We used to have a 10 post minimum to post in our site-specific sections (marketplace, etc). However, I found it just stifled traffic way too much, and I got rid of it. We also used to have a 10 post min before you could have a signature ... ditched it all.

I still keep a limit for the "market place" and reviews section. I don't want one time posting spammers to come, place the link and then leave, as they seem to do in other places. My 42 posts/member rate is the result of this "unfriendly" way of doing things

As for the sigs. I let them link to the site from the first post. I don't post in forums that won't allow me to put a link in my sig. In the end that forum lives because of me. So that's the "minimum" I am willing to offer.

This one is a tough one.

Here is how I view it...

I am the best Reality TV Site in the world and someone who is just starting wants to network with me. What do I get out of it? Nothing and they may take some of my members.

Other way around. I am just starting. I WANT and almost NEED the best site to help me out. Even if it is just something small like a link in a signature.

The way I view it. The internet is a large place (that would be the WORLD in the World Wide Web) and really there is enough "business" or "traffic" to be able to really work with any site (as long as they are not spam or just useless site with no content). I believe networking is important and there are benifits both ways.

I have tried this. I have attempted to network with other sites in my market and have had little to no success. Just kind of is tough. I guess, I would do what I can to keep helping and offer something if anything to make it worth it for a simple link somewhere on the site.

I believe in the power of networking. It has changed my DJ business 100%...now if I could just help people ONLINE know that as well!

Just my thoughts. I do not like the black and white approach. Working together is better.

Peace,

DJ Bill

Well, if you add seperate section like employment/offer section/site review/selling site etc, there is less chance of spamming and self promotion.

I am new to your forum and came across this thread. Just a comment, I'm not a fan of any type of zero tolerance with few exceptions (DWI being one of them). In this case, certainly there is some middle ground and most times it will depend on circumstances. For instance, I am very active and busy in the virtualization world and there are some very useful links that folks may be interested in, and not just the site I run. I do agree that the site's usefulness would be diminished if you allowed all types of postings-much like Google has become polluted with links that are not relevent other than a key word.

But remember this axiom: zero tolerance = zero thought.

Virtually yours.

-MD

I think that a middle ground is to have one area of the site where general discussions can take place with no specifics, and another area of the site to make industry contacts and have discussions about improving your specific site. Here, for example, while this area of the site has a no tolerance policy, we have a separate Marketplace category to advertise various services available, websites for sale, and what have you. We also have a forum to ask for Site Reviews regarding various aspects of web design, usability, navigation, and other factors. Plus everyone can have a forum signature in all of their posts.