So I recently replied to a thread in the Content Creation forum, in my reply, I simply offered my services as a freelance writer. The OP was looking for someone to create articles in the pet niche, I simply let them know my experiences with pets -- and to contact me if they were interested. I said nothing rude, and implied nothing other than that I legitimately wanted to work with this person. However, the next day, my post is gone and I receive a warning for "post has no value". I see so many worthless posts on a daily basis that are never removed, yet when I try to make a legitimate offer to someone in the services forum, it just gets deleted. I've made many similar posts in the past that didn't get removed, and have ended up working with some great people as a result. Of course there's the argument of "just send them a PM!", which, in most cases in my first course of action. Although I don't see the harm in publicly advertising my services on the thread, in-case someone else happens to read it and would like to contact me. I haven't read anything in the rules that would prevent me from making a post like this, so I'm really confused as to why it was removed -- much less why I received an actual warning for making it. And finally, if it is indeed against the rules to make a post like this, I'm curious as to why "Buying" threads even have a reply option? I've been down the road of trying to negotiate with low-ballers on their threads, and that just gets me in more trouble. So if you can't negotiate, and you can't offer your services, why are you even allowed to click Reply -- it's just a "warning" waiting to happen. I've been a member of this community for many years, I used to enjoy posting on many different boards, but lately I just stick to the Content Creation forum -- since warnings are dished out erroneously in my opinion, and I don't want to put myself at risk by making legitimate posts... Thanks for any insight. Also, I'm sure that this will come up: Just to clarify, my post wasn't a copy+paste, it wasn't spam, and it didn't just say "look at my sig". This was a unique post taking into account the job in question. If that's still against the rules, then I still don't understand why a reply is even an option.
Could we see the post in question as it was written? Otherwise we just have to take your word on it and....well you know.
Certainly. This is the post as it is quoted in my e-mail: Hey there, I personally have a dog, cat, and fish, and am very knowledgeable about pets in general. Also, I've been writing content for several years, and have worked with numerous clients here at DP. Let me know if you're interested in my services.
This appears to be a perfectly legitimate post in all respects. I'm wondering if an error has been made here by staff. (does happen on occasion) I do believe you were correct in posting this thread. I hope it all gets resolved in your favor, good luck to you with this.
Thanks! Normally I'm not one to argue an infraction or warning, but I was legitimately caught off guard by this one. Another element of the story, is that there was another post I remember seeing from a user offering their services as well. This was pretty much the same idea as mine, letting the OP know what pets they've owned, their experience as a writer -- this post was also removed.
Seems odd that both posts got the boot. If OP reported you both then that's it. The OP may have felt for whatever reason that both your responses were off topic. Mods review reports then act accordingly.
The mods don't know if your post is copy and paste template or not*. But it is an offer personal to the OP and should be sent via PM. *Do you see what I mean? It might sting, but it's just one infraction point, down some beer/wine/whisky/rum/whatever and it will soon be forgotten.
@ryan_uk 1000% Agreed THIS Situation , not just the thread, - Reminds me of that show PAWN STARs on History channel , when the guy comes in with the "auto-signed" letter from like a President. @the op.......We all get it, you need work, I have been there, I used to have notepads with responses all set, to save time, BUT - I found that handcrafted , personally and individually created responses, will not only get you better responses but way more work in the long run, Try being more specific to what the user is looking for, For example, Anyone could say " Hey - I am a writer , contact me for your needs" BUT - Being REMARKABLE would be doing the following: THREAD TITLE: "I need 10 articles on auto insurance" YOUR RESPONSE: Hi - I love to write about autos; here is my sample of my articles on autos here: ( link to your website or portfolio ) Here is also a excerpt for you, Thanks for your time, and if you need me, feel free to contact me, END RESPONSE. ----- SO yeah, try to be more PERSONAL - Its 2014, and yes, It costs $25 to change a user name here ( not like FB, its free ) BUT many of us all real people that kinda EXPECT personal service not just generic crap, @digitalpoint ...can I change my user name to my real name for free? Hope this helps - Joseph
@ryan_uk I hear where you are coming from, but doesn't me specifying what pets I have/had personalize the offer? Clearly I wouldn't copy and paste something about me owning pets, since it would just sound ridiculous when offered to someone who wanted software reviews. Honestly, the thread itself wasn't very well written, and didn't have many details about the project -- that's the main reason I didn't take the time to write a nice paragraph through PM, since I find those types of offers to care a whole lot less about presentation. Anyways, beer it is. @sundaybrew I appreciate the tips, but I really have no trouble finding clients, except when my posts get removed I'd direct you to where you could see a more well-written sales pitch of mine, but I believe that's against the rules.
What I meant is, the pets bit can easily have been replaced with something else, e.g.: Same text, but relates to software reviews. A mod is not to know. Take a look at: https://www.digitalpoint.com/help/rules In particular the section "pointless crap". I am not saying your post was pointless crap, but this part seems to apply: So, ultimately, I think that was the real reason for the infraction, although only a mod can confirm. When I put up a WTB thread in B/S/T, I usually mention to send offers directly to me in a conversation, in the hope of some people avoiding an unnecessary infraction.
It is actually simple. You are making an offer to the thread starter. The rules say that belongs in a PM because it really has no value to anyone else beyond you and the thread started. (It obviously has value to you as an advertisement of your services) Although you don't see the harm in advertising on the thread, that is exactly what DP is trying to stop. Otherwise, many people willing to work would spam up every thread with their offer of services. Some people would post in every thread with the hopes that someone, somewhere, might see it and offer them work. Can you imagine a thread where someone is looking for work and there are a ton of posts offering to do the job. I can, because it used to be that way. If you want to offer your services to the thread starter then send a PM.
If that's truly the rule, than that's the way it is, and I won't bother making replies to threads (with an offer) any more. The rule is a bit misleading though, although it does say you should send a PM, it also only states that copy and paste posts/ambiguous replies are not allowed, but my post was open to one interpretation: I want to write for the OP, and I'm telling him specific details of why I would be a good choice for the job. Honestly, if I was looking to buy a service, I'd much rather see all of my offers on one page -- rather than having them all separated by individual PM. That way I could just scroll through the list and read each offer one after another, and PM those who I liked, instead of getting my inbox clogged and having to go into multiple conversations. But that's just me, and in the seven years I've been here I've never really known that the type of post I made was actually against the rules. I don't agree with it, and honestly the rule itself is a bit ambiguous, but I suppose it's not really that big of a deal either way.