You STILL don't get it do you? (Referral Links)
By streak_tlu
@streak_tlu (606)
United States
May 31, 2007 9:01pm CST
I don't even know why I am bothering repeating myself because it's still going to occur all over MyLot, but I am going to anyhow.
First of all let me preface this by stating that I AM guilty of this. There have been a time or two when I was like, well everyone else is doing it and I actually have something that could benefit people so I'll do it too and see what kind of response I get.
Well the answer was, not nearly as good as the one I typically generate with my better strategy, and more importantly better ethics. FIFTEEN of the Twenty (15 of 20) of the discussions on the first two pages of "make extra money" are people blatantly advertising their referrals links. Just because you start the discussion with tell me what you think, etc... doesn't mean anyone can see that you're trying to get some extra mileage out of your link that you posted without anyone asking for it.
Look at user: oldbuddy. He doesn't go around advertising his program, yet he's probably one of the more successful people at getting referrals around here.
The KEY to getting referrals is taking the time to make yourself easy to find and to showcase your knowledge of online marketing, GPT sites... whatever it is that you're into, and people will look at your profile or shoot you an e-mail, or maybe they'll ask you to point them. THEN show them your link.
Also, stop answering EVERYONE's post about THEIR program, with a message, like "Good one, here check mine out too!" They were too busy trying to advertise their program to even notice yours, and everyone else that is reading that thread is just doing the same thing.
TAKE some advice and if you do actually know what you're talking about participate in discussions and share your wealth of knowledge and people will FOLLOW you on their own accord, which also means when they sign up they won't NOT EVER participate, but they'll be one of your better referrals. Stop shoving your referral link down my throat - besides that in MOST cases it's against Mylot's terms of service.
Am I alone on this one? Or are their others who think the water is getting pretty muddied?
7 people like this
11 responses
@inallduetime (741)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I am not gulity of this but I do see the posts to which you refer and I agree with you.
It is against policy to even do it but then people will answer the posts and posts their own link, I think that is very tacky.
Don't get me wrong it is good to exchange info. it's just it should be done in the correct format as allowed and it is not allowed so I agree with you.
The inability of some people to follow the rules is probably the main reason why, it will remain against policy to posts referral links.
3 people like this
@streak_tlu (606)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Right, and that's my point. I mean it's fine if someone comes along and says. Will you please post your referral links of your most successful programs because I want to join up and make some money. That doesn't bother me, and it doesn't bother me when people say, I like this program because of these reasons, and then say check out my profile for more information. It's the people that CONSTANTLY start new threads trying desperately to get referrals.
When they do that it is a tell-tale sign for me that they ARE indeed desperate, and obviously referrals aren't going as good as they should be or they could sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
You spoke of the most annoying thing, and that is when one person posts their link, and then people respond with, check mine out too. Or "maybe these will help you..."
One guy kept posting a scam last week, and I went out and got all this evidence and proof showing it was a scam, and he KEPT starting new topics claiming that it just wasn't the program for me because I wasn't willing to work it and all this stuff. It was pretty entertaining.
Anyhow, thanks for your contribution.
2 people like this
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
1 Jun 07
So basically, the guy is saying that it works if you actually work it. So with a scam if you work it, you are working a scam. Or something like that. It is still early here, I hope that you can understand what I tried to say. :P
@mortfinkle (497)
• United States
1 Jun 07
yeah thats a great way.. now check out my link http;/\referallinkz.pow
just kidding!!!! hahaha I think you are correct, I also think that gaining referals is an art that takes time but eventually gets worked out per each individuals taste.... I think mylot has done a good job keeping the spmming down to a minimum, and lets face it the "make extra money" section is going to be full of the same people trying to pick up the same referals, but with a mylot population thaqt grows everyday it stands to reason that a person will get the referals they want from here and everyone will be happy.... As far as discussions that clutter up mylot with spam, it just doesnt happen... As far as oldbuddy goes, yes he goes about it a bit different but other than being indirect it is the same thing.. a bit smoother and friendlier probably but the end result is the same thing.. dont get me wrong, because I am under oldbuddy in a few programs.... I am rambling now, but this discussion board is very easy to navigate and avoid the spam, unlike others and whether it is effective or not i say let em post those links (within mylot guidelines) of course... good discusion!!!
2 people like this
@streak_tlu (606)
• United States
1 Jun 07
But, being indirect (i.e. not posting referral links) and still getting those referrals is so much more conducive to discussions, as opposed to JOIN THIS SITE AND MAKE ONE MILLION DOLLARS in three days. If you bring up an interesting point, and it causes people to take the time to think about an issue, maybe check out your profile, etc. and THEN they request a link, I think that's pretty reasonable.
I just wish those people realize that they're trying to recruit people that are trying to do the same thing and recruit them, and it's really a never ending cycle; whereas, if they were more indirect they would probably sustain quite a bit more success.
2 people like this
@streak_tlu (606)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Absolutely a little less spammy, and something I would also do if it was in the context of the discussion and I took the time to layout my points and why I think it's appropriate to introduce that particular site into the mix. My site is a site I have invested a lot of time in to make the process as simple as possible for people, and I'll throw that link out there sometimes, and while I'm leery of it in some instances I don't care because I think it's so much more appropriate than a referral link complete with ID number at the end, etc.
