Some forums require that you register and provide contact information in order to post a message or respond to messages. The registration is typically simple and requires that you submit general information. An email confirmation is required in order to confirm information; once confirmation is responded to posting privileges are granted. Some forums do not require registration and you can post anonymously.

What to Look for In a Forum Because time is valuable it is best to frequent forums that have a lot of traffic, this will ensure that any posts receive maximum exposure for little effort. The most recent posts should be have current dates and it should be clear that there is regular activity on board.

Moderated Forums Some forums are moderated, which means posts are approved prior to being made public. This means that if you post to a moderated forum, there will likely be a delay between submission and posts appearance in forum. Moderated forums tend to have a lower 'noise' ratio and have less off-topic posts. The downside to moderated forums is that like moderated newsgroups they are usually less popular because of lag time between posts.

Signature Line Most newsgroups allow for posters to include a signature on any posts. This is your opportunity to mention your products and services. Use this as an opportunity to tell other forum visitors what you want them to know. Be sure to provide an url to your website, as link will not only refer potential clients but it will help search engine ranking.

Finding Forums Forums can contain generic information or be very topic specific. Try following resources to find forums that meet your needs. Forum Directory - http://www.small-business-software.net/forum-directory.htm Forum Directory - http://www.forumdirectory.com Forum Search - http://www.forumsearch.tk

About the Author - Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net

— Tie it into client’s needs. The client may have a new product to promote; he needs a low-cost marketing method that will produce lucrative results.

— Stress your uniqueness to undertake this task. Why you — and not someone else? What qualifications do you brandish and what type of specific results have you achieved for similar businesses with same type of problem?

— Offer secondary solutions that also may work to solve client’s problem. These secondary solutions also may be alternatives that client’s competition is using; if this is case, point out their weaknesses and emphasize why your primary solution is better.

• SECRET #4: THE "CLIENT-CENTERED" CONSUMMATION. The closing of your sales letter should show client that benefits predictably outweigh costs. If client is investing $6,000 for you to write a DM package, client doesn’t just get a DM package; he receives exposure for his new product, generates new leads and sales, targets specific segments of his market, increases his company’s profit, etc.

Secondly, recommend a call-for-action schedule. Tell client when you’re available, how long project will take, and when he can expect it by.

Here’s a list of common solutions that clients often seek.

Your solution is the: • least expensive • best value • most reliable • most advanced

Your solution offers: • most flexibility • highest return for client’s investment • highest quality • most competent controls to measure results • Your solution saves time • Your solution will produce highest customer/client satisfaction • Your solution eliminates or automates most labor-intensive operations • Your solution profits on new or emerging trends

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