Why Was My Post Deleted?

25 replies
I just spent quite a bit of time writing up what I found to be a very useful post for newbies and it was deleted? Can somebody explain to me why this was? I'm known for providing lots of value in the offline section of this forum and wanted to share some knowledge here... It would be greatly appreciated if somebody could explain to me.

Moderators, could you please read my deleted post and see that it is 100% original content and reinstate it? I'm really at a loss as to why it was deleted.

Thanks,
Ben

EDIT: Thank you to Paul Myers for explaining the rules to me. My post was definitely an article and not a discussion piece, which made me in the wrong here. I was unaware of the rules, but now understand. For those who are interested in reading the original post, you can view it at [link deleted] Thanks everyone!
#deleted #post
  • Profile picture of the author danr62
    Read the rules. Your post was an article, which is not allowed. Additionally, you aren't supposed to ask why a thread is deleted.
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    I just read through the rules, and I don't see anything about "Articles". I understand that copying articles from other sites and pasting them would be against the rules, but I wrote the post specifically for this section of WF. Maybe people should read it before assuming things.

    -Ben
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Dan is exactly right. It is an article, and they're not usually allowed in the discussion sections. That's why I removed it.

    I can send you a copy of the info if you haven't saved it already. Good content, mind you. Just the wrong format for conversation.


    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    By the way...
    P.S. If you find this post helpful, please hit "THANKS" below. Also feel free to rate the thread as 5-star Excellent on the Rate Thread tab at the top of this post! Thanks everyone!!
    ... Posts with those requests in them tend to get deleted for no other reason than having those requests in them.


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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

      By the way... ... Posts with those requests in them tend to get deleted for no other reason than having those requests in them.

      Just saw your comment about soliciting the Thanks. If I remove that from the bottom would it be possible to get it reinstated? Thanks!
      As I think I've said before - thanks, like respect, are earned not asked for.
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    Hi Paul,

    Thanks for getting back to me. At the end of my post I encouraged other Warriors to add to my post and if anybody had any questions I would answer them. The post ended up being a lot longer than I originally intended, but I have written a lot of long posts in the offline section and people have really found a lot of value in what I write.

    So going forward, if I want to share things I've learned, rather than just asking questions, do I need to sell them as a WSO? It seems odd to put a length limit on a post, especially when I am encouraging discussion at the very end of it.

    Anyway, thanks for clarifying with me. I had no idea that it would be something that would be deleted. Would becoming a War Room member help you change your decision? I really do think it is valuable for newbies to read and I spent over an hour writing it!

    Thanks,
    Ben

    EDIT: Just saw your comment about soliciting the Thanks. If I remove that from the bottom would it be possible to get it reinstated? Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Ben,
      Would becoming a War Room member help you change your decision?
      No. War Room membership buys you access to extra features and content, but it does not exempt you from any of the rules.

      It does get you a blog here, which you can use for articles if you like.

      I have said several times in the past that posting an article and calling for discussion does not make it any less an article. Posting something like that (good content or not) as a thread starter is the problem. Long replies added to an ongoing discussion are not.


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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    Thanks Paul... that makes sense. So if I'm hearing you correctly, I could have a shorter thread to start and then reply to my own thread to go into more details?

    I really want to abide by the rules and this is my first time really posting in the main discussion forum. I'm a big believer in sharing value and feel like I have done so with past posts.

    I will look at reformatting my post to fit in to the rules. Thank you for clarifying things with me-- I really appreciate that rather than just leaving me hanging wondering why!

    Thanks,
    Ben
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Ben,
      Thanks Paul... that makes sense. So if I'm hearing you correctly, I could have a shorter thread to start and then reply to my own thread to go into more details?
      Breaking an article into installments just makes it several articles.

      This is, by the way, why we usually don't answer "Why was my thread deleted?" It almost always makes for long discussions in which people try to find ways to do what they weren't allowed the first time. You're substantially more pleasant about it than most, but it's still time consuming.

      The reason for the policy might help: If we let people post articles in the discussion sections, they'll turn into article dumps in no time. We already have 3 or 4 SEO-wannabe spammers and rent-a-posters trying to get away with putting up copy-and-paste articles here every day.

      The reason I answered your question, despite having done the monthly (or so) discussion on this recently, is that your post appeared to have been original material written specifically for this group. It was not self-promotional, and it actually carried a useful message.

      It's still an article.


      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Just from my own perspective only Ben, an original Hook in the title would be nice... Using one thats already popular is smart, but to some it appears to lack integrity, which I know you dont lack, nor originality.
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  • Profile picture of the author alistair
    I'd just like to say that if you do happen to post your "article" again somewhere appropriate then I'd like to read it as it seems to have the stamp of approval in one sense and I'm always looking for helpful and free information.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Originally Posted by alistair View Post

      I'd just like to say that if you do happen to post your "article" again somewhere appropriate then I'd like to read it as it seems to have the stamp of approval in one sense and I'm always looking for helpful and free information.
      Here. It's attached.

