Can I advertise on "The Coffee Shop"?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Our forum agreement that members sign up to when they join says "... advertisments ... are forbidden on this forum ...".  That's because we're an interest group / theme group board and don't want to be diluted to the point of distraction by people signing up with the specific purpose of posting adverts for adult sites, online degrees, Mediteraneran cruises, smooth skin, life insurance or vacuum cleaners.  But what is a post about an event happening in Aylesbury on 4th September to celebrate 50 years of the Bubble Car if it's not an advert for that event, looking to raise money from people for doing something that they might not have found out about if it were not posted here?

There's a line to be drawn somewhere ...

* If an advertising post is made by a member who has made a significant number of prior posts on other topics and is a fairly frequent and current poster, then it's more likely to be acceptable.

* If there's some doubt whether or not an advert will be within the guidelines (and especially if you know there is some doubt!), please ask before you post.   The answer may still be "no", but actually that's less likely than if the team stumbles across, or is notified of, a borderline post.  And if the answer is no, it's not going to be a public criticism in any way.

* If a product / service / event being organised makes personal gain for the poster, it's less likely to be acceptable.

* If a product / service / event is related to our subject lines, it's far more likely to be acceptable than if not.  Extra FGW^▸ (First Great Western) train services on the Rhubarb loop on 1st April - YES.  Great deal on dishwasher tablets from a Manchester supplier - NO.

* If a posting is within the appropriate board, good.  If it's sprayed to multiple places, not good.  If the posting is clearly written for publication on "The Coffee Shop" rather than being a generic post for lots of forums - good again.

Our regular, established members are sensible people. If you're one of them and wondering about putting up an advert / plug / advertorial post, then you're probably considering most of the above already.  But ... if in doubt, please ask ahead of time as it saves any embarrassment, and is more likely to get a response to your liking than the "try it and see if it's OK" approach.