A Forum Etiquette Question

[schmoke]

As a new and excited member of this forum, I want to do things right. I would like to be here a long time.

I have a website (listed in my signature box) in which I am an affiliate for Amazon.com. The site offers information on grilling and smoking, as well as the sale of grills, smokers, and accessories.

Over the last several days, there have been at least two fellow forum members that have specifically asked where to buy certain items which I offer for sale on my website.

My question is: Would it be appropriate for me to tell them to check out my site for these products? My guess is that there might be some kind of rules against self-promoting. I just wanted to check it out before I acted.

So far, I haven't replied to any of these types of questions for fear of breaking forum etiquette. On the other hand, if this is permitted, it would be a benefit to both the forum member and myself. A win - win.

 

[rivet]

I understand your concern over The Forum rules, and appreciate your concern. Just so I don't tell any lies outta school, why don't you PM an Administrator and get the real-deal. I'm sure they will clear things up for you.

 

[cowgirl]

Actually, commercial links aren't allowed in signature lines but you can use them as your home page.

 

[schmoke]

Thanks, I'll take the advice.

 

[richoso1]

Great and friendly advise from the Lady who keeps her boots on for a reason.

 

[raceyb]

This is a great question and a public answer would be appreciated. I had a link to my blog which was removed after it was explained my blog has ads. I agree with the rule, as it is Jeff's site.

The OP is asking about posts that specifically say, what do you recommend or where can I find type comments. I would think it would be ok to answer and link to my Amazon store if I have it listed.

Can we get this cleared up please without pm's? So everyone knows...

Greatly appreciated!

 

[hilbillyinca]

cuz there's horse poop in the front yard?

 

[schmoke]

Raceyb,

If I get any info, I'll post it on the forum for all to see. Thanks for the support.

 

[pineywoods]

No commercial links in avators, signature lines, and if your blog has commercial links is it not allowed any place other than as your home page in your profile. This is what I was told by Admin.

 

[bmudd14474]

If you are linking to your site for the purpose of making money then this isnt allowed on the forum. If someone sends you a pm asking because they cant find it and you respond with it then that is between you and the people asking for the information.

I will caution you that if you start using the PM system to drum up business this isnt allowed. If it is brought to our attention that this is happening then it can and has resulted in being banned from the site.


We try to keep this a fun site with minimal advertisements. We do not want it to turn into a commercial advertising site. Typically if someone wants a product a simple Google search will do it for them.



Again as others have said the homepage spot in your profile is allowed. I think alot of members do check those out.

 

[mballi3011]

So there you go the answer from all the mods and admin.

 

[raceyb]

Actually, the original question was kind of danced around. He wanted to know that if someone specifically asked where to buy something or where the best deal was, could he direct them to his affiliate. There were two threads just recently where the poster asked about where to buy a specific item.

I think the safest thing to do is rather then give a link, just advise them to go to Google and search for themselves, so you avoid being seen as self promoting. It was suggested that most people would do a Google search on their own, however that wasn't the case recently and thats why the poster started this thread.

 

[silverwolf636]

I just deleted my link that was in my signature to my smoking pics on photobucket. Thought I'd be better safe than sorry.

Ray

 

[raceyb]

That should actually be fine Silver. You can't sell or promote affiliates from photobucket can you? All you can do is store photos. They just do not want links to websites we own that promote or sell for our financial gain. Photobucket should be fine.

 

[silverwolf636]

Gotcha. Thanx. I'll put it back up then.
--ray--

 

[raceyb]

LOL, I never noticed it before. You got some nice pics there!