Joining Online Forums

Traps And Dangers And How To Avoid Them

Joining online forums is a must do for any new internet marketer, or anyone wanting to learn anything online for free. The problem is that they can also be one of the greatest danger areas for any Newbie (the technical term for someone new online).

The first "Newbie" mistake is thinking that everyone is honest. There are many, what we will call, Forum Predators. These people come in all shapes and sizes, and they are after many different things depending on the Niche (topic of interest) that the particular forum serves.

Forum Predators:

Not all forum predators are sexual deviants (these particular predators just get the most press coverage).

No .. many of the forum predators will be quite harmless in real life. They might be your next door neighbour, or they might be the grand mother of your son's friend. Or they may be your daughter's boy friend.

But don't be alarmed.

In the Niche of MLM (Multi Level Marketing), Network Marketing, work from home, or especially IM (Internet Marketing), these predators are generally after only one thing ... And that one thing is your personal details.

These predators want your email address, your postal address, and your phone number. Once they have your details they believe they can sell you something - or the less scrupulous will pass your details on to other people who will try to sell you something.

To avoid forum predators do not be taken by the friendly welcome messages you receive on your forum home page. ANY message, no matter how helpful, how friendly, no matter how dear the person who posted it seems - ANY message that comes with a "download link" is spam from a forum predator!

It doesn't matter if the "free e-book" that they are offering is of tremendous value and is truly life-changing. If they send you a link that requires you to submit your information to get the "free" book, then they are forum predators.

A FREE E-BOOK  is NOT free if it requires your information to obtain it.

Treat your email address, and your personal contact information as valuable. Only trade it for something that you think is worth the price.

Do NOT encourage Forum Predators (people who SPAM your home page) by signing up for their "free" material.

Always check other people's profiles before sharing information with them. If a person contacts you privately and seems all very helpful and friendly, check their profile.

Anyone who approaches you and hasn't filled out their own profile is a spammer or predator. Anyone who approaches you privately (and when you check their profile) you see that they have little or no input into the general forum, is most likely a forum predator.

Forum Politics:

Just as with any group of people anywhere, you will find that in forums there are groups or cliques.  It is a mistake to get involved with online forum politics.

The danger of falling into the political trap of online forums is that every post you make is visible to the entire world - and it doesn't go away as long as the forum exists.  Google is very good at finding posts you made on forums, no matter how long ago.

Your reputation is your single most important asset. 

If you get caught up in the political forum pitfall, future employers, employers considering you for promotion, or anyone bearing a grudge, has full access to all your dirty laundry. . . and do believe that employers are Googling potential employees today.

Just don't fall into the online forum trap of public arguments.