This week I want to fuss about something that goes on frequently in our industry. I suspect that many of you may not even be aware of it so I'll keep this short. However, once I point it out, I'm betting you'll spot if fairly often.

What I'm talking about is 'trolling' webmaster resources.

'Trolling' is a term I brought over from my old days as a CompuServe WizOp. In this context, it's the practice of hanging around a webmaster resource with the hopes and intentions of luring their visitors to your (competitive) resource. It happens all the time and it sucks big-time. They may do it at chat boards or in live chat rooms, sometimes even radio shows. However it's done, it's a lame tactic. I don't care if it's a brand new rinky dink resource or a major mega-resource, if they're trolling for visitors they already have one strike against them in my book.

I recall the day when there was only one WM resource so it was understandable (even if ill-mannered) that new ones came there to try and lure away users. However, times have changed and there are MANY other, more legitimate ways to expose a new resource to webmasters. These days, the larger Webmaster Resources spend a lot of time and effort to attract and retain daily visitors. To use a resources own public communication avenues to try and lure their visitors to your resource shows you are either very ill-mannered, poorly raised, or else just a lamer. Either way, I hope you're seen for what you are and avoided by honest webmasters.

Wait, I hear the whining already ... 'but Khan, I'm brand new and just want to let folks know about all the super-dooper, wonderful crap I'm going to offer them.' To which, Khan replies, 'Hooey!' You're a troller that's either too lame or too cheap to market your resource honestly so you're stooping to the only thing you can, taking advantage of other's hospitality.

If you really want to promote your new resource, do it honestly. Buy a small advert. If you can't afford one at one of the major resources, try asking them for a trade of some sort. Or take out an ad in one of the webmaster newsletters or buy and ad with one of the less expensive resources. They're out there. If you spent as much time looking for legit ways to promote your site as you did trolling other resources, I'm betting all kinds of options would present themselves. So no more excuses. This is a business and you should treat it as such.

I won't belabor this as again, it doesn't apply to that many individual webmasters. Besides, I think you get the idea, trolling is lame and those resources that do it don't deserve your patronage, IMO.

Ok, enough for now. More rants in the weeks to come.

'till next time ...

be well

- Khan