Advertising Your Product on the Forum

[Bill Childs]

There seems to be a lot of folks here who are in the boat or marine related products business - myself included. This makes for a lot of great advice from professionals. Most adhere to the forum policy of not self-promoting their business or product. I think this is partly why this forum works so well and is enjoyed by many.

I've noticed that it is not normal protocol to state your business or profession with every post you send. So when I see something like "Acme Epoxy Company" tacked onto the end of every post one particular person sends I get the feeling it's there to advertise a product. If everybody here who has a product they would like to promote did this it would be just like turning on television or thumbing through a glossy magazine loaded with advertisements.

Am I being too picky here or do I really see a possible imbalance or abuse of etiquette?

Bill Childs
US Dept of Stamp-Out-Solicitors
NW Patrol

[paladin]

dunno..I sorta ignore it....
maybe I could sign off with
"Elektronical injuneering airplane driver,
and cocker spaniel breeding parlor".....
if I thought I could get some biznesss....

[Alan D. Hyde]

I've seen that sort of thing once in a great while.

No regular poster that I know of is abusing it.

If someone adds an identifier that is related to wooden boats--- e.g. "Curator, Chris-Craft Collection," or an association with a wooden boat company, e. g., "Skiff-Craft, Inc.," then I regard that as useful information which informs me as to the poster's knowledge and credibility while also giving me a useful contact, which I may pursue or ignore as I wish.

IF someone can make a living, or part of a living, catering to people's wooden boat related needs, then it won't make me too unhappy if I learn about them thru this site. In fact, I'll be gratified. :D

As long as glaring tub-thumping commercialism is avoided, that is...

Alan

[JimConlin]

There is approximately one such person.
I would prefer that it were zero.

[Noah]

I think that it's fine, and more ethical to say that you are evolved in a business than not to.

If someone knows more about Epoxy because they make the stuff, that's great. Heck, the Chemist may have steered us to one product over others because he made it. Who knows?

I'm involved in the Pro Audio biz, and I often contribute on the forums. I say that I work for a manufacturer, but still provide useful information. I'm sure you would all appreciate it if there was a product designer for Interlux or West on the board that could answer specific questions with real insight. Plus you would probably welcome George Kirby with open arms if he would tell us all how to paint our boats perfectly.

I also see a ton of bad or wrong information posted on this board by some hacker that just fiberglassed his planked boat with bondo and says it's working great, than someone that knows what they are talking about. That to me is much worse than an expert in their field giving us the straight dope.

[Tom Lathrop]

I do not object to the identification of the poster with business listed if it's relevant. Heck, I wish that all posters would identify themselves at least with a real name.

[ 05-24-2005, 12:57 PM: Message edited by: Tom Lathrop ]

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

Originally posted by Tom Lathrop:
I do not object to the identification of the poster with business listed if it's relevant. Heck, I wish that all posters would identify themselves at least with a real name.Here here http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif

_________
Joe Foster
Tess' dad ;)

[Kevin L.]

I agree. Company info, etc., should be limited to one's profile only and should not normally appear in a post. When it does, it seems to me at least to violate the spirit of the forum. If you are curious as to the background of a contributor, you can get that from the profile, if it is provided. If that information has not been listed in the profile, and you are not familiar with that contributor's knowledge on a topic from other postings, then simply take that person's advice for what it is - free.

[whb]

I think it is very useful when a person identifies themselves in this fashion. I don't see it as an advert as much as a way of telling us what a person does and therfore allowing us to judge their posts in light of their position.

In fact, I think it should be encouraged. It lets us know up front that a person may have a commercial interest in the topic and is therefore more ethical than not posting their bias.

The person in question has been a very good source of information and other than a few foibles early on when he was new has not posted in an inappropriate manner.

I appreciate his involvement in the forum.

Howard

[Frank Wentzel]

I agree Howard!

