Advertising Rules

Who knows? The way I understand it, only those listed in the supplier directory are allowed to have this information in their sigs. I've had to stop answering threads that ask for recs for someone in my field and my area because I no longer advertise on the suppliers list. Even when I was on the list I never over promoted and listened to the posters specific needs. It hasn't stopped me replying to threads on other subjects but it's certainly a shame when long term and respected community members (assuming I am one ?) can't genuinely recommend their services. Whereas if you're listed but don't contribute to the community you can spam the boards, dredging up ancient threads just to peddle your wares.

I'd avoided posting on this thread because I'm a bit narked but I stopped advertising on the supplier directory because, frankly, it's a mess. I agree mostly with what Mrs.SP says about the layout and the way it's geographically listed (I'm also in Scotland) and renewal information is confusing as others have said.

The previous poster who says they were subjected to 'abuse' is listed in the wrong category (possibly intentionally) and therefore people can't see them on the supplier list, jumping to the conclusion that they are advertising against the rules. The new advertising rules, whilst well intended have caused a certain degree of bad feeling, which is a shame for genuine newcomers.

I guess Hitched, like any business comes down to money but it does come across as an aggressive attempt to get people to list. Simply improving the layout and thereby its effectiveness would work far better.

Sorry for the stupid question, what does HIB stand for?

So as I have never posted in relation to anything other than this thread for fear of getting people annoyed am I already being over promotional? It seems from looking at others (HIBs?) posts though my sig etc isn't that different?

Cheers, Ian.

Well said BWC ....

The Hitched HO folk seem to have lost interest in this thread tho' ... which is a shame. But I'm sure it'll keep going for a while longer...! So they might wander back to it at some point.

Yes, you are right that only those who pay can put their business details in their sig - but of couse it does show up every time those folk post - .... and for those of us who do contribute generally to the board, and not just to peddle our wares (makes me think of all us hibs being old crones with a basket of poisoned apples!!!) then I guess its a 'pro' for paying ... ??

Although I have to say knowing my web stats I don't believe for one minute me paying what I pay has given my website any real boost over and above what it would get normally! It just means I can (on the odd occasion there is a genuine stationery post that isn't about DIY!) post without fear of retribution!

But there are many HIBs who NEVER post generally on anything other than pure business driven posts - which I don't get - to build up a good reputation as a HIB takes time ad effort and that reputation gets you the recommendations etc, and the whole point of being on a forum is to contribute !? So those who only crawl out the wood work when they see a business op aren't really doing themselves any favours imo! I still love being able to share my ideas and thoughts and whatnot from being a bride myself, so maybe thats the difference - I started as a B2B and became a HIB so .... <shrugs>

Ditto - which is one of the reasons why I can't be bothered to come on here anymore. Although I answered threads and gave advice when asked for, I never once posted my email address, website address or openly touted for business but apparently this must upset some people. I'm not sulking or taking my bat and ball home but it's gone from bad to worse in my opinion. It also says that you can't post pictures from other people's websites without their permission....? So does that mean no more "Help me find this cake" or "Can you find me this dress" questions? Doesn't seem so .... - hey ho - it's been a nice 5 years on here but it's not the same now.

No, not at all Ian. You're not doing anything outwith Hitched rules. What some of us are talking about is the HIB (Hitcher In Business) who never helps out a poster on any subject other than their own field and only then with the intent of pushing their business. So, for example: A bride says she desperately wants a bird cage veil. Doesn't want any other kind. Can anyone give recommendations for a supplier. A veil supplier posts saying "I don't sell birdcage veils but have a look at my site I've got loads of Cathedral style."

Hardly crime of the century but when it's continous, it's incredibly annoying. Especially if the thread is a month old.

And at the same time HIBs, who are here regularly helping people on a day to day basis with a variety of problems related to their own field or otherwise, can't recommend their own services when fitting to do so is a bit mean.

I think for the brides/grooms on the forum it's about people intentions when posting. If you are only ever posting to promote your business then it's fairly insulting to them. when planning a wedding, it's hard not to feel constantly bombarded by people vying for your business. For many people, WP is a bit of an escape from that, somewhere to run to when you need impartial advice. Or at least, it used to be.

