Writing to Forums and Blogs - Getting Free Online Exposure

A word of warning before we start: Forums like FaceBook and MySpace, although very large in size and the number of visitors, are fairly lightweight as far as search engines are concerned and anything you say hardly ever gets noticed.

On the other hand, forums like SREF (Spanish Real Estate Agents) and CBF (Costa Blanca Forum), although small in size, are by no means lightweight and practically everything gets featured on Google.

Unless you want that kind of exposure, with customers continually pestering you about your products or services - then join FaceBook!

Having issued that warning, I also have to say that it is quite important to set yourself up and write in the optimum manner, then you can promote your business and enjoy your forum at the same time.

Writing in the optimum manner simply means following the forum's simple rules and starting out with the right Username, Signature, Introduction Post and Avatar.

Your Username: As well as being your logon name this is also your alias for everything you write and should be chosen carefully. Names like "Andy123" and "Sandra99" are fine if you want to remain anonymous but if you want to get noticed this should reflect your business name and/or what you do.

Lets us assume that Sandra owns Sandra Villas in Moraira and her website is www.sandravillas.com She could call herself "MorairaVillas" (her top key-phrase) or "SandraVillas" (to promote the domain).

Your Signature: Whenever you write you are automatically signed off with a signature. Getting this right is very important for two reasons -

1. Google usually shows part or all of it on the SERPs (search Engine Results Pages).

2. When visitors follow the link to the forum they see your signature at the bottom of the post. From there they may well follow links to your website, e-mail address or profile (Forum Introduction).

Here is an example of how the member Linka got noticed by Google talking about Gipsy Ladies in Moraira -

Now Linka writes a lot about Moraira and every time her posts get indexed. She will soon have thousands of Moraira-themed entries on Google and other search engines. Visitors will click through, read her posts and see her Avatar and signature.

This one is just a humorous response to another members post -

Linka   Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Moriara Posts: 45

Gor Blimey Homefinder, You're very Heroic, I came over all of a swoon reading your post. I'm now sat with smelling salts and a glass of water... __________________ Just Bee - Visiting Holistic & Reiki Services: Calpe, Moraira, Benitachell & Javea. Fully-qualified ITEC therapist for Holistic Massage and Reiki. For further information please see my Forum Profile and Introduction.

Just Bee - Visiting Holistic & Reiki Services: Calpe, Moraira, Benitachell & Javea. is a carefully optimised link to her website. "Fully-qualified ITEC therapist for Holistic Massage and Reiki." tells the visitor what she does.

Introduction Post: Self promotion is not permitted unless this is a necessary part of the post because the forum does not want members continually boring everyone.
Only the Introduction Post allows you to self-promote freely. In her signature, Linka has Forum Profile and Introduction. which leads leads to her introduction post which says -

". . . I am a fully-qualified ITEC Holistic Massage Therapist and I am also experienced in Reiki.
I am available for house visits throughout the Costa Blanca North (Calpe, Moraira, Benitachell and Javea)
Both Holistic Masage and Reiki are both healthy and healing. They also provide a naturally achieved wellbeing and freedom from stress.
If you would like to know more, please visit my website: Holistic Massage & Reiki in Moraira Area.
My holistic massage and reiki services are affordable and deeply therapeutic. I don't consider massage as simply an expensive treat but rather a treatment that is vital for physical and mental wellbeing.
My massage vouchers are popular and well-appreciated gifts for birthdays and special occasions.
Please telephone for an appointment . . ."

The Avatar is added to her signature and also appears every time she writes and this was adapted from the logo from her website.

With these very simple steps Linka set herself up on the forum for the area where she works and lives and she enjoys herself writing.
At the same time she is promoting her business - and it does not cost her a single cent!

Also well to remember is that Moraira has a transient population and Linka's local newspaper and magazine advertising will only be see by 10% of her potential clients, at the most.
Whereas her forum post can be found and viewed anywhere in the world!

Perhaps you are in business locally in a small way and don't have a website? Moraira-Info.com have a simple and inexpensive solution for that.
A single page miniweb like Linka's explains exactly what potential clients need to know, the cost and how to get in touch.
For property rental for an owner with a single property, for example, this is the perfect solution.

Regarding websites please note: No matter how well you write there is no guarantee that you website will rise up in the SERPS unless it is properly optimised but, all the same, you will benefit from the publicity that the forum provides.
On the other hand Moraira-Info mini-webs nearly always get to Page 1 for their relevant keywords. This is what the top 4 results for "holistic massage moraira" look like -

Need some help with this?

For SREF (Spanish Real Estate Agents) - ask one of the Moderators.

For CBF (Costa Blanca Forum) - ask Homefinder.

PLEASE NOTE: I have show examples here of how this was applied to two quite small businesses in Moraira because I am Moderator for the Costa Blanca Forum.
Exactly the same technique is valid for any forum and businesses with a broader focus.