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Using Chat Rooms and Forums as a Marketing Tool

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Published: 13Oct2006
Word count: 409
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I've read a couple articles over the last few months about using chat rooms to grow your newsletter list. Most Yahoo groups and other online forums were created as a place for people with common interests or goals to have a place to talk freely, perhaps learn their trade better, and talk with other like individuals.

Not a big chat room user myself, in the last year I have joined a few yahoo groups. If you haven't done this before you can go to Yahoo, click on groups on the left and do a search by keyword. In these groups people ask questions and share experiences. Folks newer to the field learn a lot just by being there. And they are free. It's a great concept. I pipe in every now and then with a comment when I feel like it or have something to share.

I always make sure my signature line is in my responses and that there is a link to find out more about me; but when it comes to marketing myself I draw the line there. Every time I respond or "chat" in a group I get hits to my web site. It is a good marketing tool naturally. I've also found that participating and helping other people is a great way to learn about the concerns of people in the field - especially people trying to break into something -- and see what issues arise and what life is like for a like-minded group of people.

What I find totally annoying, however, are the one or two people who are obviously positioning themselves as experts and trying to get business answering questions. They answer questions with links to their web site! They are blatantly promoting themselves on these groups and come across as very self-serving.

With that said, I find these people that can't even respond without giving themselves a plug a total turnoff. They are there to promote themselves, not help others. By putting themselves first they are breaking the law of attraction. They are on the group for themselves rather than others. To take rather than to give.

Chat rooms and forums can be a great way to find out more about a specific niche or industry and in the process, your name is exposed to hundreds of other people in your niche. The key to your success is to remember that those that give receive more than those that take.

Author of Healthcare Copywriting Secrets Revealed and The Healthcare Copywriters Toolkit, Kelly Robbins is a healthcare copywriter and marketing coach/consultant. She also publishes The Healthcare Marketing Connection (http://www.healthcaremarketingconnection.com), a free e-zine on healthcare marketing tips. Contact Kelly to receive her free report, "5 critical things you must know when writing for the healthcare industry" — info@KellyRobbinsLLC.com or 303-460-0285.

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