When is Marketing considered Spam?

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by ddepp, Apr 5, 2006.

  1. #1
    Hi, All.

    So I've had a new web site up and running for a couple weeks now and have been trying to get the word out, but am a bit conflicted. I'm proud of my site and what it offers in the way of insight and information (it's a political site) and I want to have as many people see it as possible, but I don't want to cross that fine line between marketing and spam. Let me get more specific:

    Being as there are many political sites and blogs out there I'm often on some of them. Is it okay to have my site listed in my signature when I post a comment? I only ever post comments to actually comment on a specific topic, not to just comment for the sake of getting my site's name out there. I just don't want people to start associating my site with "spam" or even with mild "annoyance" that, "there's that stupid ___.com guy again trying to promote his site."

    Additionally, is it okay to link to my site within a comment if the thread being discussed is in direct correlation between what's being discussed and the content on my site?

    Any thoughts on this are appreciated. Like I said, I'm proud of my site and think it fits into a nice niche and I think people will get a lot out of the content I have. I just want to get people coming to the site...which thus far has been a bit lackluster. Thanks in advance!
     
    ddepp, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  2. Crazy_Rob

    Crazy_Rob I seen't it!

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    #2
    That's what signatures are for. That's not a problem- IMO.

    That gets old real fast and will start to annoy people. I wouldn't use that method as a way to promote your site.
     
    Crazy_Rob, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  3. xboxundone

    xboxundone Well-Known Member

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    #3

    I agree siggy is great way to go.... only link to your site in a comment back if you like copied and article from your site in the post and put copied from sitex.com but dont make stupid post like

    Bush is a @#$%#$ and read about it here (link to site)

    Instead Bush is a @#$@#$ (Paragraph pulled from article on the site) at end put copied from sitex.com...


    The key is don't do this often or as you first post... I find people will accept it if you only do it on rare occasion your siggy is the best free route :) especially if oyu make good quality posts.
     
    xboxundone, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  4. ddepp

    ddepp Peon

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    #4
    Great -- thanks to both of you.

    While we're on the topic of signatures...how do I add one to my posts on this site? For whatever reason, maybe I'm just overlooking it, I don't see any links to edit my account or preferences. The only thing I can do is view my public profile, but still no links there for adding/changing any information. Any thoughts...
     
    ddepp, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  5. xboxundone

    xboxundone Well-Known Member

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    #5
    usercp edit signature.
     
    xboxundone, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  6. ddepp

    ddepp Peon

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    #6
    Thanks, xboxundone.
     
    ddepp, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  7. john269

    john269 Notable Member

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    #7
    Adding your sites link to your sig is the best way. Adding your site to the actual post would most probably be considered as spam.
     
    john269, Apr 12, 2006 IP
  8. neosite

    neosite Peon

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    #8
    No one would ever think of you as "that stupid----.com guy" if you aren't.

    Provide relevant information in your posts so that people can learn to respect you and people will want to visit your site(s).

    One thing i would avoid (and different sites have different policies) is to put to many links in your sig.

    Also, consider using some good anchor text in the sig rather than just mentioning your URL. That way when a SE spider finds it, it means more than ust a simple IBL. e.g. : Latino and Spanish American Political Perspectives on the latest news compared to www. blahblablbalapolitics .com
     
    neosite, Apr 12, 2006 IP
  9. john269

    john269 Notable Member

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    #9
    I agree. You should only really have about 2 links in your signature. I would say that 4 is the max amount, which I have. Anymore and it will really be a little to much.
     
    john269, Apr 12, 2006 IP
  10. Fahd

    Fahd Well-Known Member

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    #10
    I don't think you will have much luck trying to promote a startup "competing" forum on other already established forums on similar topics. You may get the occassional pity/curious signup, but I don't think you will acquire any real members who will stick around on an empty forum.

    It can help create some awareness though and pay off in the long run!
     
    Fahd, Apr 13, 2006 IP