Thirty Day Challenge - How Can We Make This Truly Open Source?
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I have a dream - and an echidna….
Watch this video
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You can download here
What do you think? Can we do this? How do we do this? Dan and I are prepared to put up the infrastructure. How do we stop it getting spammed?
You tell me - Comments below - I think this thing could be huge.
Ed and the echidna…
September 26th, 2007 at 1:42 am
I am a Imediate Edge member and seeing internet marketing frm a different angle is a good thing. I think Ed had a fantastic idea, as I see it’s WIN/WIN. I’m sure that the gurus out there will feel challenged but if they’re truly guru’s they shouldn’t mind. Bring it on!
September 26th, 2007 at 2:10 am
I am excited about your Idea Ed. With several Irons In The Fire, my problem is Time. … … Time … … Time! I am still trying 2 get 30DC under my belt. Time! I am still on Day 3 . Time! Nevertheless I am Still excited! I will get it done! Keep up the Great Inovations! 1P
September 26th, 2007 at 2:14 am
great idea but the internet changes so fast, any updates made would have to be heavily moderated or people would get thrown off the track.
it all relies on moderators that can control the quality of information
how to do it????? dunno
little bit over my head at the moment….
September 26th, 2007 at 2:18 am
Ed,
I think this is a great idea!
Let me know what I can do to help get it going. Oh, and I think if its going to need a project name, lets call it Echidna. Or maybe in its infancy we could call it Puggle
We could set up a library with different sections for resources like, “techniques” “tools and resources” “Q and A (like Yahoo Answers)” , etc.
There could be a section for Joint Ventures where teams can work together to build a project too.
Thanks for thinking of this
Ken
September 26th, 2007 at 2:24 am
WARNING: I have not participated before and will be starting my first 30DC on Oct 1, so I may be way off base.
The main challenge in my mind would be how to organize this sort of site. On the one hand, there are probably overarching categories everything could fit into (though I’m not sure exactly what they’d be) but on the other, I think the structure could be greatly affected by the media format of various submissions. My initial brainstorm is that within some broad based categories, the site could operate through some sort of voting mechanism. That way the most popular techniques (as selected by people actually enacting them) could rise to the top.
It might also be worth considering tiered voting rights. People that have had certain levels of success (by what measure, I have no idea) might be granted the ability to place multiple votes for a given technique. Alternately, they might be granted the ability to place negative votes.
Feel free to shoot me an email at rockandrolllifestyle@gmail.com to discuss this further.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:33 am
First up - LOVED the periodic nervous giggling about your mate the Echidna (and a very special experience to have)
I think this is extremely workable.
First thoughts that come to mind is that we pretty much continue with the structure and rules we have now.
Being that it is not a place to pitch to get sales/build a list.
It is an open source environment.
And those who decide to contribute know that and respect that - or they will be duly moderated.
Just as they are now
As if we do not do this - we will end up with an environment like the Warrior Forum - and whilst that has it’s place…what has been special about the 30DC environment has been the ‘giving’, reduced egos and also that it’s action & results focused as opposed to pontification.
So what is the pay off for those that contribute?
Well I guess as some are seeing already - traffic, building their authority etc.
Maybe there’s a way too that they can profit financially - and it could be an ‘over time’ when they’ve earned their stripes they also submit their paid services to the 30DC for approval - something like that???
Thinking/typing out loud
Oh and my wild-life experience on the weekend included chickens, wild turkeys, a hunt for a ‘friendly’ Goanna and fortunately no brushes with snakes - I was stopped short from going on an ‘adventure’ in the scrub, reminded that in Australia (as opposed to NZ) there are more things that kill and they can bite through sand-shoes…so I might have to resort to those hideous hiking boots if I continue with this Steve Irwinesque activity - lol
Caro
PS: The hardest thing was to be somewhere with no signal for ANY sort of digital activity - mobiles included…I can feel a campfire song coming on!
September 26th, 2007 at 2:35 am
StomperNET
Income.com
I welcome Ed Dale’s idea. The more source of quality online marketing education, the better.
More power to Ed Dale.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:48 am
It’s a great idea Ed!
I think one way to keep the spammers out is to have a moderator view each person’s content site before allowing them to join to make sure they do have quality content pages. The spammers are too lazy to do that.
Dan
September 26th, 2007 at 2:53 am
Having worked with large community online projects in the past I can offer the hardest thing will be to find enough people who are passionate to put in the hard yards for a long period of time.
Even the open source community and places like Wikipedia have a large amount of leaders whether through project managers, or authoritative persons who can lead, direct and channel the enthusiasm into a common direction. These people will also be the ones that need to crush,kill, destroy the “nasties” but do it in a way they maintain the respect of the community.
That might sound a little negative and I want to offset it with the thought that this is a nice way to give back, for people to build their names in the area without spending thousands on “guru training” and getting ripped off by jumping into things that are way too deep for the beginners who are being sold dreams.
This would be a nice kindergarten for those that can then see if they have what it takes to move into the more hardcore areas as StomperNet and Immediate Edge. If people graduate to those programs then they will be doing it with eyes wide open and knowing how much effort it takes personally to do these things full time.
My suggestions for this sort of community then would be select your leaders wisely, ensure there is a form of reward for achievers in the group (contribution being its own reward is only applicable to a small amount of the population, most like recognition in one form or another) and ensure that the feel of “community” is never lost to the almighty dollar or the leeches that will attach themselves to it.
September 26th, 2007 at 3:13 am
im still trying 2 download it,while waiting can someone tell me how,where 2 get the rest of the i/tunes downloads as i’ve only got suff from the 29/8/07 onwards or cant we get any more thnx heaps
September 26th, 2007 at 3:49 am
We have a lot of options. Depends on how the majority wants to go. Their sure was a lot of smiling going on over there.
September 26th, 2007 at 3:59 am
What about a wiki style backend that has a mass of content in various formats (allowing for upload of video, podcasts, flash and text) no javascript obviously and any edits have to be voted on. And a sphinn/digg style front end showing the most popular techniques so people going to the front page can find valuable content quicker.
This means that you will have the authority of a wiki style site and the traffic power of a UGC voting site to make an awesome marketing platform in itself.
And just to top it off why not add a blogging platform eg. wibble.tdc.com where wibble is the blog name, this will add to the UGC and the blogs can be voted on also, any blogs with a number of negative votes dissappear from the site but the author can edit them and resubmit until the content reaches a standard that the community feels is quality. This way you wont get your blog banned in google, it will just be banned on the site and makes it more difficult to create crap content for some drugs I´ve never heard of.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:23 am
Great idea Ed!
A basic - What you need to do get started - would be good.
I have found this years 30DC,to highly informative.I still have not achieved my first sale but I’m starting to understand how to attract targeted traffic.
Many thanks.
Malc.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Great thing, Ed!
The next step is to do the open source project multilanguage
Some sort of “Internet-marketing”-pedia.com, or something like that.
Bogdan
September 26th, 2007 at 4:31 am
Being devils advocate, has your other business partner Brad Fallon (of stompernet and exploding head fame) not done this already with http://www.FreeIQ.com
What is nice about that place is you can do free and/or fee based.
I think a simple classified section for things like SEO stuff for sale, SEO services for sale, help wanted, help offered would be more than enough.
I guess a lense style articles section may also grow.
I guess I’d write 1 article for free, but to be honest, as lovely as sharing for free is, most of us are here to make money, and our time is money. So even a dollar fee would make it seem worth while, for more advanced articles.
