Many people (or organisatons) may want to use this forum to promote both commercial and non-commercial services / activities.
Some people may not be familiar with forum based systems, and may have done advertising using mailing lists, emails or simple noticeboard type systems in the past. For these people, taking the time to read this message will help them get the most out of the forum.
Please consider the following tips:
Is this your post, or are you posting for someone else? Please try to encourage people who want to post ads to get their own login to this system and post their ads themselves. The reason for this is because of the possibility for contact and discussion, which is covered in the next point.
How will interested people contact you? Please try to avoid posting an email address in your message. Rather say something like "reply here or send me a
private message/email". This will encourage people to sign up for the forum, or if they just want to send an email they can click on your username, and they will see the
option to send you an email. The advantage of this is that your email address is not displayed, they must use a form to send you a message. This protects your privacy, and by not having your email address listed in the forum, you will avoid the
problems of spam spiders collecting your email address. The same guideline applies to posting your phone number - if someone has a question they should post a reply, maybe their question is relevant for other people as well? Posting your phone number discourages discussion.
Specific date or time? If you are advertising an event then post a link back to your original message using the
calendar function. Visitors to the system will see upcoming events, and will also be able to browse for future events. If your organisation requires a lot of events you may want to request a separate calendar just for your events.
Commercial? Ask yourself if the notice is commercial or non-commercial? If it costs money and someone is going to be paid for their time, or if it is connected to a business, then it is probably commercial. If it is a private person advertising an apartment, selling something second-hand, or looking to fill a place on a ski trip they've organised, then it is non-commercial. Use common sense.
Where to post? Take a look at the various areas on the system where such things can be posted, read the other notices first. Then place your message in the most appropriate area. You will have the best chances of success, and the moderators won't have the extra work of moving your messages around.
Subject? Use an appropriate subject line. Why should someone click on your message? "For sale" is an example of a subject line where the author of the message hasn't thought very much about what they are doing. Make it short and relevant, with as much info in the first few words as possible. For example "For sale: dive computer (uwatec, great condition)" might get more interest. Remember that when people look at a list of messages, they don't see what is inside. The subject has to encourage them to click on your message.
Pictures? Would a picture make your message more interesting?
Add one to the message! You might get a better response.
Cross posting. Don't post your message in more than one area, unless absolutely necessary to do so. You will upset the
moderators by doing this.
Multiple posts. If you want to repost or remind people about something in your original post then reply to your own post. Don't start separate threads about the same thing, this creates clutter and will annoy the moderators.
Reference. Does your post refer to information in a previous post? Be sure to include a link. Perhaps there is also information on an external website? Include links as appropriate so people can see what you are talking about. For example, maybe you are organising a ski weekend at
Davos, and you are planning on staying at
Solaria. Wouldn't it be nice if visitors could just click and get more info about these places?
Formatting. Spice it up! There are lots of ways to format the message to look nicer, depending on the editor you have chosen in your "My Settings". You can also use
vB Code to alter the formatting, add images etc.
Please bear in mind that this forum is operated on a non-commercial basis, but commercial posting is tolerated if it is in the interests of our users. Please respect these guidelines, and everyone will be happy
.
Perhaps your organisation / group would like their own discussion area or calendar? I'm happy to discuss such possibilities.
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