I know I only joined WP with a view to giving general advice and assistance with planning as a whole and NOT to promote my business.

x

Rainbow, you've been on here as long as I can remember! (ah, you kindly confirm this - 5 years ....!!!!!) ... were you not a paying HIB until recently tho? Why didn't you post your website? If you're paying then thats what you're paying for, surely? <confused icon>

Hiya Leigh - yes, I did pay for 4 years with little response as I' was also at the end of the list being in West Yorkshire. I used to get an email to let me know when the subscription was due but last year, I didn't. My listing was removed along with my ratings without any notice which I was annoyed about. IMO a courtesy email costs nothing and I get courtesy emails re subscriptions from all the other sites I'm listed in so .... when I looked into renewing, I was hit with the £57 charge too. I decided not to bother because I don't feel the listing was worth that and, personally I don't like people dictating to me what I should put on my website when I'm paying for the listing i.e., a link back. Fair enough if it's a free directory but not a paying one. I'm not asked to do this with other directories I pay in and didn't see why I should with Hitched. So, after I decided not to be in the directory, I tried to change my name but it wouldn't let me (several times) but I still joined in as I just like to come on now and then. I don't jump on just florists threads, I talk about all sorts! Things were fine until I learned how to post pictures even though I never mentioned contact details etc which is what I think has upset some hitchers. So that's it basically, in a nutshell!

Brenda x

I admit that in all of my posts until recently, I never touted my website. I have always given advice on any wedding related subject that I can. I am not a lover of the signatures and avoided having one until recently. My change in stance was down to others whose main contribution to a thread was to add their url were getting a fair return in bookings. It also helps google ranking. Not fair, although the way it seems to work and not doing it means that you miss out.

As I also participate in the OT forum, I am acutely aware that having my signature on there will not go down too well, so am staying away from there at the moment. I have asked htched if signatures can be switched off in various forums, although they apparently can not be.....

From my viewpoint its important to remember this is a wedding forum first and foremost, so if on OT they don't like a wedding related supplier having a signature then thats really quite unreasonable! The site is called Hitched and its for those planning weddings ultimately!!! Its surely not right right anyone on OT or BT or the weight loss forum criticising someone who happens to be a HIB who was interested enough to contribute outwith WP??

Its just this month I had added my actual website to my signature - until then it was just the name and my tag line but I changed this based on most other HIBs having substantial advertising in their sigs ... it was only recently that I changed my avatar to a VERY teeeeeeeny copy of an advert I've got in a magazine but its hardly screaming my company name at anyone cos its soooo teeny!. But I pay for the priviledge of advertising my business on here so why shouldn't I have a signature that states my business if I abide by the rules? I don't get why paying advertisers are made to feel 'bad' about having something on their profiles and therefore their posts saying they run a wedding related business?!

I mean, most of us have glossy mag adverts, and we don't feel bad about that!

There are HIBs past and present and no doubt will be in the future who tout, and there are frequent '1st time posters' who post that once, get flamed but never return but they've still got their name on the forum and have been noticed ... but maybe that just makes them more business savvy than me, or they just have bigger cojones than me ... ?

Hmmm.

I am maybe thinking I should have a signature as i pay to advertise. How does it help your Google ranking though?

I don't post that much as I'm not really a great typer and it takes me ages, ( this will probably have 2 or 3 replys jump ahead of mine!),

I have only once put my web address in the reply as I was asked by a bride who had seen my reply to another bride.

still, this is still by far the friendliest forum available to us in the wedding business.?

Peter, individual forum members can turn off signatres in their profile settings (I have.)

It's to do with links......you link to your site and assumedly you have a hitched link on your site....this helps the google algorhythm. The more links in each post helps(you will notice this feature in some peoples posts even in the body of the text in addition to the signature line. I saw one post recently with around 15 outgoing links to their website in it "hidden" in certain words. Nothing illegal, they are utilising SEO to their advantage.......although thats something I don't do.......

