Forums : Tool For Your Internet Marketing Business

It’s enough to make you question the wisdom of including ‘free speech’ as a constitutional right. Take this little test.

Pick a company, product, service, enterprise, potion, lotion, pill, gadget, widget – you name it. Here is the one qualification that it must have: you know PERSONALLY, FIRST HAND, that it is a GOOD thing. You have personally bought it, used it, recommended it, dealt with the business, etc. and you are very pleased with the fact that you spent your money on this product or service. You know, first hand, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the product performs as claimed and/or the enterprise conducts its business in a reputable manner.

Next, do a Google search using the product or company name. It won’t take long, in most cases, for you to be directed to ‘forums’ where individuals are making comments. Google loves forums, for some reason. Be prepared for a shock. You got ripped off, your deal is a scam and it won’t work. People who have never tried it, or didn’t follow directions properly, or didn’t take their complaints to the company for resolution, are testifying, and reinforcing each other’s testimonials ad nauseam.

For example, I heard a brief announcement on National Public Radio a couple of years ago about a new type of spark plug that used pulse technology to improve fuel economy and horsepower, and lower vehicle emissions. I bought a set, put them in my Volvo, and they worked.

The car had more low-end torque, and picked up a couple of miles per gallon. I have been using them in my family cars ever since and have sold hundreds of sets on eBay with 100% positive feedback. The manufacturer has continued to stay in business, taking care of any customers who weren’t 100% satisfied, and improving their product quality and performance. They have evolved to the point of using Platinum and Iridium electrodes instead of copper, and improvements in manufacturing processes have enabled them to lower their price from the $24.95 that I gladly paid, to as little as $9.95 per plug.

But this morning, I decided to go to Google and see what was ‘out there’ about these wonderful spark plugs. It was a bloodbath! I read a few posts on a few forums and began to wonder if my Volvo would even START the next time I got in it.

Wait a minute. I know better. The product works. The company is reputable and handles any issues that customers make them aware of in a stellar manner. Every car in my family fleet has a set. I have personally participated in dynamometer test runs on Corvette’s, BMW’s, Chevrolet pickup trucks, and Harley Davidson motorcycles. They worked every time, improving torque, horsepower and fuel economy to a measurable extent.

But the power of the ill informed, especially those who seem to have ill as well, is not to be underestimated. Many people will reach a conclusion to AVOID a perfectly good product or company based on the ignorant content of many forum posts. After all, it’s on the Internet. It’s GOT to be true.