Orange Helpers
Discussion
Need I say more?
I'm sure they're all heart etc, but their presence paves the way for every company of their ilk to jump onboard and use thinly veiled advertising in the form of assistance.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...
I'm sure they're all heart etc, but their presence paves the way for every company of their ilk to jump onboard and use thinly veiled advertising in the form of assistance.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...
This is exactly what we advise brands to do. The worst thing they can do is to resolve the issue offline - nobody can see that they resolved it. BT and Dell are particularly adept at it.
We advise publishers to develop relationships with these kind of brands because there is money to be made in putting them into relevant, useful dialog with their clients.
We advise publishers to develop relationships with these kind of brands because there is money to be made in putting them into relevant, useful dialog with their clients.
miniman said:
This is exactly what we advise brands to do. The worst thing they can do is to resolve the issue offline - nobody can see that they resolved it. BT and Dell are particularly adept at it.
We advise publishers to develop relationships with these kind of brands because there is money to be made in putting them into relevant, useful dialog with their clients.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks it makes them look like spamming, obvious, uninvited twunts who are likely in breach of the T&Cs. If they're allowed to stay, I'll have one of my staff join up for the same reasons, at least my company offers some car related services, I could use the free advertising We advise publishers to develop relationships with these kind of brands because there is money to be made in putting them into relevant, useful dialog with their clients.
The only thing is that we don't allow paid for forum posts on PH, but will allow members to post advice now and again.
We wouldn't allow Orange to post on the forums for example, not unless it was as useful and relevant as (for example) the Opie Oils thread in GG, but big corporates dont get discretion
Using Beeston is hardly comparing like with like.
We wouldn't allow Orange to post on the forums for example, not unless it was as useful and relevant as (for example) the Opie Oils thread in GG, but big corporates dont get discretion
Using Beeston is hardly comparing like with like.
miniman said:
Because as well as advertising, he provides solid advice through the forums without pushing his business. The only thing Orange are doing wrong is calling themselves OrangeHelpers. There's no other advertising in their posts.
Erm, no. Jamie didn't sign up purely to punt his business around as far as I'm aware, and despite your suggestions otherwise I'm sure you know as well as I do that's exactly what OrangeHelpers are doing. I've yet to see Register1 join up and post, then sign off every post with their social media links having banded around a bunch of their phone numbers, web addresses etc. I'm pretty sure Jamie's not paying his staff to post either. I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree, but it's just not cricket IMO, and opens the flood gates to every other big corporate out there who sees a website with a massive user-base like PH as little more than fish in a barrel.
We all know that this is different to Jamie's usage of PH. He has it absolutely spot on - he's playing an active part of a community, getting significant value from it, and contributing to it financially. There is every opportunity for Haymarket to benefit financially from Orange too, in a subtle way that adds value to the community. We've been trying to get them to listen to HOW to do that for a long time now.
I'm simply making the point that big brands are actively seeking out issues that customers have, and trying to be SEEN to remedy them. In public. Yes, posting links to their various alter egos at the end of every post is a poor way of going about things but most companies are feeling their way with this kind of engagement.
Simple question: if you had an issue with Orange, or BT, or anyone else - would you prefer to deal with a sub-continent call centre, or have someone pro actively deal with your issue?
I'm simply making the point that big brands are actively seeking out issues that customers have, and trying to be SEEN to remedy them. In public. Yes, posting links to their various alter egos at the end of every post is a poor way of going about things but most companies are feeling their way with this kind of engagement.
Simple question: if you had an issue with Orange, or BT, or anyone else - would you prefer to deal with a sub-continent call centre, or have someone pro actively deal with your issue?
Simple answer - Of course I'd rather they made themselves available, but didn't park their tanks on my e-lawn in doing so. I reserve the right to be a total NIMBY in this instance 
I do understand your point, and I agree to an extent and certainly didn't expect to be whining about it to this level [apologies for that btw], but it's a balance which I fear Orange have failed on in this instance. I'd understand if it was a tech forum (yes I realise they've stuck to the gadgets forum thus far) but it's an automotive site first and foremost - quite clearly the only reason they are here is because of PH's position when it comes to SEO, impressions and users. I look forward to seeing how many other companies join our little corner of the internet for the same 'helpful' purposes.
I just find it a bit deflating when people like me have gone out of the way to respect where the limit lies when it comes to advertising our businesses or services etc, despite our contributing to a community, and they're freely allowed to wade in and advertise in the manner they have. I know I'd be gutted if PH closed it's doors tomorrow, and they wouldn't give a toss. That's not them being a part of a community, it's them capitalising on a community.
Still, I guess it's only really me that's bothered by it, so I'll leave it there, apologies for sounding like a whinging gimp
I do understand your point, and I agree to an extent and certainly didn't expect to be whining about it to this level [apologies for that btw], but it's a balance which I fear Orange have failed on in this instance. I'd understand if it was a tech forum (yes I realise they've stuck to the gadgets forum thus far) but it's an automotive site first and foremost - quite clearly the only reason they are here is because of PH's position when it comes to SEO, impressions and users. I look forward to seeing how many other companies join our little corner of the internet for the same 'helpful' purposes.
I just find it a bit deflating when people like me have gone out of the way to respect where the limit lies when it comes to advertising our businesses or services etc, despite our contributing to a community, and they're freely allowed to wade in and advertise in the manner they have. I know I'd be gutted if PH closed it's doors tomorrow, and they wouldn't give a toss. That's not them being a part of a community, it's them capitalising on a community.
Still, I guess it's only really me that's bothered by it, so I'll leave it there, apologies for sounding like a whinging gimp
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