Advertising questions on ifish

Jennie@ifish · 08-26-2002, 06:57 AM

It is fairly widely known, by most admin and moderators who work with a large discussion board, that often, questions such as:

"What is the best [product] to buy?"
or--
"Help! Can you help me find the url, address for this [product]?"
--or
"Can you tell me where to find [product]?"
--or
"More people are switching to [product]!"

-- are often written with the primary intent to sell/advertise, and often from someone with a false moniker who is actually associated with the company.

Now, this makes things difficult, because sometimes it really is a sincere question.

This is just a warning for those that post such questions: These posts will be scrutinized more closely by the admin, as advertising is strictly forbidden on ifish, (as a bannable offense), unless you are an ifish vendor.

This is just one of the very difficult tasks at hand, as a moderator/admin/ trying to keep the people who support the board satisfied, and the people accessing the board satisfied and informed.

We understand that reviewing products is a very helpful part of this board, so there is no cut/dried solution to this problem.

Thanks for your continued cooporation, and understanding.

Jen

chummer · 08-26-2002, 09:17 AM

Jennie, recently i posed a question looking for some advice on what to use to clean oxidation off the hull of my aluminum boat, i thought i had some good responses which i intend to try. Is it ok to ask this type of question? Is it ok to reply to this type of question if i've used something (a specific product that works )? By the way, over 5000 posts :shocked: you must win a snoopy fishing rod or some other neat prize for that much effort which i appreciate BTW

Jennie@ifish · 08-26-2002, 09:22 AM

Of course it is alright!

:smile:

The majority of who/what/where posts are fine... It just came to my attention that a few posts posted were for advertising purposes.

It disappoints me, but hey... it's a big world out there.

Jen

[ 08-26-2002, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

crabbait · 08-26-2002, 09:47 AM

Chummer - Of course it is OK to ask questions about products, etc.. That is not a problem.

If people are specifically trying to get a "plug" in for a product or service that they own or are involved with, that is a problem.

Say, for example, that you own a prune processing company and you post a question on the best bass scent. Then you post under a different name that you have had fantastic success after soaking your lures in your specific brand of prune juice. In this way a person could sell a product without becoming the official ifish prune product.

For the majority of ifishers, this is not an issue. You should beware that some people may try this and may misdirect you when you are shopping for a product. Be wary of monikers that you are unfamiliar with usually with low post numbers that are very keen on a product or merchant.

If you are one of the few who attempt free promotion, especially using a second moniker, we are watching for this and it could lead to exposure and expulsion

[ 08-26-2002, 10:48 AM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

OneLastCast · 08-26-2002, 10:35 AM

I understand your policy and it seems logical and fair.

But,
just say I purchased a fine handcrafted rod on a rainshadow blank, made by my request from a prominent member of this board (I won't say names BOE) and was extremely happy with the quality of the workmanship. And the fact it was hand delivered to Tillamook. (it did cost me breakfast). Even though that person does not advertise on this board could I post my feelings of satisfaction and pleasure of such a fine piece of craftmanship?

OneLastCast

Paddlefish · 08-26-2002, 10:50 AM

Great explanation, Crabbait, but I'm afraid that you'll soon be tiptoing into gray waters here!

Remember the style of the "major outdoor magazines" in the 60s? (Can I say "Sports Afield" here without getting into trouble?) :grin:

You'd read a line like, " . . . caught it on one of those banana-shaped plastic plugs which wiggle wildly from side to side when retrieved . . ." rather than saying "FLATFISH!!" :shocked:

Perhaps we'd end up in a fabulous euphamism contest, in order to avoid brand names. :grin:

Seriously, Jen and Crabby are exactly right; it's all about balance. Unfortunately, they've gotta figure out where the balance is.

Good luck!

Jennie@ifish · 08-26-2002, 12:00 PM

The balance is what you guys make it.
Think hard and long about how the people who do support the board will feel about a post.
The thing that makes this board great, is a great group of people.
Understand that this job is very difficult. Just try not to make waves. Easy as that!
In the land of the internet, there is no finding a balance. This is an open forum, for gosh sakes!
Ifish is a very strong voice to the sports fishing population, and if people are bound and determined to get the word out to people, via advertising here, sadly, they are going to get away with it, in many cases.
You want to keep it ifish going, you have to be thoughtful of those who support it.
You don't want to keep it, you make life difficult.
'Sup to you. The whole of ifish..... 'Sup to you!
:smile:

Most folks know that BOE is making rods and doing a fine job at it. Unfortunately, there is no room for him to advertise here right now, but he has inquired about it. He has done right by ifish in many ways.

I'm not in the mood to argue... or defend... or make decisions... I'm too tired.

Oh... and for those who want to make life difficult for me? Today is a good day... Like I said, I'm exhausted and easily perturbed. Want to see Jennie go over the edge? Push me! Push me! :tongue: It just might be more fun over the edge!

Jen

08-26-2002, 12:41 PM

[ 11-25-2002, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

Get Bent · 08-26-2002, 12:49 PM

You had to feed BOE to get your rod delivered? Wouldn't it have been cheaper to have it flown in by lear jet?

WaterDog · 08-26-2002, 12:55 PM

How many hats do you need? :tongue:

OneLastCast · 08-26-2002, 02:21 PM

Actually I first thought that the feeding wasn't that bad until he started punctuating every sentence by moving his bacon and eggs around to make smily faces :smile: or roll eyes

or winks

. I had to put a stop to it when he tried to order guacamole and ketchup :tongue: . Buy the time we were done we had so many plates of eggs sunny side up that the owner was calling out for chickens.
Then he wanted a doggy bag to take it all home. Something about a family reunion.

OneLastCast