Hi Linda, Very glad you brought this topic to light. I definitely delete the messages. If I were looking for an opportunity, I would search it out. I am on here to network and get to know people. Building relationships is a key to business and you never know who you may end up being life long friends with even if they are not interested in what you are doing. I spend a lot of time with my family and working on my business. I network and like to participate in the odd forum for enjoyment. There is alot of very good forums including yours. Some make me laugh, some make me think, and some I learn from. I just downright don't have the time in my day, to waste reading unsolicited ads that are sent to me. I also find it frustrating to continually get invites to forums that are in reality also ads. I really hope people posting those ads are reading these forums. Although I delete the ads, I really hope they are learning more about business and how to increase their networks and friendships. Alana

Hi, Linda Interesting variety of responses here. I delete without reading any private message with a title line that leaves no doubt it's an ad. The rest I skim. I don't answer blatant ads. If there is some attempt to make a connection, I answer and I generally invite the person to be friends if they haven't invited me. I figure maybe they'll learn by example. I follow a similar practice for friends invitations. If there's an attempt at connection, even if an ad is included, I'll accept with a reply. Sometimes I'll say I'm not in the market for a new opportunity at present. Other times I ignore the ad content and respond only to the friendly part. If the invitation is nothing but an ad, I accept without comment. One thing to remember when you reject an invitation or block a member's emails, is that others can see you have done this. I don't think it projects a very friendly image if you are blocking large numbers of people. It may be worth the time to just delete the offending emails. Trying to answer and educate all of them would be like trying to dig a hole in the ocean... It appears there is some confusion among your readers between the private email system within Adland and the Direct Contact emails that paid Adlanders are able to send directly to friends' private email addys. With regard to your post, I don't think either should be used for blatant advertising. The Direct Contact mail is definitely spam if used for that purpose. Cheri PS You should tackle Forum Spam next...people posting their ad in someone else's forum (other than in sig).

Linda,, Thanks For the invite. You sure got the Hornuts out of the nest... There is one thing for sure the way I see things,,... We ALL Have A Full Time Job In Just Controling Ourselfs. Your Friend Elbert L ( gouardhead ) .

Hi Linda, Not only do I get PM with ads, I even get invitations the same way about 20 percent of the time.

Hey Cheri, You always bring up great points and more food for thought. I have never blocked anyone. Sometimes if I notice that someone is new to Adlandpro and they send me an ad, I will reply and suggest a better way for them to network here. Some seem to actually appreciate the advice and we will have a line of communication for a few days. We have discussed unsolicated ads (I don't like the word spam) in forums in the thread, "If you don't see your message posted here", so I will either revive that thread or start a new thread to see what everyone has to add. I do delete posts in forums if they are ads instead of sincere posts - or if they are derogatory. Your contribution is always appreciated!