Ok, for a second time I almost broke the rules when some one asked about a product and I told them I had a product like they needed. This was pointed out as still against the rules even though I didnt state the name and I quickly deleted it.

So my question is, I am sure a lot of you have a product or service and read a post that fits your description and want to reply but can't so what do you do?

I dont want to bug my few customers to come check out this forum to promote my product and I dont have a big enough customer base where they wander in here.

Not complaining or anything just wondering how other people do things as to avoid anymore mistakes:)

aNc

1) You asked users to contact you regarding your product.
2) You can not promote your product in the manner you did if you're product is listed in your sig (ie, in my product, my product etc)
3) Before you do, you can't ask your customers to promote your product for you...that's just as unethical (may not be against the rules, but is unethical)

WHT does not exist for you to promote your products, it exists to talk about Web Hosting (hence the name, webhostingtalk). The advertising forums would be where you advertise your product, as well as in your sig. You should be thankful that you are allowed those oppurtunities to advertise.


edit: To answer your question:

So my question is, I am sure a lot of you have a product or service and read a post that fits your description and want to reply but can't so what do you do?


You could:
PM the user
Email the user

That's about it though...
You can't:
Blatantly advertise
direct to a thread in the ad forums
Imply you provide a service/product in your post

That's a tough call.

Personally, I just send them elsewhere. I offer hosting and other things, but I'll send them to other people I've used if its in the wrong forum to offer my services. I even feel awkward contacting my friends on here and asking them to post about me, so I don't do that.

I'm certainly not perfect, and I've broken my own rules in life, but I try to do the right thing even if I don't like it.

No I didn't mean just ask a customer to promote my product, I meant when you get a "testomonial" email asking them to post it here. But that would still be unethical I guess.

Ok, emails and PM's are ok then?

I am not saying come here to advertise, I am saying hey your here your reading a post, they are asking for something you have. Not going arround and posting "Hey buy my thing" every where.

aNc

Ok, emails and PM's are ok then?

I think they are, better PM chicken or another mod to verify. IMO, just hang out here, help the people at need help and you'll be exposed to A LOT of people - not exactly word of mouth, but has the same effect.

Originally posted by skelley1
That's a tough call.

Personally, I just send them elsewhere. I offer hosting and other things, but I'll send them to other people I've used if its in the wrong forum to offer my services. I even feel awkward contacting my friends on here and asking them to post about me, so I don't do that.

I'm certainly not perfect, and I've broken my own rules in life, but I try to do the right thing even if I don't like it.

You sendd em to me and I'll send em to you;)

Joke!! Dont start flaming me!

I see what you are saying. I dont want to promote my hosting co, infact its not even in my signature. I have a tangible good, software. And I am not saying make whole posts about it, but if the post is there I would like to post;) Maybie I should just give a few copies away so people can start to get familiar with it. Who knows.

Maybie I should just give a few copies away so people can start to get familiar with it.

Free is always good. That's how linux got popular :D

Of course to find some one to give it to you still have to advertise;) I acctually emailed the ad link below and WHF about advertising.

Originally posted by acameron

Ok, emails and PM's are ok then?


They may also be regarded as SPAM, if the recepient did not ask for replies using such methods.

Originally posted by acameron


You sendd em to me and I'll send em to you;)

Joke!! Dont start flaming me!

I see what you are saying. I dont want to promote my hosting co, infact its not even in my signature. I have a tangible good, software. And I am not saying make whole posts about it, but if the post is there I would like to post;) Maybie I should just give a few copies away so people can start to get familiar with it. Who knows.

lol..

if you have a new software, one of the best ways to promote it is to give it out to several people in exchange for thorough, controlled feedback (depending on the cost of your software). This will also give you some constructive criticism as well. Just the fact of advertising that you are doing this will bring attention to your product and may stick in someone's mind the next time they see a post like that.

Also, offering to help people without offering paid services will gain friends and occasional customers. Sending pm's and emails to sell them something is the same as spam IMHO.

Creativity and patience are the keys my young acameron-san.

