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Post by Rolo on May 25, 2011 7:33:07 GMT -10
HOW TO ADVERTISE !
Advertising FoF is something we encourage all our members to do. It’s great to see members take active roles in promoting this site. However, there are some rules and limitations (including etiquette) that apply when advertising our site. We want to appear open and friendly and not give off a bad impression when we leave our little ad around. So, that’s what this guide is for.
WHERE TO ADVERTISE !
We’ll start off with the basics. Namely, where you can advertise.
Neopets is probably the most common place for FoF members to advertise. Sure, they have their rules against posting links on the boards. But a little skill and coding go a long way when it comes to showing off Forest of Fate here. We have a nice little page, located on the advertisement board, which should go in the first post of your board. From there it’s just answering questions and being kind.
Top Sites is another big one. FoF is currently listed on only one top site, though that will change in the future. We ask the members do not advertise on top sites. Leave that to the admins, they can take care of it.
Other Sites isn’t done so often. There’s never really been a need to go around to other role play sites and post a nice little ad. While usually a staff job, if you have a site you’d really like to advertise on, just ask a staff for permission first. Remember to adhere to the sites’ rules, both ours and theirs. You don’t want anything to go wrong.
Affiliating is similar to Other Sites. Ask a staff member before doing so and follow the rules of all the sites involved. Make sure to inform Rolo when you do this, so that he can take their banner and get it up on the side bars.
HOW TO ADVERTISE !
Each of the previous “where”s have their own special rules on how to advertise there. This is probably the most important part of advertising, as you don’t want to break a rule or get yourself in trouble. Pay special attention to this part and always review it before you go out and advertise Forest of Fate.
Neopets
Not only is Neopets the place where most of the members come in from, it’s also the place with the strictest rules. Neopets has something against directing someone to a link outside of their site, so it’s highly suggested you use the page provided for you in the advertisement thread. It contains all the information necessary for them getting here, as well as a short bit about the major plot, the current plot, and the members/general OOC part of the site.
When you advertise on Neopets, you need to be prepared to have the account suspended. They’re very strict on people directing others to other sites. Often they’ll suspend your account if you’re reported or they catch you themselves. Get suspended enough, and they’ll freeze that account. Yeah, it is kind of harsh. And yes, the Neopet people have stick shoved up their butts. Rather than complain and risk an IP ban, though, just make an extra account you can give up if need be.
Once you’ve got an account you can spare, go to the role play boards and make a thread. The title should contain the words WARRIORS ROLE PLAY, and yes, the caps are necessary. This is to allow other FoF members to find FoF advertising boards. Feel free to make it look nicer with symbols and signs, just don’t leave out the words in all capital letters.
The link with the information should be posted in the first post. Also include something about how people with “Forest of Fate” in their signature will be there to help. Make sure all FoF members who come have “Forest of Fate” in their signatures, just in case. It’s highly suggested you have a member who’s been around longer each time you advertise, just so there’s one person who knows a lot, if not all, about Forest of Fate.
Since Top Sites is admin only, we'll not worry about the rules for them.
Other Sites
Often other sites have an advertising board where you can post a short little ad about the site. They will have their own specific rules, so make sure you follow them without any complaining. They are hosting your ad, after all. One thing to note is that sites often have a plug back thing, where, after they post here, they want you to “plug back” on their own site. So if you see something like that, feel free to plug back!
Just remember, read their rules very carefully. And if it says only staff may advertise, just tell a staff here, and we'll do it for you.
Affiliating
Our rules here are that the site must be animal related, they must have at least five members, and must be fairly active. Now, we're pretty lenient on this. If you see a site that's just started and you want to snag an affiliate spot, go ahead and apply for it! Just make sure to tell Crow so he can add their banner.
Currently we only have static. But soon the affiliates will change so that the most active are in our static and the not-so active are in the scrolling.
EDIQUITTE !
Now, most of you are nice people. However, it's been brought to my attention that some of you don't keep a nice personality when advertising. Often you (whether intentionally or not) talk down to the people asking questions or even poke fun at them when they asked about traditionalists' methods or our plot.
When talking to people, be friendly. Chose your words very carefully. If they ask a question, answer it without “duh”s or “don't be silly/stupid”s or anything like those, especially on Neopets and Other Sites. We don't want to deter new members from joining. And if someone asked why their name is not traditional, answer logically. Don't just attack them with insults about why it's not.
And remember, smilies go a long way
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