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elizabeth
Has anyone ever started an online dating site or know someone who has started one before? how would you get over that beginning stage of not having anyone on there to begin with ro even get it jumping or have an incentive to join? Making any sense to anyone :) ?
Rebecca Thorman:
Not sure how early you are, but definitely start with your friends. Try a grassroots approach - talk to blogs and columnists. Try different ...MoreNot sure how early you are, but definitely start with your friends. Try a grassroots approach - talk to blogs and columnists. Try different incentives and referrals.
76 weeks ago
76 weeks ago
EricHFriedman:
Hi Elizabeth - what happened with your startup? Am interested in starting up a site with an interactive membership, and would be great to hear ...MoreHi Elizabeth - what happened with your startup? Am interested in starting up a site with an interactive membership, and would be great to hear what you found out. Thanks! -Erich
73 weeks ago
73 weeks ago
Christopher Barnes
A question regarding business plans for companies seeking seeding money from investors - should I go with the traditional business plan model (description of business activity, description of product/service, Assessment of competition, marketing plan, operational plan, management profiles, capitalization and business form, financial data, etc) or a more creative and abridged version? I've been out of grad school for 10 years and times have changed. Any help would be much appreciated.
Rebecca Thorman and Yoga Prakasa recommended this
Sam Rye:
Can I add that it depends whether your business model is a 'traditional model' or something innovative?
As you said in your original post - times ...MoreCan I add that it depends whether your business model is a 'traditional model' or something innovative?
As you said in your original post - times have changed. Immediacy and information skimming are the game now, so a really powerful hook would be key to the pitch.
75 weeks ago
As you said in your original post - times ...MoreCan I add that it depends whether your business model is a 'traditional model' or something innovative?
As you said in your original post - times have changed. Immediacy and information skimming are the game now, so a really powerful hook would be key to the pitch.
75 weeks ago
elizabeth
I know I am crazy but does anyone ever feel self conscious sharing their web startup or idea for one to people they know? How does one get over it, because I know it is very absurd?
78 weeks ago from Web Startups
elizabeth:
Wow! So many smart people in one place. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, everyone. Noelle, you made an excellent point about ...MoreWow! So many smart people in one place. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, everyone. Noelle, you made an excellent point about listening to people"s reactions. I think what I am really scared of is failing in front of an audience. But, I have to get over that, because it is really dumb. Again, thanks everyone.
76 weeks ago
76 weeks ago
Jim Parker:
Great question. One thing I've learned from mentors is that your company is a brand and you should be extremely proud of it. Initially you might ...MoreGreat question. One thing I've learned from mentors is that your company is a brand and you should be extremely proud of it. Initially you might be apprehensive about it (or your elevator pitch might need revisions), but as you do your research and if things develop, you will be very proud of your venture.
Also, it may be your audience. During business competition boot camps in college, I had to have three pitches because there were three groups of people I had to pitch my service to: teammates, entrepreneurs and regular college students. Be aware that not everyone has to like your idea, but don't like naysayers bring your down. Keep at it!
76 weeks ago
Also, it may be your audience. During business competition boot camps in college, I had to have three pitches because there were three groups of people I had to pitch my service to: teammates, entrepreneurs and regular college students. Be aware that not everyone has to like your idea, but don't like naysayers bring your down. Keep at it!
76 weeks ago
elizabeth
This may seem like a very no brainer question, but how does one, if they have several internet startups at one time, budget their time and juggle all of them?
Aaron Evans:
Hi Elizabeth:
I think every successful person goes through this at least a couple of times during their career. I have read through the posts, ...MoreHi Elizabeth:
I think every successful person goes through this at least a couple of times during their career. I have read through the posts, and you have been given some excellent advice! (I will have to try some of these)
Throughout my day, I have noticed that other peoples problems have somehow become MY problem. Does this happen? Are you pulled in so many directions doing tasks for other people.. what others deem important?
These e-mails and interuptions can really take us off track from the task we are currently working on. Usually what is critical to someone else, isn't really important to you or your goals. If this is the case, take some steps to do what is important to you.
You can still be the "goto" person in your business, but set up boundaries and limitations to your interuptions. They can really kill your momentum. Setup a time that you can be reached or interrupted. Setup specific parameters for replying to non urgent e-mails. At first this was hard, but now, I give people better focused attn at specific times, whereas before, I was frustrated about interruptions and often forgot about the requests.
Let me know if you would like some more information about how I did this at my business. I apologize for the long message!
