Getting on the PR Bandwagon

[mizwizzy]

There's something that's been mulling over in my little mind for the past few days - Would you share your online success with your family and friends?

Say you have a really successful online presence or website - you might be a fantastic blogger with a huge following, or Twitterholic or indeed the latest wonder of the web, some sort of Internet senstation - you get the idea!

Would you allow your family and friends to cash in and link to your website just because of their connection to you? Or would you be more stringent and say hey no, they should find their own way and build their own following/presence!

I know someone that has made a few high profile newspapers in the US on numerous ocassions for their blog articles and has a huge following yet this person doesn't allow friends or family *ahem* to cash in on this success not even a measly link

I can understand all the hard work, effort and talent that has gone into what they have done as it was not an over-night success but personally I would share my success with friends and family no matter what ranking or following I had because morally it's the right thing to do! What do you think?! What would you do if you were in that scenario, perhaps you are already and have no qualms about shutting people out regardless of their connection to you!

Is there a time when you have to draw the line?

Thoughts are welcome!

[Crazybanana]

My family have no idea what i do online - they think it's all ******** and waste of time, yet they are curious where i get money from.

I barely speak to them and have no plan of telling or explain. They know about one of my webpages and products, but thats it.

My son is the only one from my family who knows what i do on the internet.

[mizwizzy]

Families eh! I can understand where you're coming from crazy, my extended family know nothing about what I do, even when you explain it they just look at you blankly and say "oh really sounds nice" but you know they don't have 1 clue what you're talking about! But that's ok!

From a success point of view would you share that with your friends or family, say you knew someone who was also a web-based entrepeneur, would you link up with them even if their content was irrelevant or they had little or no following/influence on the web/search engines etc?

[Crazybanana]

I only exchange links with people/sites that has sites/product/content related to mine, and they need to be indexed by the search engines, that also goes for the page where they put my backlink.
As long as their sites/products or content was related to mine, and they were indexed by the search engines i would do so.

I don't link up with people for fun

[mizwizzy]

Aha, interesting - I can totally understand that - I think I would differ and include a link up "for fun" but in an appropriate location on my site perhaps on a blog roll or a links page - if it was consistent with my own content then I would put that on my homepage if it could perhaps benefit me but otherwise I would keep it in a secondary location but still advertise it to my visitors

Is it customary to link to websites that are only within your own PR scope? Are there unwritten rules when it comes to exchanging your link and who you connect with? Would it really be that bad to link to a website that has zero PR, couldn't it still be popular regardless of the PR rating!?

Is there anyone out there that would forego the PR status and just share their online success with friends and family just to help them out?!

[BLZ]

Depends I guess. If I had (meaningless) PR to share and it'd shut them up I'd probably do it.

If their work had perceived value to my users, I'd do it regardless. I'm with the bananaman, don't really link "for fun".

Off Topic:

Now she's green again, and I'm all confused. WB Wiz

[mizwizzy]

Wow, I see - jeeze this linking lark is quite cut-throat it seems! I never thought it would be as strict as these answers I'm receiving!

Off Topic:

ty BLZ! *waves bye to holidays* Confused?! It's all that glue confusing you!!

[BLZ]

Useless linking is kinda...useless, and handholding actually winds up being super counterproductive...

And I'm a bit of an ***hole I guess. Meh, whatever.

[mizwizzy]

I can appreciate the relevancy of a link to your own content but dismissing it because of that I don't think I could do that - as I said I think I would put it on a page more applicable like say a links page or blog roll, but yeah I can understand you're point of view

[Shaun(OfTheDead)]

hmm... Depends on what it is.

If it's a fun, personal site, then yeah, of course I'd link all my close friends and family who are interested. Well... "Friends" I should say. My family doesn't really know what I do online either. My mom kind of, but many of them seem to think I fix computers.

If it's a site that's more targetted, then no, I don't think I would. I wouldn't want to spoil the feel of the site, neither link to content not relevant to its viewers.

[mizwizzy]

Not even if you had a links page or something? It has to be relevant?

@fixing computers - that'll be the day

[php_daemon]

Which PR do you mean?

PageRank is irrelevant here, except for those to whom it's relevant. You can link to anyone you want regardless the PageRank, Public Relations or whatever other PR.

Personally, I don't like linking just to anyone, just "for fun" (and I don't expect others to do it for me). But if you can write a nice article for me, you can add any links to it you want

BTW,

because morally it's the right thing to do!

Not in my moral code. And if theirs is to prey on others' success, maybe I should rethink my relationship with them

[BLZ]

I think PR is one of those internet "false economy" things anyway. It only has bearing because people think it's meaningful. What was a useful diagnostic tool has been mutated into some sort of ego boosting badge these days.