I also feel many people would appreciate 1 to 1 mentoring, but whether this can be totally free I don’t know. I’d happily pay $20 to get a direct answer from Dan, Rob or Caro. Yes I am insane!
None of us could afford you Ed!
I appreciate paying for anything will be a massive shock to 99.99999% on here, but many of us are trying to run a professional profitable business, and sometimes you have to pay to get the specific advice you need.
It costs way less in the end, a million fold.
Again I guess things like askanexpert and elance and the ilk ca do all that already, but they are not specifically IM orientated.
It would be nice to have member ratings against each product/service but it opens a can of worms about back stabbing the competition, vote rigging and the most popular “staying” the most popular, merely on activity. So on reflection, I guess there can be NO voting/ranking. In fact top slot rotation (ie on search) would be the fairest.
The main thing is on 30dc we have no place to discuss our ideas or officially promote our wares.
I have many software utilities that people may find very useful and profitable, but they can’t be free. They have to be $1~$50. But that is way different to the status quo of $97~$999 for a piece of often questionable software.
But I guess there is no reason to cause a paradigm shift in the IM market. But on the other hand, people like me have no place to promote our (cheap) stuff. Which is a great shame, because things like LLN could be an absolute gold mine for the majority of members.
I think the scale of 30dc is too huge and too public and the Edge would much better suit this kind if “family” eco structure. But still…
One thing though, whatever happens, affiliate links should be BANNED. It’s pretty scummy when one member profits from another with an affiliate link and without mentioning it. It is also not often a genuine recommendation either, just a money making trick. But if it’s a home made product, then that is different as it is unique and the only source.
Overall a simple classified section (or auction) including offered and wanted, and the 30dc market will probably find it’s own level of community - free or charged. But NO affiliate links!!
JM0CW
Peter
September 26th, 2007 at 4:35 am
Hi Ed, How brave you are facing that echidna! As usual your idea is brilliant! I don’t know exactly how wikipedia is run, so I do not fully grasp the implications of the idea, but I know as a user of wikipedia that the idea of having something similar for IM would be just fantastic - over the edge. It would be so helpful for so many people it is a mind boggler. I am all for the idea and would be delighted to help out such a project in any way that I could. Julie
September 26th, 2007 at 4:40 am
RE: I have a dream - and an echidna
I love the idea…I really want to be a part of this..I need to learn so much…I am having a bit of a problem with time also. Because I am not making any money on line I cannot give up my day job, juggling, exercising, my job, my grandchildren, cooking. I REALLY am interested in what you have planned. I will definitely be a part of it.
Susan
September 26th, 2007 at 6:10 am
I’m a great believer in Wiki technology as the simplest collaborative infrastructure that can work.
Moderated forums always seem to end up stuck on just one set of related opinions, with fans of the owner chasing out alternative views, which is bad for community learning.
It takes a bit of work to keep one step ahead of the spambots, but mediawiki is the one with all the social experience, plugins and a development community behind it.
September 26th, 2007 at 7:35 am
[...] Ed’s latest 30dc blog asks how-can-we-make-this-truly-open-source [...]
September 26th, 2007 at 7:42 am
I think that setting up some sort of Wiki is a great idea another use of a Web 2.0 technology. The other nice thing is that the community can participate as well.
September 26th, 2007 at 7:54 am
Ed,
Think it’s a GREAT idea. I love learning from you guys and the forums are a wonderful support system. I think moderators are going to be necessary due to spammers but maybe they could rotate monthly or quarterly so no one gets too overwhelmed. Thanks for the continued thought on this and for the wildlife videos! : )
Jenny
September 26th, 2007 at 8:30 am
Hey there Ed,
This sounds like a great idea. Problems will occur trying to keep spammers out, so perhaps an auditor/moderator(s) will be needed - Perhaps charge a small one-time fee so that the spammers wouldn’t be so quick to join and spam?
How about this? We could even set up a video directory as part of the site which would allow folks to create training videos and submit them for free - with the auditor approval necessary, of course. As an incentive for submitting videos, allow them to have a link to their site on the video credits which could show for maybe 5-7 seconds and/or have the video direct viewers to their website upon the video’s completion. Kind of like the author’s bio paragraph on an article. You could really run with this! Or maybe ….. Have it like a forum where topics for training videos represent the different forum room. Poll the members to see what type of training is needed and then create a new room for that need to be filled. Alright, I’m running off to a meeting, but you get the gist.
What do you think?
-Mark
September 26th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Fantastic idea Ed.
There are really umpteen possibilities, and the only problem I can foresee is managing such a large scale open project. Will there be enough knowledgeable people willing (or able) to put so much into a free environment? It will also take a big effort to keep the scammers, spammers and all other sorts of nasties out.
If we (I include myself) can make it work it will be the project of the decade!
Keep it coming.
Frans
September 26th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Knowledge is power. Why not?
September 26th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Another fantastic idea! The greatest difficulty will be what Wikipedia faces and that is quality of entries. Project Echidna would require monitoring which is time intensive. However, the 30DC broke barriers of space and time, so why not! P.S. Love the wildlife scenes, Ed, makes we want to visit Australia.
September 26th, 2007 at 9:43 am
I’m thinking about how best to attract other experts.
So far we’ve had a very useful step-by-step approach to building a site and traffic, and it sounds like next we’re moving toward building a business. In many ways we can continue that step-by-step approach.
However, while there will be some set of knowledge that applies to building most new businesses, there will also be areas that are of interest to people moving in a specific direction–i.e. into a particular broad industry (e.g. retail, publishing, virtual/internet services) or toward a particular method of marketing and promotion. Why not, then, have online symposia–which of course would be archived–on these special topics? That way we could massage guru egos by featuring them as “keynote speakers” or whatnot. Also, we’d be asking them for a limited-time involvement, so they wouldn’t feel they’re getting themselves into something where we’d be unfairly taking advantage of their expertise in ways for which they’d usually get paid.
I’m thinking these “symposia” might be week-long events, each including–depending on the expert’s preferences for delivery of material–a video or two, or a series of blog posts, a PDF report consisting of text or flow charts or concept maps or whatever, and maybe a (somehow filtered, so it doesn’t get too crazy) Q & A or online chat.
Excellent idea. And thanks for the wildlife moment! Those of us living in the suburbs half a world away appreciate it.
September 26th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Hey Ed,
I’ve been mulling over the concept of Open Source Marketing for a bit now. I’ve been exploring the Open Source Software community, and am also reading the book Wikinomics (great read!) which talks about the open source movement. And, I’ve run across a new site that is dedicated to funding software projects - kind of an open source funding methodology - called microPledge (www.micropledge.com).
I like what you’ve done with the Immediate Edge with calls for volunteers to help on projects. There’s no reason this couldn’t be extended to a larger community, where volunteers help with every phase of a marketing project - concept, creative, programming, copywriting, etc. - and have it all documented. It seems to me that project-based learning is the best way to follow along and learn while others are doing.
And, you could create wikis to help with things like creative - sales letters, autoresponders, articles, etc. could all be “group-written” on the wikis. Project leaders could then take the best of the group-submitted content and roll it out to the project. The same can be done with web programming - basic html, Ajax, autoresponder integration, squeeze pages, etc. - and creative - web sites, blogging, icons, etc.
When it comes to promotion, everyone can get involved in tagging, submission of articles, blog posting, and more.
