Thursday, June 9, 2011
more ideas for dating...
ideas for dating/finding other entrepreneurs to work with
Take what we have now ... craigslist type functionality ... where if you want to show up on the page, you have to post that day. Check for duplicates, so you enforce original content, allow flagging.
But add in the colorful and interactivity of JQUERY.
Mouseover people's names or pics will show you: quick stats on their level of activity, number of posts, distance to you, most recently active '1 hour ago', useful things like that (for meeting service ONLY, for dating - we may turn this feature off to keep things simple)
Allow sorting by location of your account's zip code by distance to other accounts, as column button (so it's an easy feature to use)
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call it GroupUp, for master mind groups
........
and call it LoveSearch, since Love is the number one worldwide search term on google (searched for more than dating, and with little competition for this keyword)
sex, competition 12%, monthly searches 55600000
love, competition 4%, monthly searches 45500000
dating, competition 43%, monthly searches 6120000
horoscope, competition 14%, monthly searches 4090000
relationship, competition 5%, monthly searches 2740000
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But here's the impetus/main reason for doing this. I need to have a higher standard within a dating site to draw more people to it ... and make finding people easy, intuitive and efficient.
By creating a site that can be about finding other people, to create successful groups - to fulfill our dreams -- and prosper for ourselves and our families, this would be something that would apply to the basic need of making money for all people.
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Look: could look similar to http://www.hypestat.com/
entrepreneurs connect - google search - GOOD LINKS
http://www.connect.org/
http://www.startupcrave.com/
http://www.internetentrepreneurconnection.com/successful-entrepreneurs-dream/
http://kirktaylor.com/ride-on-cary-on-entrepreneurs-shark-tank/
http://entrepreneursconnect.378603.free-press-release.com/
http://vasimpleservices.com/unite-and-conquer-entrepreneurs-connect-to-thrive-on-facebook
http://ratemystartup.com/startupcrave-com-where-aspiring-internet-entrepreneurs-connect/#
http://www.theentrepreneurconnection.com/
http://econnect.entrepreneur.com/group/10/
HOW TO: Connect with Other Entrepreneurs Online - Sarah Kessler
HOW TO: Connect with Other Entrepreneurs Online
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There’s no substitute for experience. Many successful entrepreneurs learned how to run a business as they built one, and they had the educational benefit of being able to make mistakes and learn from them as they went along.
But if there’s something close to a substitute for experience, it’s probably somebody else’s experience — which makes other small business owners the perfect people to ask for advice about your own business decisions.
These nine websites will help you track down the appropriate entrepreneurs. If you’ve found success on similar sites, let us know about them in the comments below.
1. OnStartups
Created by the same folks who run the popular programming Q&A site StackOverflow, this site is a perfect place to crowdsource all of your small business questions. After you post a question (let’s say, “How do daily deal or coupon websites handle marketing?”), anyone can post an answer. You and other users can vote the different responses up or down so that the best answer floats to the top — at which point, if you decide to, you can mark one response as the “accepted answer.”
The site is managed almost entirely by the crowd (none of whose members need to register to participate). Anyone in the community can edit posts and frequent users are allowed to vote irrelevant questions off the site.
2. Focus
Focus differs from other Q&A sites by maintaining a core group of experts who answer many of the questions on the site in exchange for the opportunity to promote themselves. This feature makes it more likely that you’ll receive prompt and useful responses.
Topics are divided into IT, marketing, sales, finance, customer service, operations and human resources sections, which makes it easy to search for the latest discussions on your interest area.
3. MicroMentor
Q&A has its value, but a deeper one-on-one relationship with a seasoned businessperson can be a greater asset to your business. MicroMentor helps you find a mentor online. Simply fill out a profile about yourself and your goals, and then search the mentor profiles that match your needs. If your selected mentor agrees that they’re a good fit, you can exchange contact information and start learning from each other.
The site is run by Mercy Corps, which intends to help “small businesses grow faster, generate more revenue, and employ more people.” More than 1,000 matches have been made to date.
4. Entrepreneur Connect
Entrepreneur Media, the parent company of Entrepreneur Magazine, hosts this online network of entrepreneurs. The site’s broadly defined “groups” where you can post questions, makes it useful for asking for advice. The replies are less frequent than on some of the other sites, but they tend to be of high quality. You also have the option to create your own private group.
