Many members are apart of various forums and will promote their own board by using the signature block on these forums. They'll add an image banner, or an anchored link back to their site.

FOR EXAMPLE, let's say I'm a member of a new forum called Puppy forums, and I'm an active member on a large Dog forum too. Somewhat same subject matter but I like puppy forums and want to see it grow too like the Dog forum. So I add a link back to the Puppy forum in my signature and continue to participate in discussions at both sites.

Do you think it's in poor form to do this since I am posting on a link on their forum competitors site via the signature block? Do you feel it's in poor form for a board owner to encourage promoting their site this way?

-Luigi

Not till the point that your posts are solely for the purpose of promoting your forum, as long as your helpful and don't try to force your forum on other users, it is ok.

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Why most forums fail within 1 year!

India Travel Forum | India Travel Directory | Free Travel Directory

I agree with Yogesh. Only thing I'd add is if it's against their signature rules then I wouldn't do it from the start.

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F-Body Online - Camaro Forums & Firebird Forums
Staple Web Design and Media

If it is against their signature rules, then you wouldn't last long

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Why most forums fail within 1 year!

India Travel Forum | India Travel Directory | Free Travel Directory

Thanks for the input guys. For me personally, my posts are meaningful and don't even talk about the site that's linked in the signature. It doesn't violate any forum rules per say, but it may be considered taboo to do so especially in the small niche forum subject matter that it is related to.

-Luigi

As long as it's not too spammy

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Cooking Forums | Motorcycle Forums

I agree with the others.

As long as you come off as a helpful and insightful person that is adding something to that forum then it should be fine. It's when you are there and coming across as obviously only trying to promote your site. That's a whole different ballgame.

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Walt Disney Boards
Walt Disney Buddies
Glam Rock Talk : Under Construction :D

Personally, if someone came onto my site I'd be offended if they had a link to a blogging site in the signature - if you want to talk about it do it on your own site, but if it was a link for a forum on any other topic I'd be fine.

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Bryce R [[ BLOG ]]
The Blogging Café - Blogging Forum
Do you run a forum? Check out my forum owners blog.

Is it wrong to encourage your members to promote your forum with links and banners in their signatures on other people's forum? A few of my members have asked to have banners made to do something like this.

-Luigi

If they themselves are asking for it, then it is ok.

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Why most forums fail within 1 year!

India Travel Forum | India Travel Directory | Free Travel Directory