Stop with the sales pitch

[Dannybranded]

"You're doing it wrong!" I say that every time I see a sales pitch on a forum. We are bombarded with thousands of advertisements a day, what makes anyone think I am logging into a forum to listen to a sales pitch or read an advertisement. I am logging on to offer information and learn something in return. Forums allow you to become an expert, to be sought after, and to build relationships.
How many times have you seen something similar this?

Johnsmith28
Hi, I'm just starting out in business and I would like to know how to advertise my business

shameless42
Hi, johnsmith28 I am an expert in small business start ups, contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

I see this on almost every forum and in every post that I am a member of. Shameless42's post is worthless. He has contributed nothing to the forum and is well on his way to being viewed as a spammer. Spammers are not welcome in forum community and their posts are ignored. This applies to all social media sites; facebook, twitter, myspace, forums, etc. It’s all the same, people are reaching out for connections not advertisement; we have enough ads thrown at us every day.

If you want social networking sites to work for you, you will need to establish yourself as an expert. Do this by writing helpful articles, offering sound knowledgeable advice, responding to comments and messages, build relationships, and posting articles you have found that art relevant to the community. Do this and the traffic will come but it takes time. Give twice as much as you ever expect in return.

[SophieM]

I agree, I try to help people out on this forum as much as I can. Hoping that if I give free advice those who do need a lot more personal service or a lot more time will contact me.

That has worked and since I put my details in my sig 3 days ago I have had 5 people contact me and have now been taken on by 2 people to consult.

I like to think I have paid (most of) my dues on the forum now after being here for around 2 years and can now start to get a good reputation around the forum.

[inle]

Maybe I can work on my signature soon..

[ZingerIntl]

"you're doing it wrong!" i say that every time i see a sales pitch on a forum. We are bombarded with thousands of advertisements a day, what makes anyone think i am logging into a forum to listen to a sales pitch or read an advertisement. I am logging on to offer information and learn something in return. forums allow you to become an expert, to be sought after, and to build relationships.
how many times have you seen something similar this?

johnsmith28
hi, i'm just starting out in business and i would like to know how to advertise my business

shameless42
hi, johnsmith28 i am an expert in small business start ups, contact me and i will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

I see this on almost every forum and in every post that i am a member of. Shameless42's post is worthless. He has contributed nothing to the forum and is well on his way to being viewed as a spammer. Spammers are not welcome in forum community and their posts are ignored. This applies to all social media sites; facebook, twitter, myspace, forums, etc. It’s all the same, people are reaching out for connections not advertisement; we have enough ads thrown at us every day.

If you want social networking sites to work for you, you will need to establish yourself as an expert. Do this by writing helpful articles, offering sound knowledgeable advice, responding to comments and messages, build relationships, and posting articles you have found that art relevant to the community. Do this and the traffic will come but it takes time. give twice as much as you ever expect in return.

aaammeeennn!!