Cordially,
Aaron
78 weeks ago
I think every successful person goes through this at least a couple of times during their career. I have read through the posts, ...MoreHi Elizabeth:
I think every successful person goes through this at least a couple of times during their career. I have read through the posts, and you have been given some excellent advice! (I will have to try some of these)
Throughout my day, I have noticed that other peoples problems have somehow become MY problem. Does this happen? Are you pulled in so many directions doing tasks for other people.. what others deem important?
These e-mails and interuptions can really take us off track from the task we are currently working on. Usually what is critical to someone else, isn't really important to you or your goals. If this is the case, take some steps to do what is important to you.
You can still be the "goto" person in your business, but set up boundaries and limitations to your interuptions. They can really kill your momentum. Setup a time that you can be reached or interrupted. Setup specific parameters for replying to non urgent e-mails. At first this was hard, but now, I give people better focused attn at specific times, whereas before, I was frustrated about interruptions and often forgot about the requests.
Let me know if you would like some more information about how I did this at my business. I apologize for the long message!
Cordially,
Aaron
78 weeks ago
elizabeth
joined the group SoCal Bloggers
78 weeks ago
elizabeth
If you put up a new website, what is it exactly that you do to market it? I know to many of you that this may be a no brainer question, but I am clueless. The only thing that I know of is facebook and myspace but there has to be more to things than that. I just put up a new website and i am now in this "now what?" position.
Rebecca Thorman:
Yeah, it depends a lot on the site. Is this a company or your personal blog? I'm going to assume it's a personal site that perhaps you want to use ...MoreYeah, it depends a lot on the site. Is this a company or your personal blog? I'm going to assume it's a personal site that perhaps you want to use for professional reasons. In that case, I would email your existing network the site and let them know what you're up to. If it's good people will slowly start to talk about it. Twitter, Facebook, etc. are all great as well. And Erin has some great advice about engaging in other communities where you'd like your site to be known. Most (good) marketing is about networking and building relationships. So if you can think about it in those terms instead of marketing, you'll probably find success.
93 weeks ago
93 weeks ago
elizabeth:
thank you so much for replying to me and I am sorry for just now getting back to you. Is google adwords the one where you get paid for the ads or ...Morethank you so much for replying to me and I am sorry for just now getting back to you. Is google adwords the one where you get paid for the ads or is it the other way around?
92 weeks ago
92 weeks ago
elizabeth
Okay, so I started a website and I am paranoid to make a fan page on facebook in the fear that people will copy it. is anyone else ever fearful of this or should I just get over it and just do it?
94 weeks ago from Web Startups
Ben Donahower:
why not hold off on creating the FB page? since your website is new you are likely doing a number of things all at one time already, unless you ...Morewhy not hold off on creating the FB page? since your website is new you are likely doing a number of things all at one time already, unless you are certain that an FB page would provide a lot of value (doesn't sound like it!) you may be better off waiting to see how things shake out with what you have.
93 weeks ago
93 weeks ago
elizabeth:
very interesting point! It makes perfect sense. Whenever anyone makes a website, the first thing that I get told is make the FB page. If you ...Morevery interesting point! It makes perfect sense. Whenever anyone makes a website, the first thing that I get told is make the FB page. If you dont do that, than what are the other ways of promoting it? I am so new to this game.
93 weeks ago
93 weeks ago
elizabeth
I"m just now learning that putting your website url more than once in search engine services is a huge don"t.1 1/2 years ago when I first started, I probley put my url in a service several times and didn"t knw tht there was anything morally or technically wrong w doing so.Please keep in mind that I knew NOTHING about anything and am not the type to take short cuts.As it is, though,is there anyway or anything i can do to undo it &/or fix it? Are there also ways to find out what services you used?
Glen:
Hi Elizabeth,
Don't sweat it too much. Back in the day, a number of people started spamming the search engines, so search engines started ...MoreHi Elizabeth,
Don't sweat it too much. Back in the day, a number of people started spamming the search engines, so search engines started punishing you for doing so.
Now, most search engines will just ignore it. It won't help you, but it won't really hurt you either. There are some exception to the rule, but most of those search engines don't really give you that much traffic anyway.
That being said, once a year is enough. You might want to ping them if they don't seem to be picking up a new page for a real long period of time.
Focus on optimizing your content and building good quality links back to your site. The "extra" submissions will work themselves out. Besides, there is nothing you can really do about those old submissions anyway, just focus on doing it right going forward.