2 people like this
@smoke_gun (1243)
• Malaysia
1 Jun 07
its doesnt matter to post refer links here,the only problem is there are multiple same refer links by same person,in different thread.its spam!there should be a moderator place here to keep watching members activity or admin should delete those spamming refer link thread often.
1 person likes this
@dramaqn (1990)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Love your post. Yes, like you I have been guilty of displaying my referral links. I've tried to get better at not doing it. And, I too am frustrated when I'm just trying to get some feedback (negative or positive) about a site to see if I should join or not and I get numerous people referring me to their site. I've grown really fond of the people who say, if interested send them a msg. I don't mind taking a look at sites, but at least they should answer or respond to my discussion first. Now, that's just rude to give a short reply and then jump in with their site and going on and on about it. So, yes, I'm defnitely feeling where you are coming from in this discussion. I liked it so much I'm interested in seeing some of your other posts. So, let me go do that now. Thank you for this amazing discussion.
2 people like this
@streak_tlu (606)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I am sincerely glad you've taken the time to contribute and let me know what you think about the discussion I've started. I'm as guilty of anyone as having some pretty unremarkable discussions, but every once in awhile I find a gem, and some really solid posters come out of the wood work and we can actually sustain an intelligent discussion.
And I agree. If you are trying to get feedback, that's what you WANT. You didn't WANT their referral link. Now if they responded with an in-depth reason of why they didn't particularly like your site, (or why they did), and show you a SOLUTION or a similar successful site/program via a personal message that would be pretty appropriate in my opinion.
2 people like this
@Airforcekid (196)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I agree but i dont think refferals on mylot will end soon.
2 people like this
@TheCatzMeow1 (579)
• United States
1 Jun 07
In one of your responses you said you had around 100 referrals at one of your GPT sites. You also stated that you spammed your referral link the 1st couple of months. From what I gather, that was the newby in you trying to get referrals. Right? I think a lot of the posts you're talking about are from people who are new to this just like you were at one time.
TOS can be confusing to some and perfectly clear to others. When they're long and dragged out, it tends to make folks skim through missing some important points. I've often thought "I wish they'd shorten the TOS somehow and still get their point across" with many sites. That would cut the problems down a bit. There will still be those who sign up without reading one line of the TOS though.
I'm not bashing you as you're right, it's against the rules. But since you've been there done that, isn't it sort of like the pot calling the kettle black? We're all guilty of being beginners at one point and time. In fact the guidelines say that we're not supposed to make multiple posts on the same subject to get people to pay attention to our issues. As I said I'm not bashing you, but you did say you don't know why you're bothering to "repeat" yourself.
I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I just wanted to point out that plenty of us are guilty of slipping up when it comes to TOS and guidelines. There's no sense in letting things like this get to you. It's just not worth it.
I do want to add that you have a couple of good pointers on how to get good referrals. Knowledge is power and without it we can't be successful. ;)
@hoghoney (3747)
• United States
1 Jun 07
WOW, I think that if you dont want to read about their links then dont read their discussion. I dont think that any one is trying to shove any down your throat, just dont look at it. That is like you right now is this some way to get people to view your profile in hopes that they view your website. great tatic I think in your part.
@streak_tlu (606)
• United States
1 Jun 07
You're being a little contradictory to my point. If there was genuinely something to READ about their links then I wouldn't consider it spam. If someone said these are the five reasons that I enjoy using this site to make money and two more reasons why I've been successful at it then there is some substance to what there is to offer. Just like Rod's post. There was a LOT of substance in that post which made me think, "Okay this guy know what he's talking about, let's go see, let's investigate further." Maybe he really does have some opportunities that would benefit me.
If someone is blatantly posting there links without any explanation, etc. that's when it becomes spam, especially if nobody asks for it. Again, I don't care if people view my website on MyLot or not. I make a lot more money from niche blogs and website online where I use various pseudo-names so that people aren't able to tell the variety of niches I am in... there is a enough competition as there is.
@SheliaLee (2736)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Hello!
I just wanted to say thank you for this discussion. I have been guilty myself a few times of doing this under the making extra money issue but I've stopped so I won't b against guidlines. What I do now is if I see a discussion about someone interested in making money I'll ask them to request me as a friend and I'll give them my linkds through a PM or if they prefer they can contact me through my regular e-mail address which I supply. That way they are free to choose whatever method they want if they are truly interested.
SheliaLee
@LCecelia (1124)
• United States
1 Jun 07
In a word...WOW. This is by far hands down the best discussion thread I've come across in the 2 months or so that I've been a member of this site. Just what I've been looking for.
I'm glad that I stopped to read it as I have to admit that I didn't read the full terms and conditions. I just figured that I'm a law abiding citizen and besides all the rules are the same so I won't be breaking any of these. Oops! I see that I did break it one time. Mia culpa. I for one will not be breaking this rule again.
Streak, thanks for starting this discussion. Not only is it lively, it is VERY informative.
Just my 2 cents.
@streak_tlu (606)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Cecelia,
Thanks for your input. I too am really pretty excited about this discussion. It takes a relatively intense (people care one way or another) group and a certain type of discussion (that attracts people that actually want to discuss) rather than just people chiming in with one liners that don't contribute to the discussion. These are the types of discussions that I want to see more of. There have been a variety of differing opinions, yet most all of the posters have made significant points and contributed to the thread as a whole.
I have been trying to get a good discussion like this going on my own personal forums with little success. It's just hard to find things that enough people are passionate about or have invested their time into to discuss in full detail.
Again, thanks for your contribution.
