categories and only if you are active in the community.

Some "don'ts" of message boards:

- Don't spam the board by posting your ads in inappropriate categories or threads. For example, in a category called "Parenting Advice", don't post your special on toys.

- Don't just post when someone is looking for a business. Get involved with the community and help people as much as you can without promoting your business to them.

- Don't rely on everyone else to start posts, start some yourself. If everyone else waited for someone else to post, no one would be posting. Share and experience with a party, or about an interesting article you read. Just get the conversation going!

- Don't join just to promote your business. If you join expecting your sales to explode, think again. Remember you are here for support, to share ideas, and make some friends. Sales will come eventually, and will probably not be directly.

There are all kinds of message boards, so be sure to follow the rules on each. A few of my favorite boards are:

Mommy's Helper Community: http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/phpBB2/index.php

WAHM.com: http://www.wahm.com

Self Starters Weekly: http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/forum/

Most importantly - Have Fun!

About the author: Kara Kelso is a work at home mom of two, and the co-owner of Direct Sales Helpers, which is dedicated to helping mothers succeed in direct sales. For more information, visit: http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com

In The News:

Community forums scheduled for three district merger
Herkimer Evening Telegram
Speaking during Wednesday night's board of education meeting, interim Herkimer Superintendent of Schools Gary Tutty said community forums will take place on June 6 at Jarvis High School in Mohawk, July 25 at Herkimer High School, Aug.
State approves three-school merger study in Herkimer CountyWKTV

all 6 news articles »

Cobb candidate forums kick off campaign season
Atlanta Journal Constitution
By Janel Davis The Cobb County NAACP and the East Cobb Civic Association will host candidate forums next week for county candidates running for office in July. The NAACP forum begins at 7 pm on Tuesday at the county government building, 100 Cherokee ...

and more »

Assembly candidate impersonator ruffles feathers at Marin forum
San Jose Mercury News
By Jessica Bernstein-Wax, Marin Independent Journal Activist Jonathan Frieman ruffled some feathers last week when he participated in a forum for the Assembly, congressional and Marin supervisors' races, proclaiming himself to be a write-in candidate ...

and more »

Fifth Astana Economic Forum opens in Kazakhstan
Gazeta.KZ
"The range of discussions of the Astana forum has expanded, since Kazakhstan has become a retransmitter of wide Eurasian look. This became especially important with the creation of a customs union," the president said. This year the Astana Economic ...

and more »

Forums Set for Keokuk Supt. Search
Tri States Public Radio
By Jason Parrott Keokuk residents have several opportunities to weigh in on the search for a new school superintendent. The school board has hired Ray & Associates to help the district find a replacement for Doctor Lora Wolff.


WFMY News 2
Greensboro Holds GPAC Forums
WFMY News 2
Seventy-five people showed up at two forums on Thursday to hear the pitch in person, a third took place later in the day. The performing arts center or "GPAC" would have 2500 to 2,8000 seats, and is being proposed for downtown Greensboro.

and more »

WTSP 10 News
Education public forum tonight in Tampa
WTSP 10 News
Tampa, Florida -- Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson will be in Tampa tonight to meet face to face with parents and teachers as part of a series of public forums regarding the state of public education and the higher standards set for ...
Education officials unveil website, blogs for parents in wake of low FCAT scoresThe Florida Current

all 140 news articles »

Diablo 3 Forum $65 Weekly Contest | Win to Buy the Diablo3 Game
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
The weekly contest involves people posting on the forums and whoever posts the most quality and numerous posts wins $65 to buy the Diablo 3 game. Northridge, CA (PRWEB) May 22, 2012 Diablo 3 is a great game but some people can't afford to play it.

and more »

Forum confirms school tax proposal is not supported
Examiner.com
Over three hundred people showed up on Monday night for an early forum of School Superintendent candidates at First Methodist-Ocala. Attendees learned that not one candidate dares to seriously support the proposed tax measure.

and more »

HNN Huntingtonnews.net
Coal Forum kicks off statewide events
Daily Mail - Charleston
The West Virginia Coal Forum held the first of three statewide events billed as "Stop the EPA's War on Coal" in Charleston Tuesday to encourage more public action and support for the industry. "We all need to elevate our game," said Chris Hamilton, ...
Charleston hosts one of several Coal Forum meetingsWOWK

all 30 news articles »
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