Should They Or Shouldn't They ?

[BENIDORM]

Should forum members be allowed to mention that they are in business.?.

What I mean is...should long-standing members who have contributed with articles and replies and advice, be allowed to describe their business ?
For example should they be allowed to write about their B&B or holiday let or the fact that they are a plumber or decorator etc ?
I'm totally against first time type members who blatantly set out with an advertising campaign, but I do think that loyal members should receive a 'little reward' for their efforts, after all most give their time and help without any remuneration.

So...ADMIN...What do you think ?...

I personally would consider it very generous and gracious of the site owners if they could give this little concession to help some of our members, who I know are going through hard-times...every little helps..As they say ..

To monitor it , perhaps a draft of any proposed 'advert' could be sent to our prefects...Sid and BC....

Just a thought...

Regards,
Gordon.

[katy]

Don't see why not as there are two members "blatantly" already doing it. (One who charges 58E to advertise on his own website ). I would prefer to have a strict rule of no advertising but what is good for the goose etc. If I want to read ads there is "Friday ads"

[Devils Advocate]

Good idea in essence and one tried out on my motor forum.....problem is there's always the stealthy bug5ers who'll exploit and spoil it...........always.

[El Cid]

Should forum members be allowed to mention that they are in business.?.

What I mean is...should long-standing members who have contributed with articles and replies and advice, be allowed to describe their business ?

I'm sorry but the answer is no.

This is a commercial website and it's existence relies on funding from advertisers - that's why the forum rules do not allow it.

It would be possible to offer a special discount to forum member who want to advertise on Andalucia.com website.

This can include banners in the two spots on the top and bottom of the forum page.

Sid

[BENIDORM]

Sid,
Thank you for your swift response to my posting.

I fully understand the reasoning about this being a commercial website and the reliance it must have on paying advertisers.
However it also has to be said that a great amount of the traffic that the site generates has had an alot of help from the forum itself.
I am sure that without the forum there would have been a lot less 'bums on seats' over the years,and so much good content has been added by the generosity and goodwill of the members.
I personally don't think that it is too much to ask to pass back some of the goodwill to members who are operating a small business, and yes I do agree,it would be helpful to offer preferential/ discounted advertising rates to the members.
I do know that many small traders are really struggling at the moment , and do not have the funding to pay for advertising, but with a little help they may be able to 'ride the storm' until matters improve.
From my many years involved with business I have learned that it is not always a good idea to be seen to just 'take'....often a little 'giving' will go a long way and will help all parties involved.

It would be nice to have a responce from Chris ...

Regards,
Gordon...

[El Cid]

It would be nice to have a responce from Chris ...

I emailed him as soon as I read your post.

That was his response - word for word.

Sid

[Devils Advocate]

What's the score then if someone enrolls as "Dave the Plumber" or "Mick the plasterer"..............as I say stealth is alive and well on all forums including this one.

[BENIDORM]

Sid,
Thanks for that.

I'm just trying to pass on the benefit of my hard-earned business experience to all concerned.

Perhaps my efforts are futile and old-fashioned and maybe it's time for me to move on....

Regards,
Gordon...

[katy]

Hey Gordon, don't throw your toys out of the pram. There aren't many old friends left




See my books on Amazon

You too can make a million out of the Spanish property market.
How to win friends and influence on Forums.

Only kidding Sid.....I'll get Kennys coat

[El Cid]

What's the score then if someone enrolls as "Dave the Plumber" or "Mick the plasterer"..............as I say stealth is alive and well on all forums including this one.

Simple - they just get asked to change them. This happened quite recently.

The No Ads rules finishes with this sentence:-

" It also applies to commercial usernames and tag lines. "

Sid

[Mowser]

Simple - they just get asked to change them. This happened quite recently.

Is "Benidorm" giving a free advert for Benidorm?

[El Cid]

Is "Benidorm" giving a free advert for Benidorm?

Possibly but as he (apparently) has no commercial interest in the place it's OK.

If it was "Benidorm - Grahams Bar" that would be different.

Sid

[Mowser]

I WAS joking!

[El Cid]

I know but it served as a good example of the subtleties of the name problem.

Sid

[peteroldracer]

The name that El Cid is referring to also made it look as if a certain learned Guru of this parish had gone into the Brit Bar business....

[Devils Advocate]

Ahh yes I remember "El bird in'thand Cid"