Forum? Blog? What's the Difference?

There's lots of opportunities to join virtual communities all over the Web. They seem to spring up overnight and be flourishing in a matter of minutes. Both membership forums and blogs are very popular with newcomers and experienced Internet Marketers, providing a source of information and a sense of belonging.

There are, however, several differences that, if used correctly, can give your online business a serious jump start to success.

Forums can come in a couple of forms including chat rooms on random topics, simple message boards or discussions in targeted categories. Regardless of the type of connection, users provide advice and support for each other as needed. A lively discussion on any aspect of the forum theme is common on active forums and can be a real benefit to those members less experienced than some.

Forum members build relationships, participate in joint ventures and create a vibrant community while building their own credibility and reputation at the same time. Popular forums have a wide readership and can spread your reputation worldwide in a very short time. When you provide answers to questions or solutions to problems, you start being known as a source of solid information and, sooner or later, an expert.

That reputation will drive traffic to your own sales pages and improve your conversion rate dramatically.

A blog, on the other hand, has similarities to forums, but is less volatile in nature. The purpose of a blog is similar to a forum's purpose, which is to provide content and communication between readers.

That content is usually organized by category and tightly controlled by the publisher of the blog. Comments and suggestions are welcomed on most blogs but your post is often moderated and approved before your comment goes live to the rest of the world.

The same opportunities exist for self-promotion and reputation-building as in forums, but the pace is slower and not as free flowing as on blogs. When you post on a forum, your message is accessible as soon as you click on "send." Not so on a blog, which allows comments, but not in a discussion format like forums.

Experience marketers use both methods for getting their message in front of as many potential customers as possible. Copy success!

Randolf Smith is a Copywriter and Experienced Internet Marketer who specializes in helping others learn from his own 8 years of online adventures. His membership site at http://www.moremonthly.com could provide you with the extra help you'd value today.

Canon XSi Review
Garmin 760 Review
Buy iPod Best Price