Professionals - Too Many Threads?

[BillShipton]

You may have noticed that the number of professional threads has risen significantly recently. Several companies are posting a new thread three or four times a week and with bumping (which despite our occasional admonishments they are often guilty of) they now form the majority of first page posts.

I do not want to stop professionals advertising their wares as they provide interesting pictures, but how does everyone (professionals and amateurs) feel about pros combining their ads into one thread per company - or at least one thread per week per company? They can alter the headline to reflect the most recent update (eg the title of a new download) but it would give amateurs, meets, and discussion threads more chance to stay on the first page rather than being swamped by, say, seven different posts from one firm.

Let me know what you think.

Bill

[andy250]

I wouldn't mind at all if I was asked to either, limit to one thread, thus being to able to advertise as and when, or being told no more than say no more than three updates per week. If the rule was broken ie I put up four, then four then last one should be removed.

Though do we do andy250 thread, or One for each website! Due to the fact I have five messy websites?

Due to the above one for me could be a limit on the front page of the splosh forum, ie if you have more than say three threads up, if you wish to put something else up, the producer must remove a previous thread. Thus not swamping the board.

Just my input.

regards

Andy and the team.

[MJ.]

I would be happy with that, though I'd say one thread per website. If someone runs a softcore site and a hardcore site, it wouldn't seem right to have them on the same thread.

[Miss T]

Well Bill as you have asked I have to be honest and say that I am not a fan of putting it all into the one thread. I just don't feel for example that a Messy Angel thread would sit well slap bang in the middle of one from SploshAGirl. In my perhaps biased opinion they are totally different.

I would however be happy to be asked to restrict the number of threads on the front page - that said I tend to be aware of this anyway and try to keep it to a minimum....

edited to remove some even more gratuitous brown nosing

[BillShipton]

edited to remove some even more gratuitous brown nosing

Doh! You should have kept it. I need all the brown nosing I can get these days.

Some are more guilty of blitzing the forum than others.

Bill

[BillShipton]

Well, it seems all the other professionals are too busy advertising their wares to comment on this thread! Well, if we change the rules, don't say you didn't have a chance to comment.

[paulthepieman]

Would it be possible to open another section of the forum just for the professionals and leave the origional section for the amateurs.

I'm thinking in the same ways as all the Messy Stories are in the reading room, you could set up an "Advert room" and them forum readers could go into the section they wanted, I'm sure the professionals would get as many hits this way.

Just a thought

Paul

[BillShipton]

We have considered this but I don't want to split the forum up too much. Also what constitutes an advert? When is a professional not a professional? Would it mean that the amateurs and the discussions get marginalised cos so many just want to look at pics? No, I have no problem with professional threads on the main forum so long as they don't take it over and there aren't six or seven from the same company on the first page.

[Messy Jessie]

There are a couple of reasons why I post each up-date seperately...
1) I get shouted at if I don't post immediately!
2) If I don't post on forums as soon as the film is published, I forget to do it.

I also have 2 sites now and I wouldn't want to combine their posts...

But in respect to your wishes, I will not post our lates up date, instead I 'll just leave a link to it below so I don;t have to make a new post.

http://www.messy-jessie.com/node/258

Jessie xxx
www.messy-jessie.com
www.jessiespiedgirls.com

[andy250]

I have to ask, (though am I opening pandora's box?) Why do you get shouted at? Its your site do as you wish!!!

Answer no 2 is simple, right stuff down in a diary then you can stagger the updates. Though still put your new films on your site as soon as they
are complete, that way passing trade will purchase the updates anyway.

regards

Andy and the team.

[Messy Jessie]

It's a site I run with my partner who tells me when to do things.

I have tried explaining to him that I can't make as many posts here as I get shouted at, but it turns out that I get shouted at whatever I do!

I could limit myself to 2 posts a week, one for www.messy-jessie.com and one for www.jessiespiedgirls.com, but it would take some getting used to for me! And it would be quite a large post!

Jessie xxx
www.messy-jessie.com
www.jessiespiedgirls.com

[Jonny]

Whereas I am a producer, there is a fine line between spamming and advertising your wares. What I disagree with is the endless bumping of old threads by "cheerleaders" to give a second bite of a cherry. You look at the other place (umd.net) and you only have to see the producers spamming with endless posts. Both myself and Bob have the attitude that if you have multiple stuff to promote you do it one post. I call it a supermarket approach. You might not want a pair of shoes, but if you see a pair in Tescos you might buy them, whilst buying something else.

As a marketing tool it works.

Whilst I love the community aspect of this forum, without the producer threads, it would be a very quiet forum. It would be like one of those awkward dinner parties, "so err, what do we talk about then".

Naturally, producer threads die quicker than the "community based" ones, but with clearer moderation (the Phpbb board software has merge and delete options which will allow a greater control) everyone would be happy.

[andy250]

I don't see a need for Jessie to limit the number of threads in a week, just dont have more than say 'three' on the the front page, if you want to do a fourth then just delete the oldest thread. Though the final say comes from Bill, as it's his site, serverspace etc.

Though if you want Jessie, your more than welcome to have adverts put through Wamsessions, I dont mind doing that for you at all. As long as I can add some pics to the yahoo group from your website, also link to both your sites in the links section. If you're intrested pm me.

regards

Andy and the team.

[Sidi]

As already been said, if it wasn't for the professionals posting it would be a very quiet forum.
I went away for a week in May and came back, looked at the forum and the posts I missed only amounted to a full first page and two on the second page. If you discount the professionals from that amount there might have been five other posts.
I personally like the posts as it gives me an idea what is new and available, and if it appeals to me. If they were to be compressed into one weekly thread then those of us with a stoneage connection would soon tire of waiitng for the full thread to open and may miss something.

I say leave it as it is, but I don't post a lot on here despite visiting everyday, and it isn't my forum.

[Smiley]

I think the problem is when to many professional posts are made it is turned more into a forum for browsing pictures and clips and less about the conversations and topics.

I also think it's up to us as the forum members to channel a bit more time into making and answering word based posts to help keep things moving along and the topics going.

I would still like to see some professional posts, but also i think producers should look towards adding a more personal touch to posts such as adding games, competitions or just more less formal advertising.