Is it ethical to use the forum to advertise member's busines

[Peregrina 2013]

I never paid attention before, but as I came back from my Camino and have been participating on this forum I noticed that there are several members who use this platform to recruit clients for their personal Camino guided tour business. I question the practice, because, obviously, the target participants come to this forum to have questions and concerns answered, and they likely will see these links to individual businesses. Is this OK with the moderators and the participants? Advertising in the right website (i.e. right here) is ideal for personal enterprising to promote and take advantage of free business marketing.
I'm just saying!

Ultreia!

Mary

 

[sillydoll]

Obviously, if companies are advertising group tours to the Holy Land, to Lourdes, Rome or other sacred sites, this might not be the appropriate forum.

The 'Tour Companies' sub-forum is specifically for companies or people offering a group experience on a Camino - and there are many people who prefer doing the Camino this way. It is a good thing if one is looking for recommendations from people who have walked with a group.

Members who are not interested in doing group walks don't have to read those threads.

 

[Stellere]

As a (long-time lurker, relatively new to posting) member who has no intention of using a tour group, I don't see anything wrong with it. Actually, I should qualify that. If it's someone who is a genuine member of the forum, answering questions and joining in the conversation, then I think that they should be allowed to share their businesses. I even tweeted a link to one of the tours that I saw on this forum, because I thought the idea was neat. I'm not interested, but maybe someone else - someone who isn't quite ready to do it on their own right now - will be.

So long as people aren't spamming, or using the forum solely for free advertising, then it doesn't bother me to see links to personal businesses now and then.

 

[sillydoll]

One of the Forum guidelines is that you post a thread and use that thread to add any additional information in the future. You don't open new threads every time you want to add something about your group walks.

It is the same guideline for people who write a book about the Camino. Don't create new threads - post once and then, if there is anything of interest to add, use the original post.

 

[grayland]

Rule 6 of the forum (below) explains the process.

In addition, Ivar accepts and welcomes paid advertising to assist in maintaining the forum. Donativos are always appreciated. 8)



6) For anyone that offer a service/product/... on the camino and would like to talk about this in the forum, the rule is:
- You write one post explaining the service/product/... . Introducing it so that other pilgrims/members know about it. Feel free to add photos links, phone numbers,...
- Then once you have introduced it to the forum members, add a link in the signature of your forum posts to this post/or an external website that talks about your service/product/.. You can do so here:
ucp.php?i=profile&mode=signature
7) To add a commercial link as described in 6) you must have participated in the forum with at least 10 "normal"/non-commercial posts.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Stellere, Sillydoll & Grayland, I appreciate the information about this issue; now that you've clarified the process, it makes sense. I can see how it is beneficial to both the Forum members seeking information and getting help when making decisions on whether to go or not, or what route, equipment, clothing, etc. to take. The business owner (the poster) also benefits because their business can take off -if beginning, enhance their income, and even, yes, get a free trip to Spain while leading their groups.

Maybe I should try that! It would be a wonderful way to visit the Camino more often and help people know more about the history, culture, gastronomy and alternative routes; there is so much to learn! Having been a tour coordinator & leader for many years, this would be another aspect to pursue, perhaps!

Ultreia,

Mary