Self promotion on these forums

[cjd]

As an observation to provide a contrast, the FSB forum does not allow advertising in any form; even mentioning your company name in a thread is frowned on.

As a consequence it's totally dead.

Personally I like to know what other people's businesses are and over time you form an opinion.

I think the balance is about right - otright spam is nuked pretty quickly and just doing what our mod has just done - asking us to reign back a little every so often to curb our natural desire to punt our services to anyone who looks our way - is probably enough.

 

[clairemackaness]

Hi Ewan, I had to resize it to 90x90 as the avatar size has now been reduced by the mods and your original one wasn't allowed.

 

[ewan]

oh, righty, i'll quickly make it 90x90 now

 

[ewan]

done

 

[clairemackaness]

Thanks Ewan, I'll change it

 

[fastfences]

Have I missed the good stuff again?

Agree about monitoring 'self promotion.'

Re the banners, I think it's something that sets apart UKBF from 'the others'. It adds to the visual appeal, and in my mind, professional perception of the poster's business. There is definate need for 'guidelines' on size, though I was once guilty of overdoing it; I had two banners running but felt it was a little 'over the top' so removed one.

Claire is correct in saying they have rewarded a UKBF member with some work.
Cheers, Nigel

 

[creacom]

Its true that there have been a recent rise in banner popularity. I put a banner on my signature but have now removed it. Not a problem and Im happy to keep in line if we are told not to have banners.

To go back to Ozzy's original point self promotion on these forums has also been a hot topic recently. In my opinion there are very few who do it. Some do it because they dont realise that its not allowed and others do it over and over again.

Its strange for me really because although I know our services are great I would never say on these forums something like "Look no further than us for excellent design" because there are some other excellent designers here and for me it doesnt show a very positive attitude towards the other members of these forums. But there are some members who insist on saying things like this about whatever they do and that is just pure self promotion.

Ok, rant over, back to Sunday evening reality !! lol..

Jacqui

 

[creospace]

I wouldn't ban self promotion, sometimes it's amusing and a learning curve to see how people promote themselves.

Also if somone has somethign to offer i want to hear about it, maybe i'll get a deal i'm looking for.

Gary

 

[Jayne]

I just think it needs toning down a little that's all, don't think they'd mind a little now and then, just not every day

And why has everyone taken their banners off, he never said he's banned them?

Jayne

 

[creospace]

I want to be tantalised with new banners every day not the same old thing, now there's a challange

 

[clairemackaness]

More than one person said they didn't like banners so I felt it better to take it off. I do agree with Nigel though they can make you look more professional and as most of us were using a UKBF member to create them for us it showed we networked well on here.

I think I'll start a poll up.

 

[creacom]

Go for it Claire because I miss mine already......:cry:

Jacqui

 

[clairemackaness]

me too!

 

[ewan]

Personally I don't think i'd get any more customers by advertising on these forums, i'm targeting too niche a market with my store whereas theres an awful lot of printing and design companies on here which will obviously get more custom from us crazy bunch of people.

 

[crus]

Hi,

If anyone wants a 30 second sciupt to rotate a banner shown here in php then I have seen one on the web. Works by simply dropping banners in folder where the scipt is hosted.

Should keep creacom happy to see the images changing!



D

 

[Tazuk]

so how are banners put in the signature?

 

[fastfences]

Personally I don't think i'd get any more customers by advertising on these forums, i'm targeting too niche a market

Likewise, but that's not why I'm here. There is a great canerarderie and willingness to help by most on here. I truly feel you receive from the forum what you put into it.

cheers, Nigel

 

[UK2004]

I use this forum for advice and most importantly referrals to peopel for stuff like printing, design, legal advice, I have to be honest and say big self promotion puts me off someone, I don't like being told what to do so someone saying I should use them because they are the best triggers the wrong buttons in me.

