[TWD-Tony]

If forsaid new user was to introduce themselves with ""Hi, I'm Barney Rumble and I've got this flea-training business in Tottering-on-Brink and it's nice to be here."" then of course it's normal forum behaviour - but if ALL this user did was drop references to his business into threads then that isn't much help to anyone.

If that user just posted a quick intro and never came back (as a lot do) then again, that is useless (as Barney Rumble could be anyone).

BUT (and this is the point)

If Barney Rumble was an active / friendly member of the community who asked questions and joined in with general discussions then the other members would TRUST him and he would likely generate sales based on this trust... I have recommended members of forums (just as I would any friend) when infact I don't really know them, this is based on what they post on forums and how they conduct themselves...