Handling pictures on MFI - What's your take?

We have been consistently told that members like that we remove (or limit) self promotion on areas of the site where it is not appropriate. So this is done in the blogs, discussion posts, groups, etc. But one area is a bit tricky, and we would love your input!

The photos area is tough because it straddles the public area of the site, as well as the personal profile. From a personal profile perspective, we want to keep it open as much as possible, so that company logos could be added if they wanted. However, this causes problems as the picture, and picture comments, get shared on public areas of the site.

Here is a link to the pictures area of the site: www.multifamilyinsiders.com/home/community/photo-album

So what is your take? I'd like to hear from both suppliers and property management folks, so share your opinion!

Personally, I see your site serving one very good function: it serves as a vehicle to learn "inside information" on ways to better do XYZ in multifamily housing. Sometimes these come through group discussions, sometimes direct through blogs, sometimes through paid advertisements (ie sponsorships, which my company is as a point of disclaimer).

One of the struggles you are finding on the site is that the site lacks an "editorial" section. Meaning, MFI needs to have a venue where they can promote without conflict or bias new products, new solutions, new services, etc. Take Multifamily Housing News...they have a product gallery that their editorial board uses to highlight new innovative products. My company (and I am not self-promoting, just illustrating for the purpose of this discussion) was recently highlighted on a product we designed. Did we pay for this feature? No. Multifamily Housing News saw it is important newsworthy information for the industry and showcased it to their readers.

Which brings up another good point. We are grown-ups at a minimum, and professionals in this industry and we can and should be able to recognize that receiving insight on new products, apps and services by vendors on the site is not always self-promotion. Vendors spend tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars building new products to assist and enhance and enable our industry to better market and lease their apartments. Why wouldn't a company not be interested in knowing all the resources available to them? Companies shouldn't be limited to knowing what resources are available to them because of a sponsorship.

So, with regards to your photo gallery section, as in other parts of you site, you ought to have a MFI product gallery album that illustrates what MFI regards as innovative new products, solutions, services.

I look forward to what others share regarding this relevant topic.

Thanks,
Carmen

I don't perceive people having their company name or logo on their picture as "promotion". If we were at a real life event, we would all be wearing our company name tags, and some vendors might wear uniforms. They're sort of doing the same thing here on line.

Hey Carmen and Donje - I'm not ignoring you, just waiting to see if anybody else chimes in! Any other thoughts on the topic? Anybody? Anybody? Bueller?

maybe others silence is their response: indifference to it one way or another. cheers! carmen

Sorry to chime in so late -- but I agree with Donje. I'd much rather see a logo and get an idea of who the person is that is posting a response -- than an anonymous posting with a blank avatar. Heck in my picture at MFI I wear a Multifamily Insiders t-shirt. Talk about shameless promotion for my pal Brent! BTW great job Brent on this web site. It is a truly a great resource for information.

Actually, hold on Leigh and Donje - I just realized that we miscommunicated. I'm not talking about someone's main picture (avatar). I agree that there should be no limitations there, as long as it isn't obscene. What I'm instead talking about is the picture area, which is a separate system altogether. Take a look at the link in my original post, and you'll see the pictures that I'm talking about...

Thanks!

Brent...I think that the photo section is inconsequential compared to the other sections of the site. It could become more useful if it were a central repository for items pertinent to the multifamily industry.

Thanks,
Carmen

Brent,

I think the way you have the photo section is perfect, and no adjustments are needed. It looks amazing.

Thanks,
Pedro