Forums are online discussion sites where users can post messages within specific categories on a topic. Forums have a hierarchical structure with administrators, moderators, and members who can start threads and post replies. While forums predate social media, they remain useful for marketing by allowing users to share knowledge, ask questions, and find communities of interest where relevant conversations can take place.

1. Forum

2. ContentsDefinitionOrganizationBehaviorsWhen and why?Average userForum and Social Media Marketing

3. DefinitionDiscussion board is also called a “web-board” or a “forum”Online discussion sitesMessages are sorted within specific categoriesMessages are not shown in real-timeMessages might need to be approved before becoming visibleUsers can be anonymous or have to registered in order to post messagesExisting messages can be read without logging in Forums are written in various languages, driven by a database (PHP & ASP)

4. Forum’s organizationForum is Created with a specific topic which members will mainly discuss aboutGoverned by a group known as moderatorsForum’s structureAdministrators (Admin)Super Moderators (Sup-Mod)Moderators (Mod)Users (Members and Guests)

5. FORUMAdministratorsSuper ModeratorsSuper ModeratorsModeratorsModeratorsModeratorsModeratorsMembersThreadsThreadsPostsPostsPostsPostsGuestsAnonymousAnonymousGuests(View-only)(View-only)(View-only)(View-only)

6. Forum’s behaviorsObserve first, act secondFill out your profile, especially your signatureWant to be thereDo not mention your Web site

7. When and why using a forum?Share thoughts and adviceExchange ideasAsk questions and learn more about some specific topicsHelp and find help from other membersCreate interesting conversationsMarketing and sales

8. Average user

9. Forum and Social Media MarketingForum is an “old” marketing tool?Forum will never be eliminated by the modern social media channelsForums have marketing benefitsForums are in niches and niches mean relevant and related content, audiences, and engagement

10. Comparison of forums and social media as marketing tools

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