CrunchGear is reporting that Game Developers are reading forums and getting valuable insights from their market. It’s a good idea and every company should be doing this.

If you’ve heard me speak about web trends for business you already know this: there’s valuable information on the web waiting for you. My wife participates in several forums with mothers. One is so specific that it’s for mothers of children by birth month. They discuss diet, toys, car seats, solutions to all night crying, and anything else that comes up. If you provide products or services for children or infants, you should be there.

1. Look for good ideas. Many times their discussing problems with the status quo and there can be valuable market research for your company’s future.
2. Manage your own brand. Chances are, they’re talking about you. Positive or negative, you should know about it. If there’s a complaint, valid or not, it’s a great opportunity to show you care about your customers and a chance to turn negative PR into a positive situation.
3. Participate. Chances are good that your company has solid insight and information on your target market. There’s no harm in providing advice when you have it and it will build “street credit” in your market. Just be careful to avoid overt sales pitches. If that’s the only reason you comment, the situation may turn negative very quickly.

I go anywhere my customers congregate. If there’s a luncheon and I know 3 of my clients will be there, I attend. If my customers talk online, I’ll be there and you should too.