Off Topic:

I'm convinced Google schemes up new spamscapes to create to justify themselves. No one can be that big, and that shortsighted. A web version of planned obsolescence. Google and the PublicRelations philosophies of Bernays

So yeah, I'd manipulate them into shutting up and leaving me alone; beyond that I'd just say "No". I love the daemon's "rethink the relationship" bit, a trump card and I hadn't thought of it!

[mizwizzy]

lol BLZ - I agree, I really like "rethink the relationship" statement too

The PR was a mix of both Saul, PageRank and the Public Relations hype - I agree BLZ about the power hungry PR people out there - it's just beyond google status now!

Whilst I can understand and appreciate your viewpoints, I'm still struggling with this "for fun" linking lark! Say you have a blog ok - it's just something generic, you write about everyday life and things your passionate about on a daily basis - over time you develop a following, you become successful, steady readers, high PR, earning money etc - are you saying that you still wouldn't include a link to your friends or families site on your blog somewhere? Would you now think that because you blog is now yeilding an income you can't afford to gamble with irrelevant links and put your business cap on?

[BLZ]

If there's no point linking, there's no point linking I figure.

My passions are mainly philosophy and humor. My mom's are basically books and plants.

If her blog was humorous and informative and it just needed exposure, I'd not passively link. I'd likely try to get her do a guest post or do a "Hey check out this blog. It's cool, and I'm not just saying that because she's my mommy" type post.
If our target audience was totally different, I couldn't send her any decent traffic anyway and it would be nothing more than just more web litter invading my precious space now.

I'm a huge believer in sink or swim Wiz. I believe everyone can swim. I will not throw you a life preserver, I'll throw one like 10 feet from where you are. I'll watch you thrash about uselessly and suggest you either stop wasting your precious energy, and swim to the preserver or get out of the pool.

"If we can't control our wants, we have no real self control".
Whose sig is it that says "The less our wants, the more we resemble the gods".
A cigar is very rarely just a cigar in my experience, and a link is never just a link...

We're all svelt and efficient like a cheetah, often thrashing around like a bloated, drowning gnu is the best way to find it.

<?php endsermon ?>

[mizwizzy]

Interesting use of words, never had you down as a preacher

I agree but only to a certain extent - I don't believe that everyone can swim, sometimes you need to teach some people and give them a helping hand - get them on the right path and off they go - I've never been much of a believer in the "tough love approach" so to speak - this is not suited to everyone IMO!

I guess this comes down to a personal preference - Personally I don't see the harm in linking to a friends/relatives website - even if it's not in synch with my own content I'd still do it - even if I can't send them traffic sure maybe I might get a few more myself either, just because the content may vary doesn't mean someone won't click a link and not be interested in what they find - it's all about networking to me regardless of status, content or individual - The only time I wouldn't link to a website would be if the content was offensive, questionable or political, basically something that may offend my visitors.

[BLZ]

I hear you Wiz. And I did say perceived value. It's a "loophole" gold mine!
When it all boils down my perception of value is according to my "whim". In the end my personal spidey sense dictates what I do, but that's where I start from.

[cliffordstoll]

Families.... ah.... my family don't know **** about this online stuff... they think I just play games online or just waist my time... I've tried to explain them thousands time what I do but it's really hard to make them understand... as they do know about only 9-5 office jobs...

[Sega]

What an interesting post.

My parents know what I do, they don't care much though as they don't understand it. Whenever we go to family gathering relatives rather not have me elaborate on what I do, again, because they don't understand it. Just as I go to educate them they quickly interrupt me in asking were my dad or brothers are. So much for socializing.

I was talking about this to my dad today. He brought in a letterhead about a young American, Russell Brunson. He told me this guy is coming in our local area to help us needed people become millionaires, so he can help us in this economic downturn.

My dad then said with his money and my computer brain power (not sure I would call it that), we can become millionaires.

Anyhow, I have this analogy to give to you:

Say I was selling this unique product, which nobody had, and people would struggle to replicate it. I was making millions upon millions and it's in demand.

Now I want to teach others how they can do this wonderful thing. I am willing to sell this wonderful secret which is making me so much money.

By me teaching you this wonderful secret I am in effect bringing more people to the market, which in turn is making me less and less money. So why in my right mind would I do this?

Well, maybe because I know there is more money in teaching how to do it then actually doing it, as I soon know this market will be flooded and it's a quick way to cash in on the moment.

