Can I Add My Website Address to Someone Else's Facebook Page?

[chefann]

Question, When I go to Facebook and enter Pampered Chef is the search engine, the names of 500 consultants appear, ARE ALL OF THEM IN VIOLATION? It just means that they have employment listed as The Pampered Chef, mos allow only friends for access their page for viewing but their occupation is there for everyone to see. Just curious because if the rules are the rules than why such a high #?

The number is so high because some don't know the rules, some try to push the envelope and play the odds that they won't get caught, and some are blatant violators who, even when confronted by HO, will continue to post. Most people fall into the first 2 categories.

If you don't post your PWS anywhere (with the exception of HO-approved FRs, of course) and don't list the company name in your online profiles, then you don't need to worry.

 

[Perry Phillips]

I am a new consultant but I am very frustrated by this rule that makes no sense to me. Facebook and linkedin are virtual networking groups, what are the thoughts on when this may be changed?

In this age social networks are where people are connecting and networking with each. Yes I understand not dominating search engines etc, but the social networks and personal online profiles puts SERIOUS limitations on promoting efforts.

What is the reasoning why you are not allowed to promote your own business in your own established networks?

I do hope that plans are in the works to help Pampered Chef catch up with technology.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

You have no control over what your host does without your permission.

Simply suggest that she message the info to her contacts.

I don't have e-mail addresses for most of my facebook contacts (and more than a dozen of those are FAMILY) and wouldn't expect a host to have it either.

Honestly, I think the policy is far behind the times, but regardless, you are not posting it. Your host is. If you get a warning letter, you can honestly say you didn't do it and request that she take it down.

 

[krackley]

Ok, not to take this on any further, but being very web-savvy, I'll let you know how HO finds 'violaters'.

They check to see the origina of the website visits. The HO can see how many times your PWS is viewed, and what links are clicked on the most. (These stats usually are viewable by the creator, but because that would be a HUGE undertaking with all the PWS out there, they are the only ones with that capability). They can also see what links the viewers clicked on to get to your website. When they see that several people are coming to your PWS by a certain link (they are probably notified if, say, a link is clicked more than 5 times to get to a PWS), then they investigate. If that link was anywhere on the web, (unless it's a fundraiser-allowed link), and not an email, you'll be notified.

I put up a link on my personal blog for a HWC fundraiser, thinking that was OK, and got busted!! So, be careful out there! I definitely think you could argue, though, for private messages sent on facebook. . .

 

[beckyjsmith]

I am a new consultant but I am very frustrated by this rule that makes no sense to me. Facebook and linkedin are virtual networking groups, what are the thoughts on when this may be changed?

In this age social networks are where people are connecting and networking with each. Yes I understand not dominating search engines etc, but the social networks and personal online profiles puts SERIOUS limitations on promoting efforts.

What is the reasoning why you are not allowed to promote your own business in your own established networks?

I do hope that plans are in the works to help Pampered Chef catch up with technology.

It is my understanding from my exec that this IS something they are working on. I don't know to what extent, but it is an outdated policy. I believe they realize that. They just need to create parameters to keep people from misrepresenting the company.

 

[Akamsthang]

With the coming of social media, TPC had really take heart and make some exceptions to these rules. This is the new and perfered form of communications and other Direct Sell businesses are all over it. I get texts, emails, FB and Twitter blasts from consultants and feel a little behind when the best I can do is send a personal email. Yes, nothing is better than the personal touch, however, in the very, VERY CLOSE future, that personal touch may be reserved for the IPhone only.

Here is the complete policy;

Links to Your Personal Web Site
Consultants of every level are prohibited from linking to
their Pampered Chef® Personal Web Sites. This includes
both sponsored links and banner ads that you pay for, as
well as non-sponsored links that you don’t pay for. For
instance, if a friend posts a link on their family’s Web site
to your Personal Web Site, you would be in violation of this
policy. Additionally, any other form of advertising on the
Web is prohibited.
There are only two very specific exceptions to the
linking policy.
The first pertains to Fundraiser Shows. If you have a
Fundraiser with an organization that wishes to post a link
to your Personal Web Site on their Web site, you may
do so only with prior written approval from Consultant
Career Solutions. Fundraiser links may only be active for
60 days. All other linking to your Personal Web Site is
strictly prohibited.
The second exception pertains to personal electronic
communications. You may continue to include your Personal
Web Site address as part of your contact information or
signature on e-invitations, any e-mails that are currently
available through your Personal Web Site and your personal
e-mails to your customers. These communications may link
to your Personal Web Site. This also includes any electronic
mail pieces that may be developed by our licensed
merchandise vendor.
The ban on linking also prohibits the following:
• Listing or linking your Personal Web Site in Internet
directories or search engines, such as Google or Yahoo.
• Purchasing or using a separate domain name to re-direct
visitors to your Personal Web Site.
• Linking to Consultant’s Corner from any Web site.
• Linking to The Pampered Chef® corporate Web site
from any Web site.
It is your sole responsibility to ensure that your Personal
Web Site is not linked to any other Web site that violates
these policies.

 

[pcnm2010]

I am a new consultant but I am very frustrated by this rule that makes no sense to me. Facebook and linkedin are virtual networking groups, what are the thoughts on when this may be changed?

In this age social networks are where people are connecting and networking with each. Yes I understand not dominating search engines etc, but the social networks and personal online profiles puts SERIOUS limitations on promoting efforts.

What is the reasoning why you are not allowed to promote your own business in your own established networks?

I do hope that plans are in the works to help Pampered Chef catch up with technology.

I have to agree with this thought, that PC is WAY too far behind the times and they need to let loose a bit more.
Honestly, not allowing things to be more open is only going to hurt them in the Business World.
Nowadays, it is Social Network or Sink.
Honestly, it makes me wonder what they have to hide or what they are so afraid of.

 

[pamperedcheermom]

I've seen tons of direct sales companies advertised on Facebook but I can't post anything about PC on mine. I have sent private messages to my friends and family if I'm closing a show and want to see if they need to add to the order. But I have several direct sale people on my friend list and they advertise all the time. Some have even asked me why I don't post things about PC and I have to tell them it's illegal. I think it's ridiculous that we can't post things like other companies. I've checked with others in direct sales such as PartyLite, Mary Kay, 31 Gifts, etc. and they get tons of leads and lots of sales from posting on Facebook. Looks like PC would appreciate all the business they can get, especially with today's economy. More sales not only help us but it helps them as well. Maybe they'll get with the technology age soon and it will be allowed for PC!

 

[crissy11]

It also amazes me that I can give them a direct link to a PC fan page with PC logo and all and they correspond with me about it but have yet a month later had that person remove her page.. I check it daily and it is still there. I have emailed HO again about it and they said they would investigate further. Now if that person has been contacted and has refused to remove it and they have done nothing than why bother with the rules.. They don't go by them..

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I have to agree with this thought, that PC is WAY too far behind the times and they need to let loose a bit more.
Honestly, not allowing things to be more open is only going to hurt them in the Business World.
Nowadays, it is Social Network or Sink.
Honestly, it makes me wonder what they have to hide or what they are so afraid of.

If you feel that way, then maybe PC isn't for you? Not trying to be mean, but I would think it would be hard to sell a product when you are that suspicious of the company.

 

[PamperedchefDaly]

Maybe there is some logic to why PC doesn't want us to use the internet. If we depend on getting sales online, then there would be less incentive to hold cooking shows. We lose that "personal touch." When we do shows, we introduce the business opportunity. And that is the whole idea behind PC--recruit-recruit-recruit.