A good question came up earlier on a popular internet marketing related forum I frequent.  To paraphrase, it was a new member who questioned whether or not to promote the forum in a new ebook they were writing.

Would you do it? There’s usually no monetary gain from promoting a forum, unless you own it. You won’t really gain much traffic to your website or your product…or will you?

My answer to the question was yes, I would promote the forum. And here’s why.

While any promotion of a forum is good for the forum, it also benefits you. If you write an information product (or blog post for that matter) that points the reader to a forum you actively participate in, it gives them another place to “see” you and interact.

Forums are more than just areas to discuss topics, they are relationship builders. If someone reads your ebook and then goes to the forum just to see many more helpful posts by you, they are going to be inclined to trust you more. They know that they can drop in to that forum and ask you a question mono y mono.

So think about that next time you write a blog post or ebook. Is there something relvant at a forum you belong to? Link to it, and start forging those relationships with your customers.

Holly Mann is a longtime friend of mine, and a definite inspiration to me and anyone who gets to know her. If you haven’t yet read her eBook, Honest Riches, you are missing a great beginners guide to everything internet marketing. Anyway, she’s updated the look of her website again and I just wanted to link here for you to check it out (Good job, Holly – it’s looking much better!) Check out Honest Riches today. Hey Holly – how come you aren’t using the cover I gave you anymore?  EDIT: Nevermind – I see you still use it on another one of your sites and for affiliates. I was beginning to think I wasn’t worthy!  

I was excited to find a new master resell rights video product today, that I was going to pick up and offer it here to VIP’s for a very reduced price. I opted not to purchase it, however. Why? It is a video product wrapped in a .exe ebook – it’s Windows only.

Yes, I realize that most of you are on Windows machines. But, being a multi-platform user, developer, and marketer myself (Mac, Unix, Windows), I would rather skip over a good product that limits who can use it. And, yes, I also realize that you can run Windows on Macintosh computers now, but not everyone has the luxury of having the newer Mac hardware that can do so.

Call it a “personal policy” for 2008. And for those of you who are wondering about my product AffiliateManagerPro? A Mac version will be available very soon.

Just wanted to write a note to wish you, dear reader, a happy new year! Have you made your 2008 plans yet? I have. What’s keeping you?

So, in the spirit of the new year, I’m going to share with you some of what I’m doing.

1. I’m consolidating my websites. One of the weaknesses I’ve found is trying to run too many websites in too many niches. So, I’ll be taking some of my more neglected websites (and domain names) and shutting ‘em down. I may sell them off, or raffle them to my loyal readers here at NewbieReview – I don’t know yet.

2. I’m going to resurrect a former success – InternetSuccessVideos.com – as a low cost membership website. One of the most difficult things to come across as a newcomer to internet marketing is information on things you really need, be it basic technical information about setting up hosting and domains, to more in depth items such as creating minisites with Photoshop and Dreamweaver. The new InternetSuccessVideos will cover those needs. So, please accept this as a personal invitation to send me topics you want to see video on.

3. I’m going to add more resources to my affiliate marketing support efforts. As you may know, I’m the developer of AffiliateManagerPro, a “Personal Information Manager” for affiliate marketers. I’m also developing a new website product for eBay affiliates that is quite cool and easy to use.

4. And, most of all, I’m going to ramp up my efforts here. I’ve become quite fond of NewbieReview (I hope you have too), and I want to give you as much as I possibly can to help you in your internet marketing and webmastering ventures. I’d like to think the information I’ve hunted down and put up here for you has helped in some small way.

You might ask why I’m posting this information – why would I give away some of my plans? First, I fully believe in creating relationships with each and every one of my clients and readers. I owe it to you to let you know what my plans are. Second? Accountability. It’s here in writing, and I darn well better stick to it or I’m sure some of you will write at me and yell if I don’t.

More products, more information, more free stuff… sound good? So, in a nutshell, that is my 2008.

Have a safe and happy new year celebration, and let’s make 08 great!

-Dave Gammage