      I was going to PM a copy to Ben, in case he hadn't saved it, but it's too long for even two PMs...


      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author danr62
    An idea you could use (that John Durham recently used) is to use your OP as a starting point to plant the seed. John intentionally left out an important piece (traffic generation) knowing that people would point out that he didn't talk about that. He then used replies to talk about traffic generation and to encourage others to do the same.
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      I think this thread should win an award for being the first "Why was my post deleted thread" not to have had the popcorn muncher in it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Ben,
    Very true... I guess my reputation from the offline section doesn't automatically transfer over to the main section, as I'm quickly learning!!
    No, it doesn't, but you're not doing yourself any harm with your responses here.


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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Ben, I guess you should feel AWESOME... because I can attest that Paul doesnt usually give the time of day after deleting.

    I did the same thing a couple of years ago, whined on a thread about being deleted and got a 30 day vacation.... No it wasnt to vegas!
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    John,
    I did the same thing a couple of years ago, whined on a thread about being deleted and got a 30 day vacation.... No it wasnt to vegas!
    Different situation. You'd get the same vacation certificate today if you did the same thing as back then.


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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Ben, if you join the Warroom you can post the article in its entirety on your blog. As people read your posts in the main forum, some who like what they read will click the link to see what you've written on your blog. It won't get as many view that way, but you'll still be helping others and building a reputation.
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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    • Profile picture of the author globalpro
      Ben,

      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Ben, if you join the Warroom you can post the article in its entirety on your blog. As people read your posts in the main forum, some who like what they read will click the link to see what you've written on your blog. It won't get as many view that way, but you'll still be helping others and building a reputation.
      Dennis has made an excellent suggestion. I have read your stuff in the offline section and it always has value. This would be a great way to carry on with what you are doing.

      Thanks,

      John
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    Wow, thanks Paul! You have obviously gone above and beyond what is expected in terms of dealing with my question. I can see how parts of your job can be one big pain in the a$$ with people complaining about posts getting deleted.

    I hope my tone didn't come off as complaining. (Which it probably didn't, and is why you actually responded.) But I really appreciate you taking the time to do so. At this point I'm sure it it clear that I'm not just some spammer on the WF, but I understand you have to have certain guidelines that everybody must follow in order to keep the place from getting run over with crappy content.

    Anyway, I hope people can at least learn something from this thread now! I know I have! LOL...

    -Ben

    P.S. Thank you for not giving me a month long vacation! Haha John, now you have me curious as to what that was for!
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Ben,
    John, now you have me curious as to what that was for!
    To put it discreetly, it was for NOT handling it the way you have.


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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Ben: I can assure you that it is sometimes tough to "create a discussion point", as opposed to "writing an article". :p

    The difference as I see it is one where you are almost asking a question or creating new questions to ask, as opposed to entering the discussion with all of the answers provided.

    When I am writing an article, I am the smartest person in the room, with all of the right answers.

    When I am trying to create a discussion point, I am trying to get other people to question and talk about the topic I want to talk about.

    If I am successful in creating the discussion point, I can always put some of my answers in the follow-up posts, so long as I can convince people to ask the right questions.

    It certainly is a different kind of writing style that I am trying to perfect, after having been a know-it-all article writer for more than a decade.
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    TPW, that is very good advice on the the difference between an article and a discussion piece. It is a fine line to walk and I obviously have some work to do on it!


    Originally Posted by ncmedia View Post

    I haz a question.

    Why is the 'why was my post deleted' post up to 26 posts?

    OP seems to be getting more exposure here than the article would have...
    You are absolutely right-- this thread has received more views than my original one probably would have received! I can assure you that was not my intention. If you have followed my posts in the Offline Marketing section of the forum, you will see that I am one who shares my knowledge. I was genuinely trying to do the same with my first main post in the main internet marketing section.

    [link deleted]

    I know there will be people who think I'm just trying to drive hits to my blog, but that was not my original intent in posting the original thread. I did spend about an hour writing the original post though, so I don't want it to go to waste.

    -Ben

    P.S. Paul, I know I've thanked you repeatedly throughout this thread, but I really appreciate you taking the time to explain things to me. Hopefully other Warriors can learn from this thread on the rules of posting and also how to treat people with respect. Just because a post is deleted doesn't mean you should get all up and arms and start bashing the moderators as being unfair. Rules are rules and when enforced consistently people should respect them and not take it personally.
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