do you think this is a good idea to sell your services in forums?

[wassim]

This post was edited:
Some warriors told me that my idea was unethical, so I do apologize for posting something that is considered unethical, and I removed the paragraph to avoid anyone from reading it.

Sorry once again and thanks.

[graphicsgenie]

Unethical.... Not interested

[JasonP]

Originally Posted by graphicsgenie

Unethical.... Not interested

Agreed. Work hard and you'll be rewarded.

[wassim]

Actually I'm so much interested in doing what is ethical and only ethical, and to be honest I did not know it's one of the unethical stuff. Anyway you don't have to be harsh on me lol. Your short answer was like a slap on my face, and I'm not that bad guy you think is.

Thanks :-)

Originally Posted by graphicsgenie

Unethical.... Not interested

[Steve MacLellan]

Hi wassim,

Not sure whether you are talking about a product or service -- not that it matters much. Any forum that allows you to blatantly promote either one, is likely to be visited by folks who want to do the same thing. Everyone is posting their ad... nobody is reading them -- similar to sites offering free classified ads. Go ahead, but you're wasting your time.

Forums where there is actual discussion won't allow self promotion. But like this forum, you can participate by offering something of value; whether it be adding to the discussion threads, and/or offering solutions and help to those you can. This is called building relationships and there isn't any instant gratification, but the client base you build this way can last a lifetime. I'm still working with a few people I met on discussion forums in 1997.

I know you hear a lot of people talk about relationship building as a marketing strategy but there really isn't any strategy to it that most marketers would understand. It means that you actually take a genuine interest in someone else's well-being other than your own.

For example... one client bought an ebook I authored about using an old web editor called NVU to build a website with. When the order came in I refunded him his money. Of course he emailed me to ask why. I told him I don't make a living from selling ebooks, and that he had spent enough money on my services over the years and I was making it complimentary to him.

What the heck! The ebook was only $29, but he could use the help.

Over the course of the next couple of days I made an extra $1000 on the ebook. Yep, he had promoted it to his list (no affiliate link) -- it was money in my pocket. Of course, I had no idea that this was going to happen -- I was simply trying to help him out.

I can honestly say that some of my main clients have been more help to me than I have been to them. This guy would never have known about me if it weren't for helpful posts I added to discussion threads on forums.

From the thread you started it looks like you're really very helpful. I see you have been thanked a number of times for your posts. You're on the right track, but just don't get carried away with promoting what you have to offer on forums. You're better off paying some advertising costs than losing any credibility you're trying to build.

Regards,
Steve MacLellan

[young-Money]

Would have like to see what you call unethical.lol

[wassim]

Steve,

It was a very valuable advice, I really appreciate it. In fact at the moment you were writing this reply, I was busy editing my initial post because I couldn't believe that someone think it's unethical... and this is simply not me.

Even though I was sad that I couldn't edit my post before someone like you read it, I was glad also because if you didn't read it, I wouldn't get this stunning reply.

All what you said is something I actually do... It's just one stupid idea I had on my mind anyway and posted it at its moment.

Talking about Building Relationships is something very important... and if it makes any sense to you, then it would be nice that we both build this kind of relationships.

Thanks Steve.

Originally Posted by Steve MacLellan

Hi wassim,

Not sure whether you are talking about a product or service -- not that it matters much. Any forum that allows you to blatantly promote either one, is likely to be visited by folks who want to do the same thing. Everyone is posting their ad... nobody is reading them -- similar to sites offering free classified ads. Go ahead, but you're wasting your time.

Forums where there is actual discussion won't allow self promotion. But like this forum, you can participate by offering something of value; whether it be adding to the discussion threads, and/or offering solutions and help to those you can. This is called building relationships and there isn't any instant gratification, but the client base you build this way can last a lifetime. I'm still working with a few people I met on discussion forums in 1997.

I know you hear a lot of people talk about relationship building as a marketing strategy but there really isn't any strategy to it that most marketers would understand. It means that you actually take a genuine interest in someone else's well-being other than your own.

For example... one client bought an ebook I authored about using an old web editor called NVU to build a website with. When the order came in I refunded him his money. Of course he emailed me to ask why. I told him I don't make a living from selling ebooks, and that he had spent enough money on my services over the years and I was making it complimentary to him.

What the heck! The ebook was only $29, but he could use the help.

Over the course of the next couple of days I made an extra $1000 on the ebook. Yep, he had promoted it to his list (no affiliate link) -- it was money in my pocket. Of course, I had no idea that this was going to happen -- I was simply trying to help him out.

I can honestly say that some of my main clients have been more help to me than I have been to them. This guy would never have known about me if it weren't for helpful posts I added to discussion threads on forums.

From the thread you started it looks like you're really very helpful. I see you have been thanked a number of times for your posts. You're on the right track, but just don't get carried away with promoting what you have to offer on forums. You're better off paying some advertising costs than losing any credibility you're trying to build.

Regards,
Steve MacLellan