This week showed me that there are still people out there that do not get how collaborating within their niche is a win-win and not something to be feared.
Currently I am working on creating a Sphynx cat site network because, I hope you know, I just love the breed . One area I have steered away within the niche is creating a forum. There are a couple of reasons why.
- Forums are a lot of work dealing with people
- There are already a few fairly good forums out there
- I have products to create that I need to spend my precious time on
I mention this because I want to emphasise I am not a competitor with the guy this post is about.
I used to advertise my Sphynx cat book on one of the forums. Paid advertising that I tried for about 4 months as it wasn’t really working and I didn’t have time to screw around with split testing ads. Recently a question came up in that forum, “are there any good Sphynx cat books out there because everything I have found is written for children”. I left a post saying I had written one and if they searched in Barnes and Noble online store under “Sphynx Cats” they would find it. No links, no spam. The owner of the forum, however, chose to delete my post because I had ceased advertising with them.
Can you see how shortsighted that was?
I was a contributor to the forum, as well as a member. Instead of celebrating that one of their members had written a book, they stamp on something that would link them to a book (good for them). They killed a post that told a member to how to get exactly what they wanted (good for me, good for the forum).
They also have pushed a button with me that means I will not mention their site favourably ever again, I will recommend their competitor forums over theirs as well as spend my advertising dollars elsewhere. I am doing a podcast series about people in the Sphynx cat world, do you think I feel like including them at the moment?
It really is a stupid move to not even consider working with someone in the same niche as you, the benefits go way beyond whatever it is you are. I wonder if someone had recommended my book with a straight link, what the owner would have done.
Planned and executed my exit from the corporate world. Walked away with a 6 figure payment to boot.
Allison, some people are very short-sighted, and it’s to their detriment.
These things are very annoying. I have a friend who has a somewhat similar situation, but her conflict is with another tango dance teacher in her town that is being very, um, “catty.”
Hopefully this post helped you get your frustration out of your system.
I like all cats, but I especially love dogs, and super especially golden retrievers.
John Soares´s last [type] ..6 Ways to Save Time With Errands
The new order on the Internet suggests the owners of that forum have got it totally wrong. Instead of encouraging a potential supporter they have created a potential detractor.
I hate saying the word karma because it sounds all new age but social media on the Internet is fostering a real psychological karma where doing the right thing is always going to bring you a positive return and doing something negative… well you know what I mean.
There is now a really good business reason to always do the right thing even when it is hard to stomach.
You hear that BP ?
kirkoconnor´s last [type] ..Facebook Moves the Goal Posts
There’s always time for split-tests!
It’s funny how many forum owners don’t mind putting ads on their site, but totally freak out if somebody mentions a product they have made inside an actual thread. And the silly rationals they are giving …
Btw. the layout of your book-site looks very nice and clean. Reminds me of the app-salespage-layouts those Silicon Valley startups are using. Does it convert better for you than a regular salesletter? For me, the layout screams “trust” and “professionalism”.
Hi Allison,
i think you’ve hit the nail on the head regarding the short sighted approach. You’d think that being a past client, you would have been treated a little better, as you are one of the small percentage of forum participants that advertised & ultimately their ideal “prospect”.
You would think as better approach would have been to email you & highlight the fact that your potential clients are indeed hanging around at that particular forum and that it might be time to split test some more ads.
But people being people, the sane rational win win path is rarely followed due to some misguided perception of loss – ie they perceived you were “getting one up” on them by referring your book.
Ahh well, whatever doesn’t kill you……..
Alan´s last [type] ..Shun Classic 8 Inch Chefs Knife
That was really silly of them, fair enough that you won’t mention them favourably ever again. I sometimes wonder who these people are that censor forums, what a nightmare gig!
Jorgen @ Personal Branding´s last [type] ..Google Local Business Maps: How to Get Listed with Places
Very short term thinking on that forum owners behalf – boo!
Great piece of advice especially for those just starting out business! I would like to say thanks for this great article thanks for sharing with us!!