How should a company reign in a wayward rep?  You know....those people who are so outrageous and sophmoric that you pray they quit mentioning they're one of your reps!

In most cases, the agenda of these people is to use public forums to prospect.  That, in itself, is not a problem as long as you follow the forum rules.  But, in the quest to posture themselves, so as to draw prospects to their business like moths to a flame, some are too immature to understand that their words and actions speak volumes about their character.  Instead of attracting - they simply repel.

Such is the story today about a rep with a recently launched program called 1StepSystem.  I've been contacted by no less than four people in just a few days about this business and I figured I'd better do some research so I could be knowledgeable should people seek my opinion.

During my search I came across a message board (which I won't publicize here) with an overzealous rep named David. A forum visitor asked about this program and David staked his claim like a wildcatter about to strike oil. Seems that since he was the first person to respond, he felt he "owned" the board.  The fun began when another 1StepSystem rep posted:

"I agreee with what you said, but I don't agree with you jumping on my thread. You should find your own forum and post there.."

To a Second Rep: "xxxx, you have broken company regulations, and are now officially reported to company headquartners. Your account will now be terminated."

Ok, now a few other people have posted and this guy is really getting peeved....

"Or everyone, you can continue to work with me on this thread, like you already have. I am now here 21 days... that's 3 weeks, and I have made a BUNDLE!! I can show you how too. ...I can show you how to become successful at this. You won't feel the need to post here if you join with me. LOL. Unless you come to gloat how well you've done with my help and the system... but don't post your info. "

Well, that didnt' work and he didn't scare them off.  So it's time for some mud slinging...

"One more thing... if you go to XXX's link for the teleseminar, you will end up signing under him. If you want the guidance from someone who has been here more than twice as long, and who wouldn't step on someone else's thread in a forum to compete within the same business in order to make this work, then you can go here for the Free Telesminar: XXX. The way he operates, he'll probably compete with his own downline."

Well, another SANE person posts on the forum and poor David must be ready to go into apopletic shock. And now he's slinging even more mud.

"I have to say that your "P.S. XXX is an AWESOME sponsor!" makes me think that you are connected with XXX more than just as his downline."

Well, I'd had enough and figured this guy didn't have a clue that he was coming across as a FREAK!! So, I posted the following:

I am NOT in OneStepSystem but stumbled upon these posts to do some research.

Since when does anyone 'OWN' a forum post? Do you understand that anyone can post to anything?

I don't know if you realize it, but you came across like an egotistical jerk. Wow....you have a few days more experience than someone else. Well, you have NO experience in human dynamics and sound like a spoiled brat.

Until I got to this post, I was actually going to call you because you sounded pretty sharp. (I've already been approached by 4 people on this, but they just got in.) However, when I came to this post - and saw you clawing like a Siamese in a cat fight - I decided your little bit of experience didn't matter compared to your sorely lacking personality.

It's obvious you're just here to troll for prospects. If so, you might want to think about how your comments appear to others.

Did good 'ol Dave wake up to reality? Did he look in the mirror and see himself as others saw him? Does he have the IQ of a turnip?

"We all know how easy it is for XXX or anyone else for that matter, to come under another name and appear as another poster, and write negative things about me. Notice how "marketingcoach" just happened to join today? Funny how someone writes just like her right after my post to her. Very interesting."

I'd really like to show you the forum because a number of people wrote in saying they'd never join with this guy because of the way he comes across.  Unfortunately, I'd hate to think that this article sent anyone into the clutches of someone who was so out of touch with reality.

If you are serious about building a business for the long term, it is critical to consider how you appear to others.  Life happens. In this example, just stay the course and position yourself as the expert.  This is done by properly answering questions, NOT belittling others and fighting about who owns a forum post! Even with competiton, you'll attract a fair number of visitors.

Or...you can be like David and simply embarrass yourself AND your company.

I hope you look in the mirror and choose wisely.