10 Mistakes Not to Make in a Forum
Feb. 28, 2010
44 Comments
Being an active member of a forum in your field of interest can be extremely useful and rewarding. However, it is common and easy to make avoidable mistakes in those forums.
Break the Rules
Most forums have a set of community rules that are easily accessible. Take the time to read them, if not look through older threads to see what’s allowed and what’s not. If not, you may find that most of your replies are being deleted.
Repeat Old Posts
It’s a good idea not to bring up old conversation topics that have been discussed sufficiently. For example, if you see that the topic of “Twitter Tools” has been brought up many times and become less and less popular, there’s no need to bring it up again.
“Me Too!”
When replying to threads on forums don’t go with the lazy “Me too!” reply. It adds no value to the thread and will cause other users to think less of you. New information is good; echoing is bad.
Agree with Everything
It’s healthy and normal to disagree. There’s no need to agree with what everyone says on different forums; if you feel differently let them know because it will make it more interesting for everybody.
Lengthy Signature
Most forums allow you to attach a signature to your posts. There is no need to make yours five sentences, a few images, and ten links. It’s enough to just have your name, link, and Twitter. Long signatures with huge unnecessary photos drive me nuts.
Only Self Promoting
If you’re participating in forums solely to promote yourself, don’t. Providing great answers, opinions, and becoming an active member will do a better job of self promotion than only talking about yourself.
Poor Grammar and Spelling
Sorry to all of those who flunked 3rd grade spelling, but misspelling common words will just lower people’s opinions of you. You don’t have to use an English teacher’s vocabulary, just try to spell correctly and use proper grammar.
Spam
Obviously, don’t blatantly spam. That will call for immediate expulsion from the forum, something that I wouldn’t recommend.
Long, Complicated Titles
If you’re starting a thread don’t give it a title that’s too long and impossible to understand. Make everybody’s life easier by using small, meaningful, related titles that everybody could comprehend.
Private Information
Definitely don’t share any private information. Remember anyone could see these posts and your safety and privacy are important when thinking about that.
Bonus: Forums that I recommend you join!
YoungEnterepreneur
Teen Business Forum
Blog Engage
Retire at 21
ProBlogger
44 Responses to “10 Mistakes Not to Make in a Forum”
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Author
Ben,
Superb Post! You nailed it with this one! Thanks for including YoungEntrepreneur.com in your list!
I’ll spread the word!
Cheers.
-Adam
Hey Adam,
Thanks so much! Of course I had to mention you, YoungEntrepreneur is the first thing I think of when I hear “forum.”
Best regards.
In addition to the ones listed above – I also hate it when people bump their old posts just to get them viewed again. And, the people who post referral links everywhere are just as annoying. Nice list.
Alex Ainsberg´s last blog post: internetools: http://ow.ly/1bKwz – The top 10 wedding songs of 2010 from theknot.com
Good call Alex, I forgot to mention that. Yeah, affiliate promoters tend to attach links in their signature which could be quite annoying.
The good thing about going against the grain and disagreeing with a forum post is that more people actually read what you say – meaning more clicks through to your signature links.
But don’t just disagree for the sake of disagreeing!
Tom | Build That List´s last blog post: The 4 Reasons People Unsubscribe Mailing Lists
Exactly! Of course you have to believe in what you are disagreeing with, it definitely means more “click throughs”.
Don’t make people angry, either. Be nice. And make sure to read (or at least skim) the thread before you reply.
For sure. I should have mentioned politeness, being polite and not getting agree looks good. Thanks Ethan!
Another point that I would like to add to the list will be asking general or shallow questions. Questions such as “I have $1000. What business should I start?” should be avoided because those who are trying to help will have a tough time crafting a precise answer for you.
Anyway, great post, Ben. Keep it up!
Wayne Liew´s last blog post: Interview with Ash Sud, Founder of ZippGo
Good point. Basically adding content thats worthless, which bothers many people.
Thanks so much Wayne!
Nettiquet is always important, specially if you’re sharing ideas, which could bring added value to other entrepreneurs!