I think this is a great way to teach and to build some real businesses. Perhaps the profits can be rolled back into the training and infrastructure of the site, or a shares system could be developed based on work (voted on by the community involved).
You’re on to something here… and I think there’s a great opportunity to create some value, enrich some lives, and to turn a profit.
Thanks,
Chuck
September 26th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Ed, FAB idea!
I have been a little frustrated with my efforts and it is MOSTLY becasue there is so much information on a subject I know little of.
I am so disorganized and don’t know which task to cover first.
Perhaps with a wiki it can be laid out, step by step, particular pages for the particular needs we have
Perhaps my ignorance is showing, but if the wiki is closed to public viewing - everyone must have membership to get the site, perhaps spamming can be kept down. (I know SOME very odd people will still want to try…) with good moderators, you should be able to keep the site useful.
Go for it!
Kitty Smith
September 26th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Ed -
Why don’t you pick a product and develop a website for it from scratch? Who cares what it is? You could even do two. One site for an ecommerce type product and another for a physical product. We see you do the step by step process for each one. From finding what you are going to put on the sites to and through to putting them up. Once they are up and going we get to see each days orders, etc. We see them tested, etc. If the products do well fine. You are entitled to whatever the profits might be for the time you put into it - or them. If either or both fall on their respective tails we learn from that as well; perhaps even more.
John Fish
John Fish
September 26th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Good idea Ed
Don’t allow links for one or two time users.
Have a reporting tool for users to flag spam. This will help you control spammers without having to watch every single post. Let the community do it for you.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Ed, I think this is a fabulous idea. Based on past experience, I think that finding people who are truly committed to “doing it right” is a little tough, which means people need a commitment, and (IMHO, unfortunately) probably also need a team or project manager.
I think if you had X number of qualified team leaders/manager who managed X number of people on their team, then these managers could easily give the boot to anyone 1) not participating; or 2) who were scamming. With this in place, I believe this could work incredibly well. I wish the need for monitoring wasn’t there, but I believe to be the success you envision (and we all wish for) it’s going to take more than just relying on everyone’s good behavior.
Nancy
September 26th, 2007 at 10:40 am
What a wonderful idea. I think we need to have a search function so we can look up specific help which is how I use wikipedia. Also the step by step idea mentioned is something that I think would help most of us novices. This is the best training I’ve seen on internet marketing. I’ve rolled up all my change to pay to continue the immediate edge for a couple of months (amazing how much can accumilate). I hope to earn enough to at least pay for the edge in the next few months.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Ed I think the Thirty Day Challenge has already created one of the best sources for internet marketing anywhere. That being said, the reasons I think it works so well is because it leads people down a logical path with each step building on the previous. The other reason I think it works so well is because of the level of expertise everyone on the team has. In my opinion what I think makes more sense is to encourage people to add to the project and have that info disseminated by you like you did with SocialMarker.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
I love the idea. I find the rate of new things coming out on the net boggling. I’ve barely gotten the hang of one technique when another 5 become more popular. I’d love a place where I could go to share and get new info on IM. There will just have to be a section where pitching products is allowed and other places that are ‘pitch free’ zones.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I started the 30DC late and did not succeed in making money. I have no problem with that as the information I got was not only excellent but free and freely given. Helping people is good as it makes one feel great AND will bring rewards both financial and spiritual to those giving that help. I would like to see a site that shows newbies (MeMeMe) how to go from scratch to professional at lowest startup cost. I have got the hang of social posting etc, but, I do not know how to put an autoresponder or shopping cart on to a web site yet. I believe a one stop shop for basics would be beneficial, followed by incremental advancement as experience grows. By searching around, I have found good value web hosting, autoresponders and etc but not how to put it all together. I think a forum with different sections for advancing levels of experience would be a good start. Combine that with a video/camtasia style library of “how to” information and you will have a winner. Once people start to earn money and give up the day job, they can move on to joint ventures among themselves and get together for new projects if they wish, or just do their own thing if they are that way inclined. There is a marvelous opportunity to do many people a lot of good if we go about it the right way.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Hi Ed,
This is a great idea. I was thinking of something like a facebook clone because facebook is hard to spam. Although I have seen it done. I happen to be getting a lot of response out of facebook at the present time and am starting up with bloglines now. Both your ideas. I will brainstorm a little more and see what I can come up with.
Thanks again
Matt
September 26th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
As usual a fantastic idea. The challenge is to maintain quality as well as control spamming. Persons would be able to vote on submission but contributors should not be allowed to solicit votes. There should be a tiered system which would be based on one’s participation/contribution in the community. As one moves along the tier he or she would be rewarded with more rights such as the ability to place links in a post.
It should allow for the not only the brainstorming and creation of the product but also a marketplace where products can be sold…jmho.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Hi Ed.
Since I’m a nature lover, and passionate about animals I thought the Echinda was cute. Looks like a
porkupine. I also think your Idea is cool too. I think a forum with different experience levels would be
good too. As for me I’m a newbie to internet marketing etc. It would be nice to be able to start at
a level or with step-by-step instructions on how to. I’m very happy and excited to see this happen
as I think you are a cool guy and I like the way you over deliver information/content. I also like the
idea of the value, and intergerty this has. ok. later Ed……… looking to see something soon.
ps I’ still on pre-season for the thirtydaychalllenge. Still excited to do the challenge. I told a few friends
about it. Can’t wait to make my first $10.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 26th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I did not read all of the above comments, so please excuse me if I repeat a comment.
Sounds like a great idea, Ed! So many can’t afford to pay for the courses appearing ever increasing numbers. It could possibly be organized in a 3 level fashion for beginners, intermediate and more intermediate sections. Those could be explained in simple, clear “1, 2, 3 how to do it” style instructions, including an outline structure to print out and work from as well.
It would be nice if there were a place for those who are able to pay for help in areas to have referrals available
instead of hit or miss in finding a good supplier.
It would have to be moderated for obvious reasons. With that I think it will be really cool!
Allison S.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I think it sounds like a wonderful idea. I have learned so much through the 30dc but have much yet to learn and grasp. I would love to contribute to a project such as this not so much with providing expert content and resources as I am still learning but would be willing to help contribute in more of an administrator / moderator / reviewer sense to help keep a great project such as this organized and clean from the spammers.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Dear Ed,
Unfortunately, Quicktime wouldn’t play the whole video and decided to quit (not a good advert for Mac’s!). From what I saw and reading the comments already posted, the need for an impartial, peer driven site would be great but commerce would always try and raise it’s ugly head. Most people have an infinate ability to help others but would rather not wait for their reward in the next life!
From my own experience, most of what people are looking for is already on the web but it takes time, a degree of skill and endless patience. A site acting as a filter through which only the best and genuine ideas get through would be an enormous help to many people and the spetre of spamming could be stamped out immediately by allowing the ultimate power of what’s in and what’s out to reside with the members. Democracy on the web is the only way forward.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Hi everyone,
Can you believe that prior to stumbling on the 30DC I had never heard of Ed, Dale Rob Caro and a whole raft of incredible people that I have interacted with on the 30DC and now the immediate edge. The idea is brilliant and the payback for those who share their talents far exceed just making a sale. As has been said by other there are facets of industry authority, Caro has gone from being the nice blonde chick in a You Tube video to someone I look to when considering the value of an idea or process in our field and who I recommend that others consider. So the effect goes beyond our immediate community and extends both the community by drawing people to the flame and the community’s influence as people outside of 30DC start to hear of the way in which 30dc is shaping the IM world. That must have a viral effect and in the end benefit not only us takers who are feeding on the gems offered by others, but the people who develop the ideas concepts, scripts, software etcetera because their products are exposed to so many more people. The producer of Social Marker has options to develop a Pro version of the software or develop an entirely different script for which there is now a market based on reputation for innovation and forward thinking.
