Who and What is a Forum Right For?

I'm thinking of writing an article about who and what forums are right for. I know a lot of people who maintain various entrepreneurial businesses, where forums could play an important part. For example, a relative of mine is a private but renowned parent coach, on her way to success (she just recently wrote a book and has many more on the way) and has a nice-sized clientèle.

Some people and businesses like hers would do well with forums. She has a website, a blog, etc. and one of the most important aspects of her business -- to her -- is contact with her clients. She has a weekly newsletter sent out via e-mail, she has a following on Facebook, she does a weekly conference call focusing on a different aspect of parenting each week, yadda yadda yadda. She is always trying to stay connected with her fans, clients and fellow parents.
One thing she hasn't seemed to have discovered is forum communities. She could do so well with a forum. Not only could it become a successful parenting forum, but it can be a selling point of her business. She can publicly answer inquiries about what kind of services she does, she can interact with her clients in public threads (think testimonials), and I think you get the point.

So now what I'm looking for are some main selling points to get somebody like her into the idea of creating a community. Why should she consider it? How will it benefit her? What kind of success can it bring?

The article will be a general, "Who Are Forums For?" article. I just used this relative of mine as an example to make it easier to present the concept.

I look forward to your input.

 

I would present it to her as a potential source of material (and new sign-ups) for her newsletter.

 

Everyone and anyone, different niches for different tastes.