The directory of other entrepreneurs, browsable by industry and name, is also helpful for locating someone who might be helpful regarding a specific issue.
5. PartnerUp
If you have a question that can be expressed in fewer than 140 characters, the PartnerUp community will likely have an answer. You can also search for contacts with different skills in different industries or “PartnerUp” with people who have made comments you appreciated so that you can stay in touch. Like OnStartups, questions and answers can be voted up or down so that the best ones — at least theoretically — remain on top.
Thankfully responses aren’t restricted with a character limit.
6. EFactor
The authors of business networking book The N Factor venture up the alphabet a little bit to bring you the EFactor. This social network for entrepreneurs can help you answer your questions in a handful of different ways.
First there’s a Q&A feature that shares your questions with other entrepreneurs on the site. There’s also a traditional forum where you’re likely to find a thread that answers your question and where you’re welcome to start a new one if you don’t. And finally, there’s an option to search for a mentor by their expertise and the assistance you’re seeking.
7. MeetTheBoss TV
This site gives you the opportunity for personal access to the world’s most innovative and influential business leaders. Although the rest of us probably won’t be able to get our questions for business leaders answered directly, there’s likely a video on MeetTheBoss TV that is relevant to your issue. They’re all targeted specifically for entrepreneurs and intended to expand a skill set. You’ll need to use the search bar to find a video that answers your specific question, but the quality of the advice more than compensates for this slight effort.
8. SCORE.org
A resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE gives free advice to entrepreneurs. The organization has 370 office locations offline and about 1,200 “counselors” offline. By typing in a couple of keywords about what business issue you’d like to discuss, you can browse a list of these counselors — mostly other small business owners — and e-mail them directly for advice.
If you prefer a face-to-face conversation, there’s also an option to search for a mentor by your zip code.
9. LinkedIn Answers
What sets LinkedIn Answers apart from the others on this list is that people have a couple of strong motives to help you. First, people are always looking for ways to stay in touch with members of their professional networks. Answering your question is a perfect opportunity to refresh a connection. Second, people who give the best answers to questions are featured as “experts” on the Answers homepage and in each category of questions.
LinkedIn’s giant network of professionals is another advantage. You can allow this entire network to search and answer your questions, or if you prefer, select individuals from your network who you want to answer your question. There are also advanced search options that allow you to browse the database of previously asked questions.
More Business Resources from Mashable:
- Social Media Marketing 101: In-House Team, Agency or Consultant?
- 6 Tips on Starting a Digital Business from the Founder of Pandora
- 5 Tips for Startup Success From a Co-Founder of HootSuite
- Growing Your Business: 5 Tips From the Founder of Foursquare
- 5 Popular Startups and How They Got Funding
Image courtesy of Flickr, Travelin’ Librarian
MergeSkills.com - IDEA MAN meets Rest of the Team
more direct solution. I am in contact with a group of professionals looking to partner with an "idea guy" or someone that has a product but does not know how to get it into the market successfully. They have experience in:
-Business Planning & Development
-Sales and Sales Strategy
-Marketing
-IT
-Legal
search for peers, mentors, business partners, like-minded entrepreneurs, you can post startup projects and job ads
You can search for peers, mentors, business partners, like-minded entrepreneurs, you can post startup projects and job ads....
adwebix is an online hub connecting entrepreneurs with investors but it can be used for much much more, it's a feature rich service.
Online PPT presentation -- very cool
Funding - through Angels -- 3 types, and link 4 ... Entrepreneur Commons
The Entrepreneur Commons™
After looking at VCs, and after managing the European American Angel Club for 2 years now, I have come to the conclusion that entrepreneurs are not really being served properly when it comes to seed funding. And I would like therefore to propose the concept of an Entrepreneur Commons to help with the issue.Here is the story:
I have seen are roughly 3 types of angels:
- The super-angel, who has enough money to be a one-man show VC playing with his own money (and maybe money from a few friends). Either he is known by the VC community, and he is treated well by them because he can source good deals for the later-stage rounds, or he has enough money within his ecosystem that he can help entrepreneurs all the way through.
