That kind of sums up my thought; I mean, I would NEVER link to Buffistas from my site and no other Buffista would either.

We're pretty self-policing, and people tend to be diffident, IMO.

I'm thinking of any self-promo would be along the lines of "Hey, all, my site is live at Me.com, feel free to pass this info on or link to my biz on your site" or "Ive added X service to my biz at Me.com, if anyone knows someone who might be interested."

And if someone would go beyond bounds peeps are likely to do what we always do -- politely say "Hmmm, this isn't really what this thread is for. What do you think, all?"

But I see it more as a "How they heck do I track this/claim this/promote this/HELP!" thread.

ita, am I understanding you correctly that pimping would be offering a product or service to someone else in the community with a price attached...without having previously been asked for that offering?

I'm asking so that I can be clear about the difference between pimping and spamming.

ita, I honestly see spam as non-participatory in the conversation people just falling in and linking to their biz: Buy my stuff!

I really think active Buffistas would use it as a thread to ask questions that might get lost in Natter or Bitches, et. al.

And if say, bonny (using bonny as random example) posted "Hey, I need some copy for my business" then someone could either email her, or post "Check out my site at Me.com and see if you think we would be a good fit" or such.

Oh god, Erin. The very idea of linking to b.org gives me the shivers. I'm so paranoidprotective of this place that I think I've mentioned the actual name to anyone 'out there' twice in the whole time I've been here.

Then what's the difference between spam and pimping?

Who's doing it and how often.

Who: People we know.

How often: Offering a new service or periodically mentioning your services would be fine. Spamming, or repeatedly, hitting the thread with offers and announcements is different.

Do we need to put a number on the difference between occasionally and repeatedly? I don't think it will be that hard to parse. As a matter of board etiquette I expect people will not want to compromise their standing by being seen as spamming the thread.

If it was an issue it could be addressed in thread. Like, "That's the fifth time this month you've posted your services. That's a mis-use of this thread."

And if say, bonny (using bonny as random example) posted "Hey, I need some copy for my business" then someone could either email her, or post "Check out my site at Me.com and see if you think we would be a good fit"

Funny you should say this Erin, as it is a strong likelihood that I will be doing this in the very near future (are you reading my mail? Is there a camera in here?).

I would LOVE to have a list of all the stuff Buffistas offer so that I might take advantage of those offerings. I'd much rather see 'us' succeed than google some stranger.

I dunno. I would want it to be a pretty clear line, if it's something I'm going to have to enforce as a stompy.

And at that rate, why should it just be buffista business owners? Should every buffista be able to promote the products of her employer?

As originally described, I thought it would be for discussing business, but not directly tied to the businesses in question at all. I mean, I can give advice on incorporating a non-profit without you ever knowing which one is mine.

I've been very careful not to solicit donations here, but there are Buffistas who give. We find our way to the Buffista author books pretty easily without having to link to Powells' half price sales.

(are you reading my mail? Is there a camera in here?).

Yes, and yes, and you ass looks GREAT!

David, that's a pretty good summation of my thoughts.

I would LOVE to have a list of all the stuff Buffistas offer so that I might take advantage of those offerings. I'd much rather see 'us' succeed than google some stranger.

So much THIS.

ita, I honestly see spam as non-participatory in the conversation people just falling in and linking to their biz: Buy my stuff!

Yeah, that's my thinking as well.

As originally described, I thought it would be for discussing business, but not directly tied to the businesses in question at all.

This is where I am with it.

If everyone in the thread is promoting their own services, in whatever way, how does it not become a little sticky when more than one person is in the same type of business? Especially when you're talking about services that can be done remotely, it's not like saying, "Hey, in Toledo I know of a great stylist."