Let’s face it. Most SEO’s when they think of forums, they’re thinking of getting a profile link back to their site but not really about participating in the forum or looking at how they can add value. While everyone is on the Facebook bandwagon (and sometimes rightly so), forums are almost always overlooked as a means of creating referral traffic and more importantly sales or leads.

They say that when you market on Facebook you should imagine you’re in a pub before replying or updating your status but I think a forum is more apt for that analogy. Forums are mostly anonymous and you’re much more likely to hear the truth on them than on Facebook.

Where forums have an advantage over Facebook is that they are:

• More open: Forums don’t require registration to read. They do however require registration to add a post or thread.
• Anonymous: A positive and a negative but you’ll often get a truer reflection of people’s thoughts and opinions. Sometimes you can encounter more passive aggressiveness on the Internet when people have an avatar to hide behind.
• Niche/High Interest: Most forums or boards are centered around a specific topic or a common interest that helps create that sense of community. They’re a tribe (vide0). That means if you’re selling gardening products, it makes sense that you should be involved in gardening forums. They are often tight knit groups that can shun a new user so you have to be careful how you’re interacting.
• Decentralised: What I mean by this is that, there is no central control on a forum. There are mods and admins but in general the discussion is driven by users with no differentiation in posts. The defacto display is usually by the latest active post. This creates a sort of meritocracy where only the best conversations or ones with most interest stay active.

5 Key Ways to Use a Forum for Marketing

1. Correct misinformation about your product/company
2. Respond to compliments/complaints about your product/company
3. Respond to queries related to your product/company
4. Discuss news/developments in your industry
5. Share tips and advice to people that you can help with

10 Tips To Get Started on Participating in Forums

1. Find the right forums. Don’t participate in a forum for the sake of it or to drop a link. This isn’t really a tactic that you want to scale. It’s about picking a few key communities you want to engage in.
2. Create an account on the forums you want to engage in even if you’re not ready to start conversations. Many forums show the length of time you’ve been a member, the longer the better. Also if the conversations aren’t there at the moment it helps to be prepared for when there is something you want to respond to that you don’t have to go set up an account when speed of response can be crucial.
3. Pick your own name or your brands’ name and avatar. Although most users will use a moniker, it’s better to be authentic.
4. Fill out your profile with full information about who you are.
5. Remain consistent in how you speak. The tone of your messages should be the same as your other social networks and reflect your brand.
6. Understand the conversation before you participate. Don’t jump in to add your 2 cents if you’re not adding value to a conversation.
7. Collaborate. Support or disagree with someone’s statements to build up relationships.
8. Read the rules. It can be very easy to get banned on forums. Reading the user agreement is important to know what you can and can’t do.
9. Add an email signature when you can. This has the benefit of giving you a link back to your website but also identifies you each time you post.
10. Think of interacting with forums moreso as participating than promoting. Any obvious promotional posts that don’t add value will see you get banned quickly.

One thing forums don’t do is bring huge amounts of traffic to your site. What they will bring though is very high quality, targeted traffic. We’ve seen in our client campaigns that where a structured approach is taken in forum marketing, there is high converting traffic compared with other sources.

Remember it’s not all about dropping in your link, a mention can always work just as good if not better than a link to your website.

Pro tip: Create your own forum!

Comprehensive List of Irish Discussion Forums:

1. http://www.boards.ie
2. Askaboutmoney.com
3. Allaboutbusiness.ie
4. Smallbusinesscan.com
5. http://www.irishwomeninbusiness.ie/discuss/
6. http://www.startups.ie/forum/
7. http://www.ybig.ie/forum/
8. http://www.indiansinireland.com/forum
9. www.cricketeurope4.net/CEIRELAND/GENERAL/forum.shtml
10. irishtaxi.org/forum/
11. republican.ie/forum/
12. www.bodytonicmusic.com/forum/
13. www.reservoirdubs.com/forum/index.php
14. www.canoepolo.com/forum/
15. http://www.iwai.ie/forum/list.php?1
16. http://community.o2online.ie/t5/O2-Forum/ct-p/Forums
17. www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/
18. www.ipmsireland.com/forum/
19. www.stephenm.org/forum/
20. forum.vodafone.ie/
21. www.flyinginireland.com/forum/
22. www.irishlandlord.com/forum/
23. www.wufi-forum.com/
24. forum.educationposts.ie/
25. www.mrs2be.ie/wedding-forum/
26. totalopel.com/forum/
27. www.biker.ie/forum/
28. forum.blacknight.com/
29. www.bmw-driver.net/forum/
30. forum.ncif.net/
31. www.thebohs.com/forum/
32. www.limerickblogger.ie/forum/
33. www.railusers.ie/forum/
34. www.poetryireland.ie/forum/
35. forum.electricpicnic.ie/
36. forum.leinsterfans.com/viewforum.php?f=2
37. www.irishminis.ie/forum/
38. www.gliderireland.net/forum/
39. www.munsterfans.com/forum.php
40. www.type2ireland.org/forum/index.php
41. srfcultrasforum.eu/forum/
42. www.eskimofriends.com/forum/
43. www.metalireland.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1
44. www.kitingireland.com/forum/index.php
45. www.imbrc.com/forum/
46. www.ballinasloe.com/forum/index.php
47. www.crookedhouse.ie/forum/
48. www.fishingtalkireland.com/forum/
49. www.octane.ie/forum/index.php
50. www.tyrrelstown.net/forum/
51. www.dublinforum.net/forum/
52. fwonk.com/forum/
53. www.ae86irl.com/forum/index.php
54. forum.iww.ie/viewforum.php?f=2
55. racecaller.com/forum/index.php
56. foot.ie/forum.php
57. www.tirnahifi.org/forum/
58. www.hpaichat.org/forum/
59. hoganstand.com/forum/forumpage.aspx
60. www.topix.com/forum/ie/dublin
61. www.rebelgaa.com/forum/
62. www.scalea.info/forum/index.php
63. forum.irishwhiskeysociety.com/
64. irishdogs.ie/forum/
65. connachtclan.com/clan-forum
66. invasivespeciesireland.com/forum/2012-forum/
67. forum.labour.ie/
68. http://www.laoistalk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=5
69. forum.leinsterrugby.ie/
70. http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/republic-of-ireland/
71. www.irishpokerboards.com/forum/index.php
72. www.species-specific.com/orchid-forum/
73. www.baltinglasstown.com/forum/
74. www.filmandgamecomposers.com/forum/
75. sun.racecaller.com/forum/index.php
76. www.gaycork.com/forum/
77. www.poultry.ie/forum/
78. www.archiseek.com/forum/
79. www.mythicalireland.com/forum/
80. www.life.ie/forum/
81. www.carpfishingireland.com/forum
82. www.irishjobs.ie/Forum/
83. www.selfbuildinireland.com/forum/
84. www.network54.com/Forum/402609/
85. forum.climbing.ie/
86. www.letsbet.ie/forum/
87. www.forum.cancer.ie/phpBB3/
88. www.ballymunkickhams.com/forum
89. www.corkcitypartnership.ie/cork-city-community-forum.asp
90. www.politics.ie/forum/
91. http://www.irishastronomy.org/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=listcat&catid=0&func=listcat&Itemid=41
92. www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/forum.php
93. www.bilingualforumireland.com/forum.html
94. forum.gavinfriday.com/
95. www.egomotion.net/forum/
96. www.antrimhistory.net/forum/
97. www.clannad.ie/forum/index.html
98. www.urability.com/forum/index.php
99. www.ucdtramp.com/forum
100. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ireland/dublin/forum
101. www.ouroceanwealth.ie/Pages/Discussion-Forum.aspx
102. parrots.ie/vb/forum.php
103. www.womensmtb.ie/forum/
104. sindice.com/main/forum
105. maths.slss.ie/forum/
106. forum.netfort.com/
107. www.dungloe.info/forum/
108. www.afraid2fly.com/forum/4561523463
109. www.irishfreestyle.com/forum/
110. www.qwertee.com/forum/
111. forum.transgender.ie/
112. www.feasta.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=13