These people are money-hungry monsters, willing to destroy somebody else's wellbeing in an attempt to get more and more money, as they knew their cards are running out. If you ever go to these seminars you will see the poor folks brainwashed by their trash. Trust me, they can brainwash people, and once you're brainwashed, you too would believe it.

Don't get me wrong, what they are teaching is true, and at one point you made a lot of money doing it, but the chances of you doing the same under their care is literally b*ll-hockey. I just had to get that off my chest.

In regards to people who made money online. A lot of them invested a huge amount of time, money and energy in doing when they do. A great man once said "I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have". I suppose this is true in this case.

There is no easy short cut, or overnight millionaires. Everybody worked very hard in doing what they did. I hate to say it, but even Google did. Both Sergey and Laurence came from a upper-class upbringing and both went to a world-class university. One even went to a Montessori school which has it's own unique style of teaching. So you could only imagine the energy their parents must have devoted not to mention the money and time both Sergey and Laurence gave in order to get this product they call Google recognized.

Now if I go to somebody and say, "I know how you can become successful", and give him a list of things to do giving all this energy and time doing it, would you feel that he would do it? Probably not.

Most successful people do what they do because they enjoy it and are therefore willing to give the time and energy. Having said this, every so often God throws us a bone, and our labor pays off. In some people's eyes that bone in "luck", but in my eyes it's just what was naturally going to happen because of their determination.

Would you allow your family and friends to cash in and link to your website just because of their connection to you?

They have a job just like I do. So the answer is probably not. However, if my relative asked me for something that I sell I would probably give it at cost price because their blood. We are very family orientated here, so doing not be a wise choice.

Direct relatives, like farther, brothers and mother, I would tell them if they wanted to know, even couch them if they asked. But my parents don't want more work, and my brother's all have their hobbies and interests. They are all happy doing what they are doing and we seem to be living comfortably.

[mizwizzy]

I hear you Wiz. And I did say perceived value. It's a "loophole" gold mine!
When it all boils down my perception of value is according to my "whim". In the end my personal spidey sense dictates what I do, but that's where I start from.

interesting to hear other viewpoints nevertheless BLZ, makes me thinkg a little different!

Families.... ah.... my family don't know **** about this online stuff... they think I just play games online or just waist my time... I've tried to explain them thousands time what I do but it's really hard to make them understand... as they do know about only 9-5 office jobs...

Ignorance is bliss as they say - I don't have a problem if someone doesn't "get" what I do, that's fine - there are types of jobs or topics I just completely zone out of too - I don't take it personally as it's just not everyone's favourite topic of conversation plus it can be hard to get your head around it really especially if you're not into that line of work in the first place! That said though, manners doesn't go amiss either!

@Sega - Interesting post right back at you! Well I'm happy you vented, let's hope you feel better now!

- @the socialising remark - That is very true - Just when you think, great a conversation, a chance to interact with human beings - you start to talk about what interests you or you're work *when asked* and people zone out and walk away - yes, it doesn't do much in the way of a confidence booster that's for sure!

- @example - I can see your point alright, people do work hard to get to where they are especially in success cases and no one is going to give that up so easily especially to someone who is just merely family or a friend - they too have to put in the dedication and time to get their own projects off the ground.

If a member of my family or friend did want to link to me *let's pretend I'm successful for a minute* I would still say yes, however since reading these posts I guess I would add a bit more to that - I think I would give them a trial link see if it works for both parties and take it from there - the one thing that would bother me though is that they mightn't appreciate the gesture - like an expectation I guess - this wouldn't bode well at all so yeah I guess a case by case basis too now that I think about it jeeze I'm a changed woman, I'll never link the same way again

[Sega]

@mizwizzy I feel better now, I just don't want people to be taken in by get-rich quick scams, that's all. But ye, I feel better now.

[DrewryMedia]

To be honest, I would keep it all to myself and not say one word, because even friends and family get jealous of how good you're doing. One minute they play nice. Next, they turn two faced on you and are ready to try something or get mad, because you have more money than than and don't have to get up in the morning and go to a day job, versus them. Everyone has the ability to succeed online. The choice is up to us, where and how we apply ourselves to internet marketing success

[joebert]

There's a difference between begging for something and proposing something mutually beneficial. The "stars" benefit doesn't always have to be immediate, it can come later.

[diegolocks10]

I will definitely share o my family what I am doing in the internet. If they choose to do the same I will gladly teach and assist them. No problem with me.

[ZXT]

Like crazybanana I would also like to link only with relevant sites (ads are maybe exempted) so if family members or friends has an unrelated site then I will say no. But if its relevant then maybe I can give away a couple of links.