Interesting term Jose, “Nettiquet”, I like the etiquette+net idea
Hey Ben,
Thanks for mentioning TBF. I’m a stickler with the spam on TBF. I check it every few hours. Spamming even once will definitely get you banned, even IP. I think that’s the only way to keep a forum clean.
Hey,
No problem, as a forum manager I’m sure that spam is a major problem, everyone hates it.
I would also add to that list – don’t just ask questions and get peoples help. Take the time to help other people. Forums is a two way street so you can’t just take from people. You have to give as well.
For sure, if you help others they’ll be willing to help you out
We get a lot of really longggggggg posts by people explaining their situations. My pet peave is when it’s a 2000 word post with no paragraphs or line breaks! The “enter” key is your friend, use it!!!
Well, maybe thats because you run a marriage forum. People want to rant! Haha the enter key does do a lot of good.
Great post! I see you have regained you inspiration. Waiting to see more from you! And congrats for breaking the 10,000 followers in twitter
Thanks, yes I have! Hope to see you here more often, thanks again, I’m so glad that I broke 10,000 it’s been a long time goal.
Can we also say to avoid the .GIFs in the signature with people falling down, cats getting run over, or the two smilies slapping each other! So distracting.
Thanks for the great post!
Marshall Haglund´s last blog post: Welcome
Good point, forgot to mention that in the signature paragraph. No problem, enjoy!
Great tips, Ben. Spamming is the worst thing I hate in forums and also trolling, that’s an addition from me to you
. I hate trolling the same way I hate spamming. They are actually twin brothers 
.
Shirley´s last blog post: Divorce Cake – Funny And Interesting Picture
Thanks, never heard of trolling, I’ll have to look that one up. Best regards.
Disagreeing is the best. It really makes for a great thread.
Alex Monroe´s last blog post: The Entrepreneur All Star Football Team
Glad that we agree, it definitely makes up the most interesting conversations, and more to learn from.
Great post Ben.Spamming is the worst thing one can experience in a forum, especially a popular one.
Blogging Tips´s last blog post: How to increase Search Traffic
Thanks! Yeah, especially those that are real people not just bots…
Great post, I always think it’s funny when a newbie to a forum introduces themselves and say they are new and what’s the best way to make money online.
Thanks, haha that’s a good point. Establishing yourself on the forum is a good start, but to claim that you know everything probably isn’t a great idea.
This article attracted my attention and haven’t run across your blog before today I don’t think. Very well written though I must say the only forums I have visited and post on is IMDB.com for my NBC Heroes and Movie Reviews.
Forum promotion is one thing that I just haven’t made the time for and am not active on any forums really. I should probably work on this at some point.
Dragon Blogger´s last blog post: Dragon Blogger Advertisement Giveaway – Part 2
Cool, I’m so glad that you came here. You definitely should think about it, there are so many benefits to it. Hope to see you here again.
I have never being very active o forums but thanks for those points. I will remember them.
Agent Deepak´s last blog post: Interview with James Richmond – The InfoPreneur
Well you should become active
It really could benefit you. Thanks for dropping by!
Yes I should. Thanks.
Agent Deepak´s last blog post: Interview with James Richmond – The InfoPreneur
Hey Ben, Thanks for tips. I found out the hard way but you are right always agree unless you want your post rejected.
Hi, sorry that you had to find out the hard way. Remember these tips and it won’t happen again.
Thanks for the info my friend! I will be needing these with my new forum
Your welcome Pubudu, very cool that you’re making your own forum!
Forums were the very first thing I learned when I came online for business…very addictive, be careful of that.
Great list though Ben, you nailed it pretty well.
Rules – just one thing to add…if your on multiple forums for the same niche, never assume. Read the TOS of every one of them no matter how similar they seem at first glance.
Signatures – most owners smarten up and limit it. Kinda sucks for some, but oh well.
Titles – Don’t make them too short and cryptic either thinking it’s clever…”skimmers” will pass right by.
Dennis Edell´s last blog post: $100 – 10 Winners – Comment Contest! ‘Till Months End…
Good job. Yeah they are addictive sometimes.
I appreciate the additions, everything you said is very true.
Best regards Dennis.