Message boards are similar to newsgroups in that they allow
you to chat with other people, exchange ideas and ask questions.
The main difference is that message boards are web based.
How to use message boards
Message boards resemble physical noticeboards
in that anyone can post a message onto them for everyone else
who visits to read. If you go to any message board site you'll
see a series of message headers. These are the titles of each
message, and to read the contents of a message you simply
click on the header.
Notice also that some headers are indented slightly. This means
that the message is a response to the one listed above it on
the main page of the board. Every time a reply is posted in
reference to a previous message, the header is indented further
to the right so you can see what the message relates to. A message,
along with its subsequent replies, is called a thread. Therefore,
every time you post a message on the main page, you are effectively
creating a new 'thread', whereas if you reply to someone else's
message you are contributing to an existing 'thread'.
To add your message to the board, scroll down the page, and
at the bottom of the screen there is a form which you can fill
in. You then press "POST MESSAGE", and your message will be
added to the board!
A WORD OF CAUTION
Where your message ends up on the board depends entirely on
which message you are currently reading in your browser. If
you are on the main page and you post from there, your message
will be added as a new thread to the top of the page. However,
if you click on a message and then decide to reply, your message
will appear underneath the other person's message, as a continuation
of that thread.
Why are message boards useful?
Message boards are great places to learn about the latest internet
happenings, to meet other internet marketers, to find out how
other people are promoting their sites and, if you do it right,
to get yourself some free promotion!
You see, most message boards allow you to place a link at the
end of your message, and it is this facility that makes message
boards so attractive.
As with newsgroups, the key to promoting yourself on a message
board is to make your posts useful and informative to others,
and then promote yourself in the link or signature file. Remember
also to make your post relevant to the topic of the message
board.
Don't forget that most message boards are not provided for people
to advertise on them, they are forums where people can discuss
topics related to the board's theme. Therefore don't abuse these
boards by blatantly advertising on them. Most are moderated
by small teams of professionals who will remove your post if
they consider it to be advertising. If this happens, you may
be prevented from posting on that board again, and you will
certainly damage your credibility. |
RECENT ARTICLES
