Shameless self promotion

[numberwang]

Apologies if this question has been done before...

I've been kinda lurking on this forum for a while, of course browsing other peoples' questions (and of course Citizen-whatsits melodramas!) and been genuinly interested in peoples replies...

What I've noticed in nearly every posting are plugs & offers for services ranging from the fairly subtle to downright shameless! In a lot of cases the OP is just asking for advice from someone more experienced, surely if people are looking for offers they would google / yell / ask their mate / whatever??

Example:
OP: what digital answering machine should I buy?
Plugger: I offer V-PA services, PM me.
2nd plugger: you want to sign up for a PBX with me, call me to discuss
and so on...

How come this isn't treated as spam? Conversely I've seen new people jumped on for trying to include a web address in their signatures, yet this is tolerated...

Or is spamming ok so long as you're not a new member or something?! :|

NW (who is genuinely not trying to buy or sell any sevice through this post!)

 

[eukhost]

UKBF users are divided into 2 groups i.e Free member and Full member. You can check the details at http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/announcement.php?f=51

Hope this helps you

 

[Tommo]

Agreed, It gets up my back as well.

 

[sdchown]

What I've noticed in nearly every posting are plugs & offers for services ranging from the fairly subtle to downright shameless! In a lot of cases the OP is just asking for advice from someone more experienced, surely if people are looking for offers they would google / yell / ask their mate / whatever??

Well.... it is a business forum. Just check out the name. So it would seem fairly mean to class as spamming somebody putting their business forward in response to a question somebody has asked looking for a solution.

However - the "PM me" people may not enjoy too much success with this method of trying to generate sales. Just answering the question and being helpful would probably work much better. If you look like you know what you're talking about then people are more likely to come to you for more information and you can generate leads that way.

That's my take on it anyway.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Also, while the mods/admins try to delete spam as quickly as possible (you will not believe how much work is done), unless people report the posts/threads, they will slip through the net.

One thing though, if someone is asking for a specific service, then if other members are offering that service, is that spam or just helping the OP get some idea of the marketplace?

 

[numberwang]

Well.... it is a business forum. Just check out the name. So it would seem fairly mean to class as spamming somebody putting their business forward in response to a question somebody has asked looking for a solution.

However - the "PM me" people may not enjoy too much success with this method of trying to generate sales. Just answering the question and being helpful would probably work much better. If you look like you know what you're talking about then people are more likely to come to you for more information and you can generate leads that way.

That's my take on it anyway.

Yeah I get it's a business forum and agree to a certain extent if someone is actually asking for offers, but it's the completely unsolicited offers that are boadering on spam IMHO.

 

[numberwang]

Also, while the mods/admins try to delete spam as quickly as possible (you will not believe how much work is done), unless people report the posts/threads, they will slip through the net.

One thing though, if someone is asking for a specific service, then if other members are offering that service, is that spam or just helping the OP get some idea of the marketplace?

Yeah I guess it's not an easy thing to fix, it's just interesting from a relative outsider's view, what is & isn't tolerated!

 

[cmcp]

I just use the ignore function. They're usually crappy design companies scrounging for the dregs. We went through a tough time where we thought about switching to a budget service, more trouble than it's worth.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Yeah I guess it's not an easy thing to fix, it's just interesting from a relative outsider's view, what is & isn't tolerated!

That bit is easy. EVERYTHING that mods or admins don't notice, and that isn't reported, is tolerated

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

I agree with some comments here.

My pet hate in newbies who lurk around, promote themselves and then they are off never to been seen AND worse having made no valuable contribution to the site whatsoever.

This site is great because there are a host of people who offer advice where they can on subjects they are knowledgeable in. Spamming and such like just spoils it

And then of course is my second pet hate - advice givers who have no knowledge of what they are talking about at all. But I won't go there

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

I don't know about you but I am here to promote my business as well as give advice to others and also learn from others - that's why I pay the membership fee!

If there is no benefit for me paying the membership fee why would I bother? I could just sit on the sidelines as a freebie member.

Glen

 

[Eagle]

There's way too much dross here but all you need to do is report it.

 

[David Griffiths]

There's probably not a lot of difference between people who jump in with offers of their own services and those who come here looking for free advice on their first post. Basically, that's the way that things are.

I don't have too many problems with people who respond to requests for help/advice with offers of their own services. What are they supposed to do - recommend somebody else?! I do have a problem with people who spam the forum from post #1, and I've reported a few of those. Actually, I thought that I might have been overdoing that, but I'll intensify my efforts!

I suspect that we all came on here first with a view to business promotion in mind. Personally, I've rarely responded to a request to quote for accountancy services - there's rarely enough information, and it also seems that some people want the cheapest quote which is not my area of the market. Some of the prices quoted are at levels that I could never match - it's not that I wouldn't get out of bed for that, I wouldn't even wake up!