I think that we do have issues to address though among which are the dangers inherent in having an open community which will be seen by some as the setting for a pitchfest of less than useful sites and products for our community. My suggestions are
a) that one thread in the forum is available for the purpose of promoting ideas, scripts, software etc that is directly related to the educational and professional development of internet marketers. Community members who are disposed to paying for a product that specifically meets their needs would utilise that thread. The moderation on that thread would be to cut out pitches for the latest moneymaking scheme, or the plethora of penis enlarging or viagra products and also warez sites.
b) That other threads on the forum are developed for such things as:
i)affiliate marketing, (some people make millions selling others products and if you don’t have the skills or the inclination to develop their own product no matter how skillful the hand-holding)
ii)developing a presence on the web. This could include information about blogging as well as static sites, using auto-responders, manipulating web graphics, testing web site effectiveness against you competitors, then the acronyms what the heck is CSS, should I ftp or http, what is the difference between html and xml, should we be usingasp, php or moving to RoR the list fgoes on a
iii)developing a product for promoting the site, developing a product for sale, looking at physical products that can compliment digital ones iethe move by people like Mark Joyner, Joel Comm John Reese and Tim Knox to producing physical books, DVD’s that compliments or replicate their digital products), maybe even beyond that to developing digital products that compliment the sale of physical products.
iv) Marketing your product and your or your site. Much of what has been espoused by Ed regarding social bookmarking on 30Dc needs to be revisited and revisited because I think the concepts although appearing simple are actually profound. I think many of us are discovering the layers to those concepts and others are still seeing them as one dimensional. We have looked briefly at Article writing, and some of us have avidly followed the copy-writing tips of Toe Cracker, but some hand-holding in that area might have real benefits for our endeavours. Then we have not even touched the many other forms of promotion such as forums, email campaigns (when do these become spam), ppc, what else isthere what are the pros and cons.
In these forums moderation would ensure no self promotion took place and that sites promoted offered free fully functional versions of any software, scripts etc.
I think this idea has legs and am in it for the long haul. I don’t know what help I can provide but i can be a great goffa
Regards
September 26th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Hello Ed,
I too am a Newbie, I completed the TDC, but did not make any money. I still have a JOB and of course deal with the time crunch. Which I think is one of the things nicely addressed by the TDC. I also did the $1 trial of the immediate edge and have felt overwhelmed but what I did notice was it was an extension of the atmosphere and feeling of the TDC. That is what I hope is not lost. The complete feeling of safety and trust. If you say something is okay or good, I have learned I can believe you, and Dan and Gurubob and Caro. It is really nice to learn in such an environment. Also the other day Dan made a post about finally understanding what those of us who still have to work are going through, now that he can not just do IM all day, but has to run the site and teach us. Again, a wonderful feeling I would hate to lose.
I have bought several “Guru” courses on line and found them to be just hype for them to be able to sell to me. They never gave me anything, including confidence that I would be able to do this. So the trust and security of this environment is amazing. Also the generosity of the people, all you teachers, but also all the other TDC’ers, How amazing everyone is. I believe that is because of the nurturing and genuinely trustworthy environment we are in. And the effort put out by the moderators to keep it that way.
I do love the Free idea of this site. But I can see why this would be frustrating to so many people that are so much more advanced than the we Newbies. Also I have limited funds. But there was one post above, about all these other sites, that seem to be legitimate, and would that not be a better venue for selling your skills or talents? Wasn’t the TDC sort of aimed at the Newbies? Even the Edge, seems to be aware of not spending your money unnecessarily. Maybe I am just fearful of losing what I have come to depend on, and I am determined to succeed.
I trust you Ed, and am certain you will figure this all out. So none of us will lose our home. I would love to help in any way I can. My knowledge is limited, but my enthusiasm is high. Thank you for always thinking about us. Susan
September 26th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Hey Ed ready for some large thinking.I have exactly this idea in my head for ages but dont have the techy know how to launch it,
read on….
A free membership site would be a good start, all tutes and IM articles included. MAke it a true Web 2.0 property , by allowing user generated content.
Aint Web 2.0 ’sposed to be about sharing and connecting and meeting. Maybe spend the time and make it like a facebook sort of idea but for internet marketers.
I think though that the 30dc site itself is a great template for this idea.
If I had to do it I would make it so that people could do screen cast vids right from the “site itself” kinda like having camtasia embedded directed into the site. Also it should also allow for creating mp3 files from the site itself.
The problem as I see it with most web 2.0 and my biggest beef with facebook is this. Theres no freaking instant messenger for it, its great to accumulate and find people but the app itself doesnt make for ease of connection. Other than the wall and the inbox which are all fine and good.
So video and mp3 creation is important. Along with other forms of User generated content. All of it shareable and repurposeable, kinda like having ghost writers and plr producers.
There should also be copy writing help and sharing.
There definately should be an article directory like e-zine articles… etc etc
This site itself should actually create sites or blogs, launch them, or have the users submit the links to their new projects. (think of the backlink abilities) By asking the users to link. And somehow spread the backlinks out in a reasonable fashion so as not to freak out Google.
The new blogs and their posts should automatically go through a social booking process, removing the time intensive tedious tasks of having the users do it. SO all users will have to either submit their user names or register actually on the site.
Do public relations releases ie pr web, or something along those lines.
Get them traffic. ie traffic sharing.
incorporate newletter and email capture, that also is shared amongst the users of the site. On an opt in basis of course.
Jv’s and product launching. Link cloaking that also sends traffic to the cloaked links be it affiliate links, blogs, posts or sites.
For those who want to move info produtcs there should be a directory of e-prods on hand ie clickbank or whom ever but actually created and offered by the site itself. Home grown baby yeah, and have all the othe im ers out there submit their produtcs to the site for sale by the site users
For those who want to move physical products there should be a wholesale directory.
September 26th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
My solution would go like this. Create a digg style site with a few twists.
First, every submission must be completely anonymous to the readers for the first 2 weeks - no links, no mention of other sites, or products.
After 2 weeks, if enough people have voted the submission up to a certain level then a signature is placed at the bottom of the submission with a real link to the contributor’s site (not no follow). That is a little incentive to submit something of value.
If after 2 weeks the submission doesn’t make the cut, it is deleted. Sounds harsh but my time is limited and valuable. I only have time to see the best stuff and that is all that should be here.
Second, ranking is based on votes plus age where the younger a submission is the better. If done right this would solve the problem of having the same articles always at the top.
Third, and most important not all diggs/votes are equal. Moderators, quality contributors and long time members votes carry more weight. If a person joins today, than there votes aren’t worth much at all the first 2 weeks. (This will kill most spam attempts.)
And finally, the power of a persons digg is not just dependent on the time they have been a member. It is also dependent on the “value” of their previous votes. If everything you vote for never makes it past the first two weeks because it is spammy crap, then your vote shouldn’t be worth as much as someone who can spot valuable content. (This last one is the most difficult to implement, but if it can be done would really make this site work properly.)
September 26th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Hi Ed,
A great dream you have. I have 2 suggestions:
-create a wiki and host the 30DC content there. Anyone can submit techniques or ideas in predetermined sections, and of course, some moderators would accept/decline/edit the submissions.
-create a Facebook group. Or better yet, a Facebook application custom made for the 30DC. They have a great API there at Facebook.
Or perhaps -3rd idea - you could keep the site as it is right now and put all the content under some kind of license that binds users and creators. Either an open source license or an home made license.
Hope this helps Ed. Keep up the great work!
Henri
September 26th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Ed,
I think that it’s great that you and Dan are keeping this alive and looking to make this a safe place for us to learn. Being on such a tight budget, I especially appreciate that the information is being provided free of charge.
I get the idea behind what you’re trying to do, but I am concerned over the dreaded spammers and abusers.
In theory I think what you guys are wanting to do is very realistic and doable, but I don’t know how to make it usable when people start abusing it.
September 26th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Ed,
I just had a thought. When you put everything out in the open it lowers the value of the information (mindset only, I know) and allows for spammers/abusers to take it and ruin it.
My thought is to have the information in a tier system… ALL FREE OF COURSE…
Basically, instead of putting all the information out there for anyone to take, have it available in layers (so to speak).
So for example… I just register today I would get access information that’s useful for me as a beginner to get started. Then after a predetermined requirement (ie time, site setup, niche found, research completed, whatever you decide) they are upgraded to next level where they get access to more advanced information and techniques… same thing again.. once they meet another requirement (making first sale, content on x number of platforms, x number posts on forums, whatever you decide again), then they are upgraded once again to the next level.
This way all information is still free for everyone, but released in a more controlled manner. This should cut down on spammers because spammers are out for quick information and techniques to exploit.
What do you think? Just a thought.
~Shannon
September 27th, 2007 at 1:16 am
I haven’t seen the video yet. But, instead of glancing at a few of the above posts (like I planned) I found myself reading almost all of them. The title is exciting. I know that Ed will come across as very excited. The posts above indicate a great mix of exciting participants and cautious but optimistic participants. What is important that this should be given the positive start it deserves. How many of us are actually trying to do that with our own efforts? We know that there will be glitches and growing pains. What we need to appreciate is that there will be a lot of talent that can create solutions for the glitches. This is a time of great discovery and inventiveness. This will enable a lot of creative juices to have a place to “drool” all over. What great responsive posts above
September 27th, 2007 at 1:21 am
Sorry, but an added comment. We will be participating in the birth of an idea out of theory and into actual practice. There will be successes and failures along the way. But, this will become an example or prototype for our own efforts. It will be a learning experience unfolding before our eyes and with our own participation. This is an awesome opportunity.
September 27th, 2007 at 2:41 am
Hi Ed - I used MediaWiki to enable our group to collaborate on the 30DC i.e. contribute information, and edit the content of others. It’s a fantastic way for people to make progress faster through leverage. In effect, it’s a membership site, because those who want to be users have to apply for access, and the application has to be approved before they can get into the site. Cheers, Geoff.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:04 am
Hi. I’m another still battling time crunch so not all the way through 30DC, but I love this idea. (how about IMwiki or wikimark as a name?)
My apologies for the long post, but being a renaissance woman, you sparked a few ideas I’d like to share back, some of which build on the posts above as well. I think wikipedia is a great model for it, moderated by users, but as has been mentioned, differentiate between new or fly-by-night users and long-time contributers by having gradings members progress through based on their levels of contribution to the site, with privileges awarded as you progress through each level giving you access to more of the higher end features. Public content could include definitions, articles, and maybe blogs, with learning content requiring registration.
I like the tiered release option Shannon suggested - maybe a person could self-rate their competence in each level and when they feel they’ve mastered it tick the box that says so and progress. A minimum time limit for each level (say a week) would lock out content or site mining, and a checklist of things you should have done to prove your mastery (eg create a blog, post an ebay auction, whatever) to give members a good idea of the steps to go through, although I wouldn’t make progressing reliant on ticking off every item since some people might not feel certain steps to be relevant to their own situations - if the web is anything it’s fluid as to what you can do with it, right?
I’d also like to turn that idea of self-rating competence around, and include a q&a/forum area where people can post topic related questions, selecting the IM field their question or posting relates to (open access to read but registration to post). If there are topics that should be limited access then there could either be a member only forum, or an option when you create a topic to mark it as public or private for members only - all replies would inherit the same status, and private topics could have a little alert symbol next to them on the boards. Any replies posted have a rating at the bottom asking the reader - all readers, not just the original topic poster - to rate how expert the author appears to be in this topic. Profiles of members can then include areas of expertise and comparative numbers (like the ebay feedback system) of ‘expertise level’ based on the number of people who’ve read and judged the responses and their average rating. That would over time add value in that members could judge the quality of the information they’re given through the forum, and additionally find people to contact or buy from if they want to investigate a particular field or technique. All links and expertise areas should be in profiles, limiting signatures to name (which could link automatically to profile), and maybe a favourite quote (I personally find that’s a better way to judge how much someone thinks like me than a marketing spiel). High level experts also get the option to limit the grading level required for someone to open chat or private messages to them, so you can get the big names registered and contributing while making sure they don’t get millions of jv approaches and basic questions from people who haven’t read the material available.
If it’s going to develop into a networking resource, then I also think it’s important to provide two additional functions: firstly a private message board facility (like elance) where ideas can be discussed and retained confidentially without both parties needing to be online simultaneously - this would be one of the features available to higher graded members for collaboration. Secondly a chat room facility where people who need to get quick answers can go to connect with anyone else currently logged in, groups can use for mastermind sessions, and even have the chat equivalent of regular ‘teleseminars’ on hot topics, but unlike the phone version everyone can contribute.
While I don’t agree that all affiliate links should be banned, (I see nothing wrong with being recognised for recommending something I’ve personally found useful) ethics and rules of use should definitely apply. How about not allowing links within the forum posts - easy enough if the field is marked ‘no html allowed’, but having the option to attach links to a post, which readers can flag as affiliate links (if the poster hasn’t flagged it themselves in attaching it), vote to disallow, or rate as to usefulness so that there is some social control and consensus? These links would have to have a ‘description’ field as well so the poster could mention their own experiences with any products they’re referring to.
With links controlled that way, instead of members using the standard resource box to promote their links, their posts will automatically link to their profile which could also include any projects they’re currently working on, or have worked on, with sections for title, website link, description, topic/niche, action plans, and the like. Projects can also attract comments/suggestions. You’ve got a triple benefit here - people can promote their own projects (it would encourage a more professional approach over simply linking to an affiliate website since they’d have to have the details of what it was about and map out how they were going to promote it in the project fields), while they can get help and advice from the community on what they’re doing, and finally anyone looking to go into a niche can search on what’s already been done to avoid reinventing the wheel. This search could be one of the facilities that’s limited to people of a certain grading level who’ve already contributed so you don’t get the equivalent of lurkers stealing ideas. Also if some sections eg action plans can be marked by the member as to the level of privacy, from “all registered users” right up to “by invitation only” then the member can seek advice from people they know are rated in the area they need help in, while still maintaining control over the release of their sensitive information.
I got a bit enthusiastic, I think, so I’m going to summarise the main areas I suggested, just to simplify it down.
* Definitions of IM and Internet terms (public content)
* Articles & possibly blogs (public content but blogs would be created by registered ‘expert’ members. Articles submitted by members at any level would have voting as per forum posts below)
* Q&A/Forum including video/audio submissions (topics marked public or members only by poster, voting facilities for all readers as to expertise level of poster on topic of post)
* Posting to forum (all registered members, links ‘attached’ to post with flag for affiliate links, voting to rate or disallow)
* Learning platform (registered users, multi-tiered by self-rating mastery with minimum time limit per level)
* Profile (all registered users, searchable by members, additional privacy options available to higher level ‘experts’)
* Chat rooms (level 1 users, the one above newbie, eg with 5 posts or more, to prevent spamming. This is a different ranking to the learning platform, which is self-selected, and is based on contribution and feedback ratings)
* Projects (creation by level 1 users, specific areas of content marked public access eg titles and website links, remaining areas marked by author as for registered users only or private for viewing by invitation only. Browse facility and search on project title for public access, Searchable on full text limited to level 2 users and above. Comment/suggestion limited to level 2 users. Level 2 users would have both contributed to the forums and been given expertise rating by the community to a minimum level, so that contributions are less likely to be used to mislead or misdirect.)
* Private message board (level 2 users and above)
Thanks for reading it all
My whole wish-list is ambitious I know, but I like to aim high.
Crystal
September 27th, 2007 at 6:55 am
I don’t know if it’s really a great idea. I think it will dilute the effectiveness of the 30-day Challenge. The thing that makes the 30DC so effective is the anticipation of learning things that can’t be found anywhere else for free. Plus, the concept of it being a 30-day project provides a point of focus for participants. A “wiki” of this information could easily breed complacency and will also taint the marketplace with a ton of half-baked spam-like marketing efforts produced by individuals who aren’t seeing the bigger picture. They will simply see it as a resource to pick and choose different aspects of the PROCESS without gathering deeper insight. IOW, there will be plenty that will try to shortcut the process with a get-rich-quick mindset. Remember the early spamming problems with Tumblr?
If it’s done, it will have to be incredibly well-planned, unlike most wikis. There’s also the issue of controlling misinformation (intentional and accidental).
Just one man’s opinion. If it’s done, I wish you the best. I hope it doesn’t dilute the effectiveness of 30DC.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:49 am
I think it is a great idea.
When you realize you that Already Have;
-a huge table (TDC Site),
-with tablecloth(presentation and forum tools as designed by Dan)
-already many fine dishes ON the table (Apps, tools, and ‘How to’s’ by Staff and Participants)
-an endless supply of chairs (with Dan’s knowledge of server-load balancing),
-Thousands of ready appetites (How many TDCers dug in, in August?)
-Many chefs willing to contribute (Garrett, Sorin, Nello. Dessert anyone?)
-terrific lighting (best mods in the business)
then you know you’re on the way to something potentially huge…
Indeed, when you look and see all that,
you might as well realize you’ve got quite a banquet on your hands.
Why not turn it into a 5 star function hall?
Oh, and I can’t believe Ed was afraid of that cute little echidna.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Echidna%2C_Exmouth.jpg
September 27th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Great idea, Ed! wikipedia is a great model, and I’d love to participate and contribute in any way possible.
September 27th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Hi Ed,
Seems to me this idea might have the same Achilles Heel as the 30C, which was spamming/spammers.
Could a free format work, with the caveat that you had to actually “apply” to be accepted into the forum, giving your reasons for wanting to join, what skills you think you bring, and your agreement that you won’t spam or otherwise violate the forum rules? The application could be different than this too, just an idea.
Free is great, but free with an pre-screening process of some sort may be even better.
And..so that you or Dan or The Gang don’t end up having to screen applications, members who join up and get accepted could do a mandatory review of maybe three or six applications as part of a team, to help you screen and accept the cream from the crap.
More ideas on this, anyone?
September 27th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
I agree with John Miley. Pre-screening would be the best way to prevent this great idea from being exposed. I liked the idea of members approving other members. You can also have a group of moderators to do this as well.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Great Idea, Ed!
I think this is exactly what we all have been looking for for years. This is also for those of us who are just damned tired of being pitched to every other day for this “get-rich-quick” scheme or that “killer” tactic.
I too am concerned about the potential for spammers taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity. I think the only way this will work is if all the members treat this innovation as a privilege as opposed to an entitlement. So that in order to even get into this thing you need to first be invited by a trusted member. Members will also need to electronically sign a contract stating that they won’t abuse this privilege and that any infraction such as spamming will result in cancellation of membership.
That’s my 2 cents. I know I sound a bit harsh but I think something like this needs to be protected and nurtured.
Thanks a lot for this ideas and your hard work, Ed. You and Dan and all of your team always struck me as people with integrity.
Gratefully yours,
Kai C. Yee
September 27th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Can somebody say… MASHUP!
Why not use all our favorite web 2.0 properties to host all the content, or even host it on our own blogs if we like and then create a mashup of data sorted by tags and digg style voting on the proposed website.
It has to be Simple!
All you’d end up with is a bunch of tags with content under each one, you could sort by video/article/tool etc… and then sort by number of “diggs”.
You’d end up with user created content that is moderated … by the users
The articles with the most votes filter to the top of each tag, and the ones with the least get left behind…
Shouldn’t take long to code and if people want to promote themselves and services I think that’s fine so long as you’re also giving away something for free first.
I don’t like the idea of pre screening or anything too time intensive… it has to work the way the Internet works… community driven, and community focused.
Cheers,
Ant
September 27th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Ummm, Ed, why were you afraid of the echidna. Seems pretty tame if you don’t touch the quills.
http://www.convictcreations.com/animals/echidna.htm
I am settling into a new job and plan on getting back to 30DC soon. I miss all the action, lol.
Paula
September 27th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Yep great idea. I say, Mr Dale get people making money that want it, need it, and will put in the time to achieve it, you will have many many life long customers all very happy to listen and pay for your words of wisdom, you are making a difference and I thank you for it, I could go on but I won’t, but please no more singing;-) The start of a “Strategic Enterprise” (Bill Bishop) it’s a good thing. For the community by the community, I always thought that the Internet could play a huge role in the survival of rural communities not to mention less commuter’s, it could and can, but that’s another story you could be bringing that story forward with you plans and I hope you do!
Anyway
good on ya
Calum
PS I could supply lot’s of very bad English, Spelling and non understandable text!
September 27th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Hey Ed,
Awesome idea!!!!!!
Oh hey though something you might want to check out before we move ahead with creating a wiki format, etc., is an awesome site called taggzilla.com. A fellow 30day challenger Sarah Harris (a.k.a. captain of SuperSize Your Socializing & Love Leaders facebook group) has been working really hard at creating this site with other fellow captains/teammates. It’s simply fantastic!!! If nothing else I think a lot can be learned about this site to use for building something on a larger scale if need be.
Again thanks for the awesome idea and for sharing the neat experience with the echidna -that was too cool!!!
Ciao,
Shayna
September 27th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Hello Ed,
It is a wonderful concept. It is so much better to give then to receive. I know it would truly bless alot of people.
There is so much information being thrown around these days and much of it is worthless. It is very difficult for those of us who are new to the whole idea of marketing on the internet because we are being bombarded with the next best information package. (information overload & a drain financially)
I really appreciate what you have provided thus far. This could be a place that would really help people wade through all the BS and find the specific how to’s for making it online. As long as it would be monitored to truly provide honest information that seeks to help people and not exploit them for someone’s financial gain.
You are an innovator and seeking to leave a legacy that really could have a major impact on peoples lives! Please do not let your vision die.
God bless you & your team,
Ron
September 27th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
This would be so awesome! I was hoping for something like this. I participated in 30 Day challenge and now the Immediate Edge. I understand the concept of everything, but need a bit more examples and support to actually apply all of the techniques. This would be great for someone like me who is not web savvy.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:51 am
I would go further than this. I would set up a website called How do I.com where people selling information products that answer the question “how do i….” can create pages, blogs etc where participation is free but if they start earning off their sites they contribute some portion of the earning of their sites to central promotion of the website vehicle, so everyone benefits.
September 28th, 2007 at 9:01 am
i’d be willing to donate a few hours per week of my staff’s time to help develop this but we would need people to help write the specs though
September 28th, 2007 at 9:03 am
I think this is an awesome idea. I have learned more from the ThirtyDC, than from any of the books, videos, & courses that I have purchased! I also like tagzilla.com. it is great. Web 2.0 is the wave of the future, and 95%
of internet marketer’s do not get it. The free tools have helped me so much. I am so much further ahead, when I am doing research. I also need more support, as I am not web savy.
I also agree with Walter Van Straaten’s idea on the above post.
Thank you Ed, Dan and the group, you all are the greatest.
Tony
September 28th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Hi to Ed, the 30DC trainers, and of course to my newest IM friends
I love the idea Ed! Unfortunately, however, there is always going to be a few bad apples that are going to try to destroy such an awesome community, so I wish you (and us) incredible insight and the strength to pull this off.
After watching your very humorous, yet intriguing, video and reading all of the posts here, I have a few ideas.
First, I love the idea that any submissions can only be signed by your name. If, in the reader’s opinion, your instructional advice is warranted I believe that most people would be interested in clicking your name that would take them to your profile where you have links to any and all accomplishments, affiliate links, etc, etc. It would be your profile, link away. If the reader does find your advice to be of value, then no one would click your name and you would get what was deserved, no recognition. If the post is of value then the time spent by the person devoting their time to help other 30 Day Challengers could still prove to have some monetary incentive.
Secondly, I think that it was hit right on the head when someone (sorry I can’t find the post now) said that being a member of the 30DC was a privilege and not an entitlement. I strongly agree. The site needs genuine, committed, driven members where you are not just entitled because you have an Internet connection.
On the spamming issue…..
What if you charged a one time fee that was refunded to the member after X number of log ins or posts, within a 30 day window? People could charge their credit card and know that if they meet the set requirements they will get a refund in time to pay off their credit card. I would think that very few spammers are going to pay (say $50) to join the member’s area. Also, sign up would be regulated via IP addresses so that person A cannot give their log in information to person B who has not meet any of the requirements.
Or, such as O.B.A., you charge a one time fee of $10 that gives the member a user ID, and a link to promote the website (aka affiliate link) of which they keep X% of the commissions. (O.B.A. is 100%)
This idea is a purposeful mechanism that will allow the site to be free to a new joiner once they have promoted the site to 1 or 2 people. I’m thinking that spammers will not want to participate in something like this either.
As much as I realize that ideas such as the two I have provided will be a bit of a pain in the *ss for new members of this new site, I believe that this is exactly the type of thing that needs to be put in place to deter non-genuine members.
I am not sure how the majority of 30DCers feel, but I for one would follow anything like I have suggested in order to be privy to the awesome, truly educational information that would be found on the new site.
Kudos to Ed & Dan and the whole 30DC community for a very comfortable environment in which I feel free to listen, learn and speak openly.
Ed you are amazing! If you weren’t married with children and I wasn’t married with children (and grandchildren), if we didn’t live half way across the world from each other, I would definitely want to get to know you much better. I could listen to your humor, your accent, and your incredible insights, forever.
Don’t worry, I’m not a stalker. I just wanted you to know that some of us appreciate your virtues in the exact manner you deliver.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Ed,
Your brilliance, humility and commitment to “the greater good” are rare attributes that have been an unexpected and precious gift to 30DC participants. Your newest idea is the logical next step that we require in order gain enough perspective to be able to judge whether we’re making the wisest advert decisions about effectively marketing the way the Web works.
The proposed new initiative must remain simple; there should not be the need for an administrative cast of thousands. Emphasis might be as follows: (1) implementation of the sequence of events we’ve been taught in 30DC leading up to launch of an IM business; (2) pro-active personal search for and use of the proliferation of free Web 2.0 platforms and tools in order to generate “sample” blogs and adverts using the additional tools provided by these platforms; (3) viewing and comment by the 30DC sequel members of the “sample” blog or advert; (4) where-to-find and how-to-use free tools discovered would be shared; (5) 30DC sequel members would provide comments on how the “sample” blog/advert could be improved; (6) access information about successful free tools/techniques could become part of a directory or otherwise be made available to 30DC (sequel) members.
But how might spammers be eliminated? Maybe a membership organization is a good idea, with applicants required to submit an application outline explaining how their product/blog/advert makes a positive contribution to Web 2.0 community/social objectives and their strategy for continuing to improve their blog/advert content. There needs to be the commitment to a proactive input. Examples of free platforms that also provide innovative tools to enable their effective use are Skype, Facebook, Metaplace.com, and Imadeapage.com.
“Metaplace allows more diversity. Right now, there are lots of people who want to use virtual worlds for research, or education, or business, but it’s just too darn hard to get one going. Now you can create a world in just a few minutes and start tailoring it to your needs. Basically, we wanted to democratize the process of making online spaces of all sorts…We speak Web 2.0 fluently. Every world is a web server, and every object has a URL. You can script an object so that it feeds RSS, XML, or HTML to a browser. This lets you do things like high score tables, objects that email you, player profile pages right on the player — whatever you want. Every object can also browse the Web: a chat bot can chatter headlines from an RSS feed, a newspaper with real headlines can sit on your virtual desk…”
The 30DC sequel as proposed above could provide leverage to all its members by enlarging its territory to encompass so very much that’s available as part of Web 2.0 and helping members figure how to most effectively use a self-created “mashup.”
Lynn Catoe-Emerson
September 28th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Hi how about calling it Interpediea by Ed and the 30dcrs?
September 28th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Well you can guess who one of the slackers is by my late response to the video.
The concept is awesome and yes, it would need to bear some resemblance to StomperNet/Free IQ (categories of info, moderation etc.) but with the members contributing the content. One significant draw back to the existing membership sites is that there is no feedback for your material. Or at least there wasn’t until a weekend meeting in Atlanta. Ed is right, the way we communicate is changing and will change dramatically in the future. We have to find ways to get rank but to learn to communicate often with short bursts of information to our followers and keep it interesting and entertaining. Anyone who spends time on the FreeIQ site could tell you that being able to post a video doesn’t mean you should! I for one would love a place to learn but also to practice what I’m learning by getting feedback on the work I produce. This is the piece everyone is missing.
Summary: 1) moderation is necessary.
require a reference from an existing member of a higher tier to join that tier to
2) incorporate a marketing platform for blogs/videos etc
3) See Crystal Woods response (I agree to all)
4) include a place where we can submit sales pages, videos, blogs etc for member feedback
5) make contribution to other members part of attaining higher tiers
6) let the site make money in advertising. Affiliates can run ads, use AdSense
etc. This can help offset costs short term and be a money maker long term.
7) have a serious black list policy
stop spammers from attaining anything but the lowest ranked tier.
I also want to say thanks for the 30DC so far. I have learned as much by watching you, Ed, and how fast you turn events into actionable marketing tools as I did from the 30DC. It is and will continue to be a value.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
First I would like to say thanks to Ed and the team for the thirty day challenge. I have learnt a lot over the last two years, starting as a newbie and now with enough confidence to rebuild my old website using the targeted keyword phrases Ed has taught. I could not have done this without the knowledge from the TDC.
But that is what the Thirty day challenge was designed for, to teach those of us who knew nothing about making a living on the internet, to show the right way to get it done. It takes a lot of time for all the information to sink in, so thanks to Ed we can download and watch the information over and over again and by reading the information in blog comments and on the forum we all learn. I believe it is most important to keep this information available to the newbie, or even the experienced person as a real learning tool.
I like the concept of allowing those with knowledge to contribute to help others. One would think this information would be moderated, so new ideas are introduced that have been “proven to work” and then the people who want to learn get the correct information.
The TDC is a free membership site now, and I believe it should remain so. To put a price on information to help the newbie get started would stop anyone taking advantage of the reason the site was started in the first place.
To force someone to make a comment, before they have learnt enough to make an educated comment, would be a waste of resources, so I do not think this kind of “you must make so many comments before your vote is valid” is justified. It is going to make people make comments to build up their voting power and give moderators more work sifting through rehashed information. People will contribute, when they have experienced the results from what they have been taught, with quality information.
There should still be provision for group discussion, an inbuilt skype page eg., the forum, so people can bounce off each other when they need help. I don’t think an information site only with no social features is wise.
I do agree in a voting point system for genuine content. Spammy content that has got past the moderators in the first instance will then be voted down by the members and as some one said earlier no one would click on anyones personal information if they did not get some value from the information they read, seen or heard.
As for the format to set-up all the information and allow people to add content, I don’t have enough information to make a justified comment as to what is best, but I am using cms e107 from e107.org to rebuild my new member site. It has all the features you require and the admin area allows for advanced moderation and certain members can be given limited privileges to moderate content. You can add many social features to the cms and it is more highly recommended, over joomla or drupal. (This is not a ad, just a fair recommendation for a good program)
By the way Ed, your friendly echidna won’t attack, but I would be careful playing around with a male one, they have poisonous spines. I took one to school one day to show the kids, after it dug up my freshly planted vegetable patch. Yes I set him free in the bush later.
September 29th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Ed, I have a few additional thoughts:
(1) Wikipedia clone: the idea is brilliant and could quickly become a go-to reference IF:
(a) the continuation program you propose becomes an experimental laboratory where participants seek additional innovative tools and methods to create the most effective IM products/creatives possible;
(b) candidate participants have completed the basic pre-product-launch steps taught in the 30DC;
(c) candidate participants are willing to participate in a test phase where they will test the click-through rate of their (creative) copy against that of their greatest competitor and experiment with changes that are winners. This testing should become an ongoing operation; the search for Web 2.0 innovations that attract attention that leads to conversions should never cease;
(d) the opportunity for combining resources currently available online to create totally new “mashups” should be encouraged and tested against competing creatives for effectiveness;
(e) 30DCers with the skills might help in development of the “mashups” that then become “open source”
and included in the WikiPedia clone;
(f) participating 30DCers would be able to review the progression and make comments — as well as use
the new tool(s) in their own projects.
(2) Spam:
(a) selection process for the new initiative should include completion of the pre-product-launch steps of the 30DC, specifics about a selected product or service for promotion, and explanation of the product or service’s benefit.
(b) understanding by the candidate participant that tools developed will be “open source”; no personal financial benefit is to be expected.
That’s all for now. I’ll be in touch.
Lynn Catoe-Emerson
September 30th, 2007 at 1:29 am
Aight!..
September 30th, 2007 at 6:46 am
Ed,
Thanks so much for all of your giving. I think it sounds like a great idea. I am a software engineer with a pretty diverse background. Currently I develop web related software (a fulltime JOB) using java, javascript, css, html, mysql, etc. If you need a volunteer to assist with some of the programming, I’d be willing to help.
Dean Hoover
October 1st, 2007 at 7:53 pm
this type of interactive source would be brilliant as I learn well visually and it’s just faster! In would hope that i would be able to offer helpful information and tips I discover but still remain at a beginner level of understanding as compared to many experienced 30DChallengers!
Is there any way to ’self moderate’ by applying the web 2.0 properties such as ratings, ex. like stumble!
self regulating?
margurite,
canada
October 3rd, 2007 at 5:06 am
Loved your vid Ed as they always make me giggle and looking at your face worrying if the echidna was about to attack was very funny! The TDC has been such an amzing resource and has built up such a great community of likeminded people, at all levels, that there must be a way to keep it going in the spirit you describe - regardless of the potential spammers. I agree from comments above that this must be possible without having to employ an army of admin people. Sure you’d get lots of us happy to volunteer as moderators - I’m not too hot on the programming/technical stuff, but not bad on the marketing/writing side, and sure the community can find a way to help police the site and any problems.
Where there’s a will there’s a way and I have not doubt that your proposals will be a big success.
Thanks again to you and the team for everything.
Tamsin
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Another wonderful idea Ed, maybe over time i will even learn to make an application
I like the dream concept too
October 6th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Just now able to watch the video (great job Ed, evading the wild beaste).
New enough to all of this that I can only add how much I have loved being a part of the 30DC and how much I have learned. And I would love to see something like this continue the momentum and learning. However, reading through the over 76 comments; I realize that there is still so much I do not know and I am fearful that some of the suggestions would rule out the person like me with just enough information to be dangerous; mostly to myself.
So I would hope that this continues to provide something of value to to those of us new to the process and also to those very experienced in that process. This is what I believe the 30DC was able to accomplish.
Thanks Ed for you continued efforts on our behalf.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Ed,
Stompernet affiliation will indeed provide you (and Dominiche) with both the secure setting and the “cachet”
to more easily build your own proprietary Encyclopedia/Wikipedia — with minimal malicious obstruction. I wish you good luck, will be watching your progress, and cheering from the sidelines.
With best wishes.
Lynn E. Catoe-Emerson
February 16th, 2008 at 10:06 am
It’s a great idea Ed and yet again another example of how you are trying to help all the rest of us out - here in the big wide world. How you have the time to do all this I have no idea… but reading a lot of the above comments you can see how appreciated you are. Your 30DC has been an exercise in generosity and an eye-opener to someone like me who has paid out for various ’scams’ in the past only to find that real Internet entrepreneurs are extroadinarily generous with their time and knowledge. Thank you for that and I look forward to what you, Dan and the other boffins above come up with!
February 16th, 2008 at 10:07 am
It’s a great idea Ed and yet again another example of how you are trying to help all the rest of us - out here in the big wide world. How you have the time to do all this I have no idea… but reading a lot of the above comments you can see how appreciated you are. Your 30DC has been an exercise in generosity and an eye-opener to someone like me who has paid out for various ’scams’ in the past only to find that real Internet entrepreneurs are extroadinarily generous with their time and knowledge. Thank you for that and I look forward to what you, Dan and the other boffins above come up with!
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
iContent Robot
iContent Robot
September 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
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