OnYourMark, LLC Blog

This month’s Pro is Kristen Day, Internet Marketing Consultant at OnYourMark, LLC. Kristen offers ways to make using message boards safe and enjoyable.Message boards (also known as forums or newsgroups) are web-based centers where users may post text communications. Message boards are similar to the community bulletin boards found in grocery stores. Users may post questions, ads or events. While grocery store bulletin boards usually require a phone call or postal mail to reply, online message boards allow other users to respond to posts in real time. USENET, a worldwide network of newsgroups, is available at groups.google.com and is searchable. Just type in a word or phrase; from The Beatles to cooking there is a message board for almost any topic! USENET has been in existance for over 20 years, and Google provides an interesting timeline of USENET posts.

Many websites also offer message boards related to the site’s content. I frequent many search engine related message boards such as Search Engine Marketing Forums to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in search engine submission. Our own theBubbler.com offers a Wisconsin forum with general and county-specific conversation.

Most online message boards are free to use and require registration. The registration process will ask the user to create username and provide an email address. When creating a username, anonymity is key. Instead of using your real name (kristenday), create an alias. Your alias could relate to your interests (PackerFan04) or the topic of the message board you are posting on. Many usernames often have numbers after them. If you want the username “packerfan” and it is taken, putting a number after the name will create a new identity for you.

While many message boards such as our own theBubbler Forums do not make email addresses public, some forums allow visitors to see this information. Message board sign-ups often generate spam if the message board displays your email address publicly on the website. Spambots, automated programs scouring the Internet for email addresses, love to steal email addresses off of message boards. To combat this, sign up for a free email account at Yahoo! or Hotmail and direct message board correspondence here.

Often message boards allow you to set up email notifications. With email notification turned on, you will receive an email every time someone responds to a message you posted. This can result in many emails, so it may be best to keep these gathered in an account that is not your primary email.

When using a message board, make sure to adhere to the board’s TOS (Terms of Service). The TOS will explain what kinds of posts are allowed and not allowed. “Flaming”, or responding to a message with derogatory and confrontational comments, is strictly prohibited on most message boards. Some message boards discourage commercial posts, such as press releases, or have a special place on the website to post them. Make sure you read the TOS before posting on a message board; often TOS violations can result in the suspension of an account.

Another general rule is to stay on the topic. If you are posting on a thread about Paul McCartney, don’t go off on a tangent about why you prefer Ringo Starr. Create new topics as appropriate. Before posting a new topic, search the site and see if your topic was already discussed. If so, add your thoughts to the existing thread instead of making a new one.

Links Mentioned in this Article:

- groups.google.com
- google.com/googlegroups/
archive_announce_20.html
- www.searchengineforums.com
- www.thebubbler.com/modules.php
?name=Forums
- www.yahoo.com
- www.hotmail.com

What would you like to ask the pro? Email your questions to askthepro@OnYourMark.com!