Glen.
Glen Kowalski
SEO For Less
http://www.seo-for-less.com
112 weeks ago
Don't sweat it too much. Back in the day, a number of people started spamming the search engines, so search engines started ...MoreHi Elizabeth,
Don't sweat it too much. Back in the day, a number of people started spamming the search engines, so search engines started punishing you for doing so.
Now, most search engines will just ignore it. It won't help you, but it won't really hurt you either. There are some exception to the rule, but most of those search engines don't really give you that much traffic anyway.
That being said, once a year is enough. You might want to ping them if they don't seem to be picking up a new page for a real long period of time.
Focus on optimizing your content and building good quality links back to your site. The "extra" submissions will work themselves out. Besides, there is nothing you can really do about those old submissions anyway, just focus on doing it right going forward.
Glen.
Glen Kowalski
SEO For Less
http://www.seo-for-less.com
112 weeks ago
Michael:
I agree with Glen. Don't worry about what you did in the past, worry about generating good content that bloggers and the search engines will love ...MoreI agree with Glen. Don't worry about what you did in the past, worry about generating good content that bloggers and the search engines will love therefor you build up great link juice. Make sure your site is also optimized with your keywords but don't over do it, make it readable for people.
Best of luck
112 weeks ago
Best of luck
112 weeks ago
elizabeth
What is the technical procedure for search engine ranking? all i know how to do is pay compaies for high search ranks. I guess what I want to know is what technical proocedure do these companies use and hoew they go about it. know what I mean. Thanks in advance everyone.
Glen:
Hi Elizabeth,
Its pretty tough to give you the "technical" proceedure for SEO, 3in a single post (obviously). But basically it comes down to 2 ...MoreHi Elizabeth,
Its pretty tough to give you the "technical" proceedure for SEO, 3in a single post (obviously). But basically it comes down to 2 things.
1. Optimize your pages for no more than 1-3 keywords. Use them enough, but not too much.
2. Optimize your navigation structure to make it easy for the search engines to find everything.
3. Build links that point back to your site. And try to get good link text when you do it.
Thats really it. Simple but not easy. Consistency in number 3 is the key.
Glen.
112 weeks ago
Its pretty tough to give you the "technical" proceedure for SEO, 3in a single post (obviously). But basically it comes down to 2 ...MoreHi Elizabeth,
Its pretty tough to give you the "technical" proceedure for SEO, 3in a single post (obviously). But basically it comes down to 2 things.
1. Optimize your pages for no more than 1-3 keywords. Use them enough, but not too much.
2. Optimize your navigation structure to make it easy for the search engines to find everything.
3. Build links that point back to your site. And try to get good link text when you do it.
Thats really it. Simple but not easy. Consistency in number 3 is the key.
Glen.
112 weeks ago
Mike Anderson:
What are you trying to rank for? Make sure you have your users/audience in mind when it comes to your content. Don't over due it by adding too ...MoreWhat are you trying to rank for? Make sure you have your users/audience in mind when it comes to your content. Don't over due it by adding too many keywords. Also, think like a search engine would... The search engine "crawls" the site from top to bottom. If you have navigation, put it at the top so it knows what other pages to crawl. If you have images, make sure you have 'alt' tags because it can't "crawl" images. Use heading tags to start off paragraphs of content, etc... These are pretty basic steps to get you started...
112 weeks ago
112 weeks ago
elizabeth
I just started a social networking site that I am trying to get off the ground. I need to pick someone"s brain for adverising ideas. What I really want to know is what method typically gets t most exposure the fastest. Anyone know or have any ideas?
elizabeth
oops! didnt mean to post twice.
elizabeth
I started a social networking site that is a very good one that I want to get big, so I have a few questions. Is there a typical pattern that the big websites used when they first started. This may seem like a dumb question, but what exactly do people mean when they "running it"? I am jst wondering if there is more to it than responding to blogs. It is probley just me, but it seems like adverising involving on a service on the internet is way more broad that non internet advertising
Mike Anderson:
I'm sure listing your website in your profile could probably help it moving in the right direction...
112 weeks ago
112 weeks ago
Nidal:
I would guess running a site means maintianing its up time, Managing its updates, if there is a revenue stream, then financial management and ...MoreI would guess running a site means maintianing its up time, Managing its updates, if there is a revenue stream, then financial management and running its operations.