- The social type, who has money and like toying with the idea that he could invest and may do so one day. He likes attending meetings and talking about it, but the reality is that he never really invests in anything.
- And then you have everybody else in between these 2 types.
These last group of angels is facing a lot of issues with the model as it is today:
- Angels their put money down and they have no clue when it will come back (if ever). Typical time before a cash event is 7 to 9 years if you believe angels who have done it for a while
- When investing in early stage, they have no real data to figure out a valuation, so any equity deal is based on arbitrary valuations where somebody is getting a bad deal on one side (angel) or the other (entrepreneur)
- If the business requires additional funding, Angels are being squeezed of the deals by VCs, who impose liquidation-preference clause
- And finally because you are just an Angel after all and not a fund, you are limited in your resources and cannot really spread yourself into a number of deals that is statistically relevant.
The way I see out of this situation is the Entrepreneur Commons:
A not-for-profit social network of entrepreneurs providing financing for early stage company through debt guaranteed by a mutual guarantee fund. The financial risk is mitigated by the mutual guarantee fund. The risk on the "management" side is mitigated by the social network: loans are by invitation only, so you will have to be approved by your peers to get in. And the typical scalability issue faced by general partners in a VC fund (which causes the famous "funding gap") is also resolved by the social network: the size of loans and the number of entrepreneurs involved is no longer a problem, and if anything it helps stabilize the results of the group as a whole.
The project is starting to get some traction, and we have been getting a lot of positive feedback - the recent post from my friend Jessica is a good example of the reactions I get.
The goal is now to confirm the blueprint for this model, so that it can be replicated anywhere. We have started looking for funds so that we can make loans soon. Stay tuned...
Startup collaboration websites - Links - Resources
...online communities where other folks who would
be interested...
in participating in a startup AS A CONTRIBUTOR (part of a team - of like-minded go-getters),
NOT AN INVESTOR might be found.
Of course, if such a site doesn't exist, maybe it's time to create one...
- www.partnerup.com
- www.meetup.com - I have found several entrepreneur/start-up groups on the site.
- Entrepreneur Commons - Start-up mentoring group.
The best way to find people who will join you is to:
- go where you can find people who will be passionate about the project.
- I have spoken publicly about my latest start-up concept at breakfast clubs, small conference, and meetings.
- I always get 2-3 people who send me emails afterwards
- they are asking if they can help because they are people who have the problem,
- and they are willing to help solve it in order to make their lives easier.
The Joy of Teamwork
A Peek Inside Some Solid PR Campaigns
I love building teams. Witnessing good teamwork is not only one of the joys of my job, but it’s also the clearest way to success in doing just about anything. One of the best parts of my job is watching my team work together and get results for our clients.
It’s so satisfying, because I have seen the downside. I’ve had that job that tied my stomach in knots, where every morning I regretted having to go to work. So, one of my goals in building my company was to ensure that no one who was on my team would ever feel that way. That’s why, when I see them succeed, and the excitement and joy they get from doing so, it not only makes me proud – it also makes me happy.
The way our team works is actually quite simple, with very few moving parts. When our clients sign on, they complete a questionnaire that sheds light on the issues they care most about, and then we gather the team with the client on a conference call so we can walk them through how we operate.
Our senior strategist is always there, along with the appropriate campaign managers from the different mediums we cover – TV, radio and print. When we get together with the client, sometimes we just talk for a little while about the areas of their expertise they feel most passionate about, and then we describe our process: Our senior strategist pours over their material and then researches what the media is covering regarding their topic, and he writes the appropriate pitches or articles that match up with the campaigns our clients have purchased. Then, the different campaign managers walk them through the logistics of each campaign and we’re off to the races.
The beauty of this process becomes evident when we see some of the results of our teamwork and last week demonstrated it best. For instance, one of our clients is a firm that investigates worker’s comp fraud. They wanted to use the mass media to establish their company name and get in front of other potential clients from the insurance industry. In one of our first meetings, our strategist saw great media potential in the hidden camera videos they take to catch scammers cheating, so we based our campaign around the stories of extreme fraudsters who wind up costing the average consumer about $950 each year.
