Gout people feel frustrated about gout, and need someone to talk to.

My contact form was filled every day with requests for help about gout problems. This is good for me, as it encourages me to see gout from different perspectives, and I learn new gouty facts almost every day. There came a time when running hundreds of “email conversations” became impossible to manage, so I set up the Gout Forum. This has the huge advantage that other gout sufferers can see the gout discussion. Even better, it has attracted a band of regular contributors who share there own experiences and wisdom.

For a long time, I kept a direct contact form here, but eventually became overwhelmed by the number of private requests for help, so I now say, ask your gout questions in the forum (see links above).

Of course, those discussions will be in public, but that is the point. I have no medical qualifications, and I cannot consult privately on health matters – that is what you pay your doctor for.

If you do wish to contact me privately, the gout forum has a good private messaging system that you can use. I also give other ways to contact me below. Before you contact me privately, I will explain my general response to some of the private requests that I receive.

Common requests fall into the following categories:

• Your Gout Questions
• My Gout Health
• Website Feature Requests & Errors
• Website Link Exchange Requests
• Site For Sale Requests
• Gout Guide Licensing Request
• General Contact Details

Your Gout Questions

Occasionally, people do send private messages about their gout. My response is to ask them to repeat the question in the forum, so all gout people can be involved. I have yet to see an adequate explanation of why such conversations should be held in private. However, if you have a valid reason for privacy, please say why in your message.

My Gout Health

I’m flattered that people are concerned about my own gout story and ask questions privately about my gout treatments and experiences. Again, I’m pleased to discuss this, but it definitely must be on the public forums, so all gout people can see it. Just raise your question on the forum, and I will answer it as best I can.

Website Feature Requests & Errors

Occasionally, I get messages asking for improvements to the websites. I really love getting these, and I will respond as soon as I can – immediately if possible. I welcome these private messages, but you can also use the Wish List forum – it might encourage other visitor to suggest more improvements.

Website Link Exchange Requests

I am not a fan of link exchange schemes. I’ve tried them, and even the best controlled ones attract time-wasters. Besides which, I seriously doubt the value of simple link exchange as a promotion tool.

The best approach for webmasters who want me to link to their site is to publish quality articles that link to me. There is a high chance that I will spot the incoming link. My response will depend on my assessment of the quality, the relevance to gout, and how busy I am. If my response is less than expected, then please send a message (public or private) through the gout forum, or use one of the other methods below.

GoutPal.com has no commenting features, but I have guest writers in 2011, and I plan to extend this through 2012. I include extensive commenting as well as a gout forum on Gout Pal Interactive, where you can also write your own gouty arthritis articles to encourage discussions about aspects of gout that interest you. Please note that everything you write is subject to my editorial approval. Also note that I work on the principal that links back to you are a reward for adding value to the gout debate. If your contribution does not add value, then at best you can expect me to edit or delete it. At worst, you risk becoming blacklisted on major spam control services.

If you want to contribute in this way, but are unsure of how to do it, then ask in the forum, or by private message as appropriate.

Site For Sale Requests

Not exceptionally frequent, but boringly similar enough to warrant a general guideline here.

My immediate response is that the site is not for sale, but every man has his price. If you are serious about making an offer for GoutPal, then be serious with your offer. What are your valuation parameters, what are your funds, and what are your intentions? I’ve naively wasted much time on this in the past, and I will be suspicious. If you are on a “fishing trip”, I will abuse you if I have time, and ignore you if I don’t.

Gout Guide Licensing Request

Actually, I’ve never had one of these, so this is just to remind you that, with my prior approval, you can brand my gout guides (or other content) for your own use. I am happy to discuss any arrangement for licensing my content and will not usually charge if your product or service is given freely.

Other Contact Methods

I run a growing number of websites, therefore I like to keep my personal contact details up-to-date in one place. Though far from perfect, the best place I have found so far is Facebook. If you know a better method, then please let me know.

Facebook

My contact email and telephone details are updated at http://profile.to/KeithTaylor
When you add me as a friend, please add a message so I can distinguish you from the few idiots on Facebook who just want to add as many friends as possible. I go for quality over quantity.

If you prefer other contact methods, then they are listed below. Please note that there is a small chance that they will be out of date – see my comments about Facebook for reasons why.

Snail Mail

Postal address is:
Keith Taylor
2 Northgate (above Martins newsagent),
Baildon,
SHIPLEY,
West Yorkshire,
BD17 6JX, UK

Checks/cheques to Mrs B Taylor please , or contact us for bank transfer details.

Phone or Text

Phone: +44 (0)7969 857 519

Do not leave voicemail messages. I never listen to them and I cannot learn how to switch voicemail off. Despite the warnings, the occasional voicemail does get left. I can assure you that they get ignored without exception.

Email

I try my best to keep up with email, but often get overwhelmed. I certainly do not have time to check the spam folder as I once used to, so I’m sorry if Google sees you as a spammer, but there is nothing I can do about it.

As far as I am aware, all messages emailed via the Contact Form at GoutPal Interactive get through to me, as do Private Messages sent via the Gout Forum.

You can use direct email to one of two gouty email addresses. One is at GoutPal.com, where the username Keith or GoutPal should work OK. The other is at gmail.com where the username is GoutPal.

Next Gout Talk Steps

Now you know how to contact me, think of something interesting to say, and say it.