advertising on LMH

[marcus]

An open letter to the management!

I realise that advertising doesn't appear on LMH for good reasons - impartiality and so on. However...

Sometimes I and presumably others have an idea that we think would be good for people here to know about, but don't mention it because it looks like self-promotion.

I wonder would it be possible or acceptable for a banner ad to be added at, say, the top of each forum page, clearly marked as an ad, to give us a chance to pay to advertise on the site, just as a way to reach members?

All ads to be preapproved for honesty, only one ad shown etc, I'm not suggesting the whole site turns into an advert. A route for listing sites etc to reach LMH members would be a good thing, no? And Paolo, you'd maybe make a good few dollars as well.

Just wondered.

[Margaret]

I would also welcome both advertising by others and the ability to advertise myself, but would prefer it to be in a separate topic on the site rather than a banner on every page. LMH pages are nice and clean at the moment!

[paolo]

I really promise to add an anything goes section, honest, as a New Year's resolution. I appreciate there are things that we would be interested in, as well as lots of start-up listing sites with free sign-ups.

[Mountain Goat]

and the ability to advertise myself

We're all ears!
MG

[Jimbo]

Paolo wrote:

I really promise to add an anything goes section

When I joined LMH, I entered a thread asking if members were concerned about posting hard-won and commercially sensitive information that their competitors could use, maybe to the members' disadvantage. The answer came back as a resounding 'NO' - which was kinda nice in a world where everything seems to have a price.

If LMH incorporates a 'Commercial Section', I wonder if this might change the forum? Suppose a member posts a problem concerning his/her computer. Another member knows the answer but decides instead to direct the first member to his advertisment, so he can make some money from his knowledge. I'm not saying that this is right or wrong, just posing the question.

I'm still on the fence about this. However, as the old saying goes: Beware of what you wish for because it just might come true.

Jim

[paolo]

Jim,

I also have mixed feeling about it, which is why I haven't added it yet. But we could give it a trial run and pull the plug if it is to the detriment of the forum.

[Margaret]

I can't actually see how adding a separate commercial section could change the nature of the forum.

Top of my wish list is a commercial section in which everyone advertises their holiday properties so I can look at them when I am planning a holiday!

As Paolo says, if it doesn't work, pull the plug.

Another travel forum allows people to post only ONE advert, not to repeat it, and no discussion. That sounds like a good idea to me.

[Jimbo]

I can't actually see how adding a separate commercial section could change the nature of the forum.

I wouldn't be so sure. At present, members freely share their experience and knowledge with other members. Knowledge that's been hard-won over many years and which may give a commercial edge to others. Not just hard-core rentals either but a whole host of related stuff. In future, some members might prefer to have the opportunity to sell their knowledge in a commercial section rather than to give it away. New members might join with 'commerce' rather than 'sharing' in mind.

In the chilly world of 2008, it's an amazing thing that so many skilled and knowledgeable people on LMH are prepared to be so altruistic. Such a fragile flower may not survive in the harsh desert of commerce.

Jim

[Eileen2]

Another travel forum allows people to post only ONE advert, not to repeat it, and no discussion. That sounds like a good idea to me.

A 'Greece' forum and website which I'm a member of does exactly what you suggest. Only one advert per item/business/property etc in the dedicated section. The website supports an animal welfare charity on Corfu therefor all donations go to support the cause. Not that I'm suggesting Paolo asks for donations I just wanted to explain how it works well for this particular site.

"Place your advertisement in the normal way, it will then go for approval and you will be contacted by a member of the ****. Other members will not be able to view the advertisement until it has been approved."

"...all advertisements will be locked for replies when placed and unlocked for acknowledgement of the receipt of the donation."

Eileen.

[Paul Carmel]

One thing to take into account is that it might mean having a full-time moderator, as we will be opening the gates to trolls etc...........IMO, if it an't broke etc etc.

[Big Sis..]

Good point PC

[ravetildon]

Did we ever get this?

I really promise to add an anything goes section, honest, as a New Year's resolution. I appreciate there are things that we would be interested in, as well as lots of start-up listing sites with free sign-ups.

[Giddy Goat]

In the chilly world of 2008, it's an amazing thing that so many skilled and knowledgeable people on LMH are prepared to be so altruistic. Such a fragile flower may not survive in the harsh desert of commerce.

I'm normally one of the altruistic camp, but I've a feeling Jim's right and the idea would perhaps need to be thought through quite carefully as to what services could be advertised and what refused.

[ravetildon]

Well if you have one section on here devoted to commercialism if you are not interested you could just ignore it.

Seems pretty simple. But yea, this board is pretty free of adverts & what not, makes it pretty cool.

[Giddy Goat]

Well if you have one section on here devoted to commercialism if you are not interested you could just ignore it.

Yes, but that's not what we're saying Craig ...