The guidelines read:

-  Providers may post one ad thread per 7-day period.

-  Posts regarding contact info, availability, schedule changes, new website announcements, or new pics all count as ad posts.  

I have always been told that we (providers) were only able to START a thread once a week...that any posting could be an ad, promo or publicity. This was to stop useless posts and constant advertising on the public discussion boards.  The gents on the other hand are allowed to post freely.  

We were able and encouraged to add comments to any thread already started.

Now it looks like the guidelines were updated....Posts regarding contact info, availability, schedule changes, new website announcements, or new pics all count as ad posts.

SO, this means we are now able to start any thread any time based on these guidelines?  

Anything off topic or non-ad like are allowed now? Have you noticed the results...mass useless and off topic posts for more exposure.

Web site announcements...could be anything...depending on the website.

Once you break down every detail it gets confusing.  Publicity is publicity...even mentioning of a name is publicity or here considered contact information.  So by posting ANYTHING our name shows up as the author which in turn promotes our contact info. Another guideline says we are suppose to add a link to our websites if we post an ad...technically everything we post is an ad, so everything should have a link then?

There are so many fine lines and it is confusing.  My general rule of thumb has been to ONLY post or start a thread once a week with a link.  I add comments to other established threads that are pertinent and not ad a link and this has kept me safe....however if things have changed, then I would like to keep up with everyone else posting freely.

I guess the ultimate question is...isn't anything posted by a provider or agency technically an ad?

Yes - We only post an ad or start a thread once a week.

No - We start threads anytime by anyone as long as they are not ads.

If the answer is no, can we please have more clarifacation?

I hope this is the proper place to post my question.

Thank you,

Candy

-- Modified on 9/23/2006 1:05:59 PM

Please let me attempt to address your questions and concerns about posting messages and ad posts on TER discussion boards.


posted by AZCandy:
"I have always been told that we (providers) were only able to START a thread once a week...that any posting could be an ad, promo or publicity."

I do not know who told you this, but they were mistaken.  Providers and agencies may only post one ad post per seven-day period, but may otherwise participate on the discussion boards just like any other TER member.

In fact, the TER ad posting guidelines also include this passage:
"By participating in the discussions on TER discussion boards, you can greatly increase your visibility and give potential clients the opportunity to get to know you better.  You may include your link in messages you contribute to any TER discussion board, and those messages do not count against your ad post limit. In fact, you are encouraged to include your link, because it helps everyone get to know you better.  However, please ensure that those linked messages contain meaningful, entertaining, or helpful contributions, or they will be treated as ad posts."


posted by AZCandy:
"Now it looks like the guidelines were updated....Posts regarding contact info, availability, schedule changes, new website announcements, or new pics all count as ad posts."

Those guidelines for posting provider ads are not new -- they have been in effect for at least two years.


posted by AZCandy:
"SO, this means we are now able to start any thread any time based on these guidelines?"

Yes, within the limits set forth by the applicable discussion board rules, the TER message posting guidelines, and the TER ad posting guidelines.  Again, this is not new.


posted by AZCandy:
"Anything off topic or non-ad like are allowed now?"

Of course not.  Discussion board messages must meet the TER message posting guidelines (link below), and each discussion board has a set of rules listed at the top - here is a typical example:
"Please don't post messages that are mean, use foul language, or that reveal sensitive information about other people. This is a moderated forum in which flames and messages outside the forum topic will be deleted. Please do not post messages that are simply mean, or meant to cause trouble for trouble's sake. This is not the area to post detailed reviews. Please submit them in the review section. That said, have fun."

Some discussion boards have additional rules stated at the top (no ad posts on the ISO board, no ads or ISO posts on the General Discussion board, etc.). In addition to those rules, the following message posting guidelines apply to all boards:
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?BoardID=33&MessageID=17543


posted by AZCandy:
"Another guideline says we are suppose to add a link to our websites if we post an ad...technically everything we post is an ad, so everything should have a link then?"

First of all, not everything you post on the discussion boards is necessarily considered an ad.  Your ad posts are required to have a valid link as defined in the ad posting guidelines.  As stated above, your non-ad discussion board posts may include a valid link, but it is not a requirement.  However, your non-ad posts may not include contact info or any other items that define a post as an ad.  Your non-ad posts that respond to an ISO where you meet the listed requirements may include a valid link.  See the TER ad posting guidelines for details:
http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?BoardID=33&MessageID=17544


posted by AZCandy:
"I guess the ultimate question is...isn't anything posted by a provider or agency technically an ad?  If the answer is no, can we please have more clarifacation?"

No.  But as previously stated, your non-ad posts that are not meaningful, entertaining, or helpful contributions will be treated as ad posts.  In other words, you may not post with the intention of just getting your "name in lights."  Hopefully this post has provided you with the requested clarification.



posted by AZCandy:
"I hope this is the proper place to post my question."

Not really; your questions probably should have been posted on the FAQ for Newbies discussion board, where many have been previously addressed.  Reference the TER message posting guidelines:
"Before posting questions, search the FAQ for Newbies board for previously posted answers."