Define Self Promotion

[someonewhois]

I'm just curious what the line of "self promotion" is in the forums. Specifically, the PHP forum.

Basically, I've written article for my blog and have a nice big link in my signature. I want to be able to tell people who are using short tags to read the article, but I don't want to cross any fault lines about self promotion.

I'm not telling people to read it because I want to promote my blog, I'm telling people to read it because they're using short tags and I don't think they should be. Originally I just posted a rant (poorly written rant that was different every time, at that) in each thread that used short tags, but repeating myself dozens of times seems rather silly.

What's the best way I can point people to read the article that I've written, without self promoting? Thanks in advanced.

[Bleys]

My answer is by no means the official one, but that article seems pretty short. I think you could fairly easily summarize it in your replies and then say something like, "I've written an article about this on my blog." (Or maybe start your reply that way and then go into the summary.)

[someonewhois]

Well the thing is, for the most part, I actually do answer the question in the thread. I'll answer their question then at the end mention something like "Oh, and you shouldn't use short tags. You can read the full explanation in the article in my signature.".

Edit:

Here's an example:
http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249546
I suggested to use short tags, and he obviously took note (which means I got through, which is my only goal), and I'm still trying to help him solve the actual problem that he's having. Is that considered self promotion?

[Bleys]

I'll let someone else give you the official answer, but you could always repost your article as a post at SP and then refer to the thread, if it does turn out to be self promotion.

[someonewhois]

Yeah, I guess that's my only alternative. Thanks.

[sid egg]

...

XML tags conflict with PHP without short tags too btw, ?> is always "short".

[someonewhois]

XML tags conflict with PHP without short tags too btw, ?> is always "short".

No it doesn't. If you aren't in PHP-parsing mode, then PHP never reads the ?> (or rather, it completely ignores it). If <? doesn't count as an opening tag, then the ?> at the end of the line is completely ignored/unseen by the PHP parser, and therefore doesn't actually have any issues.

Try it if you think otherwise.

[RetroNetro]

Hello

Basically, I've written article for my blog and have a nice big link in my signature. I want to be able to tell people who are using short tags to read the article, but I don't want to cross any fault lines about self promotion.

I think if it is a link to your own site you are free to link to it. Even if it is just an article that you like writen by "someone_else_whois" on their own site it is cool as lomg as they are not paying you. I have seen other members link to articles on there own blogs and so on...

As Bleys says, my answer is no more official than his

[Mike]

Anytime you try to persuade visitors to your site, whether it be by direct linking, direct requests for visitors, or vague/subtle or even blatant hints as to your url or signature or profile link.

[platinum]

Basically you can never post a link to your own site (and yes I'm sure there are some which have slipped through in the past, but don't want to hear about 'em ).

[someonewhois]

Gah getting mixed messages. So according to Mike, what I'm doing isn't allowed... but Platinum never said what I'm doing isn't allowed.

What's the best alternative? Me posting the same post as a thread here at SP and then referancing that or what?

[dc dalton]

Anytime you try to persuade visitors to your site, whether it be by direct linking, direct requests for visitors, or vague/subtle or even blatant hints as to your url or signature or profile link.

OOPS, then I guess Ive been guilty of this once or twice but I never really did it for "self-promotion". Its been more like "look at my site and see how I coded it" instead of having to write out hundreds of lines of code here... is that wrong, or should I say "would that be taken as self promotion"

Im really curious ... if it is Ill stop.

[someonewhois]

I think what Dave is explaining is a good contribution to the forums. In the advertising and affiliates forum, people show off their AdSense placement all the time, and I think that's great.

I hate self promotion as much as the next guy, but there are times when it's actually useful and helpful information.

[someonewhois]

Just to clarify without using myself as an example (due to self-centered bias)...

http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/show...69&postcount=3

Is that self promotion? He says see signature after mentioning is site name. From what I can tell, what I want to do is no worse than that.

Yes? No? Just trying to get it clear, as at the moment I'm rather confused.

[RetroNetro]

Basically you can never post a link to your own site (and yes I'm sure there are some which have slipped through in the past, but don't want to hear about 'em ).

So then am I in violation of the signature rules? As all the links in my sig are my own sites?

But in the Signature FAQ it says:

You can put in links that lead to your site(s) or a product page.

A bit confusing

[stymiee]

Self-promotion in sigs is allowed and expected. Just don't post a link to your site.

[someonewhois]

So is encouaging people to read our sig allowed? If it is targetted, useful, and important to the person whom one would encourage?

[RetroNetro]

So is encouaging people to read our sig allowed? If it is targetted, useful, and important to the person whom one would encourage?

You mean like if someone asked a CSS question and I said check my link in my sig? If that is what you mean great question

[stymiee]

Asking people to read your sig is a grey area but it seems to be ok. As long as the point of your post isn't to get people to visit your site as part of a scheme for self promotion but rather as part of an example or explanation it usually passes snuf.

[someonewhois]

You mean like if someone asked a CSS question and I said check my link in my sig? If that is what you mean great question

Yeah, that's why I started this thread. I want to point people to read the article on why short tags suck and I want to make sure I'm not "self promoting".

Asking people to read your sig is a grey area but it seems to be ok. As long as the point of your post isn't to get people to visit your site as part of a scheme for self promotion but rather as part of an example or explanation it usually passes snuf.

Okay, that answer is perfect. I'll go by that.

Thanks.

[stymiee]

If you get banned I'll deny making my post.

[someonewhois]

*takes screenshot*

[RetroNetro]

Yeah, that's why I started this thread. I want to point people to read the article on why short tags suck and I want to make sure I'm not "self promoting".

Well that just goes to show that sometimes I am a bit slow, as I missed your original point alltogether. I have it figured out now though, and you also have a witness to stymiee's post

[someonewhois]

Yeah, I tend to skip the original post too.

Problem is, if we're both going to be encouraging people to read articles from our signatures, we'll both be banned -- having two banned witnesses isn't any better than one.

[RetroNetro]

Oh no I will never encourage such things I am a good little boy.