As a slihgtly off topic, does anyone feel that because they 'represent' their business here they have to be careful with their conduct, I for example would not engage in any argument now my business is in my signature, anyone else feel like this when posting?

 

[Coding Monkey]

As a slihgtly off topic, does anyone feel that because they 'represent' their business here they have to be careful with their conduct, I for example would not engage in any argument now my business is in my signature, anyone else feel like this when posting?

Nope. I disagree with Nic on a variety of subjects, and she's a client, but I still disagree. If you don't want an opinion, don't ask and that's the only way something turns into an argument, when one side is unreasonable or gives feedback when it wasn't required. I'll come across as harsh, but if you want a website review and I think it's crap, I won't side step it and be nice just for the sake of it. If, however, it's a crap website and you don't ask for feedback, I'm not gonna say anything.

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

I don't think there is anything wrong with banners in sigs, except that they don't generate revenue for the upkeep of the forums and maybe stop people paying for having a placed banner when they can have it in their sig for free. Of course, the bottom line is that it is Ozzy's call.

This is the kinda thing that maybe Ozzy could charge for that would not affect PM's etc and keep most people happy.

Some of the banners are very nicely made and look good !

 

[clairemackaness]

I'd be happy to pay a minimul fee for mine.

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

I'd be happy to pay a minimul fee for mine.

I think most would, and maybe it would be less controversial than members areas, pm's etc. Something for Ozzy to consider.

A banner in a sig here has to be worth £20 per year per member

 

[Rob Holmes]

For me they break up the flow of the threads.

Bit like watching channel 5 - you're a few minutes into a good film and theres another ad-break!

If I want to use someones services from the forum I wouldn't do it because they have a big shiny banner - I'd use them if I thought that they could do the job for me.

Maybe they advertise to new people more but if a new visitor keeps seeing ads everywhere theres a possibility they could view the forums as a bit spammy and members just out to get business by continually pumping their banners in their faces.

Heres a possibility...

It could even be a contributing factor to new visitors thinking they could get away with spamming and signing up and spamming the forums.

Rob

 

[bwglaw]

As a slihgtly off topic, does anyone feel that because they 'represent' their business here they have to be careful with their conduct, I for example would not engage in any argument now my business is in my signature, anyone else feel like this when posting?

I agree entirely when relating to 'conduct'. If you are presenting your business image in public, whether on a forum, email or at a networking event there will always be an appropriate level of conduct.

Nope. I disagree with Nic on a variety of subjects, and she's a client, but I still disagree. If you don't want an opinion, don't ask and that's the only way something turns into an argument, when one side is unreasonable or gives feedback when it wasn't required. I'll come across as harsh, but if you want a website review and I think it's crap, I won't side step it and be nice just for the sake of it. If, however, it's a crap website and you don't ask for feedback, I'm not gonna say anything.

I have not decided whether to agree entirely on this point but I agree partially. However, I am of the opinion that inviting/receiving opinions is quite different from 'conduct', in fact there is a fine line between the two. It is quite possible to give an opinion in an appropriate manner without having to resort to insulting remarks that some members had to resort to in order to express themselves - this is in my opinion unprofessional conduct and reflects on the person's business.

Tom, you said you may be harsh in giving a website review (presumably if invited) one may view that you would be biased (I know you are not) because you provide web design services and one might again view it as a tout for new business, especially if they do not know you.

What is 'harsh' depends on the business and position you are in and of course how you present yourself in public. Whether one is harsh depends how the recipient perceives it. I may say that someone's site is operating illegally, would this be harsh, or the truth, or a mere tout for business?

 

[easyasit]

i don't think Ozzy was referring to banners at all, although i realise i was taking the micheal the other week on this.

I think it is the fact that other people use the forum in a veiled way to promote their products, and at self promotion.
Perhaps not intended to be this way, but it is certainly what they are doing.
Not as obvious as MK Prinring was, these people are cleverer than this.

