Curbing The Rash of Spam And Pseudo-Spam

[Michel Fortin]

Folks, it has come to my attention that many posts in the forum are close to being blatant ads. I've just spent 35 minutes deleting a whole bunch of posts just now, and most of these posts were either off-topic.... slightly on-topic but irrelevant to the thread... or on-topic, relevant but without any content except for a few sentences, followed by a URL or affiliate link.

Sorry, but those are NOT acceptable.

Here are rules/guidelines to follow...

1. Initiating Threads

First, please do not start any thread with an affiliate-related post, or a post with some kind of promotion. If you plan on starting a thread to start a discussion, please post a little more relevant content than simply, "here's my new product, what do you think?" ... followed by a URL.

If your post is indeed a genuine attempt to get feedback on your product or website, please spend a few minutes to add more content. OK?

For example, discuss how you created the product, how well is your product doing now (or how you plan on creating/promoting/selling it), what kind of feedback specifically you're looking for, why you need the feedback in the first place, and what you intend to do with the feedback. (And yes, I'm looking for more than just 1-2 paragraphs, please!)

2. Replying To Existing Threads

Now, if there's an existing thread and your post is on-topic and the reply REALLY is an attempt to help the original poster (and contains more content that just your affiliate link), then post your comments and your affiliate link, but also mention that it is an affiliate link, and make doubly sure your post is relevant, on-topic and specific to the original poster.

And like #1 above, please add a little more content than just, "check this out, this will help you," blah blah blah. For example, add why you think your post is helpful, why the website or product you suggest is relevant, and what was YOUR experience using it (or how do you know for sure it's appropriate).

3. Blatant Ads

There is a forum for blatant ads only. Please use that one. Don't blast your affiliate link in it, too. For starters, a post with a mere URL won't get you any business -- let alone clickthroughs. People will see right through it.

For example, follow some of the rules from #1 and #2, above. Add content. Tell us why you think your ad is important for this community. In fact, why don't you go the extra mile and make a special offer to Marketing Secrets Forum members?

The more unique/special your offer is, and the more content you add (and the more relevant and helpful the content is), the more people will click on your ad... And the more will likely be in a the right mindset to buy whatever it is you're promoting.

4. Signature Files

Signature files should be no more than 3-5 lines deep, and shouldn't contain any large graphics. I've noticed some signatures seem to carry buttons or banners. If you plan on adding a graphic image to your signature, stick to a single one, please.

And best of all, any post with a signature that's visibly larger than the post itself will be deleted. (And keep breaking this and any of the above rules, and your username and IP will be banned, too.) It's as simple as that.

Finally...

I don't mean to fingerpoint anyone. But this is a community created to discuss Internet marketing, and help others about Internet marketing... Not for Internet marketing.
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Regards,

Michel Fortin
Co-Creator of ContextCASH™
http://ContextCash.com