Using Newsgroups for Promotion

Newsgroups, also called "Usenets", are discussion groups that allow people with similar interests to participate in a conversation or thread. These groups are divided into subjects with over 100,000 topics estimated at present and over 10 million readers.

Because newsgroups are subject-oriented it makes them a prime target for marketing your products and services. There's just one thing...you're not supposed to advertise within newsgroups. This is considered bad netiquette.

So how do you advertise when it's not allowed? Start by familiarizing yourself with your target newsgroup rules, FAQs and members. Hang around or "lurk", follow conversation threads, and when appropriate, reply to a message to which you can offer your expert advice. Be sure to develop a signature file for each newsgroup in which you participate.

Marketing Benefits:

• Newsgroups offer a group of highly-focused and targeted customers so you can potentially reach thousands of people with your message.
• Market research - Newsgroups help you find valuable information about your target market such as current trends, customer needs, what people are looking for and where they're shopping.
• Build an online reputation as being an expert in your field by offering advice and helping people solve their problems.
• By using a signature file you will develop greater traffic at your company website.

Newsgroups come in thousands of categories with subcategories and follow specific naming schemes. Some major newsgroup categories include:

• alt - discussions on alternative topics
• biz - business topics
• humanities - fine arts, literature and philosophy
• rec - recreation topics
• soc - for social issues

These categories are further broken into subcategories and listed as such:

• rec.arts.fine for fine arts and artists
• rec.arts.puppetry for a discussion of puppets in any form or venue
• rec.arts.theatre.plays

You want to research and target specific newsgroups. It doesn't make sense to market your products and services to people with no interest in your wares. A great place to start is Google Groups and the NIC Master List.

Use the NIC Master List to find out about FAQ files for your newsgroups and let you know how they feel about advertising.

Once you've found your newsgroups, lurk, read, and post when and where appropriate. Here's a few tips on posting productively:

• Make your subject line valuable and keep the most important words first
• Keep focused to the newsgroup topic
• Stay on the thread - use the Reply option so your response appears under the original message
• Make a contribution - say something of value and build your own credibility
• You don't have to have the last word - replying with "thanks" offers nothing of value
• Always use a short and effective signature file listing your name, business name, URL, email, phone, and tag line

Helpful Websites
Google Groups - post and read comments in Usenet discussion forums.
Usenet Info Center Launch Pad - provides information to help you research your newsgroups.
How to Promote Your Site in Newsgroups by iBoost.com

Recommended Titles