113. www.clansandnames.org/forum/listall.php?1
114. http://www.irishhiphop.com/forum/list.php?15
115. http://forum.p2p.ie/
116. www.celtic-lyrics.com/forum/index.php
117. forum.ovh.ie/
118. www.coastguardsofyesteryear.org/forum/index.php
119. www.topix.com/forum/world/ireland
120. airport-tkd.com/forum/index.php
121. www.fethard.com/forum
122. www.campsitereview.com/forum/
123. forum.porsche-club-ireland.com/
124. bhaa.ie/forum/index.php?forum=2
125. www.jabula.ie/forum/index.php
126. forum.planetjedward.net/
127. massiveattack.ie/forum/
128. www.giyireland.com/forum
129. forum.sdlp.ie/
130. astonvilla.ie/forum.php
131. www.filmmakersnetwork.ie/forums/forum.php
132. www.nerfodestiny.net/forum/forum.php
133. healyfn.com/forum.html
134. ukeireland.com/forum/
135. www.salsa.ie/Forum/
136. www.gallagherclan.org/forum/
137. www.irelandyes.com/forum.html
138. classiccar.ie/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=1
139. www.cavaliertalk.com/forums
140. forum.passivehouse-international.org/
141. www.forumga.net/ga/create-forum/invision.htm
142. www.donabateportrane.com/forum/
143. www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/forum-11.html
144. forum.gentlebirth.com/
145. www.donegaldarts.com/forum/
146. forum.downsyndrome.ie/
147. afloat.ie/forum/
148. www.youthworkforum.ie/forum/tags.php?tag=forum
149. http://www.digitalvomit.com/forum:start
150. eraser.heidi.ie/forum/index.php
151. www.thebreastway.com/index.php/forum
152. www.sharoncorr.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=7
153. classiccar.ie/forum/
154. www.joomla51.com/forum/categories
155. w-ired.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=40
156. www.solasmissingdata.com/forum
157. www.emeraldcircus.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=72
158. http://www.wwoof.ie/forum/1
159. forum.mycork.org/
160. www.irishwebmasterforum.com
161. www.frenchleaseback.net/forum
162. www.magicmum.com
163. http://community.eircom.net/
164. http://www.octane.ie/forum/
165. http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/phpbb/index.php
166. http://www.boat-angling-ireland.com/phpbb/
167. http://www.ucflforum.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=19
168. http://www.workinclassrecords.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2
169. http://www.perryblake.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=207
170. http://foot.ie/forum.php?s=2ab4397a44dfed894a7c146576546083
171. http://thumped.com/bbs/forum.php?s=85e6ddcc626571da12e419496ae5f54b
172. http://fordrestorations.net/phpbb/
173. www.adhd.ie/phpbb/
174. http://www.galwaylaptopsurgery.com/phpbb/index.php?sid=a2baf2728fd24df8368e33eaea547bb9
175. http://hongkonglegendsfansite.com/phpbb/
176. tullamorecycling.com/phpbb/index.php
177. www.vigovproductions.net/phpbb/
178. www.bagenalstowncricketclub.com/phpbb/index.php
179. withoutthe.net/phpbb/index.php
180. practiseireland.com/phpbb/index.php
181. elistaeducation.com/learner_zone/phpBB/index.php
182. www.kilcoolegaa.ie/phpbb/index.php
183. womenscycling.ie/phpbb/index.php
184. www.themoviebit.com/phpbb/index.php
185. stjosephstulla.com/phpbb/index.php
186. www.vertigo-live.com/phpbb/index.php
187. www.writingclub.org/phpbb/
188. www.saudiclubcork.com/phpBB/index.php
189. www.irishwhitewater.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2
190. onthestep.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=42
191. lyreandbrush.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=12
192. www.fly-wonderful-islands.com/Forum/viewforum.php?f=9
193. www.mythicalireland.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=16
194. www.redsindependent.com/Forum/viewforum.php?f=1
195. www.delorean.ie/forum/viewforum.php?f=35
196. mbcc.ie/forum/viewforum.php?f=5
197. www.irishairsoft.ie/forum/viewforum.php?f=21
198. www.thelinknetwork.eu/forum/viewforum.php?id=7
199. www.satboxes.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2
200. babywearingireland.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=6
