We have a number of active forum members who are experts in the marine industry and they play an important role here. Often they have extremely insightful posts and regularly offer members the benefit of their expertise; we're really glad to have them here.
Currently our industry "pros" aren't allowed to post links or sales material and often members aren't really sure who they are. A few have approached us about advertising or offering discounts or special buys for forum members but currently we have no marketing program to accommodate this and have not allowed commercial posts in the classifieds. We believe that it's time for a change.
Here's what we have in mind:
A new forum section will be set up specifically for commercial posts just below the classifieds section. Our Commercial members will be able to post info there about their services or sales and have discussions with members that include product pricing, and info. In other areas of the forum there will be no change in posting standards and no commercial activity allowed.
Folks in the marine biz who regularly participate in forum discussions will be be badged as "commercial" so that members can easily recognize them. We will encourage them to place a link in their signature to their business as well as include additional contact information in their Profiles. Only those accounts that have a Commercial label may have this signature link. The Commercial Badge will only be given to those members who have established themselves as regular, participating forum members and if abused, we may remove it.
You can read the full rules here: (link) but here's the short version:
- Accounts will be badged at our discretion
- One commercial link in signature
- Any other contact info must be in profile (but not sig)
- Prices, sales, literature and links may only be posted in commercial posts area
- No bickering with other vendors and no product comparisons
- Username should be non-commercial but we may grandfather in a few well established names
- No logos, etc in avatar images
- Product discussions are allowed in all sections of the forum but only when asked a direct question AND no prices or links
Basically this means that you can't solicit members or post commercial content (except in the vendor forum). You can post some basic product info and offer product information in other sections of the forum only if directly asked. You may not direct members to your website with posts like "see our website for that part."
We hope this arrangement will benefit both regular members seeking info and our industry pros who are interested in raising their visibility.
Currently our industry "pros" aren't allowed to post links or sales material and often members aren't really sure who they are. A few have approached us about advertising or offering discounts or special buys for forum members but currently we have no marketing program to accommodate this and have not allowed commercial posts in the classifieds. We believe that it's time for a change.
Here's what we have in mind:
A new forum section will be set up specifically for commercial posts just below the classifieds section. Our Commercial members will be able to post info there about their services or sales and have discussions with members that include product pricing, and info. In other areas of the forum there will be no change in posting standards and no commercial activity allowed.
Folks in the marine biz who regularly participate in forum discussions will be be badged as "commercial" so that members can easily recognize them. We will encourage them to place a link in their signature to their business as well as include additional contact information in their Profiles. Only those accounts that have a Commercial label may have this signature link. The Commercial Badge will only be given to those members who have established themselves as regular, participating forum members and if abused, we may remove it.
You can read the full rules here: (link) but here's the short version:
- Accounts will be badged at our discretion
- One commercial link in signature
- Any other contact info must be in profile (but not sig)
- Prices, sales, literature and links may only be posted in commercial posts area
- No bickering with other vendors and no product comparisons
- Username should be non-commercial but we may grandfather in a few well established names
- No logos, etc in avatar images
- Product discussions are allowed in all sections of the forum but only when asked a direct question AND no prices or links
Basically this means that you can't solicit members or post commercial content (except in the vendor forum). You can post some basic product info and offer product information in other sections of the forum only if directly asked. You may not direct members to your website with posts like "see our website for that part."
We hope this arrangement will benefit both regular members seeking info and our industry pros who are interested in raising their visibility.