Weve all seen blogs with obvious commercial messages. They fool no one and annoy everybody so much they probably go out of their way to NOT buy the product or service the writer was pushing. This is because the marketer violated the basic idea of blogging sharing information, and opinions in an atmosphere of trust. Bloggers build relationships and get to know one another as they discuss mutual interests, and give advice and opinions.

Anyone who wants a quick win, thinking they can convince a group of people they dont know to do something they arent convinced is in their best interest is simply dreaming.

But if someone wants to have an influence on the members of a forum, they can possibly do so. In selling terms, this is called working the relationship, not the transaction. Find forums where your signature can include your website. Learn about the forum and its participants. Read pages and pages of entries. See whats been said, done, tried and discussed to death before you arrived, Understand the tone and see who the authorities are. Ask a few relevant questions. Comment on something if you have something substantive to say. If you feel you have something worthwhile to share, do so, once a week or once every few days. Dont start suggesting solutions until you really understand the problems.

After a while youll be considered a regular with good ideas. You will have earned trust and added value. People will begin to recognize your name, and some will click on your website to see what it is that you do. This will be the beginning of a relationship and people buy from those they know and trust.