I personally work on the principle that "Givers Gain" both on here and in other network events. In that context, the gain doesn't have to come back directly via this forum. Having said that, I believe that there is a real element of community amongst some of the regular posters and I value that. I've only ever gained one client from this forum, and he lives in the town that I practise in. and I've met and done a proposal for one other. I've only met one other member face to face, at a 2020 Group conference.

But I still enjoy coming on here and helping people. If I think that a question is stupid or just freeloading I can ignore it. I also enjoy the banter with other regulars, even if it does take a thread off topic from time to time. I spend quite a lot of time online because I have to do something while her indoors is watching Corrie, DeadEnders, Corrie and every other soap that you can think of! I just shut myself in the study, turn on the music (Springsteen at the mo) and turn on the computer!

 

[iArtist]

I think it's fairly easy to ignore these posts if you find them annoying.

 

[Geoff T]

I think it's fairly easy to ignore these posts if you find them annoying.

Leah, can I remind you of a recent thread where you couldn't resist?

ps - apologies for being forward, got the name of another post!:redface:

Pleased to meet you - I'm 'as follows' (does that make it ok now?:|)
Regards
Geoff

 

[iArtist]

Leah, can I remind you of a recent thread where you couldn't resist?

ps - apologies for being forward, got the name of another post!:redface:

Pleased to meet you - I'm 'as follows' (does that make it ok now?:|)
Regards
Geoff

You're gonna have to remind me, I've never posted to say

'I do this pm me'

Not to my recollection.

My replies are packed with advice.

Read todays as samples if you're in any doubt.

Meanwhile I am curious re the thread you refer to, so do post a link or pm it.

ps. I never posted (in reply to this thread) to say the shamless promotions weren't ok, I said it's easy to ignore them if you find them annoying. So no point you asking me what's right and wrong re it as I take no view on it.

 

[TopShopper]

When I was new to this forum, one of my posts was struck off as spam. I now have one strike against me. It was a genuine mistake on my behalf and I accepted the comments and explanation. I now try to be more careful not to annoy forum users.
I think I am cured - although I sometimes almost 'come off the wagon'
These pages are monitored:redface:

 

[cmcp]

Apologies if this question has been done before...

I've been kinda lurking on this forum for a while, of course browsing other peoples' questions (and of course Citizen-whatsits melodramas!) and been genuinly interested in peoples replies...

What I've noticed in nearly every posting are plugs & offers for services ranging from the fairly subtle to downright shameless! In a lot of cases the OP is just asking for advice from someone more experienced, surely if people are looking for offers they would google / yell / ask their mate / whatever??

Example:
OP: what digital answering machine should I buy?
Plugger: I offer V-PA services, PM me.
2nd plugger: you want to sign up for a PBX with me, call me to discuss
and so on...

How come this isn't treated as spam? Conversely I've seen new people jumped on for trying to include a web address in their signatures, yet this is tolerated...

Or is spamming ok so long as you're not a new member or something?! :|

NW (who is genuinely not trying to buy or sell any sevice through this post!)

Hi - welcome to UKBF.

We have a service that can help you out.

Pm me to discuss or call 01667 246649 and we'll work you out a competitive quote.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Okay, my responses as someone who:

1/ Has promoted their business in response to questions on UKBF; and

2/ Has had a lot of work from members of UKBF


1/ I promote my services when I think they will be relevant to the poster. However, to use the example given in the OP I would give information on the equipment we use if it fits their bill.

If someone is asking for the price of a digital answering machine I'm not going to try and promote my services unless they give more information that indicates that they could actually be better off with a telephone answering service like ours (for example, if they say they want the machine for use during business hours, which could actually lose them a lot of prospective work).

2/ I've had several members sign up for call answering services from this forum since Christmas and I think it's mainly down to the words "FREE TRIAL" in my signature. However, if you look at the stats in the top-right of this post you'll see I've made 2503 posts and been here for over a year.

Those that come to the site, promote their business and then disappear won't get anything from members here, we're all too savvy (or should be) to use a complete stranger who has not built up a relationship with the other members.

 

[numberwang]

Hi - welcome to UKBF.

We have a service that can help you out.

Pm me to discuss or call 01667 246649 and we'll work you out a competitive quote.

LOL exactly!!!

 

[An Oasis]

I agree with some comments here.

My pet hate in newbies who lurk around, promote themselves and then they are off never to been seen AND worse having made no valuable contribution to the site whatsoever.

This site is great because there are a host of people who offer advice where they can on subjects they are knowledgeable in. Spamming and such like just spoils it

And then of course is my second pet hate - advice givers who have no knowledge of what they are talking about at all. But I won't go there

And then...


there's the bandwagon jumpers oners, who know nothing and say a lot of nothing...

Also add, the blind leading the blind threads, me too it’s the bestest everyest ers.


And the it’s already been discussed and answered but I can’t be arsed to search the forum as I’m sure no one else will have my problems/insight/knowledge/crippling-lack-of-ability-to-read-and-understand-English

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

And then...


there's the bandwagon jumpers oners, who know nothing and say a lot of nothing...

