Site Rules

[Susanna Boyd]

Hi!

We've reached a point in our growth as a community where it's time to lay down some rules.

But before the rules, an explanation:
I am an enabler. I love being enabled. I love sharing the goodness of all the wonderful sites out there, and the gorgeous product that we can all use to create our pages. That's something I don't want to lose. *I also don't want to police things.* But if rules are set and agreed to by the community, we can all develop a place where we can enjoy our hobby in freedom, make friends across the globe, and help one create.

I also have no intention selling product on a large scale here, and because of this, I don't feel any competition from designers or shoppes who DO sell product. In fact, I welcome their designs, because I want to use them, too!

So in light of these facts, here are the rules, effective immediately. Most of these are an "on your honor, respect us and we respect you" kind of basis, ok?

1. If you are a designer or owner of an online store, please do not post new threads about the products you sell. This is not a place for free advertising, but a place to share and learn. You can, however, post in the gallery, and work through your CT to help people find specific product they're looking for.
2. If you are a CT member, and you're super excited about something in your designer's shoppe, *feel free to *occasionally* post about it*. As I mentioned above, we love being enabled. If someone posts requesting a specific type of product and you know your designer's stuff fits the bill, feel free to post. However, if your posts become 'all about ads' and not about contributing to the community, you'll be warned and then banned. We love enablement, and we love to hear about specific products you're excited about, but nobody loves a pushy salesperson. I think we can tell the difference.
3. If you are an owner or a CT member, and would like to post your creations in the General Gallery, that's awesome! Please do NOT post product previews, though - these must be projects that you have created. You may also include a direct link to the product itself (NOT to the home page of your web site or store), but PLEASE do not include any 'advertising language', by which I mean things like "On sale now!" "For a limited time!" "10% off today only!" "I sell these great templates at xyz site" and so forth. Link us up to the product, and let your design speak for itself.
4. Please don't use our groups or our email system or even our comment forms as a way to "spam" members. Just like on the forums, we're not here for unpaid advertising and many of our members find if "off putting." You're welcome to have a banner ad in your group for members to click through to your store... you're also welcome to post coupons and incentives in the Events area; however, unsolicited emails are expressly prohibited.
5. I like to say that we're like Facebook, but for paper crafters -- but really, your personal pictures should not be put in the public galleries. Please use our Flickr widget (or any other photo links you want) to add personal photos to your "My Page" and let's keep the public gallery for our art work.

*Addendum: You may link to your personal blog and to your store in your signature.

Violators of the rules will be warned once by email (and have their posts removed), and then banned. Sounds harsh, but there it is. We don't want to see our community abused. We don't want the members of our community to have advertising forced upon them while they come here to learn. So we'll have a great time together if we can agree to this.

Again, you can post your coupons, freebies and promotion links in our Events area, OK? Feel free to send me an email with your comments/requests/feedback in this area. We don't want to be unwelcoming, and we love product! You can contact me HERE.

Thank you so much for joining our community here! PaperCraftPlanet.com is a wonderful and welcoming community, and we want to keep it that way - a place of warmth and trust and integrity. Thank you!

Susanna

[Donna D.]

It's been a long week, and I'm probably just fried, but what does "CT" stand for?

BTW, I think rules like these are appropriate and necessary. You have my support!

[Susanna Boyd]

CT stands for "Creative Team" -- it's exactly the same as "Design Team". Sorry for the confusion. Some areas call it one thing and some others call it something else.

Thanks for your feedback! I really appreciate the support!

[Cindy]

I thought the same thing. Thanks for asking=)

[Barbara Gault]

I didn't know what CT meant either, so thanks for the translation! I have come to love this site and hope everyone adheres to the rules. The challenges are great and I haven't seen anything unprofessional so far on the parts of anyone I have had contact with. Keep up the good work, Susanna!

[Gina K. Designs]

Excellent!!

[Jan]

Susanna,
Great rules! When I joined PCP it was to inspire and be inspired and that's what PCP offered! It's a swell place to spend time!

[Nancy Beauchamp]

Hey thanks for posting the New rules.


Please let me know if I get out of line.........:D

[Tuit]

I am new around here but 'here here'. I like your rules and I am one of those who did get unsolicited email and thought, ick do I want to bother with this site. I didn't mention it to anyone though. I am here and I appreciate that you have come up with rules. Thanks

[Maria Bell]

Hi Susanna,

Again, I read the rules and I agree to all the terms outlined above. Thank you!

Maria

[Marlene]

Thanks for sharing

[irene]

Hi Susanna, I am new here, and agree that there have to be rules .Looking forward to participating.

[Kimberly Rae]

I was just on this week and already had someone 'advertising' their group with a discount.... that smells like selling to me. Like most, I came to this site by recommendation from a friend, and seek to create friendships here, but not like that....