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Have self promotional rules been relaxed?

by James Schramko
15 replies
Hi,

I noticed there are some interesting trends taking place in here:

1) People are posting a new thread and then within the first sentence making some comment that they then link off site to a blog post they just made... (I would rather they copy the post for us and leave it in here.)

2) Some people are directly embedding their own videos (like tutorials) with watermarked URLs into posts to promote their site.

Should we be sticking to the BIO box or have we loosened up a little?
#promotional #relaxed #rules
  • Profile picture of the author Peter Bestel
    I've noticed this too James, it's becoming a bit boring.

    I know we talk about the self-promotion rules, but are there actually any written down? I couldn't find any, but if someone would like to point me to them, I'd be most grateful.

    Peter
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  • Profile picture of the author James Turner
    Now the forum is being moderated by members, it's up to us all to report violations. If you see something that goes beyond what you believe is acceptable then hit the button.

    We need to hope that there are enough of us hitting the button to make a difference.

    If these posts are allowed to stay then it can only be because the majority find them acceptable.

    James
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  • Profile picture of the author James Schramko
    Cool,

    I have seen in another forum where they have a section for members to add tutorials and videos. I wonder if that would be a good section to add?
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    • Profile picture of the author dustinlemos
      Certain people can get away with bending the rules. JoeBlow with post-count:5 would be called out in minutes.
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  • Profile picture of the author BIG Mike
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Peter Bestel
      That's great Mike, but as they're not written down, as either rules or guidelines, it's up to new members to fall foul or witness others falling foul, of longer-standing members' interpretation of unwritten 'guidelines', before they know any better ! (You can breathe now)

      This trial and error method seems a little clumsy. It's up to Allen of course, but an additional line or two in the 'Forum Rules' sticky wouldn't go amiss IMO.

      Peter
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  • Profile picture of the author lgibbon
    Banned
    Yes it's getting a bit tedious.
    The same could be said about the bumping rules.
    That's another form of self promotion, where someone decides
    their post is more important than anyone elses,
    and keeps it bumped for weeks on end.
    I'm sure you've noticed those never ending posts.
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  • Profile picture of the author James Schramko
    Thanks Big Mike,

    Your experience is worth gold.

    It is really the YouTube embedding that has moved a paradigm. I think there can be some really great enhancements made if regulated by the population.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stanley Tang
    Well, as long as it provides value and not just a blatant spam of their own product, I don't mind.
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  • Profile picture of the author Diana Lane
    I've noticed this too. There's one thread in particular on the go at the moment that I abandoned quite early on when the OP kept telling everyone with a different point of view that they were wrong (without providing any evidence to back this up), and rudely objected to someone else who posted on 'his' thread with links to alternative sources of information.

    It might have got better. I couldn't be bothered to read any more. It did nothing to foster debate whatsoever, and mostly said 'I own all the REAL knowledge on this subject - buy my product and I'll share!'

    Free bad-mannered, self-opinionated product creator with every purchase. I think I'll pass.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    As Mike has already mentioned, when the rules get expanded
    it seems to generate a flurry of people who want to push the
    boundaries.

    There are always people who come here because of selfish
    motives. They are way too small minded to see the benfit of
    fully participating as a community member.

    My personal opinion is that the novelty of being able to report
    the crap has worn of for the majority of members. Standards
    will inevitably slip with greater democratic 'freedom'.

    As others have said.. if you see something that goes too far,
    use the report button.

    John
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    • Profile picture of the author Elmer Hurlstone
      Originally Posted by John Taylor View Post

      "...My personal opinion is that the novelty of being able to report
      the crap has worn off for the majority of members. Standards
      will inevitably slip with greater democratic 'freedom'.

      As others have said.. if you see something that goes too far,
      use the report button."

      John
      There really were some advantages of living under a benevolent dictatorship.


      Elmer
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  • Profile picture of the author James Schramko
    Thanks Steven,

    Yes that makes good sense.

    I was thinking about the broken windows theory from The Tipping Point (fix things fast or they escalate). It may be difficult for some people to report a very popular person, so others see it and then hop on the bandwagon so to speak...
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  • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
    I have seen posts lately that blatantly violate the signature rules. Also, I have seen posts like this: Great info, I've found out how to make money also here: http://www.howispamthreadsandmakemoneytoo.com I just report the posts and move on.

    TomG.
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