Online forums are amazing places to socialise and network online. Like minded people with similar interests generally get along well, and the sharing of ideas and posting questions to help each other appeals. This is a way to identify potential customers if you are an internet marketer. Unfortunately, for forum participants, you need to ensure you follow a few recommended ground rules, or else risk being the social reject of a forum.
I mean it in a positive way: we all have our social groups, and we are attracted to each other because of certain personalities or common grounds. It will be similar in a forum; except with the internet, these factors are take a bit longer to grasp.
Here are 3 questions you need to ask yourself to ensure successful participation on online forums:
1. Do you actually want to be in these groups? There are plenty of forums out there on any specific topic, ranging in different participants, parents, teenagers, people from specific countries; or different interests, such as weight watchers, pet owners, a sport, and it goes on. Before just heading into a conversation with unknown people, it might pay to scout these forums and observe what sort of activities and communication goes on within. Some just seem to be spammed by advertisements nowadays. It does not make sense to join these unless you like skimming through junk mail.
2. Are you comfortable in this forum? While checking out the forums, and observing the passersby in that online lounge, you will soon get a feel of the mood and atmosphere. Do people like short quick messages or longer more comprehensive discussions? Who has similar thoughts to you or is currently in a similar situation? Which messages get more feedback and replies? It all needs to suit you, rather than you trying to be someone else on that forum. You need to be comfortable, any awkward vibes you get, its a sign to get out. And again, people tend to socialise in clusters so the more you can relate to the forum, the more likely you will be a successful participant.
3. Are you in the right place at the right time? Just as you would choose your friends carefully in the real world, the unfortunate fact is online, there are also a few shady characters out there. Just because you enjoy being in a forum does not mean you can tolerate unfriendly or inappropriate messages. Avoid these uncomfortable confrontations, keep in contact with those who you can identify with and maintain a rapport with them. It is a social occasion after all, people with similar thoughts hanging out online sharing your ideas and questions.
If you are happy with these criteria, do participate, get out there and have fun. Just as the internet has connected people from diverse cultures and varying countries, internet forums are a fantastic way to socialise and network. And we do know that working as teams or in groups do foster a higher likelihood of success.
I mean it in a positive way: we all have our social groups, and we are attracted to each other because of certain personalities or common grounds. It will be similar in a forum; except with the internet, these factors are take a bit longer to grasp.
Here are 3 questions you need to ask yourself to ensure successful participation on online forums:
1. Do you actually want to be in these groups? There are plenty of forums out there on any specific topic, ranging in different participants, parents, teenagers, people from specific countries; or different interests, such as weight watchers, pet owners, a sport, and it goes on. Before just heading into a conversation with unknown people, it might pay to scout these forums and observe what sort of activities and communication goes on within. Some just seem to be spammed by advertisements nowadays. It does not make sense to join these unless you like skimming through junk mail.
2. Are you comfortable in this forum? While checking out the forums, and observing the passersby in that online lounge, you will soon get a feel of the mood and atmosphere. Do people like short quick messages or longer more comprehensive discussions? Who has similar thoughts to you or is currently in a similar situation? Which messages get more feedback and replies? It all needs to suit you, rather than you trying to be someone else on that forum. You need to be comfortable, any awkward vibes you get, its a sign to get out. And again, people tend to socialise in clusters so the more you can relate to the forum, the more likely you will be a successful participant.
3. Are you in the right place at the right time? Just as you would choose your friends carefully in the real world, the unfortunate fact is online, there are also a few shady characters out there. Just because you enjoy being in a forum does not mean you can tolerate unfriendly or inappropriate messages. Avoid these uncomfortable confrontations, keep in contact with those who you can identify with and maintain a rapport with them. It is a social occasion after all, people with similar thoughts hanging out online sharing your ideas and questions.
If you are happy with these criteria, do participate, get out there and have fun. Just as the internet has connected people from diverse cultures and varying countries, internet forums are a fantastic way to socialise and network. And we do know that working as teams or in groups do foster a higher likelihood of success.
Shane is an internet marketer who utilises blogging for educating as well as online marketing. Website: http://www.mymaverickmillionaire.com/ Contact: http://www.mymaverickmillionaire.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shane_Teo |
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