201. www.flyinginireland.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=23
202. www.freakscene.com/forum/
203. www.ptparty.biz/forum/
204. www.mx5ireland.com/forum/
205. www.leenanevillage.com/forum/
206. www.ress.ie/forum/
207. www.gaelforceevents.com/forum/
208. www.mumstown.ie/forum/
209. www.mydoggyhotel.ie/forum/
210. www.westofirelandnetworking.com/forum/
211. www.masonic.ie/forum/
212. www.irishbusinesswomen.com
213. www.algarve-guides.com/forum/
214. www.tcdgsu.ie/forum/
215. www.poultry.ie/forum/
216. www.phantom-gaming.com/forum/
217. gayweddingsireland.ie/forum/
218. www.gigsmartireland.com/forum/
219. galwaykayakclub.com/forum/
220. www.gymlockr.ie/forum/
221. www.flyfishireland.net/forum
222. www.royalcountyflyers.com/forum
223. www.claresoccer.net/forum/
224. www.ruffians.ie/Forum/
225. www.tullamorelife.net/forum/
226. www.ulstercastingclub.org/forum/
227. www.trimcanoeclub.ie/forum/
228. www.fto-ireland.com/forum/
229. www.couture-auto.com/forum/
230. www.prettybigshoes.com/site/forum
231. www.europeanirish.com/forum/
232. www.frankandwalters.net/forum/
233. support.wonderware.ie/forum/
234. www.lunasa.ie/forum/
235. theatticstudio.net/forum/
236. www.roseberryhillra.ie/forum/
237. www.wwkc.net/forum/
238. www.dialogueireland.org/forum/
239. www.dublinrebels.com/forum/
240. www.balgriffin.com/forum/
241. anonireland.com/forum/
242. www.ucdmountaineeringclub.com/forum/
243. www.portlaoisekenpo.com/forum/
244. www.orielzone.com/forum/
245. www.irishracehorseowners.com/forum/
246. www.learning.ie/forum/
247. www.clannad.ie/forum/
248. support.wonderware.ie/forum/
249. www.teresianpastpupils.ie/forum/
250. retrostock.ie/forum/
251. kilkennytriathlonclub.com/forum/
252. www.spiritstore.ie/forum/
253. www.columbansisters.org/forum/
254. www.edublin.net/forum/
255. www.longfordbusinessforum.com/forum/
256. www.gotocollege.ie/forum/
257. www.dairyglen.ie/forum/
258. www.aitsu.ie/forum/
259. www.postgrad.ie/forum/
260. forums.chiffandfipple.com/
261. www.tullaonline.com/
262. www.toutless.com
263. www.flutemeet.org
264. forum.iww.ie/viewforum.php?f=2
265. http://www.thepropertypin.com/index.php?sid=cf94a7398ae96202e1c247fb2c69e5a2
266. www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/viewforum.php
267. www.kilkennycats.com/viewforum.php?f=1
268. www.leitrim-roscommon.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=3
269. www.photographyireland.net/viewforum.php?f=17
270. pipers.ie/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=4
271. livinghistory.ie/viewforum.php?f=20
272. www.shelschat.com/chat/viewforum.php?f=1
273. http://www.mrspring.info/vbulletin/index.php?s=d4ab494f032e8965e43748691ee847a5
274. http://www.irishdancing.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=41
275. http://www.soberireland.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?4-Quitting-Drinking
276. http://www.dun-laoghaire.com/discussion/index.html
277. http://kerrycomputerservices.com/index.php/discussion/
278. http://www.isands.ie/discussion-forum
279. http://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Discussion.aspx
280. http://www.celebrityslim.ie/general-discussion.aspx?p=269
281. http://www.nuigenergynight.com/discussion.aspx
282. http://www.ipmsireland.com/forum/
283. http://www.pearsestadium.ie/discussion.php
284. irishrockers.com/discussion.php
285. www.leinster4x4.ie/vbulletin/forum.php
286. www.globalmotorbikes.com/forums/forum.php
287. www.stabletostable.com/forums/forum.php
288. www.tailsandtrails.ie/forum.php
289. healyplanthire.com/forum.php?topic=8&category=1
290. www.romaniancommunity.net/forum.php
291. www.drummingireland.com/forum.php
292. www.topdog.ie/forum.php
293. www.ultimate.tcdlife.ie/forum.php
294. www.randalstowncsc.ie/forum.php
295. http://www.rollercoaster.ie/Discussions.aspx
296. http://beaut.ie/forums/index.php
297. http://www.irishbusinessforums.com/

If you want consultancy or implementation support on your forum marketing or digital strategy, say hello or call us on +353-1-6625810.