A Boards.ie Pro?

ShriekingSheet

How many new posters come here looking for pro recommendations in a given area? Even if they don't post, I'd wager a hefty amount of viewers come through checking for info.

I was initially thinking to myself, why don't I see any banner ads from local pros in the top right corner of the forum? But then it occurred to me, would it not be beneficial to all involved if someone on the Boards.ie staff got a hold of a couple of decent pros from different locations, adopted them as the official Boards pros and let promote themselves on threads while also contributing to general/technique/rules queries?

Given the amount of "seeking lessons" traffic that passes through Boards' hands, it's a hugely valuable resource for teachers seeking students. If a good pro could be found (that Boards would recommend) i can't imagine it'd be the hardest commercial arrangement to come to and as part of that agreement, having a pro contribute to the forum would be a huge benefit IMO.

I'm fairly sure anyone who posts looking for lessons is getting PMs from pros offering lessons anyway so this would be a way of getting it all above board...?

f22

That's a great idea.

I have a personal friend whos a coach on the northside that has a very good reputation. I'll let him know and let him do the dirty work.

ShriekingSheet

Just to clarify, this was just a suggestion to the Boards.ie staff (possibly should be copied into Feedback but let the Mods decide).

There are good reasons for not having any endorsed pros affiliated with the site.

At the same time, there's nothing to stop pros posting on the forum as it is - provided they aren't using it to sell their service.

But I can see why private driving ranges take on affiliate pros which they recommend rather than having a free-for-all. Maybe a private forum such as boards could benefit from a similar policy...

Boards.ie Benefits - commercial, quality/profile of forum, drive more users

User/Poster Benefits - professional advice/info/discussion, quality of service in terms of people seeking recommendations are pointed towards approved pros rather than receiving PMs under the radar (which goes on now)

Pro Benefits - worthy professionals could generate lots of business via this model


Of course any "approved" pros would be subject to comment/praise/criticism from any of us posters so the people power element of the forum that we currently have would not be lost.

f22

Agreed, I don't think there is a need for affiliation really, but perhaps a section where recommended pros can have their info posted.

I also think that any bull**** faceless self promotion (ala Barry Power) that we've had to put up with in the past should be frowned upon.

If you're a pro say so, and if people recommend you well and good for everybody.

I also can't understand why any pros have advertised on the golf section?

copacetic

The new community managers are looking at formalising commercial interactions like this at the moment, we have in the past been contacted by a number of organisations with offers for boardsies etc and some were interested in advertising but not a lot came of it.

Hopefully with more full time staff now available forums like this will see some benefits. However I believe it would be more likely we would offer an area for pros to interact with the forum rather than let them just free run across the forum.

billy3sheets

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

a couple of decent young pros...
worthy young professionals...

Shriek, I'm sure it's unintentional, but please delete young as it is ageist.

ShriekingSheet

billy3sheets wrote: »

Shriek, I'm sure it's unintentional, but please delete young as it is ageist.

done