Food - and other - blog & website questions

15 years ago

On another thread, a poster was questioned about adding a link to a food blog. It was apparently deemed ok if it wasn't that person's own blog. I understand clear "no advertising is allowed in any of the forums." But I don't understand the "grey" areas.

I recently answered a questions about making madeleines. After the original poster asked more questions than I could offer answers to -- and I was curious myself -- I googled until I found a food blog that had a good description along with step-by-step instructions and photos. Is that ok to post? What if it were my own blog? Would that be ok to post?

What if I start a thread with a question about something and I link to my blog as a reference, related to the question? Is that ok to post? I just did that on the kayak camping cooking thread and nobody called me out on it. Should they have?

Tamara, would you please weigh in on this one?

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Comments (10)

claire_de_luna
15 years ago
I don't think anyone has a problem with posting a link to someone's blog, especially if there's helpful information to be had. It has been discussed in the past to be sure and offer credit to the source, which is a good idea whether it's a recipe or a blog.
bons
15 years ago
I have occasionally linked to my own blog when someone was looking for a recipe that I happen to have.

I didn't know that was not appropriate, and I'm not exactly sure why? I'm not selling anything - just sharing recipes.

Can someone enlighten me?

Bonnie
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IMO, it's foolish to do the first dinner without liability insurance. Also, be sure your vehicle is covered for commercial use...would hate to find out it's not when you back out of your client's driveway smack into their new car. (Just joking...I know you'd never do that but still...) Get the certificate. There's no downside. That's a no-brainer. Just do it! Check the SBA's website. They might offer micro-business insurance assistance. The cost of your liability insurance will be based on a pre-determined (by the insurance companies) risk factor. Serving food is high risk no matter who's stove you use or where you cook. You didn't mention the amount of coverage but I'm going to throw out here that again, IMO, you should have at least $300K (and more would be better). You might have a hard time finding a carrier that will write such a small policy. Teaming up with a professional personal chef organization makes really good sense. Consider your membership fees as advertising costs. Remember...the reason most small businesses fail is because they were inadequately capitalized...that includes such things as insurance. Sooz, you sound sincere about this venture. If you are...I'd also seriously suggest you prepare (if you haven't already) a detailed WRITTEN business plan. Again, the SBA Micro-Business department will assist (as will SCORE). Your odds of success go up (or down) in multiples depending on what steps you do now before you start your business. Having a WRITTEN business plan is considered crucial. Nobody will take you serious if you don't have one. I suspect you haven't done this step 'cause if you had...these questions would already have answers. Please back-up, put creating menus for the websiste on hold, & get your business ducks in a row. Write a business plan before anything else. Sorry for lecturing...the banker in me is groaning in pain. It's awful to watch a small business owner fail. And they fail not because the food's yucky. They fail because they don't have WRITTEN professional business plans, know how to use them, & follow their plan. And, no, you are not too small for this to be important. Sooz, professionals consider 2-3 years a minimum time investment in preparation for start-up of a micro-business. In the course of writing your plan you'll get the answers to all your questions plus lots more you've never thought of yet. If it's important enough to do...it's important enough to do right. Off banker soapbox, sorry. /tricia Here is a link that might be useful: SBA's Guide to Writing A Business Plan
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spacific
Original Author
15 years ago
Bonnie,
I don't know if it is wrong. I got confused about a comment on another thread. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing or not posting a link to my own site.

CdL,
Always a good reminder to give credit to the source...
lindac
15 years ago
Perhaps the rules are relaxed a bit now....but in the past you couldn't post a link to any site seen as competing, and you couldn't post to your own site where you had ads because ti was seen as aw ay to make money for you.
And there were other sites that would trigger the "whoops" response...like what is known as the "Big O"...you couldn't even put the name in the body of a message
And on the garden side I think any link to Dave's Garden is taboo.
But heaven knows they are not very diligent about removing down and out spam....so maybe no one cares any more.
Linda C
jimster
15 years ago
Linking is what it's all about on the Internet. Links are more than just a neat feature of the web, they are its essence. CW couldn't work without links. Any attempt to thwart linking or restrict it in any way is futile and silly.

Jim
Teresa_MN
15 years ago
Some people have own their web page links and blog links on their member page of GW. I guess you could always say the info was on your own site, and tell people to go to your member page for the links.

Teresa
User
15 years ago
Linking to a blog is fine as long as your goal is not to advertise the blog for the sole purpose of advertising the blog. ;) In other words, as long as it's relevant, it's fine. Where it gets sticky is when a new poster might just 'drop in' to post a link, if someone links to their blog on every single post, or if clicking on that link might result in some type of 'referral rewards' for the poster.

Hope this helps, but if something needs more clarity, please let me know.

Tamara

(yes, I did remove some posts from this thread that were unkind and not relevant to the matter at hand, or if they referenced the removed post (because those referencing posts wouldn't quite make sense).
jimster
15 years ago
Thanks for the explanation, Tamara. I agree with the policy of eliminating those Spam threads initiated by drop-ins. I think the CF membership would be unanimous on that one.

Please take a look at the thread which spawned this one. There is at least one unkind and irrelevant post there. In my opinion anyway.

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: The Original Thread
spacific
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Tamara. Appreciate the clarification!

Ann
jimster
15 years ago
Thanks, Tamara.

Jim

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