Soliciting vs. Douchebaggery

Caller

Poland8075 Posts

August 24 2009 03:28 GMT

As you probably don't know, I'm currently trying to run a forum as my summer/fall job. One thing that was suggested to me was, of course, to ask friends/family to try and look around at the website. Now, I know that this is how most people make business connections and the like, but I also know that people tend to get pissed if someone holds a tupperware party.

So, TL, I ask you: how would you go about soliciting people you know to do something for you, or how do you feel about people who do that? When does a mere solicitation turn into douchebaggery?

-not going into the other concerns i have, namely, how to avoid the trolling flamewars that will probably happen as well.

29 fps

United States5724 Posts

August 24 2009 03:37 GMT

it's douchebaggery when you become too persistent even after they decline your offer/services. and if you solicit them at the wrong hours (meal time, night time, usually), it might be seen as douchebaggery (even though dinner times vary and you have no way of knowing)

Licmyobelisk

Philippines3682 Posts

August 24 2009 03:39 GMT

I think try to grab a few beers with your friends then assert in the "solicitation" within the conservation. Usually between "moments of silence", and I think it's best that you try to make a conversation about business.

With family, I don't know about it but just try to be direct to them. If you guys are pretty close then it's not going to look like douchebaggery since that's just family helping family out.

Edit: Yeah I forgot that multi level marketeers tend to do the stuff regarding grab a few beers except they don't have a beer with them when we meet up.

Try to make it as casual as possible without being too focused on your business;
and Yeah, follow the rule not do disturb them in their "lunch or work etc."

Sharp-eYe

Canada642 Posts

August 24 2009 03:44 GMT

I think its more about who you ask. When I need something done, I go to people who I know for sure will help me 100%. Otherwise, don't be to repetitive, or else it gets annoying. But looking at a website isnt a big deal, so I do not think anyone will say no.

intruding

157 Posts

August 24 2009 04:31 GMT

--- Nuked ---

esla_sol

United States756 Posts

August 24 2009 04:41 GMT

bribes.

MutaDoom

Canada1163 Posts

August 24 2009 07:34 GMT

One avenue is to change your facebook status to something about it. Everyone you know will be notified

IntoTheWow

is awesome32275 Posts

August 24 2009 07:58 GMT

Just don't put them into a situation where they can't say no.

pyrogenetix

China5098 Posts

August 24 2009 09:04 GMT

i dont see why not, but then im chinese and in my culture people help each other with stuff like this all the time.

Caller

Poland8075 Posts

August 24 2009 13:12 GMT

#10

On August 24 2009 13:31 intruding wrote:
OP...i dont get it...what? what are you trying to say. you're "trying to run a forum as your summer/fall job" ?! Job or business? you mean you're starting a brand new website and you're trying to create traffic that could potentially earn you revenues? and you're asking friends and family to try to spark the initial interest in the website so that it becomes some kind of network effect to increase popularity?

if i get it right...then i mean yeah..why not..friends and family would love to see a relative succeed in business.. as long as you're not bugging them too much...but then again...whats the target audience of that forum? if they are likely to be in the target audience..just ask them to take a look... if you can clearly see why they would never be interested in that stuff...then just try other means of advertising....although i know your budget is probably limited right now..

also...are you sure a forum could be lucrative? even a successful forum like TL which has a big ass amount of traffic is, i heard, not very lucrative.
anyhow, GLHF.

i mean to say i'm working for somebody who is starting this forum. I have no idea whether or not it is profit or non-profit, though.

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