Ha yea I already made that mistake! I spent 7 hours traking down and emailing 275 web hosts some didn't mind and ordered some just didn't reply and some got rather mad;) The post with them telling me how they felt about it was deleted by the admins but it wasn't pretty. I fealt bad cause I never intended it to be "spam" but some people took it that way.

aNc

Originally posted by acameron
...I am saying hey your here your reading a post, they are asking for something you have.

Ok, emails and PM's are ok then?

As was said, if you see someone asking for something you offer, you can't reply on the main forums. Even if they post, "Anyone know someone who offers Service Provider software for billing, support, and service management?" -you still may only reply to the user via PM or Email.

However, often times members post looking for suggestions or recommendations and that is not an invitation to send them an offer, etc. Be friendly, ask first. Maybe send them a PM saying, "Hi!" and include the URL to the thread you saw and ask for permission to send an offer, etc. In other words, network, but only with those who've requested it in the ad forums or given you permission to send then info. Don't abuse this either. Use common sense.

Yes, PM's can appear to be spam. You don't know how the person is going to take it. If you do, be polite and personable, and don't make it a 'copy and paste' job.
Read the 'room' and act accordingly.
I see some hosts post (nothing relevant or important) in a thread where a person is bitching about a host. Here it is obvious that the poster only posted so the person could see their sig. Some actually join in on the complaining. example:
inoccent poster: My host sucks
reply by a host1: Yes they do
reply by a host2: Sorry to hear that
reply by a host3: thumbs down icon
reply by a helpful host: Have you tried doing a search on alternative hosts with the features you want here? You may also try the requests forum.

If you want to build a decent reputation, it won't be quick. It is usually the bad reps that develop quickly.

Originally posted by akash


I think they are, better PM chicken or another mod to verify. IMO, just hang out here, help the people at need help and you'll be exposed to A LOT of people - not exactly word of mouth, but has the same effect.

Personally, I never advertise through PM's like that. It really pisses me off when people do it. Specially like when a host on here (I wont name names) offered me a reseller package when I posted about rackforce. Did I ask for this? Hell no. If someone PM's me like that I automaticly ban it from anything I'm going to buy. If you want to sell your product(s) on WHT then post it in the ad forums.

Originally posted by interactive


Personally, I never advertise through PM's like that. It really pisses me off when people do it. Specially like when a host on here (I wont name names) offered me a reseller package when I posted about rackforce. Did I ask for this? Hell no. If someone PM's me like that I automaticly ban it from anything I'm going to buy. If you want to sell your product(s) on WHT then post it in the ad forums.

I guess this will always be the case. Remember when D2D was popular? look at Avon. Sure they really upset some people but they are still no1 because they push. They go D2D and sell;)

aNc

Enjoy the forum as a community in which to learn and share. Let business benefits come gradually and naturally. Yes, you will see many threads in which you want to jump in and say "ME!, Try ME!, I CAN HELP YOU!. ME!". However, you will find you get just as much be recommending others you know and think well of and they in turn returning the favor, through no obligation, just honest trust. Also, those who see your signature or see your posts will often contact you directly by PM.

Follow the guidelines and rules and you will find your time here much more enjoyable and you will build relationships with many fine individuals in the industry. Gradually you will become known as will your product.

Originally posted by interactive


Personally, I never advertise through PM's like that. It really pisses me off when people do it. Specially like when a host on here (I wont name names) offered me a reseller package when I posted about rackforce. Did I ask for this? Hell no. If someone PM's me like that I automaticly ban it from anything I'm going to buy. If you want to sell your product(s) on WHT then post it in the ad forums.

Ya I've also had a couple of times where this has happened. And i'd like to list the people who do this. Its annoying - you have a minor problem with your host and the competitors are on you immediately. "If there is anything you need help with please contact us" and other crap like that. I've even been PM'ed (maybe by accident) when I post a good comment about a host. Morally on this forum its just bad, if you need business from WHT then post your offers - don't be hiding in the shawdows. And because of this I will never work with those companies who have PM'ed me "if I need any help". Its almost like going into your competitors store and selling your own product. If i'm looking for a new host I will find one - I don't need to be pushed into it.....:rolleyes: