* robfrankel   Yes, there WILL be a Free Clinic this morning, Monday, November 16, 2009! It will begin at the top of the hour, just as it has every Monday since 1998 or so...
* robfrankel   At that time, I'll be here, helping out anyone who drops by with their business or branding issues.
* robfrankel   I'll keep my browser open for a full 60 minutes from that time....so grab a cup of coffee and a doughnut, limber up your fingers and welcome in.
We'll start at the top of the hour....
* eydryan   aaaand good morning :)
* robfrankel   Hi Edryan...Good to see you back! We'll get started in a bit...
* eydryan   Sure, no hurry, and great to be back :)
* robfrankel   Okay, then, the Free Clnic is officially open!
Hi Edryan....how are things with you!
* robfrankel   Keeping busy. The trick is to never stop your new business campaign, no matter if things are good or bad.
* robfrankel   Gotta keep deal flow constant.
* robfrankel   At this time of year, people are looking more toward next year. That means more planning, and my biz figures into that planning.
* eydryan   Sorry Rob, had a quick meal, back for the cool stuff now :)
* webs   Good morning
* eydryan   I'm fine, decided to do my paper for the ebusiness masters as elearning via Google wave, was thinking about also monetizing it.
* robfrankel   No problem. So what's up today? Anyone? Bueller?
* eydryan   Morning webs
* webs   Good morning eydryan
* eydryan   So I wanted to ask you a few questions about how you view the market for elearning, from a b2b point of view, or even a b2c if you see a point in that.
* eydryan   That was a broad question, let me rephrase
* webs   Rob, Ben Stein was pretty funny in that movie.
* robfrankel   Sure, Edryan.
* robfrankel   Stein doubles as an investment advisor too....Often used on FOX TV...
* eydryan   Should I position myself as a provider of elearning to businesses or clients? And how could I find out if there's a market for that short of going ahead and getting a site up and making all the preparations for a launch itself
* eydryan   oh, and btw, just call me Adrian, it's simpler , dunno why i use that old nickname anyway
* robfrankel   Okay Adrian. First thing to do is your homework. Don't bother setting up shop if there are no customers to be found.
* robfrankel   Fortunately, the internet makes it easier than ever to find out if there's a market to support your business. Where is your target market?
* eydryan   As in geo location?
* eydryan   romania
* webs   Are you in Romania?
* robfrankel   So the big questions are whether you're planning to be viewed as local and are you planning to offer your own content? Or are you a platform for others to provide their elearning?
* eydryan   Well I'd like to firstly offer the platform and then some courses as well, but the platform itself is the main thing here, and the solution as a whole
* robfrankel   You have to make up your mind about that, Adrian. Offering a platform for others to use is a totally different marketing effort than offering your own content.
* robfrankel   That's not to say that when the platform is launched, you may eventually decide to offer some content. But if it's a platform, that's what you should focus on.
* eydryan   the platform is my main target here, offering people a way to marry content and delivery, my own content is just an extra if the platform is successful
* eydryan   yeah that's what i was thinking because then i can offer it to various teachers and universities etc, however it may be hard to sell since it's mainly using open source software and so on
* webs   You would be selling your expertise at putting it together in that case
* webs   ANd that is also why they would not want to go around you and do it themselves. And how you could kill off competition.
* robfrankel   Actually, you wouldn't be selling YOUR OWN expertise, because that doesn't sell PLATFORMS. You'd be selling the platform, ostensibly without any personal representation, because most content creators want to control their content.
* robfrankel   So you'd want to promote ease of use first, reliability second and security third. After that, you can get to price.
* eydryan   to put it more in a context, i would offer them a system that combines google wave, slideshare, youtube and a few small bits of custom coding i need to get to in order to make a skype queue system.
* webs   Adrian would be selling the expertise of putting the system together
* eydryan   ah, yes, good point. btw you should hit the wave as well rob, this chat would be much nicer there :D
* robfrankel   What's the revenue model for this?
* webs   Just like a plumber
* eydryan   yeah webs that's true
* robfrankel   Adrian, we constantly explore new chat technologies, but the problems don't seem to be solved by Google or many others.
* eydryan   well revenue comes from offering the no-frills system to clients and educators and giving them support. so basically install, support and a fee for the classes themselves if i decide to support the system myself
* robfrankel   For one thing, I refuse to engage in cloud tech. I don't believe in app servers from public companies, either. I don't trust them with my content -- or access to that content.
* eydryan   i'm still in the planning stages with most choices, which is why i nee
* robfrankel   Also, very few chat script offer logging/transcripts. That's why we stay with this one.
* eydryan   well google wave can be installed onto your own server, whenever that feature launches, and it's like email and chat into one. and i guess doc collaboration
* eydryan   well i see i need to think more before i come to you with this
* robfrankel   Adrian, you need to get way more specific on your revenue model. I can see charging for hosting and licensing for management tools. Even a mark up on any paid content.
* eydryan   but i had one more question short one
* robfrankel   No problem Adrian. We have plenty of time.
* eydryan   in the context of elearning, would you think prerecorded courses or live courses would be best? and the prerecorded would have q&a sessions
* webs   Adrian, think... why would someone pay you?
* robfrankel   Why not both?
I always prefer to offer as many choices as possible.
* eydryan   @webs because people here can't really work so well with setting up technology or imagining such marriages of service, and they need help
* robfrankel   I personally limit my live interactions to these Free Clinics. As a provider, my time is more valuable. I don't like being tied to an office or an overly-tight schedule.
* webs   You can sell the live one and then sell access to the recording at a slightly reduced price because there will be no interaction.
* eydryan   well both mean a bit more hassle and i feel would confuse people but in the context of me as platform provider would be a good point
* robfrankel   BTW, you may also be interested in knowing that this chat script can be offered as a Pay Per Participant, which means we have the means to charge admission tickets.
* webs   Adrian, the question is more for you to think of in selling your product and determining your revenue model.
* robfrankel   Which means I can hold a paid chat event here.
* eydryan   true
* eydryan   well thanks for the help guys, let's let someone else have their time
* eydryan   don't want to be greedy :D
* robfrankel   So while this chat script can be a tad annoying, its benefits outweigh its annoyances.
* eydryan   plus i came unprepared, shame on me :D
* robfrankel   Anyone else want to jump in?
* eydryan   well it does have some pretty big annoyances, but i guess it does work, and the ability to monetize it as a big plus
* robfrankel   Anyone reading about Playboy being in play? After Hugh Hefner's daughter, Christie, nearly killed the company, it's now in play to be purchased and taken private.
* robfrankel   Yeah, we haven't found a better chat technology in all the years we've searched.
* eydryan   heard about that, pretty sad, also they've changed their ways...
- patrysha   I caught a bit of a news byte on that last week, but didn't pay much attention...
* eydryan   less of a nudie photo mag of the legends of our time, more about seminude anonymous models
* eydryan   have you seen the marge simpson one?
* robfrankel   I think it may be an interesting short term stock play. If the deal goes through....But unless they get some serious branding help, they're done.
* eydryan   well they're confused about who they are right now is my opinion
* eydryan   also, the web is somewhat killing them off, photos of nude celebs are all over the place, adn that's their biggest selling point
* robfrankel   They're confused because the lost their way in 1985. Which is about the time when brand strategy fell off the wagon in favor of media.
* robfrankel   When hefner handed off the company to his daughter, the plummet began. She's a dope.
- patrysha   I was just going to ask if they've ever been relevant...
* robfrankel   They finally forced her out, but it will take a lot of thinking and tactical maneuvering to get it back up to snuff.
* robfrankel   Patrysha, Playboy has a HUGE heritage. Many people think of it as a nudie magazine, but it always was a CLASS act, focusing on politics, music and good-living: fashion, drinking, lifestyle.
* webs   I used to like it. Now I read Maxim
* robfrankel   In the was against restricting free speech, Playboy was front and center. And they were early and ardent supporters of women's rights -- especially when it came to sexual freedom.
* webs   ROb, don't forget about the famous Playboy jokes
- patrysha   yeah, but I'm a girl...so Playboy doesn't generally enter my sphere...
* robfrankel   Absolutely. Playboy was the ultimate for every guy who wanted to be James Bond.
* webs   So why ask if they have ever been relevant?
* robfrankel   Actually, Patrysha, Playboy inspired most of the women's press: You can't imagine how many times a magazine would be announced as "the Playboy for women."
- patrysha   Though I did get a Playgirl for my 16th birthday...Well cuz most of the guys I do know tend to go for other magazines in that category...
* webs   Playboy clubs were the height in elegance. Very classy.
* robfrankel   They were the standard for other men's media. You my not recall, but there was a time when there were Playboy clubs throughout most of the major cities in America. The ultimate status was to have a Playboy Key Card in your wallet.
* webs   They were like Las Vegas entertainment hubs great stage shows. TOp notch stars entertaining. And accessible ONLY if you were a member
* robfrankel   Hugh Hefner was sort of the Richard Branson/Martha Stewart of his day. Anything less was, well, viewed as second rate.
* robfrankel   Exactly, Webs. And that's what a real brand does. Nobody minded paying more for Playboy
- patrysha   I remember t-shirts and window decals...but no clubs...could be they were gone before I was old enough to realize what they were...I led a sheltered life...lol
* robfrankel   But all that ended when his idiot daughter took over and her minions decided tod escend into the now-famous "pink wars" with Larry Flynt and Rocky Aoki.
* webs   They even put on a TV show... remember Playboy after dark? THey would have Hef, and some bunnies, and all the top rock stars playing concerts... well actually more of a club setting. Private concerts kind of
* robfrankel   Only took a year or two until ALL the clubs vanished.
* webs   No I think there is still a playboy club in Vegas
* robfrankel   Sure. "Playboy After Dark" was featured in Hef's "penthouse suite." Surrounded by celebs, jazz musicians and of course, the bunnies.
* robfrankel   It's not a real club, Webs. Like everything else, it's a licensed property.
* webs   I remember when his daughter was going to bring Playboy to the internet
* eydryan   that's interesting, sorry if i keep cutting out, internet is on the fritz today
* robfrankel   His daughter is the case for abortion.
* robfrankel   Sorry, couldn't resist.
* webs   All the write-ups she was getting. Then it became a big huge flop.
* webs   She's a walking tax break
* webs   I guess she is going to try and get them 503c status. Non-profit :)
* robfrankel   The minute she took over, the brand began tanking. Which proves once again that family businesses are the toughest to manage. ALWAYS hire the wrong people for the wrong reasons.
- patrysha   Family businesses can be tricky...
* robfrankel   Unfortunately, my experience has been that family operations tend to have to most managerial issues -- serious ones that hamper and eventually kill the biz. Sad.
* robfrankel   NEW ISSUE: Today, the supreme court refused to hear a case against the Washington Redskins over their Indian logo.
- patrysha   yup in a lot of cases things breakdown...I know my father in law worked hard to prevent that...
* robfrankel   Perhaps the pendulum in political correctness may have begun to swing back to common sense.
- patrysha   We can hope so!
* webs   Well, I for one am offended that you would even say such a thing :)
* robfrankel   Good, then my work here is done! :D
* webs   What's Al Gore's Favorite Green Product?
* webs   Your money in his pocket:)
* robfrankel   Another illustration that brand strategy is dead in political circles is the fact that media people can keep a straight face while discussing Sarah Palin's political future....
* robfrankel   Gore's favorite green product is money.
* robfrankel   The very first Republican with any semblance of brand strategy is going to skyrocket. It's a totally open field. No competitors at all.
- patrysha   Hey that's my favorite green product too...that or mint chocolate chip ice cream
* webs   I think Sara Palin opened the doors
* robfrankel   TEN MINUTE WARNING: you still have time to dive in with an issue or two!
* webs   I have a serious question
* robfrankel   Palin opened the doors to the insane asylum. In all my years, I have never witnessed anyone as incapable and unqualified as Palin.
* robfrankel   Okay Webs
* eydryan   Great session today Rob, thanks for taking the time to discuss with us, I've gotta go, see you next time I hope. :)
* webs   Do you think it's better for a domain name to be the initials of the company, or a memorable phrase?
- patrysha   I might have something next week...now I am still in the middle of revamping my website...
* eydryan   oh, I guess i can hang around another 10 minutes
* robfrankel   If I had to choose, I'd probably go with the initials.
* webs   For example ifmm.com or mymoney.com
* eydryan   Domain names are irrelevant nowadays, except for SEO and search engine results, so go for something the client recognizes, or likes when he searches for you
* robfrankel   A lot of people dump on Barnes & Noble for bn.com but I'd rather use that than "onlinebookstore"
* eydryan   don't even think anyone will input the address itself into a search engine, once had a client when i was seo who used to type web addresses into the google search bar and then choose the result from there :))
* robfrankel   Adrian, that's not true. I get far more inquiries from people searching "branding expert" than anything else. One rule doesn't apply to all.
* webs   I type the address into teh address bar if I know it
* robfrankel   The reason it works is because brandingexpert.com points to robfrankel.com
* eydryan   i have a rule of thumb for you webs: if you're memorable as a name, and already have a bunch of customers, go for that, but if you're small and don't have the trust of the customers, go for a phrase, people will remember it better. that's my opinion at least
* webs   If I want to create a mailing label, I type usps.com
* webs   I don't do a search for "The US Post Office"
* eydryan   well i agree to that rob but i meant that choosing a domain name that's easy to type is pointless, very very few people type domain names anymore
* robfrankel   Adrian, why not have BOTH? I must have 20+ names pointing to robfrankel.com
* eydryan   @webs, i'd just type usps in my google chrome address bar
* webs   BUt the first time I was searching for their website, I did a search on "the US Post Office"
* eydryan   and google would take me there either way
* robfrankel   In any case, I'd rather have something tied to the identity if possible.
* webs   See, you are sold to google... not everybody is
* eydryan   @rob imo it's a bit pointless (watch me contradict myself) you'll never really get much traffic to the others if they're just redirects, but i guess it's better than your competitors having them
* robfrankel   Plus, you have to assume to lowest common denominator as far as users go. This weekend, I was talking with an attorney -- not an old one, either -- who had no idea what an e-mail attachment was.
* webs   Adrain, according to what you are saying, I could use 4877dndcucytednfgi.com and that would be fine, because no one would enter that into an address bar
* webs   Rob, sounds like my mother:)
* eydryan   pretty much yes, but then people wouldn't much like it when searching for it either, nothing pops
* robfrankel   Adrian, I know for a fact I get more biz from brandingexpert.com than robfrankel.com, because people are looking for WHAT I DO, rather than WHO I AM.
* robfrankel   This is the whole myth of Personal Branding.
* eydryan   ah, but you have a website on that domain, which is not what i meant, i thought you just had a 301 redirect from there
* robfrankel   I know it's hard to believe, but nobody hires me for my devastating good looks or sparkling personality. They hire me for the work I produce.
* eydryan   and yes people usually don't know to search for rob when they need branding, they just want a branding man
* robfrankel   No Adrian, brandingexpert points to the site at robfrankel.com
* webs   Don't forget that razor sharp wit
* eydryan   well rob, your looks must factor in to that
* eydryan   not true rob, it may be a clone of the site, but there;s a website under that domain, not a redirect
* robfrankel   Adrian, I promise you, there's no site there.
* robfrankel   Ack! We're out of time! Thanks everyone for a great session! I have to go, but the room stays open for another 15 minutes. Have a great week! I'll see you online!
* webs   Take care all!
* eydryan   Ok, have a great week yourselves. And rob, when I go to brandingexpert.com my address bar says brandingexpert.com, meaning i'm not redirected anywhere