If you rely on ads, then perhaps running it would revolve around increasing your visibility, SEO, and promoting the site onto other networks.
i would say the big companies relied on heavy word of mouth and referal kinda thing to promote their site. Promote promote promote...
112 weeks ago
If you rely on ads, then perhaps running it would revolve around increasing your visibility, SEO, and promoting the site onto other networks.
i would say the big companies relied on heavy word of mouth and referal kinda thing to promote their site. Promote promote promote...
112 weeks ago
elizabeth
I started a social networking site that is a very good one that I want to get big, so I have a few questions. Is there a typical pattern that the big websites used when they first started. This may seem like a dumb question, but what exactly do people mean when they "running it"? I am jst wondering if there is more to it than responding to blogs. It is probley just me, but it seems like adverising involving on a service on the internet is way more broad that non internet advertising
elizabeth
I just started a social networking site and I am tryig to figure out how to promote it. Even though I have read a ton of stuff about it. In a nutshell, they alll say the same things about how to promote rather it be guest blogging, fliers, register at all the free search engines, offer prizes, etc. However, what I would like to know is what typical patterns, methods, and procedures that the very popular and successful social networking sites used in the beginning to promote. anyone know?
TroyW:
Site promotion is of two kinds, paid (such as Google AdWords and fliers) and organic (SEO and linkbuilding). It takes about a year for these ...MoreSite promotion is of two kinds, paid (such as Google AdWords and fliers) and organic (SEO and linkbuilding). It takes about a year for these strategies to work. It may take longer, especially if you don't have significant resources to promote the site.
You may not be able to replicate Twitter and Facebook's success (which still took quite a while). The reason Twitter took off was that it was quickly adopted by a highly unusual community--the gossipy, insider-y, look-at-me world of Silicon Valley early adopters. Facebook, to put it bluntly, took off among East Coast college students because it was a great way to find hookups, especially at large schools or in the Northeastern world of students from many different schools meeting briefly at parties or bars. In both cases, the usefulness of the site to the audience made people want to talk about it to others, ideally via the site itself. There was also a tremendous amount of luck involved. It's interesting to note that neither site anticipated this level of success at all.
Who is your audience? What unique service does your site provide that others don't? Is the site really useful? To whom? If not, how can you change that?
After that...find people blogging about that niche and email them respectfully about your site...maybe just a "Hey, check me out, I know about blah blah just like you do!" If you're not REALLY relevant to them, don't do this. Start a Google AdWords campaign targeted to your audience's search terms and drive traffic to your site. (You can pretty much ignore every other search engine. Sorry, Yahoo! and Bing, but it's true.) Start generating TONS of content, ideally on other, influential sites. This will help with your SEO rankings. Then lather, rinse, repeat. Set goals for yourself and monitor your progress. See where you are in a year or so.
113 weeks ago
You may not be able to replicate Twitter and Facebook's success (which still took quite a while). The reason Twitter took off was that it was quickly adopted by a highly unusual community--the gossipy, insider-y, look-at-me world of Silicon Valley early adopters. Facebook, to put it bluntly, took off among East Coast college students because it was a great way to find hookups, especially at large schools or in the Northeastern world of students from many different schools meeting briefly at parties or bars. In both cases, the usefulness of the site to the audience made people want to talk about it to others, ideally via the site itself. There was also a tremendous amount of luck involved. It's interesting to note that neither site anticipated this level of success at all.
Who is your audience? What unique service does your site provide that others don't? Is the site really useful? To whom? If not, how can you change that?
After that...find people blogging about that niche and email them respectfully about your site...maybe just a "Hey, check me out, I know about blah blah just like you do!" If you're not REALLY relevant to them, don't do this. Start a Google AdWords campaign targeted to your audience's search terms and drive traffic to your site. (You can pretty much ignore every other search engine. Sorry, Yahoo! and Bing, but it's true.) Start generating TONS of content, ideally on other, influential sites. This will help with your SEO rankings. Then lather, rinse, repeat. Set goals for yourself and monitor your progress. See where you are in a year or so.
113 weeks ago
Bradley O:
You can also try social news sites, like Digg, Reddit, Stumble upon etc. They can help drive some traffic your way.
113 weeks ago
113 weeks ago
elizabeth
How does one who has a job on the internet at home make themselves work a productive day and not make themselves get distracted by things going on at home and/or the limitles internet world. What goes through my mind I don"t think untypical. So what if I spend 30 minutes to an hour looking up worthless info on t internet? 30 minutes turns into 2 hrs and 2 hrs turns into all day? what is wrong w me and how do i get past my tendancy to get easily distracted and my procrastination habits?
