Life After PR - Yes or No

Anyone who has a construtive contribution to make is more than welcome. We run a workgroup where we learn by exchanging and sharing ideas. Looking for answers and building a future.

 

What do we mean by "run"? There is a difference between administering and running. The one is nothing more than a secretarial function whereas the other requires some sort of decision making process. Yes, we need to agree how we are going to administer the association but can we not devolve the responsibility for running it down to the members and to the users of the site?

The other two points of reference that I left out of my earlier post are Transparency and Accountability. Who owns, who runs the members sites? This is the key to it all. What standards are we individually going to held accountable for? Surely all we need to do is to offer members the functionailty to set up a business profile, to take on a responsibility and set an example. We can cover the costs of administering the site by reviewing submissions to a directory and selling advertising space to service providers looking for the exposure.

 

Go do a check on half the directories out there, they're all hiding behind proxy registrars for some reason or another, its something your not going to avoid.

Even though I have gone ahead and signed up with Directory Owners Association I'm not stupid, I asked them why, what, when and then some, haven't had a response but will post it here if I do.

 

Get this right and the battle is almost for won.

Why did we allow a couple of wide boys to hi-jack this industry and deliberately spin a web of half truths for their personal gain? Why cant we devolve the responsibility for "making decisions and establishing policy" down to the members?

 

Who's the wide boys who you talk of? Puzzling that one. I guess at least those at this new association thing ain't afraid to answer questions.

Leave it to members? That's what this new association is supposed to be about http://www.directory-owners-association.com/more_about.htm, you leave it to people on here and it would more likely be a phpld fan club as it is here, no disrepsect to the phplder's though (white flag of peace waved) but they know what I mean.

We need pro's (sadly it probably rules me out. ) but hey I'm more than willing to learn even though I like to think I know a bit already.

 

I dont agree. This industry has been bent out of shape by a few with a lot to gain. What we need to do is to ease the barriers to entry, spread the incentives around and establish industry benchmarks and standards that are real.

Sales talk is cheap. Time is not and the more there are of us the harder its going to be for any one interest group to manipulate the facts.

 

This is all just a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.

No one needs an association to weed out crap directories. All you have to do is look at them. And let's be honest: The vast majority of general directories are crap directories and cash cows. No association is going to change that.

 

First I should get your crap site off my all directories!

You are always against the general opinion ,

Also your signature tells lot about you!

I also have another crap (directory/...anything) coming for you!

 

I would see that as a favor to me, since I never submitted them to you.

When the "general opinion" is total BS, yes. That seems to characterize most of your opinions so I can see why you might find me irritating.

Of course it does. They are my sites and they are created and maintained with integrity. You might want to look that word up...

Whatever the hell that means...

 

If I had paid good money for PR, yes I would be pissed off but all it cost me was my time. And despite the fact I dont like wasting my time I chalk that up as experience.

I dont think that would be our objective. I would rather see an association setting standards and guidelines. For example how should one treat MFA sites? I would also like to see an association setting up skills training workshops to get people entering the market pointed in the right direction.

 

I can only agree mate, it really works this way.

 

You have not understood the real meaning of what I said!

Read it again!Read it again!

I have seen your opinions on so many issues like paid links,meta descriptions etc.,

How do you say the directories are crap directories?Who are you to obstruct us.Whatever your opinion will be we
will certainly from an association .I do n't care about empty vessels making noises!

 

Integrity is good and something we could do with a bit more of.

 

I already have "standards and guidelines" for my directories, which include things like how to handle MFA sites. If you don't already know how to make those decisions for your directories, perhaps you shouldn't be trying to run directories. And if you need workshops to tell you how to do it, again - perhaps you should re-think your decision to do it.

Bottom line:

1. This isn't going to help people operating valid directories because they already know what they're doing.

2. It isn't going to help people who are "consumers" of directories.

3. It isn't going to stop the proliferation of crap directories.

4. It isn't going to do anything useful for anyone, unless you're looking for some sort of directory owners social networking club.

You must get that a lot.

I'm not obstructing anyone - merely pointing out the futility of this scheme. It's not going to create integrity where none exists. It's not going to create or set standards that mean a damn. It would be a pointless exercise, much like the equally doomed attempt to set up a standards or certification body for SEO a couple of years back. Anyone remember what happened to that simpleminded idea?

 

I started this after looking for links and it did not take long to come to the conclusion that the only person I can really trust amongst this lot, is myself. There is nothing to this industry other than smoke and mirrors. But I am still looking for links and there are many other "buyers" out there who are in exactly the same situation as myself. There is a demand and whoever can provide a better product at a better price is going to get the business.

If you have all the answers and are happy with the way things are, no problem. But if not, I suggest you try doing someting about it instead of picking holes wherever you can.

 

I have done something about it. I have very clear guidelines and procedures and criteria in place for my directories. I also have very clear criteria for the small number of directories I have actually opted to submit to.

And I didn't need any glorified but pointless "association" to do that.

 

You dont need back links. Your directories are doing what you want them to do. Then why stress? The association may not be for you but I for one would like to see things being done a little differently and as I have said there are a lot of people that are slowly coming to the same conclusion and they are beginning to ask the questions that should have been answered a long time ago.

Why knock it just because you have nothing to contribute?

 

Well let's see. I suppose primarily I mean directories without quality control criteria, directories that accept any and all listings willing to pay the fee. Let's face it - it's not hard to identify crap when you see it. All you have to do is check out the sites a directory lists - if it lists crap sites, it's a crap directory.

But that isn't the point here. This thread is about some regulatory body that makes no sense. Hell, the people lauding this as a good idea can't even seem to make up their minds whether the point is to protect consumers or just serve as an exclusive club to pat each other on the back. Either way, I can't see it serving any useful function.

 

............or do you mean artifical PR, alexa rankings, PS and a crazy price tag to go with it?

Who is talking about a Regulatory Body? Is that what the word "association" means to you?