A forum signature is one of the most underestimated and unused forms of online marketing to date. But many people misuse this valuable real estate. Below are a few tips to making the most from your forum signature using TEXT only. For this example I will pretend the forum you wish to create or are currently active in has a 4 line signature limit.

• Don't try to sell the whole store - Focus on only a few products or ideas, trying to keep focus.
• Resist the rainbow - Just because there are so many pretty colors to choose from doesn't mean they should be chosen. Try to keep unnecessary text (such as a description) in plain, standard text. Save eye drawing colors for your main headline such as "Free Shampoo Samples". If your prospective customer is not interested in Free Shampoo Samples then they won't care that they are available in 30 fruity flavours...
• Don't spam... It's not just said for kicks. Spam is a quick way to discredit your products or services.
• Earn respect. There are a few ways to do this. Either create your own forum and be a good admin or submit to another and be a good member. Being either requires thoughtful responses and a willingness to help others. Doing so will increase the chances of people taking your signature seriously.
• Like the first tip, don't try to advertise all of your sites as once. Most signature views are a result of something catching their eye. If you have a miniature link directory in your signature than the odds of one of those sticking out is slim. An exception being if you leave a majority of the links in regular text formatting and a few key terms listed in bold.

Chris Davis is a proud supporter of "Building Online Communities" and enjoys creating short guides to help people succeed with their own online communities.

If your looking to start your own free message board I suggest www.FreePowerBoards.com , they have a good service going and I recommend them to anyone looking to start their own forums. Good luck with your signatures!