Al

 

[Jayne]

i don't think Ozzy was referring to banners at all, although i realise i was taking the micheal the other week on this.

I think it is the fact that other people use the forum in a veiled way to promote their products, and at self promotion.
Perhaps not intended to be this way, but it is certainly what they are doing.
Not as obvious as MK Prinring was, these people are cleverer than this.

Al

Do you want to look at my stuff Al or buy a mug or something...sorry couldn't resist, just tormenting you, i'll bugger off now to time out:lol:

Jayne

 

[easyasit]

Do you want to look at my stuff Al or buy a mug or something...sorry couldn't resist, just tormenting you, i'll bugger off now to time out:lol:

Jayne

oh yes janye, post up a piccie so i can see lol

lol, a bad influence you are on me jayne, look what you just made me do ;-)

 

[Jayne]

I'm in Time Out nothing to do with me :lol:

Sorry Ozzy

 

[UK2004]

What happened to MKPrinting?

 

[Jayne]

He was on here the other day, maybe someone has upset him?

Jayne

 

[UK2004]

When I originally read the post on this thread I thought it was about people directly soliciting business on this forum, how come it did become a banner debate?!

 

[Jayne]

That's what I pointed out earlier. Ozzy never said anything about banning banners at all. Think it's the actual posts he means, how people are advertising in threads and over use of offers sections etc.

Jayne

 

[UK2004]

I agree Jane, when I posted couple of weeks ago certain people were 'instructing' me that I needed to buy this and that from them, it's fine to offer services but there is a line and I think some people cross it.

 

[Jayne]

That's ecxactly what I think too and from Ozzy's post, we are not the only ones who think this

Jayne

 

[clairemackaness]

MK printing is about, he just e-mailed me offering yet more cards.

By the way, you mentioned mugs in your laughy post Jayne. Would you class my thread as direct promotion? If so it's not meant to be, it is a way of helping me get stock as well as offering you a product at a real discount.

I hope I am not one of the people who this thread is directed at and if I am, please do let me know.

 

[UK2004]

No Claire I am sure you are not someone it's aimed at, my intuition tell sme it's aimed squarely at the snidy ones who makes out they want to help when they want to line their own pockets.

 

[billhilton]

I guess one of the problems we have here is that so much stuff is on the borderline between legitimate posts and spam. However, I think it's pretty easy to work out what's within the spirit of the rules and what's not - so I'm all for clamping down on spammers and pseudo-spammers.

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

Would you class my thread as direct promotion? If so it's not meant to be, it is a way of helping me get stock as well as offering you a product at a real discount.

If you promote your items even for the reasons mentioned above, it has to classed as advertising and should be in the advertising forums. I could post offering web hosting at a discount as a way of getting myself more servers and offering you a service at a discount, would you consider this advertising ?

 

[clairemackaness]

VS - I didn't ever say it wasn't advertising and the thread was posted in Offers so it was in the right place.

My question was....do people see me as a person who self promotes too much?

 

[Ozzy]

THis is one thing I love about this place. I make a post about reducing self promotion and you guys discuss it and come up with the solution

I'm reading through the forums and looking at peoples posts, and I must say the ones who put a bit of effort into a nice clean look to their signature looks so much more professional than the banner ones.

Looking at Claire's post as an example. She has a very attractive and nice looking avatar that reflects her company logo and stands out nicely without being intrusive. She has then designed her signature to fit in nicely with her avatar, and its looks clean and tidy. I would like to see this as the way to go, so I need an avatar designing now please

With regards Tin post about SEO...
I only just a week or so ago made an amendment to the forums so that they could be crawled by Google, which is why the inbound links wont account for much yet. I'll also take a look at mod-rewrite as I already use on that on my main site already.

Rob (Matrixx), Alan (Alpha) and I are going to think about some guidelines for the posting self promotion.

There is also a large call for a Website Critique forum, so looks like that will be coming soon

Cheers,