Promoting- "to encourage the sales, acceptance, etc., of (a product), esp. through advertising or other publicity."
That's one of the dictionary definitions of the word. On StoryWrite, promoting would be the use of the chatterbox, (or IMs, or critiques), to ask others to read your works.
Promoting is not allowed in the chatterbox, forums, critiques, or unsolicited IMs.
A few examples of what would fall under promoting-
-"I posted a new story. You should read it."
-"I posted a new story."
-"No one reads my stuff, and I wish they would." (yeah, it's a very big hint with you asking people to read you.)
-"I just finished my story!" (borderline... and would depend on what you say next. You're not telling people that you posted it... you're just telling them that you finished. Although too many of those comments, and it will turn into a promoting thing.)
-Asking someone what their best story is... yes, that's asking them to promote. ("What's your best story?...mine is 'title'") Don't ask for titles, and don't give them. Take it to IMs.
-Discussing someone else's story, with them, in the CB...telling them what you liked, and didn't like. That's a critique, and doesn't belong in the chatterbox.
-Telling people "Don't read my story." Reverse psychology...tsk, tsk.... and not allowed.
-Asking others to read someone's story. "You should read (whatever) by this guy... he's good."
-Leaving critiques that ask others to read your stories. ("I like this, it's great, come read mine.")
-Asking people to check out/enter your contest.
Your friends don't need to know that you've finished a story. Once it's posted, it will show up in their list.
If you want other people to know about your story, then you can feature it, reward it, or use the shameless area. They all cost points, but...isn't a small investment better than a warning that would be added to your file?
What isn't promoting....
-Discussing a certain story in the chatterbox is NOT promoting it, if your discussion is not about how people should read it. Some chatters follow certain stories, and discuss them. Only, at times, it usually gets into someone mentioning the story title, or someone asking what it is, and instead of IMing, it gets mentioned in the CB.
One good way around this is to create a group to discuss things.
-Asking someone to trade reads/comments is NOT promoting. Once the agreement is made, then it should go to IMs to trade titles. The title of the stories (or even 'my newest one') should never appear in the CB.
"Anyone have any new stories?" "I do!" ..... "Anyone want to trade reads/comments?"... after that, IM the title to each. Don't mention it in the CB.
"I just read your story." Okay... you're on a writing site and you've just read someone's story. As long as no titles are exchanged in the CB, or no one says "The new one/old one/novel/any other distinguishing features" then it's not promoting... as long as someone doesn't abuse the right to say it. Constantly mentioning it will be looked upon as promoting.
When in doubt about promoting, take it to IMs. :)
Adding your comment:
*makes a point of remembering that* thanks ^^
You haven't mentioned that you posted it, or are asking people to read. It would probably depend on what you said next. 
