Editing & Deleting Old Posts. Hmm. What to do?

So I just got an affiliate commission notification for a piece of SEO software that I thought was cool about a year ago, but no longer think is that great.

So the question is, how do you go about maintaining older posts. Is it ok to delete or edit profitable posts if you feel that they undermine your current credibility? Should you edit them? Should you delete them? Even if you do prune the past you will likely miss a few posts. Should you feel guilty because someone bought bunk software? Should you not feel guilty since the person ignored the post was a year old? Should you feel guilty editing or deleting them as though you are hiding your past?

This also reminds me about handing out recommendations and testimonials. It can be a great link and reputation building activity, but after stuff ages and loses its value (as SEO software is known to do) it could likely wear your credibility thin to endorse too many products. Many people who are eager for testimonials are also greedy hucksters who will make sure you pay for your endorsements. As a web marketer my reputation is by far and away the most valuable thing I have.

I am not afraid to admit that I am sometimes wrong or make lots of mistakes, but it does make little sense to leave errors that could and should be easy to fix, right? I think the forward going answer is to always be cautious and forward looking with your endorsements.

Am in the UK now. A few observations:

  • everyone uses the word "ish"

  • NFFC was wearing an eSpotting looking shirt. Clearly a reason to like FWHT :)
  • the Down Hall hotel is in a pretty cool remote setting
  • JasonD likes the Gaping Void t shirts
  • a bartender gave a mate 7-UP when they ordered a lemonade
  • they have street signs that say Queing
  • Gurtie does not like the nickname TheGurtster
  • Z is for some reason zed in the UK
  • Rumours have it DaveN was showing off his back end?
  • my friend argued that they drive on the right side of the road, but clear as day it is the left side

Just got done doing another update of my ebook right before I left, and would think everyone is really really cool if I sell a bunch of them while I am gone. Of course, they may be cool anyway, but like peanut butter, SEO Book makes everything better. Buy the book. Wear a smile ;)

Published: May 28, 2005 by Aaron Wall in aaron matthew wall

Comments

NFFC
May 28, 2005 - 12:15pm

>NFFC was wearing an eSpotting looking shirt.

That, my fashion challenged yank friend, was a Paul Smith Original target t-shirt.

May 28, 2005 - 3:42pm

I would recommend leaving the post, but editing it to say that you've changed your mind. I would not edit your earlier words. Instead, I'd add a paragraph to the top of the post like....

"Update 5/25/2005: As I wrote this post a year ago, I've changed some of my thoughts on this.... I no longer would reccomend the purchase of this software. Instead, this is a better alternative... For more info please read this article that I've written more recently."

I also wouldn't feel obligated to do this.

May 28, 2005 - 4:37pm

As far as old posts go, I'd think you would leave them up for posterity's sake, but go into them and add new notes as things changed. If you recommended a software in the past, but no longer think it's worthwhile, I think it would be a simple matter to attach a dated note at the end of the article stating that you no longer recommend the software and why.

May 29, 2005 - 10:33pm

We say "zed" instead of "zee" here in Canada as well, actually. ;) I think it's just the American's that pronounce "Z" as "zee" ;) We say it that way because that's the way the Queen told us to say it :P

May 31, 2005 - 12:02pm

>JasonD likes the Gaping Void t shirts

Glad to hear it - hope you like yours too Aaron!

Alex - Hugh's t-shirt supplier

Add new comment

(If you're a human, don't change the following field)
Your first name.
(If you're a human, don't change the following field)
Your first name.
(If you're a human, don't change the following field)
Your first name.