So thanks to 'other dave' and a few others this comes up. I was kind to him for weeks as we discussed this along with the others that swoop in here to advertise. It is getting a bit much listening to these folks want it their way only. So changes are needed. It's been getting a bit much being told by these folks how to run things when they are here for 1 thing.
First, loads of members here post things and links to places not sponsors here. It comes naturally, post about a deal, ask a question about a particular company, these posts are normal natural and fine. Great. Nobody says boo.
However the guys that come here to post to their events, shows and so on for businesses this is called advertising. These guys tend to be here for one thing and one thing only and it makes modding a pain. Lots goes on behind the scenes due to these folks.
INGO as I understand had it setup to support local trainers freely. They can post their events in a certain section. These guys tend to be small/medium trainers (not stores, only trainers) and so on. To me firearms training is vital so that's great. We also allow 4 or so non profit based folks to post as they like and some get their own forum. Great, nothing was ever changed. They can still post these courses and such.
However the issue is with these larger businesses or members that sneak in ads to various things. Well some sneak others don't. Notice none support the site that support them. It's advertising is it not? Nobody ever said they had to be a full advertiser, I am zero pressure on ads.
Going forward the thought it to give the trainers here a plaque, saying something like 'INGO Trainer' and they can go as they were. Businesses (larger stores and such) though wanting to post events and such can join like a site Supporter, get a similar plaque with a different tag and can pay something like $40 a year perhaps. Just a thought. Curious what the members think. The goal is and still should be to make sure trainers can go about things as they always have. That has never been an issue. Chime in, I am open to ideas. This will organize things and make it easy to see if someone post to just advertise. Cleans things up. And seems more than fair. Thanks all…
First, loads of members here post things and links to places not sponsors here. It comes naturally, post about a deal, ask a question about a particular company, these posts are normal natural and fine. Great. Nobody says boo.
However the guys that come here to post to their events, shows and so on for businesses this is called advertising. These guys tend to be here for one thing and one thing only and it makes modding a pain. Lots goes on behind the scenes due to these folks.
INGO as I understand had it setup to support local trainers freely. They can post their events in a certain section. These guys tend to be small/medium trainers (not stores, only trainers) and so on. To me firearms training is vital so that's great. We also allow 4 or so non profit based folks to post as they like and some get their own forum. Great, nothing was ever changed. They can still post these courses and such.
However the issue is with these larger businesses or members that sneak in ads to various things. Well some sneak others don't. Notice none support the site that support them. It's advertising is it not? Nobody ever said they had to be a full advertiser, I am zero pressure on ads.
Going forward the thought it to give the trainers here a plaque, saying something like 'INGO Trainer' and they can go as they were. Businesses (larger stores and such) though wanting to post events and such can join like a site Supporter, get a similar plaque with a different tag and can pay something like $40 a year perhaps. Just a thought. Curious what the members think. The goal is and still should be to make sure trainers can go about things as they always have. That has never been an issue. Chime in, I am open to ideas. This will organize things and make it easy to see if someone post to just advertise. Cleans things up. And seems more than fair. Thanks all…