Messageboards A Great Resource But Be Ready Before You Post

I 'm sure most people who         sometimes a new person will come   are reading this article        along and jump right in without    have run across a               even reading the posting           messageboard or two on the            guidelines or taking time to go    internet. There are several that      through the current threads. It's  I frequent and they are a very        obvious they don't know what's     valuable resource for information     going on and haven't taken the     on a chosen topic. If you've          time to do any reading. This is    never contributed to a                very annoying, not to mention,     conversation on a messageboard,       disrespectful, to the regulars on  you may feel a little scared or       the board who take precious time   inadequate at first, but please,      out of their day to post valuable  if you have information that will     information. Typing an informed    contribute to the quality of the      answer to someone's question       board, be sure to contribute as       takes a lot of time and if the     it's those wonderful people who       question was answered two threads  take the time to respond that         down, do you really think anyone   make messageboards such a great       wants to answer it again?          resource.                                                                                                      There are a few things you MUST    However, if you are new to a          do before you decide to post.      messageboard, there are a few         Here's a short list to get you     things you MUST do before your        started. In addition, just         fingers start dancing on the          pretend as if you were already     keyboard. Quite often I see new       part of the community and treat    people join a board and then get      others how you would want to be    flamed because they didn't follow     treated. If you just do the these  proper protocol. I don't want to      things, you will be welcomed with  scare you, please don't take it       open arms.                         like that, it's just that                                                "· Read the posting guidelines.       you are posting in is              Most messageboards have a thread,     specifically for advertising.      usually stuck to the top of the       Often there is a section reserved  board, that outlines the policies     for advertising, look for that     and guidelines you need to know       section and if it doesn't exist,   before you make a post.               then you cannot advertise on that                                        board.                             "· Read through the threads that                                         were started within the last few      "· Using a sig line with your      weeks. If it's really busy board,     name is normally okay, however,    you may not have to read that far     it's best to check the rules and   back, just be sure you get a feel     guidelines for posting before      for the climate of the board.         using one.                         Don't consider posting anything                                          until you've at least done that.      "· Always remember, it's better                                          to say nothing than to say         "· If you have a specific             something mean.                    question, find the search feature                                        and use it. More than likely you      "· And along those lines, if       will find the answer to your          someone says something mean about  question. If your question            you and you feel you must defend   involves trends or a timely           yourself, do not do so             issue, consider what you found in     immediately. Write what you want   the archives, learn from it, and      to say in a text document on your  then reframe your question so you     own computer (not on the           get answers that are more             messageboard) and wait until the   current.                              next day to read it. Sugar is                                            always better than vinegar. If     "· NEVER, NEVER, NEVER advertise      you run a business, consider that  unless the section of the board       your customers may happen across   the messageboard and you wouldn't     Now that you know there are rules  want your company name                and courtesies to consider, go     immortalized by something you         out and find a messageboard that   said in a tiff. Actually, you         discusses a topic that interests   might find it would be petty to       you. Enjoy and learn from the      even respond, be the bigger           diversity you'll find there, just  person.                               remember to play nicely.                                                                                 About the Author: Reba Collins has been making a living online for the last 7 years. Visit her site at http://www.workingathomeinfo4moms.com to find ideas, articles, & discussion on how to make a living online. Reba's other sites ~ Gift Basket Wholesale Supply at http://www.giftbasketwholesalesupply.com & Putting Up The For Sale Sign at http://www.puttinguptheforsalesign.com Read more articles by: Reba Collins Article Source: www.iSnare.com