Weekend discussion topic: self promo in forums

[Phil Herring]

I'm transferring this discussion here from CatalinaOwners.com, where we hijacked a perfectly innocent thread...You may have noticed that from time to time, when someone inquires about sourcing a part, we will chime in with a link into our store.It's been suggested that this may a little too intrusive and could violate the objectivity of the forums. What do you think? Is it OK the way we do it now... or not so much? We know that a surprising number of site users don't realize we sell anything here. Is there some other way we can increase awareness of the store that is less intrusive? I have noted the way Sailnet's forums automatically link keywords to their store. For example, if you type "GPS" in a post, that word will appear in the thread as a link to the GPS section in the Sailnet store.That's just one method, but we'd like feedback about how we can accomplish both goals: good forums, good store awareness. We look forward to your input.P.S. To help avoid giant "meta-discussions" this thread will automatically self-destruct Monday morning.

 

[ED]

Do what ever the heck you want

If you have what i want id rather buy it from someone who is doing something great for me.

 

[Ken Prichard]

Sailnet

I'd suggest Sailnet's system. Don't be concerned about promoting your merchandise. I've never been disappointed with anything I've purchased from your store and your prices are inline ( if that's possible for boat stuff ).

 

[larry w]

I take every opportunity

to flog my books, "THE BANGKOK BLUES - an R.P. Merlyn Boating Adventure Novel" and "THE PUERTO VALLARTA BLUES - an R.P. Merlyn Boating Adventure Novel" and wouldn't heasitate to do it again. I think that's what unique about forums, they're a place for like-minded enthusiats to gather, discuss, and debate, and if a little commerce happens, well, we all have to make a living, right?

 

[John24107]

Do it!

I've never thought it to be over the top intrusive. A little self-serving maybe but I think that's perfectly OK. The last I checked, I didn't pay a dime for all this great information. If I have to see the occasional plug, in the words of Mr. Bitchin, Kewl!In fact, I've often thought the "plugs" to be appropriate helps for someone that was looking for a specific item. I'd really object, however, if you were to remove plugs for other chandleries or websites that appear from time to time. If Defender or West Marine or many others can make the pages, you should too!

 

[Duane Beaver]

self promo

It works for me.

 

[Tom s/v GAIA]

People that complain about something like that don't

deserve the space that this thread is taking up. This is a great site, run by good people, don't give them the satisfaction of continuing this thread.Toms/v GAIA

 

[Don12364]

Moderation

Hi Phil,Thanks for asking - much appreciated.I don't read nor do I contribute to this site because it sells gear. Okay so I am in the UK. Notwithstanding the foregoing I am well aware of the right hand sidebar which links to the on-line store.Go ahead and make this area your own - but keep it out of the day to day textings.Kind Regards to all in the store,Don Alexander.

 

[Brian D]

Phil...

You already advertise parts on the right side of the thread. Right now I see four items: Boomkicker, wench handle (), splice line, and hatch boards. How can anyone NOT see that?This is YOUR site. If you want to advertise in a thread, go for it. But also know, and sorry to be so honest and blunt, your prices are not competitive. I have purchased from this site in the past and will continue to do so if I feel I am not "over paying" for the item. Again, sorry.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

I really like it the way it is.

But thanks for asking.

 

[dancing bear]

Fine with me

You don't ding anyone for plugging other vendors, you plug yourself, fair enough.

 

[Rick D]

Not Intrusive

I think dropping in a post when you come across one in the normal course of monitoring is just fine, and maybe more effective from a marketing and awareness standpoint since it's a real person posting. It is way easy to forget to include your Chandlery when discussing gear, so a reminder helps. Especially now with the hugely expanded offerings. Rick D.

