If you haven't registered on a particular forum yet, my advice is to use your 'real name' as your username.

It's common practise for most people to use a weird 'made up' username on forums, but I think that's a mistake. Every time you make a new post on a forum, it's an opportunity to build up your name recognition amongst your target market.

Whether you have your own website now or in the future, people are more likely to buy your products, or those that you recommend if they already know you.

Think about it...are you more likely to buy something from a complete stranger, or someone you already know?

It's obvious isn't it?

You may have made a thousand posts on an Internet marketing forum, and be considered as someone who really knows their stuff and is worth learning from. However, all that trust and respect you've built up could mean nothing away from the forum, if people don't know your real name.

I see so many forum posters contributing some great information, but I haven't a clue who they really are. They are really losing out on a prime 'name branding' opportunity.

When someone visits your website for the first time, they are much more likely to buy your product, or click on your affiliate links, if they recognize your name. That's why it's important not to waste your forum posts, by hiding or forgetting to include your name with every post.

All Forum Signature Ads Are Not Created Equal

When you make a post on most marketing forums, you have the option of including an ad in your signature. If you have your own product, this provides you with an opportunity to promote it with every post you make. If you don't have your own website yet, you can use this space to promote an affiliate program you recommend.

Again, this is where making your real name visible to people is going to really help you.

Consider this...

You see two forum posts with the exact same signature ad, 'word-for-word'. Which ad are you more likely to click on?

1. The anonymous person with the obscure username.

2. The person using their 'real name' to identify themselves, and who seems willing to put their name behind what they are recommending.

If you already use a nickname on forums, you might want to consider signing off your post with your real name at the bottom.

Also, don't make the mistake of assuming that because you've made a number of posts, everyone on the forum knows you. There are thousands of new people coming onto the Internet every day. They won't know who you are or what you are about.

For those people, building up your name recognition with them, will often start with the last post you've just made. So make it a good one, and make sure they know who you are, by making your name visible to them.