/// Frank ///

[CarlZog]

I'll mention my business if it's pertinent to the topic at hand.
Similarly, I'd very much like to see people post their home port when discussing things like the weather and other local phenomenon. And I'd like to see them post some kind of boat i.d. when discussing their pride and joy.
These things help put posts in perspective, but certainly don't have to appear all together all the time.

Carl Herzog

P.S. For the record...
Editor, Reed's Nautical Almanacs
Providence, RI
"Irene Agnes"
1936 Sea Bird Yawl

[Steve Lansdowne]

As I see it, mentioning that you are affiliated with "Bob's Boats," or whatever is not promoting a product, only stating what you do for a living. Personally I pay more attention to a posting from somebody who does such and so for a living than from one who is as much a novice as I, though there are several very knowledgable folks on the forum who are not necessarily engaged in boat-related businesses as a job. Now, if the poster says "I recommend Bob's boat paint," that is another story.

[Bill Childs]

OK, so I guess it doesn't bother most of you. Now I know.

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not against professional advice. I think it's most helpful and welcome when a professional throws his or her two cents in concerning a relevent topic and identifies his or her credentials and experience. What I was aiming at was this:
I'm reading through a nice thread about the launching of a very traditional dory. Excellent photos show solid lumber planks held together with rivets and tar oozing out of the seams - the real deal meal. Lots of appropriate congratulatory posts. Then I read something like this:
"Nice job and wonderful photos" - Bubba's Jet Boat Engines

What the #&@! does jet boat engines have to do with it?

[Figment]

I'm with Tom and others on this one. If listing one's qualification is relevant to the post, then great, it's a contribution. If it's not relevant to the post, it's an unwelcome advertisement.

Bill, take comfort in the fact that some of us habitually skip-over the posts of such people, regardless of topic... treat them as you would any troll.
Take further comfort in the fact that they're the last people with whom we'll chose to do business... treat them as you would any pop-up ad.

[ddeaton]

It doesnt bother me either. In fact I would like to see it. I search every day on here for items I am looking for, and every little hint helps. I wouldnt have found the design for my Penobscot if I hadnt seen the add in a mag. I am new to building boats and thank everyone for their help.

[John B]

Yes,,, its a fair point but I'm not so sure this 'product placement'in the forum is so bad. I think it probably could apply to a couple of people here. And historically, there's been quite a few where their company names are their log in names.
I know what you're saying but personally, when I see those signatures or company names, it just means I pay more attention when the individual speaks about the field he works in.

Good food for thought though.

[L.W. Baxter]

I think it's like a woman with too much lipstick.

[John B]

she's food for thought? ;)

[L.W. Baxter]

Sure, but she doesn't have to try so hard. Her talents are either obvious, or nonexistent.

[Ellis Rowe]

This is my first, and only forum. When I first posted here, I posted as RoweBoats, never giving it a thought. After being here awhile, I realized that I was putting an ad on every post, so I changed my posting name. Hope I didn't offend anyone. It was totally from ignorance of any forum protocol. Ellis Rowe; part time beer belly and guitar player, boatbuilder, horseshoer,well driller,demolition ex-spurt, tugboat captain,automobile sales and service...Revolutions started, revolutions quelled. Call BR549 for additional services and a complete list of fees. smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif

[hikingchrs]

I really don't like this thread I think it is unfair to single anyone out like this, this is WoodenBoats' forum it is their job to police it not ours. I do not think it is wrong for people to mention that they are in business it is not like anyone is posting sale fliers or prices...
the forum is enriched by people that know something about stuff.
Chris

[Bill Childs]

" I do not think it is wrong for people to mention that they are in business...... the forum is enriched by people that know something about stuff."

You are absolutely right Chris. Did somebody complain about getting great advice from professionals or mentioning that they are in the business? I certainly didn't.
I don't want, or mean to, string this thing out and beat a dead horse but my point seems to have been missed by many. Here is my simple point - When a person writes their company name at the bottom of every post, even when the topic has absolutely nothing to do with their expertise or business, it is there for one reason only. Self promotion.
This great forum is one of the few places a person can go to chat and get great advice about wood boats without seeing a bunch of pop-up ads and feel like someone is attempting to promote their product. When one person continually takes advantage of the situation by going out the way to type his company name on every post, well, I consider that "unfair".
'Nuff said, I don't intend to start any revolutions.