Also add, the blind leading the blind threads, me too it’s the bestest everyest ers.


And the it’s already been discussed and answered but I can’t be arsed to search the forum as I’m sure no one else will have my problems/insight/knowledge/crippling-lack-of-ability-to-read-and-understand-English

yes, yes and yes to all of the above

 

[accountancyextra]

I can't see the ones who constantly just spam without contributing anything constructive actually gain any business from it.

Why would you just buy from a random person that tells you they do something without any prior knowledge of them is beyond me. At least with the regular contributors you get a "feel" for their level of expertise and knowledge, more so than if you were looking for a upplier through YP anyway.

For reference, I also find the "I've just PM'd you" posts even more annoying.....why do you need to post publicly to tell someone you've pm'd them?

 

[KM-Tiger]

The self promotion is easy enough to ignore.

My pet hate is uninformative thread titles, where you have to read the whole damned thing to find out if you can help or contribute. Even worse is when the hover snippet doesn't tell you anything either!

There was a classic the other day in IT & Internet: instead of "Urgent Support needed in <city>", we got "Does anyone know?".

 

[Geoff T]

You're gonna have to remind me, I've never posted to say

'I do this pm me'

Not to my recollection.

My replies are packed with advice.

sorry, didn't mean to imply you were one of the "shameless":redface:, and yes they are - agreed, bear with me while I 'dig' back through so you can see what I mean...

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

s bear with me while I 'dig' back

or do you mean dig yourself out ........

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

I think there will always be people who will spam up their business, but it will not do them any good, as they then appear desperate!

If people want to know what you do, most is given away by the name - other than that there is a 'What is your business' thread which is near as you can get to actually spelling out what you do.

I do notice there are plenty who use the 'Check out my website/Feedback' system - which is fine for those that are genuinely wanting to know others thoughts, and some very good and honest feedback is given. It does have a place on this forum, and the responses are very honest and frank - better than asking friends who will say it is great when it really is not! lol! Though some critics may think of this as spam.

This can easily be rectified with a section for new website feedback??

With that in place, there should be no reason to spam!

 

[An Oasis]

yes, yes and yes to all of the above

Did I mention the members who recommend other members product or service without any knowledge of said product or service in the first place? There is a thread that has been running for months, which is the pinnacle of complete ********, good luck to that member...just goes to show monkey see big red button monkey push big red button.

 

[Gillie]

For reference, I also find the "I've just PM'd you" posts even more annoying.....why do you need to post publicly to tell someone you've pm'd them?

Its called marking their territory - they honestly think that by posting this crap that somehow others will be scared off etc ... and yes its a pet hate of mine too ... get real people, do you really think we give a damm you sent a pm? Oh and before we get the - ' oh I say that just in case they don't realise they have a pm' also crap, anyone who doesnt realise don't want the business anyhow!!

 

[accountancyextra]

Its called marking their territory - they honestly think that by posting this crap that somehow others will be scared off etc ... and yes its a pet hate of mine too ... get real people, do you really think we give a damm you sent a pm? Oh and before we get the - ' oh I say that just in case they don't realise they have a pm' also crap, anyone who doesnt realise don't want the business anyhow!!

Spot on!!!

 

[Geoff T]

I think it's fairly easy to ignore these posts if you find them annoying.

Leah, can I remind you of a recent thread where you couldn't resist?

ps - apologies for being forward, got the name of another post!

Pleased to meet you - I'm 'as follows' (does that make it ok now?)
Regards
Geoff

sorry, didn't mean to imply you were one of the "shameless", and yes they are - agreed, bear with me while I 'dig' back through so you can see what I mean...

or do you mean dig yourself out ........

To conclude the 'aside' (I REALLY hope!:redface

Ok - case for the defence, and I should have been clearer - sorry!:redface: I was referring to avoiding annoying posts...

Leah, here's the thread http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=117081&page=5 - sure it will ring a bell when you review it...#38 - #42...('soz again if it was inappropriate, 'note to self - review GSOH entry!'...)

defence rests (on the edge of his chair, ready to leg it out the door!...)

two questions before I can sleep soundly again...!

1. forgiven?:|
2. 'dig out' successful?:|

 

[Jozo]

You are not going to get any business out of spamming here anyways.

Need advice ask.
Need something ask.

You will most likely get an answer that might just help you.

Spam - you get ignored.

It is as simple as that.

 

[iArtist]

1. forgiven?:|
2. 'dig out' successful?:|

I think I understand

You are saying I should myself avoid annoying posts (due to my advice others do the same) and found samples of me not avoiding annoying posts?

I can avoid annoying posts for 28 days but not for the remaining two in the month (as I explained) without grossing everyone out again!

Yes forgiven

 

[Geoff T]

Yes forgiven

Cool!

Have good one!