Member directory. What do you want?

[Jennie@ifish]

It costs money for the software to do a member's directory.
It will take me some work to set it up and keep it running.
How much are you willing to pay for your listing?
What do you want? A business listing, or just your contact information?
In trying to figure out what I'll buy, I need to know what you want, and what you want it to do for you.
Can someone help me? I'm working on this, this morning.
I'm thinking of combining the "tackle box" idea, and the member directory together. People who have tackle for sale, etc, could list them here. Anyone on the members directory, could be able to be in a special forum, set up just for sales?
Confusing... What do we want?
What would be an appropriate annual fee?
Software for this type of program seems to be running around 100.00. I have to create the data base, and keep it running, or else hand out passwords so that you guys can update your own. Either way, it's another maintenance thing.
Jen

[crabbait]

It has been a little while since we discussed this so let me try to bring you up to date:

Several people have mentioned that if they needed a plumber or a lawyer or a new mortgage or a new roof, etc, that they would rather hire an ifisher than a stranger. I know I would.

We got to thinking that there ought to be a way to let people know what it is that you ifishers do so that people could contact you when they needed your services, hence, the ifish directory page!

As you can see from Jennie's post, this page will require an expenditure of both time and money on her part. So, what do you think it would be worth to you to be able to list your business information along with your moniker here on ifish?

[Jennie@ifish]

I was going to propose 20 a year for a biz listing. Is that too much?
J

[Miss B Haven]

Sounds Cheap ! You can't run a classified for less than that

[OceanBlue]

I'd love to see a business listing for ifishers that offer products/services. I don't have anything to sell at the present, but I'd sure rather give an ifisher my business than a totally unknown entity.

You could a "non-compete" type of thing to keep your sponsors happy...

[Jennie@ifish]

Should it be a member's directory all together, or just for ifishers who want to sell something? A business ifishers directory?
How to do a non compete?
That's the question!
J

[ 08-14-2002, 08:39 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[OceanBlue]

Dunno Jen, maybe a listing for anyone who wants to be listed and members who want to also list their business type, pay to have something in that field?

[King Fisher]

The non compete would be difficult. But this is a free country and we are free to make choices. I've gained business by out bidding and I've also lost business too. This will ensure we are being competitive. I would love to have many choices for the type of business I would be inquiring about. That's my 2 cents. graemlins/idea.gif

[Pete]

Non-compete would be tough. Suppose I want an accountant to help with taxes. Would non-compete mean only one accountant? I might want to choose one near my home or one specializing in structuring retirement savings. I think letting folks decide among options gives better service. There's just no way to know what characteristics of a business a person may be looking for. I'd favor letting everyone list what they do and let the consumer decide.

[Lured In]

Jennie, I too think this is a great idea, but let's not over complicate it. I have a choice of going to the yellow pages (certainly no complaints about non compete's there) and randomly picking a plumber or I can go to the "ifish pages" and pick one there. I would envision it just as a resource and nothing else. No promises to those who list as far as exclusive exposure. It's just a directory.

$20 bucks sounds reasonable, but you may be able to get more. Shouldn't that be driven by the cost of the software and how many members choose to use it?

[Lepper]

Why not have the directory net based? I could help you out and make a form that people can fill out with all there information on the net, and then be emailed directly to you..... contact me if your interested.....

dave

[Jennie@ifish]

Relax? Me?
OK!!!

1000 a day, advertising! Whoooo hooooo!
Got a customer! Good BYEEEEE!
:smile:

Lepper, thanks for the help, I use online forms a lot, and this directory will be online.
Thinking of using flatext.com... Check it out if you like.

The software needs a good search function, easy to edit for both users and admin, and password protection. Secure server might be needed for payments, but I might just use snail mail.

I do have one other idea, that might just be really zippy!
Haven't released my thoughts on this one yet! Might be copyright! :smile: :smile: :smile:
Jen

[blubeast]

Great Idea. I agree with Lured In... it's similar to the phone book. You can get listed in the yellow pages, or buy an ad there for more $$$. No non-compete issues... you want to be listed... you pay your fee.

One possible area of concern would be unhappy customers. I've seen how some on the board tend to get VERY vocal if they feel a store has wronged them. I'd hate for this board to become a way to bash fellow ifishers.

[Jsail]

Jen,
I like it! $20 is a great price if that works for you.
Can you make it up like a phone book? All the ifish folks that want to be listed on the personal side and then a yellow page section for all who want to pay for the advertising.
You might want to base the cost on the size of the ad, unless it'll be one size fits all.
graemlins/icon_argue.gif As for the un-happy customers that want to gripe on the board..... Only if it's fishing related! graemlins/berry.gif
Personaly I like the idea of online referals

[anniek66]

I like the idea of having an ifisher's business directory. Just like the yellow pages only ifishers. Great :grin:

[Thumper]

Great idea, Jen. But $20 is too cheap. $30 makes more sense.....that is less than 10 cents a day. If I was a plumber or realtor or such that would be the best deal on advertising anywhere.

The guides on Ifish are getting the world's best deal too. You need to charge people enough to make a fair profit so that you can actually relax a little financially. After all, it's the American way!!!