How to Maximize Your Message Board Experience

Are you new to using Internet message boards? Do you currently use message boards but wonder why no one responds to you or responds in a hostile manner? Perhaps your discussion posts aren't coming across the way you intended. The following dos and don'ts will help you maximize your enjoyment of message boards.

1. Read and Reread the topic before posting.
Often people fail to read thoroughly the post in which they are responding to. In order to be taken seriously you have to read and reread the post you wish to respond to so that you fully understand what you've read and can compose a post, which is on topic.

2. When composing a new thread, reread your post.
Make sure that your post is interesting and catches people's attention right away. If you don't catch people's attention by the third or fourth sentence, they'll probably not finish reading your post.
Remember to stay on topic. Don't go off on tangents that aren't related to the topic. Try not to ramble about your topic. Keep it interesting through out the post.

3. When replying to topics don't reply out of anger.
Often times we reply to posts out of anger and come off to others as if we don't know what we're talking about. Step back if a post angers you and calm down. Once you've calmed down reread the post and respond to each point that you wish. Make sure not to let your emotions take over when responding so that you can come off as clear and consistent. Doing so will allow people to take you seriously.

4. When participating in thread discussions do not reply off topic.
Replying off topic to a thread can anger people. If you have another subject you want to discuss then go ahead and start another thread for that subject.

5. Communicate Effectively
Use the quote function as much as possible to make it clear whom you are replying to so that there is no confusion in regards to what points you're making.
Don't type in ALL CAPS. It's considered yelling. Do not use BOLD or Italics too much because it can change the emotions of your post. Too much BOLD can make a post seem like you're angry. Too many Italics can do the same. Be careful with punctuation as well.
Try to keep spelling mistakes to a minimum. You want your points to be clear and spelling mistakes can distract people from the point and make the post hard to understand. Also try not to use too many abbreviations because they can be confusing especially if they're not popular abbreviations.
Use proper punctuation and sentence structure. Try to break your post into paragraphs as well. A post without breaks can run together and cause a reader to lose interest and give up on finishing your post.

6. Give examples and links when citing facts.
Don't just say something is so without backing it up. People won't believe you if you don't back it up with links and resources. It may be more work than you wish to do but people will take you seriously if you provide them with links so they can read themselves.

7. Last but not least, never resort to name calling, trolling, flaming or spamming.
People will never take you seriously on a message board if you name call during a discussion. Name calling shows that you've lost control and have no more to offer to the discussion.

Never troll or flame someone who bothers you. Let the trolls be the trolls and never resort to their behavior. People will respect you for not going to their level.
Never spam a message board with unsolicited links to your sites or things you are selling. People do not like to have sites and ads pushed on this without permission and you will not be taken seriously if you spam a message board.

Following these simple rules will help you have a enjoyable time on Message Boards and allow you to maximize your experience.