Free Advertising?

[bert]

So do I ned to pay to advertise on this site, or can I just post a new topic when I want to sell a magazine, rent you my villa, or promote my blog?

peace.... bert

[Xislandgirl]

I can understand your blog comment, although it doesn't bother me in the least but perhaps I missed something on your other comments.

We all know that Anthony is here to make money and our forum is a bonus for us. I think that he does a good job keeping things in check with advertising, but I must be missing something apparently.

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

Okay, Bert, I'm lost. What are you talking about?

[promoguy]

Might be just a straight forward question

[Anthony]

Well.. it isn't supposed to be free! If you see "free" advertising, please tell me - like I tell everyone who corresponds with me about this forum, a lot of users/readers here read a lot more than I do - I have another 30 of these things to manage and I hope that the community here polices itself (to some extent). If you do want to advertise something, please be in touch with me!
Thanks -

[Steve S]

Bert may be refering to some folks that may link off to another site. Personally, I think these postings are entirely valid and usefull. Anthony is pretty good at removing real trash soon after it shows up.

[bert]

No intent to upset the apple cart. I have never seen the Bongo boys post anything promotional here. (And their blog is GREAT!) Nuff said.

peace.... bert

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[StJohnRuth]

I have never seen the Bongo boys post anything promotional here.

I don't even think they're registered!

Which reminds me, I've met a LOT of nice lurkers this week. People say the words "I'm a lurker" and inevitably there's someone around who is forum-deprived and has no idea what's going on. I love to look around real quick and see the looks on peoples' faces. It's pretty amusing. (Hello, Lurkers!)

Oh, and Waterguy and his gang are enjoying their trip. Lucky Tom, he got to enjoy the Blues Cruise on St. John a few days ago. Lucky me, Tom was there to help me back the car out without running anyone over. There were a lot of people in town. Tom's Gang is a lot of fun and Tom's son is a cool dude. Girls, beware. (He'll love that.)

Gotta go, my China Shack Delivery is here. We always order so much food for two, I need to get a "Party Background Noise" CD so it's not so embarrassing.
Have a great weekend everyone.

-Ruth in
"This Land of Sun and Fun"

[Jost Kidding]

I posted a trip report last year on the old forum site. Once the new forum launched I became a long time lurker...now out of the closet. Felt good to out myself.

[nothintolose]

I hope I don't offend anyone everytime I include the website for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest (don't actually know how to make it a link).

I am in no way affiliated with it other than that I go EVERY day and love it and just want everyone to come to New Orleans and see that it is coming back contrary to how the national media makes it look.

If you guys are offended by my occasionally mentioning it, I apologize and will no longer try to convince any of you guys to come down for it (unless of course you want to).

I am hoping that I am just being paranoid but do apologize if I offended anyone.

nothintolose

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[bert]

Nothintolose - there is absolutely nothing wrong (and everything right) about referring sites / blogs / villas / etc. in which the poster has no proprietary interest. However, if somebody posts about their own villa or blog or whatever, that's free advertising and they should be paying Anthony for advertising space, like every other advertiser does. So keep those referrals and opinions coming! Anthony correctly said that we should be policing ourselves to some extent, and that's what this thread is all about.

peace... bert

PS to Jorge - I PM'd you...

[California Girl]

I'm sorry but I just can't stay quiet on this one. My take on this is that Bert is referring to the recent posts by Frank Barnako, and I certainly don't see it as "free advertising". The way I see it, Frank is an integral part of St. John and he provides good information for the tourists. He did a great interview with Ruth and keeps people updated on the goings on. Everything he has posted is pertinent to STJ. Now if he was posting something about a completely unrelated issue, that's one thing. But people on this forum are always recommending one villa or rental agency or another. Us forum folk are always inadvertantly "advertising" for Starfish Market, Low Key Watersports, Noah's Little Arks, and every single restaurant on the friggin' island. So where do you draw the line and call it "advertising"? I, for one, appreciate Frank's posts and I see no reason to diss him for it.

[promoguy]

Have to go with Cal Girl on this one. Frank links to his blog which has some advertising on it. Ruth by posting is giving some. But honestly, I don't see this as anything blatant. If someone posts anything with a link it is basically 'advertising'. You can't help it.

What would bother me is if someone said, hey I'm Joe from such and such rental agency. But the others, I can see where Anthony wouldn't be so threatened.