According to Patrick O’Keefe, the author of Managing Online Forums, “Quora is more or less a forum.” However, some people don’t agree with him because they associate forums with things of the past. They, instead, want to associate Quora with something like Facebook or Twitter.

“I think that sometimes people want to see evolution, or something along those lines, in things that maybe don’t need it, or in a way that’s not really fair,” he said.

He compared forums to bread stating that, while many people think bread hasn’t evolved, it really has. Today, there are many different types of bread, and it is used in numerous ways. O’Keefe believes the same principle applies to forums.

These online communities are, essentially, threaded text-based conversations, and interestingly, he points out that this same type of conversation is the backbone of Facebook. He believes that Quora not only has this feature, but that it also has social features.

“The reason Quora is good is because they have taken these features, and they have put them together in a very attractive, very slick, very good way that makes a lot of sense… and really the people aspects of Quora are why it’s successful – the people contributing and the people behind it,” said O’Keefe.

He went on to say that Quora was useful from a business perspective. Although actual brands are not permitted on the service, individuals from companies are allowed and could monitor certain keywords and also answer questions. Companies could potentially receive extra search engine favor since these questions are indexable.

Just like any other service, people are always wondering where it will go in the future. While O’Keefe is not sure, he did address a few challenges that the company would face. First of all, there is the issue of too many basic questions. Another challenge is the fact that people will ask the same question over and over. Thirdly, Quora will have to find a balance in its userbase since it has had the privilege of having people such as former AOL CEO Steve Case answer some questions. However Quora handles these challenges will likely determine its future.

So, what is your take on Quora?

She goes on to tell WebProNews that businesses are just now grasping how they can use social media. If they create valuable content, she says people will share it, which will expand their reach.

Contrary to some beliefs, effective social media marketing is a lot more than simply having a Facebook page. Evans says businesses need to, first of all, understand where their audience is. Although Facebook and Twitter have exploded in popularity, it doesn’t mean that your audience is there. If this is the case, these platforms will not be effective for your business.

It could be that message boards and forums are where your audience is. Although these areas have been around since before the term social media was even coined, Evans believes they are still very powerful, have a large reach, and rank in search engines. Other effective platforms include ratings and review services and location-based sites.

Secondly, businesses need to understand what their resources are. It is important to realize what you are capable of doing before you jump in. Otherwise, you could quickly get overwhelmed, which could lead to failure.

Thirdly, businesses have to listen to what their audience is saying. Just as businesses need to understand their resources before embracing social, they need to do a lot of listening too. If not, Evans says it could be compared to petting a shark. Businesses should know what is acceptable and what is not before they embark on a social media campaign.

Once a business applies these 3 steps, she says it can build a social media strategy.

For starters, the growing use of sock puppets is one area of concern. In this trend, people post promotions or positive comments about a particular company or brand but do not disclose that they are directly affiliated with it. As a result, the company or brand loses its credibility and trust.

A second trend is the act of forcing people to use all tools and communities in the same way. When this occurs, the tools or the social platforms cannot grow or further develop.

Tune into this video to learn more about what Patrick O’Keefe had to say about these problems as well as tips he gives from his book, Managing Online Forums.

Garcia got his “big break” in our very own WebProWorld forums. WebProWorld includes forums for eBusiness, technology, and Web professionals. They are designed to initiate a common bond among subscribers in a way that allows them to connect with each other and share information. Garcia began by posting a site review. As a result, he gained valuable information and was able to improve his site immensely.

Garcia has a few recommendations for first-time forum users. He suggests watching and waiting in order to see all the comments, before taking part in the discussion. Utilize the search engines on places such as WebProWorld and Google. If a discussion hasn’t been started on a topic, start one and cover all the bases. Thoroughly research your topic and relay your information in an understandable manner. Be careful not to be rude when entering a forum. Look for an inconspicuous way to incorporate your information.

Experience is key when deciding on whom to listen to. Check your sources and check their sources. Some may be more knowledgeable on the topic than others. SEO and search marketing is neither black nor white, there’s a lot no one knows for certain. People speak from their own experiences or the experiences of others. According to Garcia, you should take other opinions and bring them all together with your own, and then present it.

Garcia credits WebProWorld for the launch of his career. He considers forums to be a valuable resource, especially for new people. As a result of forums, Garcia is now in a position in which people ask his advice and hold it as an authority.