Hi Judy and Mary and everyone else.
I think for the purpose of keeping things as simple as possible and I would invite others to come in and either add to or make more clear terminology.
Keyword: Keyword is the term used for words included in a web page that would match words used by web surfers in finding that web page (via a search engine).
Reverse Keyword strategy/search: This is very similar to finding keywords for your site and then applying it to your competition. Translate: you can determine which keywords and phrases your competition holds in the major search engines.
When you do this, then you can tweak your blog/website.
As an aside, you can use this technique for creating a sales copy for an advertising campaign.
In answer to my question " what is the commonality to both forums and blogging"
They both are targeting by the way Mary, in forums, the target is to the topic of the forum, in blogging to the niche of the blog.
More important is that in both blogs and forums, content is still king. If you have nothing interesting to say, then both the blogs and forum that you have will lag.
If you are not actively participating in both forums and blogs, again you will lag.
In forums and blogging you should never advertise...oh my what a concept! I will correct that - if the forum is about posting your business, then a different issue obviously.
In forums and in blogging creating good comments are so important. They define who you are, you are showing that you are somebody worthwhile getting to know, building that all important relationship and then trust. By doing that what have you accomplished? You are building YOU. People see you as an authority and if your signature in forums is properly done ( um never use affiliate links) if you have created an important profile, then people are going to go CLICK. It is the same way with blogs, building your readership, building relationships, building trust.
Does this help a little?
Best Regards,
Diane
Administrative Director
BlogNet Awards