Re the OT signature comment....no-one has complained, I was being cautious. The change of nature of OT to WP made me feel uneasy about plastering an advert on a non wedding related post.

thanks Peter ,as you can see i now have signature!

I think if you are essentially able to put up a pretty big advert for your services every time you post, then hitched should charge more for the advert, because it isn't really the ad in the directory you asre paying for, it's the endless signature advertising

L
xx

Sorry to crash, I completely agree with you Mrs S P, It is great for us brides already to share our experiences good and bad. Its nice to think if you have had a bad experience that you can prevent it happeneing to someone else. Just my thought anyway?

I would like to start a thread on the photographers for cancer charity initiative - any objections?

I think that this has already been done, although it's probably worth highlighting again....

Peter

Had a quick search for the original thread - couldn't dig it out, reminder posted ;-)

I cant quite believe the people whinging about £57 a year to advertise in the directory, and to have the facility to effectively advertise on every post. this just strikes me of the worst kind of nitpicking, and only goes to demonstrate that the whingers business can only be dining-room-table affairs which are not "real" business.

Pay up or shut up.

Just realised our listing in the directory is mising to.........looks like we didn't get a renewal reminder either! Of to chase it up now, looks like I've ben posting illegally!

I'm not sure anyone's whinging about the actual £57. There's just a lack of clarity when it comes to renewal and those renewing are left not knowing exactly how much they are required to pay.

I agree that being able to advertise in every post is advantageous but the suppliers directory is a mess and therefore ineffective. I'd rather put my £57 towards a more effective advertising tool. No whinging here or dining room tables here just a more effective use of funds.

x

I think the correct thing to write here is 'wot bwc' said .... (edited to add the very important 'said' !!!!) Sorry BWC!

But the advertising in sigs will always be a more effective advertising than a directory, if you use the site/reply to people.

I think they should improve the directory, whack up the cost of it, and ditch the advertising in sigs

L
xx

I think the advertising in the sig probably works best for businesses not limited to specific areas (i.e anything that can be posted). Not worth it if you're a regional based business. Besides I don't think anything that will encourage more people to use the option of turning sigs off altogether is necessarily a good thing.

x

How does stopping sigs advertising encourage people to turn off sigs?

L
xx

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I meant that having sigs advertising may encourage to turn off sigs. I actually agree with what you said. i'd pay more for a better directory.

x

Sorry bwc - missed out the word 'said' ... dur!

FWIW, I am not a lover of sigs. I have gone on record in the feedback to hitched forum about this in the past. The reason that I recently added one is quite simple.....others were doing it and gaining an advantage as a result....me standing on a principle was doing me no good whatsoever. Ironically since adding one a few days ago I have had a few emails from hitchers saying that they didn't realise that I was a photographer!!!(And I have almost 7000 posts!!!!!)

For better or worse, signatures help in the google ranking, as does hyperlinks in certain words in posts (this I don't do). I would be happy to drop the sig if the forum was moderated and unfair posters restricted. Until then, if I don't have one I am putting myself at a disadvantage.I would also consider myself to be a contributor to this forum with honest help and not simply a poster who's only contribution to a thread is my url.

I also asked hitched if it was possible to turn off the sig in certain forums or individual posts where the sig was inapropriate......the answer was that the current hitched software doesn't allow this.

Peter

ps....sorry about what is below...it is inappropriate in this thread.

The reason I mentioned not being happy to pay £57 was because I knew it was a mistake on the part of Hitched and I was asking for clarification. I wasn't whinging I was asking in order to be able to renew and therefore not break any rules. Hitched quickly sorted this out so I paid my £25 + VAT and shut up.

Nick J - I was whinging about the lack of customer service as well as the increase which wasn't clearly explained together with the bad layout of the directory and also the fact that you can get far better listings for the same or less amount of money elsewhere which brings in more business than Hitched does.

As a "real" business who has been in business for 15 years, 8 of these years operating on line and previous to this with my own shop, who also pays tax and national insurance, please don't generalise about people you don't even know.