How to Properly Promote Using Forum Signatures
Discussion boards are a good source of anchor text backlinks if executed correctly. Be executed correctly, I mean without SPAMMING. Can it be done? The answer is yes, but it's not for the lazy or not persistent. In order to have a signature link which is attached to every post you make, you need to have what I call credibility factors. Below is a list which will greatly increase your chances.
1) Longevity in the forum - The longer the better.
2) User or rep points - The more the better.
3) Post count - The more the better.
4) Quality and length of posts - Don't make your responses too short.
5) Giving more and taking less - Contribute more by answering more questions than asking.
With these factors in mind, below is the procedure for properly promoting in forums without SPAMMING.
Your goal is to participate in the forum long enough to EARN the right to have a couple of anchor text keyword-rich link signatures. You don't need to draw attention to the links, but every post with a signature link becomes a linkback to the main site and helps it appear higher in Google.
1). Find 10 on subject active forums/discussion boards/bulletin boards with lots of threads, high PageRank and low Alexa. Make sure the forums you choose do allow signature links (some don't allow it, check the board for others who have them).
2). Create and fill out two profiles completely on each forum using at least two different names- avatar (100 x 100 uploaded picture of self or anything else), add interests, location, as much info fields as they ask. A sheer giveaway is a hastily put together profile lacking info. Each character needs a full name, email, and identity - where he/she is from, occupation and whatnot. That's two different profiles in 10 forums, 20 profiles in all. Keep all of these on a spread sheet.
3). After fleshing out the character profiles on each forum, find unanswered and recent questions (don't answer ones that are too old) and answer them. Ask questions. Introduce your character in the "Intro" forum area (most have them). These are non-commercial statements, questions from a true person who would join the because of interest in the forum.
4). Make at least fifteen posts with TRUE VALUE per forum before every considering a signature link, more if necessary. This may take a few days. It's best to start the day before the end of the month, that way it will say you've been a member since the month before even if it was only a couple of days. Longevity counts.
5). After those initial 15 posts, add a maximum of two official signature links area linking to appropriate pages on the site using relevant anchor text. Don't put the links in your profile, or it looks like you are trying too hard and a moderators SPAM-Dar may go off.
Example, a signature link for a medical spa site wouldn't have a signature link that says www.daireds.com, it would link to, something like "Dallas Medical Spa."
6). Use different anchor text for each forum and link to interior pages as well as your homepage, since this is a good opportunity to get some deep linking.
7). Maintain these characters over a few years and you can change out the links when new pages need quick indexing or linky goodness.
That's how you do it. Make sure you read their rules and terms of service. Many will say "no advertising." Since you are not calling attention to the link and moderators and forum owners shouldn't ban your account. Don't get discouraged if some forums kick you out, the benefit of a one way, relevant anchor text rich backlink outweighs the cost.
