It is estimated that over 10 million people participate in newsgroups, discussion groups and forums daily. There are newsgroups and discussion groups relating to every topic imaginable. Once you have identified those groups relating to your product, service or area of expertise you have found a pocket of your target market. People participate in these groups in a variety of ways – some just read the postings, others ask questions and others answer the questions.

There are a number of ways you can use these groups from a marketing perspective and a number of ways you definitely should not. When you participate in these groups you are putting yourself front and center in front of your target market. Now is not the time to mess up!