I’ve talked a bit about link building with forum posts before, in my link building methods article, and you may know that it doesn’t exactly bring you the best quality links. Still, it’s one of the easiest ways to get links or to get a site indexed, and it can also be a good method of getting a few extra subscribers.

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There are some things that you can do in order to get links of higher quality or more visitors from your posts. Here are 10 tips with that goal in mind:

1. Post In Sticky Threads

They’re just two links away from the main page usually, and that means more link love for your signature links.

2. Register And Post In Threads That Get Digged

If you see a forum thread hitting the front page of Digg, there’s a good chance that they’ll also get backlinks from other sources, so it can become a PR2-3 page. Register and post if you have something to add.

3. Post In Threads That Others Link To

It wouldn’t be the first time that a forum thread is quoted in a blog post by someone. Either because its a resource, or because its breaking news. Either way, those threads are good places to post your thoughts on the subject and get a link in the process. Don’t post in old threads. That will get you banned. Post in recent ones, when you see someone linking to a thread.

4. Start Your Own Popular Threads

Blogged about Google and video ads and your favorite webmaster forum doesn’t have yet a thread about it? You can bet that it will be popular, so be the first one that opens a thread about it, and point to the official announcement and to your own take on it.

5. Create a Sticky Thread

A link close to the homepage, building up your forum profile and becoming an authority in your area of expertise, a post of yours that is seen by every new member of that forum for a long time. All these are arguments in favor of really bringing a contribution to a forum by creating a thread that is worthy to be sticky. FAQ, beginner resources, lists of relevant software or tools, whatever works.

6. Help People Solve a Problem

If you see someone asking a question, don’t get discouraged if you don’t know the answer. Quit often just 5 minutes of searching in Google can give you the answer. You spend a few extra minutes looking for that answer, but if you want to be considered an authority in your niche and an established member of that forum, then it’s worth it. Even better if you blog about it and point him to the answer from your blog.

7. Use the Trade Section of the Forums

Trade sections in webmaster forums are good places to trade something in exchange for links. What you can give in return for a link:

  • announcing that you’re willing to do guest posts in PR1-2 + blogs,
  • free logos in exchange for a thank you link or free advertisement on their blog
  • free scripts
  • free ebook with a compilation of FAQ in your niche or with tips

Whatever you have to offer, a forum marketplace can be a great spot to get some backlinks if you have something valuable to offer in return.

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