- Original Poster
- #1
I've been asked this a few times on here and also to the support email address; so I thought I'd post this message to clarify my position on Self Promotion and the rules around it on the forums. I'll also give some context behind my thinking in the hope it explains the position.
I understand that during the years between after I sold UKBF and since I bought the site back the rules were zero tolerance on self promotion, but during the previous time of my ownership and today that isn't the case. However there is an expectation and a rule around what is acceptable, and I hope this post clarifies it for everyone.
The TL;DR explanation is : Answer the question asked by the OP first properly before mentioning your business, except where the OP has asked specifically for your services in which case you may then reply with your business details.
Examples of what is and is not allowed when the OP is looking for advice;
OP: How can I tell which is the hot tap and which is the cold tap above my sink?
OK: Turn the left tap on first and let it run for a few minutes. If the water gets warm then that is the hot tap, but if it stays cold it's the cold tap. I do this for people with similar difficulties and created a youtube video here to help if you're unsure how to turn on the tap. If you need someone to pop round and test it for you drop me a DM or call me, I'll be happy to help.
OK: I'm no expert on turning on taps but the last time I tried I sort of twisted the fiddly thing on the top and it seemed to work. I know that member <tagging>iTurnOnTaps does this sort of thing for a living so may be able to add some more information on what I'm missing.
Not OK: I do this test for people, I've dropped you a DM or you can call me.
Answer, or attempt to answer, the question asked by the OP. Or if it's not viable to answer the question as it needs more context, ask for more context. Ask questions back and establish a dialogue. That is fine, but replying without answering or even attempting to answer the question is not Ok.
Examples of what is and is not allowed when the OP is looking for a supplier;
OP: Can anyone recommend someone to pop round and test which if my taps is hot or cold?
(^^ posts like this should be placed in the I'm Looking For forum, and any not will typically be moved there by a mod)
OK: I do this test for people, I've dropped you a DM or you can call me.
OK: There are plenty of people on here who can help, but you should be able to do this yourself. Watch this video by member iTurnOnTaps or ask your parents.
OK: This is the sort of thing that <tagging>iTurnOnTaps does, they'll be able soon.
Not OK: We at TapTurners'R'Us are world leaders in turning on taps with a comprehensive portfolio of tap successes qualified by our extensive testimonials on this link, and that link and here's another link to a tap we were able to test only yesterday. For all your tap testing needs look no further than this post, and here's an embedded image of a tap that we think looks trendy to make our post stand out.
In this instance the member is asking specifically for a business to solve a problem for them. It is fine to give them pointers to try and sort the issue themselves, but it is also fine if your business services what they need to reply and "self promote". It is not Ok to upload a sales brochure or make a whole blog post about your business though, leave that to the offline chat between you and the OP.
Posts such as the above "Not OK" one are usually made by visitors new to the forum who register purely to make such a post and very rarely seen again. In those instances those accounts are instantly banned and their posts deleted. If a post such as this is made by a regular member in the community the post would be deleted and the member would receive a friendly note from a Mod advising their post overstepped the mark.
These are the rules folks on self promotion and I hope this clarifies it for everyone. I want people to do business together, to get business from each other, and I hope these rules provide that balance in enabling that to happen whilst also keeping the forums clear of spam and useable for all.
I understand that during the years between after I sold UKBF and since I bought the site back the rules were zero tolerance on self promotion, but during the previous time of my ownership and today that isn't the case. However there is an expectation and a rule around what is acceptable, and I hope this post clarifies it for everyone.
The TL;DR explanation is : Answer the question asked by the OP first properly before mentioning your business, except where the OP has asked specifically for your services in which case you may then reply with your business details.
Examples of what is and is not allowed when the OP is looking for advice;
OP: How can I tell which is the hot tap and which is the cold tap above my sink?
OK: Turn the left tap on first and let it run for a few minutes. If the water gets warm then that is the hot tap, but if it stays cold it's the cold tap. I do this for people with similar difficulties and created a youtube video here to help if you're unsure how to turn on the tap. If you need someone to pop round and test it for you drop me a DM or call me, I'll be happy to help.
OK: I'm no expert on turning on taps but the last time I tried I sort of twisted the fiddly thing on the top and it seemed to work. I know that member <tagging>iTurnOnTaps does this sort of thing for a living so may be able to add some more information on what I'm missing.
Not OK: I do this test for people, I've dropped you a DM or you can call me.
Answer, or attempt to answer, the question asked by the OP. Or if it's not viable to answer the question as it needs more context, ask for more context. Ask questions back and establish a dialogue. That is fine, but replying without answering or even attempting to answer the question is not Ok.
Examples of what is and is not allowed when the OP is looking for a supplier;
OP: Can anyone recommend someone to pop round and test which if my taps is hot or cold?
(^^ posts like this should be placed in the I'm Looking For forum, and any not will typically be moved there by a mod)
OK: I do this test for people, I've dropped you a DM or you can call me.
OK: There are plenty of people on here who can help, but you should be able to do this yourself. Watch this video by member iTurnOnTaps or ask your parents.
OK: This is the sort of thing that <tagging>iTurnOnTaps does, they'll be able soon.
Not OK: We at TapTurners'R'Us are world leaders in turning on taps with a comprehensive portfolio of tap successes qualified by our extensive testimonials on this link, and that link and here's another link to a tap we were able to test only yesterday. For all your tap testing needs look no further than this post, and here's an embedded image of a tap that we think looks trendy to make our post stand out.
In this instance the member is asking specifically for a business to solve a problem for them. It is fine to give them pointers to try and sort the issue themselves, but it is also fine if your business services what they need to reply and "self promote". It is not Ok to upload a sales brochure or make a whole blog post about your business though, leave that to the offline chat between you and the OP.
Posts such as the above "Not OK" one are usually made by visitors new to the forum who register purely to make such a post and very rarely seen again. In those instances those accounts are instantly banned and their posts deleted. If a post such as this is made by a regular member in the community the post would be deleted and the member would receive a friendly note from a Mod advising their post overstepped the mark.
These are the rules folks on self promotion and I hope this clarifies it for everyone. I want people to do business together, to get business from each other, and I hope these rules provide that balance in enabling that to happen whilst also keeping the forums clear of spam and useable for all.
