A resource box, also known as signature file or sometimes an author bio, is a small caption that is left at the end of every post you make on a forum. This small box is designed to give readers information about you as a forum member or poster and about what you do. Basically, it is there so the reader may make a judgement on how valid the information within posters comment is by looking at the posts source. Most forums allow posters a resource box containing up to 2 URLs and 3 lines of text. Anyway, anything over this will look unattractive to readers and therefore even if you are allowed more text than this I would not advise using more than 3 lines.

Of course, it is becoming apparent to website owners and internet business webmasters that commenting and posting on forums with a resource box is a great opportunity to advertise your website, affiliate links or mailing list to a large, targeted audience for absolutely no cost. However, the key to forum marketing lies not only in the quality of post you make, but also in the quality of your resource box, as this is the tool which will ultimately send targeted traffic your way. While a marketing campaign focused on posting on forums with a good and effective resource box will do great things for your website traffic, a similar marketing campaign with a useless resource box will be a complete waste of time. Here are some quick tips and tricks to help you maximise the click through rate of your resource box.

- Use the layout of your resource box to your advantage. Resource boxes are at their most effective when the information inside is broken down into small pieces of information rather than kept together in a block of ugly text. It is proven that when the text in your resource box is spaced out, it sends the message to the reader that it is easy reading. People will always click what looks easy to understand whereas a block of text sends a negative message and will result in less click throughs. For example:

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This resource box is split up into small phrases using the "-" symbol. This breaks the information down into readable chunks and gets the information across in a way that is easy to follow. In addition, the fact that the website links are on their own separate lines make them stand out more and encourages click throughs. Also, the use of the "=" sign gives the whole signature file emphasis and will catch any readers eye who is skimming over your post.

- Within the resource box, always make it clear to the reader exactly where they are clicking. Give them information about the URLs you wish them to go to while at the same time making it sound enticing and including your keywords too to make sure that the search engines pick up on your post. By letting the reader know where they are going, if they do decide to click through to your website, they will be more familiar with what your website offers and will be more prepared to make a purchase. Make sure that you obtain those click throughs by using positive and enticing words to grab the readers attention such as secret, discover and unbelievable.

- Every now and again, change your resource box. This is for the simple reason that once forum members get used to your resource box they will just start forgetting its there if it doesnt change. By spicing it up every couple of weeks, forum readers will always be looking at your resource box to be looking to see whether you have anything else to offer them. Bear in mind also that a different looking resource box will catch peoples eyes.

Before I finish this article let me give a quick word of warning about forum marketing. Whatever you do, always make sure your comments and posts are useful and intelligent and are nowhere near coming under the category of blatant advertising or spam. As soon as your posts start to sink to this level of quality, your readers attitudes towards whatever you are offering them will plummet. Just always check over your post before you publish it and make sure that what you have to say is going to be a positive influence on that forum. That way you will never go wrong.