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Self Promotion
- Thread starter sirmyk
- Start date
Kookamoor
New Member
I think this is a very sensitive issue, but also an important one. From what I've seen here, the self promotion rule usually works to prevent people from jumping on, posting a few 'buy my book' notices and then departing forever. In the case of sirmyk, however, it's a little more difficult because he is a regular poster who is here for more than just self-promotion. I think a look at the membership agreement is in order to prevent this happening again.
Some suggestions:
1. Regarding the Book of the Month poll, Sirmyk already suggested that a modification be made to the allowability of voters. Here are some rules from a Coke competition:
2. Discussions with the author. Many people have stated that the opportunity to discuss a book with the author would be great, and it is a shame that the forum regulations prevent this. Would it be possible for an author to apply to have a thread discussing their work? This would be a single thread in the author's section which the moderators establish wherein the author can address readers and answer their questions. The moderators could have criteria for whether they allowed such a thread based on the author's membership (ie: length of membership, activity on the forum) and reknown (if the author has already been mentioned on the forum prior to their becoming a member and there is thus an established interest). This way there can be that dialogue between author and reader, and it is moderator-endorsed discussion which is confined to a single thread. Outside that thread the usual rules against self-promotion would apply.
Some suggestions:
1. Regarding the Book of the Month poll, Sirmyk already suggested that a modification be made to the allowability of voters. Here are some rules from a Coke competition:
It would be simple to add a sticky in the Book of the Month discussion section along these lines and require that people affiliated with any nomitated book, whether author of family member or close friend offline, be prevented from voting. If it was noticed that a large number of new members were voting for one particular book that could be investigated further.
2. Discussions with the author. Many people have stated that the opportunity to discuss a book with the author would be great, and it is a shame that the forum regulations prevent this. Would it be possible for an author to apply to have a thread discussing their work? This would be a single thread in the author's section which the moderators establish wherein the author can address readers and answer their questions. The moderators could have criteria for whether they allowed such a thread based on the author's membership (ie: length of membership, activity on the forum) and reknown (if the author has already been mentioned on the forum prior to their becoming a member and there is thus an established interest). This way there can be that dialogue between author and reader, and it is moderator-endorsed discussion which is confined to a single thread. Outside that thread the usual rules against self-promotion would apply.
Peder
Well-Known Member
Sirmyk,sirmyk said:
I couldn't begin to tell you, because they are widely different on different sites even with the same written member agreements. In one site I know, actors give details of prices, performances and roles, and get high fives for their good fortune. Another site bars promotion of any sort, whether self- or other. And I haven't been here long enough to say anything about this site. So I think you just have to feel your way, go easily realizing the risks involved, and hope for some forebearance. But, as was mentioned (I think), if you have an inner grudge it will come out in your posts one way or another and it won't help. Getting one's inner self under control is the hard part for me, but it is all I can offer.
Peder
Motokid
New Member
sirmyk said:
Fortunately, or unfortunately (and this applies to many things besides self-promotion) everything is pretty much allowed here at TBF, until just one, single person complains, then the ax falls. Then we have fall-out for a while. Then things get back to normal. The fortunately or unfortunately part depends on where, or on whom the ax falls.
The only way to pevent that is to have the mods use a heavy hand on what's allowed and what's not...and who wants that?
So we either plod along, happily pushing the envelope of what the rules allow until we get caught, or we have a forum that many people would not want to be a part of.
Doug Johnson
kickbox
sirmyk said:
I run an ad agency. For anyone promoting any product:
A sense of humor helps.
Listen to feedback.
Don't waste people's time.
Don't be too intrusive.
Be yourself.
Be unique.
Be succinct.
Image matters.
On the Internet, people expect personal communication. Everyone hates spam.
Don't take rejection personally. You can't sell to everyone.
Learn from your mistakes, but don't give up.
Jemima Aslana
New Member
It all sounds very sensible, Doug. But how could anyone possibly define "too intrusive" on a forum with a multitude of members such as TBF? Very few people put their boundaries in exactly the same place. Also: exactly when will people consider their time wasted? Very individual definition there. And: What is hilarious to me may be utterly insulting to you - so sense of humour? Whose sense of humour? To be oneself - yep, but what if said 'self' really sin't neither nice, nor fun to talk to?
So you see, even such basic and seemingly precise rules can be very vague when applied to reality
So you see, even such basic and seemingly precise rules can be very vague when applied to reality
Doug Johnson
kickbox
Jemima Aslana said:So you see, even such basic and seemingly precise rules can be very vague when applied to reality
Maybe, but people are vague. The way to deal with them is listen. If people like you and buy your book, you're doing a good job. If they're complaining, you're not. Just listen.
I haven't been hanging around here too long, but I imagine it's the same as anywhere. If people at your church or work like you, they might buy your book. If you're in their face, pushing your wares constantly, they'll get irratated and they probably won't.
Doug Johnson
kickbox
Jemima Aslana said:
I recommend Catcher in The Rye.
Jemima Aslana
New Member
Aye, but you can't please everyone, and some people can get annoyed over something the majority would find inconsequential, but as someone else stated: all we need is a complaint from one person, who may or may not be oversensitive. So even acting like everyone else does won't necessarily keep you safe.Doug Johnson said:
As for Catcher in the Rye... I greatly disliked that book, it gave me nothing, and keep wondering why we had to read it. With my statement I mostly had myself in mind. Trust me, I'm among the more mean and sarcastic people you can meet on my local campus, if I came here behaving like the git I actually am I'd be banned in no time. So I for one will not be entirely myself when posting on here.
Ronny
Well-Known Member
sirmyk said:
I'm not so concerned about correctness, as often I just don't care. It seems that people so often like to complain of politics but so few vote or write to their reps and it just seems so frustrating to listen and know they will do nothing. I don't know a lot about politics but I do know that many do nothing about their beliefs.