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Joining an online discussion forum can seem a little daunting, if you're new to the Internet Marketing world. You worry that you'll come off as a dumb newbie. Well, remember that we were all dumb newbies once and that the fastest, easiest way to get answers for what you need to do is by asking someone who already knows. In an online discussion forum, you can ask a lot of people at the same time.

Forums are all different, though, and have a certain etiquette to follow and it doesn't matter if the forum is about Internet marketing or your particular niche. It's important to read the posting guidelines before getting started. Online discussion forums with moderators are pretty civilized, but there may be places you want to avoid.

Before making a post yourself, you'll need to register for the forum, but you can read as much as you like without registering. Reading is a good way to get a lay of the land before you do. Find out what people are currently talking about and who the regular posters are. And if you plan to ask a question, search for it to see if it's been answered before. Forum people don't like to hash and rehash old topics. Besides, the information is all there waiting for you.

When you feel ready, then dive in! Register and then find a thread (a post and its replies) that says, "Introductions." Tell the forum people about yourself and a little about what you do. Don't make posts really long or nobody will read them. Be sure that they're clear and that everyone will understand your meaning, too. You can start a new post or reply to some threads that are already started. This may be a good way to get your feet wet first.

Now, here's where the list building comes in. In your profile, you should be able to create a signature. See what the moderators of the forum feel is appropriate. Some will allow you to add one link under your name, while others may allow several. And though you may know HTML, linking is not quite the same in forums. There are straight brackets, rather than arrows to enclose your switches, for instance. Use a keyword phrase and link it like this: [url=http://yoursite.com]Great Quilting Supplies[\url] .

After adding your signature, be sure to check and see if it's correct. If not, don't worry too much because you can go back in and fix it, and any time you do, your signature will change in any post you've ever made. Just be sure to link to your squeeze page, so that you're list building. You'll also be getting a one-way link back to your page, which is great for search engine optimization.

Forums are a great way for Internet marketing folks to get the word out for their product or service, too. But never make a blatant sales pitch, unless there's a specific thread for that. Most discussion groups frown on such posts. So, allow your signature to advertise for you, and mention your business casually when you can. You'll get some really great traffic.

You can find a forum in a niche by typing "forum +niche" into any search engine. When you find some discussion groups, see which one fits your personality best. Just don't become "addicted" to posting, or you'll never get anything else done. Post before you start working for the day, or after you've finished. But if you're an Internet marketing business person, don't forget to use online discussion forums. They can be a great way to be list building and making friends, too.