Bill Childs

[Chris Coose]

If I want ads I'll open the magazine.

Chris
Top of the Hill Counseling
"Best damn substance abuse treatment in the state."

[Reilly, Mark]

The profile is there to let people know more about the poster. I look at them when I see a posting from someone new etc. Sometimes it adds credibility to a posting to know that the poster has a greater expertise, but why not put it in the profile? Many of us have little or no info in the profile because its a little unsettling to share that kind of personal info when you are first joining the forum. My vote...update your profile and leave out the advertising.

Mark

[Ellis Rowe]

Bill, If you do happen to get one started, don't forget, I do quell revolutions!!

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Bill Childs:
I've noticed that it is not normal protocol to state your business or profession with every post you send. So when I see something like "Acme Epoxy Company" tacked onto the end of every post one particular person sends I get the feeling it's there to advertise a product.It's considered proper netiquette to identify you have a financial or professional interest in the topic at hand. It's not for advertising purposes—it's to alert people that the poster's opinions may well be biased.

If Mr. Smith is recommending for a solution the use of an expensive miracle penetrating epoxy that's 80% cheap solvents, I'd like to know that he reaps financial rewards from the sale of that product. It affects the weight I give his advice, one way or another.

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Originally posted by John B:
And historically, there's been quite a few where their company names are their log in names.
Guilty as charged. Very early on I also had a bye-line that appeared under every post, but I soon decided that that was (a) too near the self-advertisement knuckle, and (b) became very monotonous to have to look at all the time. So it was dropped in short order.

In a few cases where a technical post perforce had to include information that could have been considered to be self-advertising, I have drawn Scot's attention to it and asked whether he'd like me to withdraw it. (So far he's never said, "Yes.")

I also post under my real name though, and I choose which identity to use in any particular case based on the content of the post. "Private" comments are posted under "Mike Field," whereas posts where I think what I have to say can be constructive within my technical specialty are posted as this one is.

I suppose under the circumstances it's needless for me to say that I see no objection to Ellis' original Forum identity.

Mike
.

[notwoodbut...]

I'm new to the forum and I find it helpful to know a little about the folks who are part of it. Internet groups are by definition, communities. This community is in some ways more closely-knit than many neighborhoods, my own included. If one of my neighbors was an expert or just knowledgable in a given field, I may or may not seek his/her advice. There's no charge and no obligation. I'll take anyone's advice but would prefer to take it from someone with credentials.
Besides, given our common interest or mental weakness, there are many times when one of us will have a product or service that you just can't find out there on the street.
In sort, blatent advertising---NO. Sharing knowledge and identifying oneself properly---why not?
Jim

[Ian McColgin]

Anyone who thinks of this place as an advertising venue is wasting his or her own time. Folk here read and take advice but this is not a place to make a market score and besides, the most blatant product endorsements - like our endless praise for CPES - is from folk who use, not sell.

It is nice to know who is in the trade and what way but it's also nice for it to come along in bits - I'd no idea that Carl was with my very favorite almanac - and I already got my replacement copy for the Reed's sunk with Grana.

So, far as I'm concerned, people should continue to use real names, pseudonyms, revelations of professionaly boatiness, or whatever just as they please.

But in the interest of full disclosure:

Capt. Ian McColgin
Consulting Yachtsman
& Philosopher

[Art Read]

Art Read: Amatuer wood butcher, sea bottom finder and relationship "expert"... ;)

[Bill Childs]

Thanks for your thoughts on this all. Sounds like most of us agree that advice from any and all is welcome and it is more helpfull if we know the advice givers credentials. Also sounds like blatant advertising is not welcome to most.
Have a great wekend and be safe

Billy (Boom) Childs
Composer and Arranger of Appalachian Strip Mall Funk Tunes and Dealer of Supa' Righteous Pimpin' Hats