"Employ a mumsnetter"... How is it different to small business ads? I'm confuuuuused

[Flamesparrow]

I know I'm easily confused

Words of one syllable please (sylable?? silabel??? )

Oh you must be reading my mind Flamey (don't tell UQD though, he'll want proof )

I was going to start a thread on this subject today as I think the 'employ a mumsnetter' topic is open to abuse. I saw one last night that IMO should be under 'media' and paid for.

I saw one too - wasn't sure if I was just being arsey cos I pay for an ad

No, I've no ad running but I find the whole 'employ..' topic annoying.

I emailed MNHQ when it first started for clarification. Damned if I can remember what the answer was though

I saw on in relationships which should have been under "media" and paid for as well.

I thought employ a mumsnetter was for people to ask for something.

For example, I have asked for help with shelving lol

That is how I thought it would be used Nbg, but if you take a wander through the topic you will see it is often filled with people advertising their services/products.

saltire - if it is the one I think you mean, I have reported it. The OP is posting on other threads with the same question.

I thought it was to ask for MNers to do jobs too originally, and then I have seen people offering their services and it just feels wrong that way.

I thought it was a case of "I need an MNer in Bournemouth to do my housework" and then any houseworking Bournemouth MNers pop up and say I can hire them.

Not "I do housework in Bournemouth, hire me now"

The idea of employ a mumsnetter is for m'netters to advertise their services - ie freelances, both to pick up work directly or to promote themselves to companies. It is a free service for members who are hoping to pick up some work. Small business ads are for companies to advertise their goods. Does that make sense?

So can I advertise my local advice and demos etc on "employ an MNer" and the site on small businesses?

Or could I have been advertising the site on there all along and not paying because I'm a regular??

Still confused

i have put an ad under employ a mumsnetter , as i saw other doulas had done ! as a regular poster, i felt it was ok....especially as i am not a big corporate business, so a free listing seemed more appopriate

i always report anything to MNHQ ( head prefect badge !!) if it looks like an ad, or a media request !

Rachel - is the question then, where do you draw the line?

When does a mumsnetter who works from home and does freelance work become a small business that should use the ads section?

I still think the line is too blurred.