 

[Scott B]

Your house, your rules

Phil, this is your house, so you get to set the rules. You keep the lights on and the engine running, on your dime. A few, and I seldom see it that often, responses in the forums are anything but intrusive, but only adding another option. I have purchased some items from this site when I can, if only to support the site. In the particular thread that started this in the Catalina forum, there were two other responses that mentioned or provided links to other sites. You allow links to sites that sell the same things that you do. There is nothing wrong, IMHO, in adding links to your own site to products that people are looking for.I have learned a lot in the past year from this site and it didn't cost me a dime. Can't argue with that. Keep up the good work and thanks for visiting.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I think it's extremely considerate that you even ask

as apparently other forums do it anyway so thank you for even asking us.By all means, if it helps support the forum or can help any participant, it's a great idea for either reason

 

[Phil Herring]

Follow-up and comment for Brian

I appreciate the "do whatever you want" idea (who wouldn't?), but the goal is to make this an informative, entertaining, and pleasant forum to use. That means whatever we do has to be tolerable for you no matter how we feel about it... which is the purpose of this thread. We need to make sure we haven't wandered off into the weeds!Brian, I have to disagree with your comment. In _most_ cases, we don't put a product on the site until we've done a pretty thorough price comparison and found that we can match a Defender price, or come pretty darn close. On some larger items we are within a buck or two (literally) of the lowest internet prices. Granted there are a few products we carry that are simply here as a convenience and are no doubt higher than that. But in most cases we should be right in line with everyone except the most extreme discounters... in the same way that you can almost always find a price lower than Defender if you search under enough rocks. Anyway, it's not my intent to argue, this is _great_ input and we really, really appreciate it!

 

[Paul Brinkley]

Your dime, your time...

I see no problem with you reminding us that you have a product which will meet a need. Certainly you should be able to plug your products; I've not seen you object to someone plugging another vendor. Keep it up. Thanks for the site, which is continuing my education! ;D *5

 

[jimq26]

It's OK - no problem that I can see.

I frequently point out the chandlery here on a posting where it helps the person asking the question.

 

[elle]

Go ahead & promote

Phil,To echo the others, you allow mention of other vendors; you should have the same exposure....besides, having your post saves us from having to search for the item in the chandlery!elle

 

[r.w.landau]

Wow, Thanks for the input time.

The people here are, for the most part, real caring individuals.I think the fact that the SailBoatOwners chimes in once in a while is a actually a personal note. You guys have modestly promoted the site. You have monitored this site with integrity. You have even provided places for uncensored warfare to a point.The advice here is the best for the small to midsize sailboat owner of say,16' to 50'. SailBoatOwners is not a 60 meter site nor a Volvo site. This is not a site that works for the big boat racing crews and the mega boats, but no one fills the small mid-size niche like SailBoatOwners.com.Phil, I bought a few item this fall that were more than priced fairly. They were a great savings! Not only that but you guys even verify that your service has been good, and kept me up with shipping of a difficult product. Phil, I don't think, with this cross section of sailors, you need to be like Latts and Atts. Meaning that you don't need to announce you are the best, but that you are there and are competitive. I used SailNet for a long time. They have foundered too many times and have failed too many times. That was before you had a full Chandlery.Phil, That may be it. It may be that not everyone here realizes that you have a full Chandlery. Posting the Chandlery on every post would be Ok with me but I think it would soon be just one more thing to ignore. I think plugging it on a more frequent basis by a point person that is looking out for you and the products you sell would be not only connect you (or the person that you put in that position) closer to the posters, but also be more effective and personal and less arrogant.By the way, You may consider talking to O'Day Rudy. I think that he is thinking retiring. There is a great support business there to assess, and an asset we O'Day Owners cannot afford to lose.I hope the best for you and SailBoatowners.com. You have provided us with much info and many hours of connection with like minded people.Thanks for your efforts!r.w.landau

 

[r.w.landau]

Phil, 17 of the last 20 replies were to this thread.

Ok, guys, lets support him with the funds like we do with words!He also is not looking for verbal support but but creative business ideas! r.w.landau