Our TV campaign manager then booked the client on six local TV shows around the country. Not long after, she connected with the producer from “Stossel,” the Fox News network’s weekly news show. And just last week she confirmed the John Stossel interview with the producer.
Last week our print campaign manager also scored big hits in big news outlets, including an interview with the Chicago Tribune for one of our author clients, and two separate placements in the Los Angeles Times for an author client and a corporate client. She was also able to place a column about the book business with an editor at Forbes.com, who ran the column the very next day. And she heard from a New York Times reporter to develop a piece for another client as well.
On radio, we booked a different client on a Sirius XM show after coaching that client on how to conduct his interview. Then just last week, a VP of Talent for Sirius XM booked him on a tour of the satellite radio company’s top three shows as a result of the first interview he gave.
Last week was very exciting around here for everyone because all of these placements were derived from the teamwork ethic that we’ve developed. Whenever we score these kinds of placements for clients, it’s truly a team win, because everyone has a hand in making them happen. It’s gotten to the point where I am no longer surprised that they can deliver at that level, but rather, I’m simply gratified that my team is succeeding and having a good time doing it.
I think that’s what they call a win-win.
5 critical elements to an effective collaboration
However, there is a method to developing effective collaborations. You simply cannot connect, partner and venture into business with any business. Whether you are a solopreneur or have a small staff, your ability to effectively create collaborations is crucial to your business success. You need to know who to connect with, what value you each bring to the table, what are the terms and how will you keep the communication lines open.
Here are 5 ways to ensure your collaborations are effective and meaningful:
1. Power partner: Select business owners who have products or services that compliment yours and have the client base you are looking for. Their mindset, motivations, visions and business practices should also be compatible with yours. Don’t be afraid to approach someone who is already at your next level. If your product or service is strong enough, it could be an opportunity for you to expand.
2. Determine the value and incentives: Know what you can and can’t bring to the table. Know what is expected of you and what you expect of your partner(s). Determine the benefits of the collaboration and are they aligned with your values. Never sacrifice the integrity of your business for a sale.
3. Spell it out in black and white: Collaborations really should be in writing. Having your terms and agreement in writing will help eliminate any misunderstandings or miscommunications. Knowing who is responsible for what will set the boundaries of your relationship.
4. Client sharing and management (follow-up): You want to expand your client base while maintaining your identity. Remain separate, but equal. How are referrals handled? What is the process for contacting referrals? Is there a referral fee involved? It’s okay to share client databases; but be sure you have an established follow-up system for handling each other’s clients. Your clients should receive and expect the same quality and level of service from your partner.
5. Communication: Be sure to schedule regular meetings to review your collaborative relationships, make necessary adjustments and outline growth strategies.
It’s important to remember that in collaborations, your partner’s success depends on your success and vice versa. Having a formal collaborative partnership could make all the difference for your business. No business owner is an island. Savvy business owners and entrepreneurs know when to ask for help and know how to leverage their product or services.
WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
A.Michelle Blakeley is the Founder and CEO of Simplicity, Inc.; a progressive small business development firm. She manages her clients’ business expectations and prevents information overload via Micro Business Therapy™ and Micro Business Action Plans. She is featured in Forbes.com as one of 30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter and the host of Simple Truths for Women Entrepreneurs on BlogTalkRadio.com.
Why Collaboration is Key to Survival in this Economy
In this economy, entrepreneurs and small business owners are faced with the challenge of sustaining and expanding our businesses cost efficiently.
I personally feel that being efficient, resourceful, and creative in tackling problems is a blissful byproduct of this resource-constrained time.
Collaboration is a smart way to get what we need while helping other businesses in our community- this can take place within our industry, across industries, or across the value-chain (with our suppliers and customers).
The collaborations can range from transactions, to venture partnerships and anywhere in between. I have witnessed and help facilitated POWERFUL CONNECTIONS between small businesses that resulted in win-win opportunities, from co-marketing, to referrals, purchasing power, sharing of resources, to product development. The opportunity is endless.
It is my passion to help connect small businesses and guide them through the process of finding trusting, compatible, opportunistic ways of collaborating with each other where 1+1 =3+.
I'd be happy to take the conversation offline and share my experiences if you would like to learn more.
hsiangyi@gmail.com