Amy Curley:
Just joined and have to say that this same exact issue is haunting me right now...pretty soon my distractions are 2 hours+. Thought I may be ...MoreJust joined and have to say that this same exact issue is haunting me right now...pretty soon my distractions are 2 hours+. Thought I may be getting lazy in my work, but I think the main issue for me is that my work is self-paced, deadlines are soft, and nobody really hold me accountable. I have to hold myself accountable! Get going! See results! Wake up with a mission, and (maybe) load a software that can babysit me. :) Thanks to all of you, I feel that I am not the only one out there! We all have to overcome our brains and stay on task- be thankful that we have flexible jobs and even have a job at all these days. Now I'm getting back to work.
113 weeks ago
113 weeks ago
Alison Rayner:
I think it's great that we can openly talk about the fact that when we work at home it can be a challenge to stay focused. In a traditional ...MoreI think it's great that we can openly talk about the fact that when we work at home it can be a challenge to stay focused. In a traditional workplace there is a lot of pressure from expectations to stay focused and "work" and that if we're not focused we're not productive. I know from myself that I put a lot of pressure on myself to be focused when I'm working at home and the reality is that I too fall prey to distractions of all varieties. I really enjoy the tips & tools that people have been posting. I've checked out a number of them & I think they will really make a difference in my life & productivity. My favs so far: Tungle.me & TeuxDeux. : ) Thanks!
113 weeks ago
113 weeks ago
elizabeth
I just started a social networking website. I have been reading and reading about people w successs what their methods were & I can"t figure them out. All the articles say t same things along the lines of "they started this in their garages and started out with 100 people and now have 30 million members. However, they never say what they did in between. How do you get more members? What are the tricks in between?
Anthony Morgan Peters recommended this
Anthony Morgan Peters:
One trick is to pick a broad group binder or Multigroup binders Soc Net Website. Picking a specific group binder like age or even a type of food ...MoreOne trick is to pick a broad group binder or Multigroup binders Soc Net Website. Picking a specific group binder like age or even a type of food or cat leaves you with less people to network with.
114 weeks ago
114 weeks ago
Cathy Dempsey:
I have to agree with Bradley's comment that the angry spurned women won't stay that way forever. They'll go to your site, rant and carry on, then ...MoreI have to agree with Bradley's comment that the angry spurned women won't stay that way forever. They'll go to your site, rant and carry on, then meet someone new and likely abandon your site the way they might abandon match.com when they're with Mr. Man of their Dreams.
Also, in any promotion of your site, might I suggest you share how it differs from the time-honored standard of getting together with your in-real-life girlfriends to lament the foibles of the men in your life.
Just putting it out there...
114 weeks ago
Also, in any promotion of your site, might I suggest you share how it differs from the time-honored standard of getting together with your in-real-life girlfriends to lament the foibles of the men in your life.
Just putting it out there...
114 weeks ago
Alyson Kilday
My partner and I have just opened up our own design agency. Though our new site is just going live as I type this we have had pretty good word of mouth and have kept busy. When we got our LLC we actually bartered with the lawyer in exchange for design work for his website, which saved us a bundle. Now the question I would like to post here is when and if a professional accountant is needed. And what should we look for?
Lindsey Donner and Alyson Kilday recommended this
elizabeth:
How exactly do you do word of mouth? I am aware that it is self explanatory for the most part. I am just wondering if their are any tricks that ...MoreHow exactly do you do word of mouth? I am aware that it is self explanatory for the most part. I am just wondering if their are any tricks that the general pubic doesnt know.
114 weeks ago
114 weeks ago
Alyson Kilday:
Well we are in a pretty small town right now. It started by getting on the front page of a local paper when we got back from our 9 month sailing ...MoreWell we are in a pretty small town right now. It started by getting on the front page of a local paper when we got back from our 9 month sailing and backpacking adventure through the Caribbean and Colombia. Next to the story about a lady getting lost in the woods...slow news day! :) Then we did a couple of small projects for people such as baby shower invites, birthday party cards, small stuff but it got sent to 200+ ppl around town. It's a trickle up effect where we are starting to see people now seeking us out for bigger and bigger projects. On the web we have a blog, use twitter heavily, and a facebook fan page where we network with a whole different group of people.
114 weeks ago
114 weeks ago
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