Publicize your site through the newsgroups

Usenet is an enormous text-based bulletin board system that predates the Web. It can be accessed through your browser via Google Groups or you can use a separate Usenet reader, such those built into Outlook and other e-mail programs.

If you've never used Usenet, you're in for a treat and a scare. The system is filled with more than 20 years of information, covering thousands of topics. It's also filled with a large collection of die-hard users who pontificate, bicker and reprimand with little provocation.

Despite its white noise, Usenet is an effective way of inviting people to your site because its hierarchy lets you send messages to a core collection of enthusiasts. Usenet's groups are arranged along a descending path, with each step representing a narrower topic and a smaller audience.

For example, visit Google's Usenet service and take a look at the top-level alt category. You'll find hundreds of topics. But if you click on alt.journalism you'll see topics and conversations focusing on journalism. If you dig into the alt.journalism.criticism group the conversations are geared toward media criticism.

You can use the same descending system to find groups relevant to your site's topic. The key is to locate a group that's both relevant and active. Usenet has hundreds of rarely-used groups, so before you invest time digging around, check the dates on the most recent posts.

When you find a suitable category, force yourself to take a step back. You're not ready to post a message to this topic area. Usenet users are notorious for coming down hard on newbies who don't follow the rules. Since your intention is to invite people to your site, the last thing you want to do is anger them. At this point, what you want to do is find the group's FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). This file explains the ins and outs of the group and details posting rules.

Once you've familiarized yourself with the FAQ, you should compose a short invitation to your site. Be sure to explain why your site is relevant and why people in this particular group might enjoy it. Most importantly, avoid marketing language. Many groups have a low tolerance for anything resembling an advertisement.

When your message is ready, send your post to the group. Depending on the service you're using, the message may take a few hours to appear. Once it does, it'll be viewable to everyone reading the group.

In addition to publicity, Usenet is also a good way to recruit volunteers. There are a number of groups dedicated to writers and freelancers, so if you're looking for a new editor or contributor, post a help wanted listing in a relevant group.

Related links

Name	Type	Notes
Google Groups	Resource	In addition to being an excellent access point for Usenet, Google's database has historical significance because of its inclusion of 20-plus years of Usenet posts.
The Basics of Usenet	Resource	A clear and concise introduction to Usenet.
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