Policy on Self Promo?

[Zombiethederg]

So, ive been on the forum for a hot minute and ive been wondering about something. Is there a policy against self-promotion? Awhile back I put out a post talking about a server I had opened to the public, and I was wary if that would count as self-promotion and be against the rules.

If its not against the rules, is it something that users would rather not have happen on the forum? Is it looked down upon? (If it is I apologize for the previous Minecraft server post :C)

[VelvetSoul]

I think the closest thing in the rules that would be against self promotion is specifically linking to things that otherwise break the rules of the forum in the first place. If whatever you're promoting doesn't necessarily break the other rules I don't think it would violate any of the guidelines.

Obviously I'm not a moderator or anything, I'm fairly new here; but that's just my two cents based off the posted rules on the wiki.

I will say personally, as a streamer myself; the major reason I don't go talking about my streams and such is because I'm still new around here. It's only my own opinion, but I feel like it kind of looks bad on me to show up and start talking about my streams and stuff; more-so if I link to them and constantly self promote or even just make a thread to talk about it.

That being said, this forum talks a lot about creative endeavors; there are places to share what we create and enjoy working on. I believe as long as it's not excessive, if someone looks down on you for sharing what you create; that's on them not on you.

I put a lot of effort and work into my streams, I personally enjoy getting to play up a character, share games I love with others; and typically I do challenge runs or speedruns so it's fun to share my progress with those as well. I'm very open about being a small streamer in communities where I've been an active participant, because it's very clear in those communities that I'm not simply/exclusively here to advertise.

I feel like if someone showed up, solely to self promote; never being an active participant of the forums and generally ignoring anything unrelated to their personal projects. Then sure, I could see them getting a sort of bad rep for it. However, if you're someone who uses the forums regularly, you're an active member of the community here; and then you share with us stuff that you're working on and maybe want to bring some attention to whether it's because you're proud of it, or maybe you'd like others to see what you've been up to. I don't think there's honestly any harm in that.

Be it a website, a game, a stream, videos, writing; etc. If it's something you're creating and you want to share it I personally wouldn't look down on anyone for that. It's when someone is clearly only here for one thing, and that one thing is personal self promotion and nothing else; that I'd look down on them for it.

That's just me though, I'm not sure if this is the general vibe for everyone else here or not. 

[Melooon]

Its not looked down upon at all; I actually really like when people post external projects like your mc server and I would like people to consider this a space where they can share and find cool projects beyond ones hosted by me.

That said I do think a lot of the web has a kind of "notice me" attitude, particularly on sites like Reddit; and I think that's something a lot of visitors here want to avoid ~ so its kinda a balance of guessing if the audience here is really gonna enjoy the project that's being promoted or not.

Its easier for me because a lot of the time when I post projects I just say "screw it, I can post what i like on my forum" (and sometimes people totally ignore things I post  ), but I know that its a lot more intimidating to share a project for most other people 

So the answer is; be considerate and ask yourself if you're promo is just about you, or if its a genuine desire to share something with others ~ and then be a bit bold and just put it out there! I really believe if you just keep doing something and being passionate about it, eventually people will start to care 

The forum will morph slowly, so the more people make a certain kind of post; the more acceptance and engagement that kind of post will get. If everyone on the forum was posting mc servers, we would create a "Post your MC server here" board, and it would seem totally normal ~ however its still unusual to do, so you have to battle a little to make it work and build your own social infrastructure 

I put a lot of effort and work into my streams

I'm actually really interested in streams as a kind of net-performace-art atm; so Id love to see more exploration of this subject