Rob Frankel: Frankel's Free Clinic January 21, 2002

Transcript of Frankel's Free Clinic January 21, 2002

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 8:15 AM): Yes, despite the USA holiday, the FREE CLINIC will go on this morning, in about 45 minutes from the time of this post. I'll be here for you then!

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 8:38 AM): Entered the room.

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 8:43 AM): Early bird gets the worm... ;)

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 8:49 AM): Entered the room.

FSBC (1/21/2002 8:50 AM): Entered the room.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 8:50 AM): Morning Ben!

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 8:51 AM): Mornin' Jon. =)

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 8:51 AM): Entered the room.

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 8:52 AM): Entered the room.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 8:52 AM): hi Tamra

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 8:52 AM): (and Art and FSBC)

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 8:53 AM): morning Jon and everyone! Happy MLKjr Day.

Del (1/21/2002 8:53 AM): Entered the room.

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 8:53 AM): Entered the room.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 8:53 AM): hi Del

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 8:54 AM): Greetings, everyone! Do you all have the holiday off today?

Del (1/21/2002 8:54 AM): morning everyone

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 8:54 AM): Good morning to all here!

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 8:54 AM): not in Canada, alas

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 8:55 AM): Thanks to the economy, I've had almost everyday "off" -- why should today be any different? (ugh, I sound grumpy -- been reading too many message boards about how bad our industry is right now)

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 8:55 AM): I'm self-employed. Rarely does "the boss" let me have the day off. ;)

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 8:55 AM): Entered the room.

Del (1/21/2002 8:57 AM): Ben. I know the feeling....and even if you want to relax, your brain keeps thinking business.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 8:57 AM): Ben - you serve a tough master, evidently :)

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 8:58 AM): Tamra - rule number one - don't read the negative stuff! <grin> Hi Weber!

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 8:58 AM): Please explain that to my girlfriend sometime, Del. She can't seem to fathom that's the way my mind works. And Jon: He's a real beast. ;)

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 8:58 AM): Hi Terri! What's new?

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 8:59 AM): Terri -- you're right! But it sure is hard to avoid bad news these days isn't it?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:00 AM): I have a dream! I have a Free Clinic!

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:00 AM): Any particular topic of interest?

Del (1/21/2002 9:00 AM): Any of you web designers opposed to 700+ pixel wide sites still?

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:00 AM): So, who's having a good day?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:00 AM): Happy martin Luther King day, to all you Americans! Everyone else, good morning!

Del (1/21/2002 9:01 AM): Eww. Sorry for the poorly written sentence. Written pre-coffee. :-)

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:01 AM): hi Rob

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:01 AM): FSBC, you got a real name?

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:01 AM): Me. Every day is better than the one before it, at least I'm alive.

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:01 AM): Del: I go 750 x 550 when I design the layout initially (with exceptions depending on target audience limitations)... I ditched 640 as a default awhile ago

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 9:02 AM): I hear that, Ben! And Del, waking up in the middle of the night with new ideas isn't something I did when I worked for someone else!

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:02 AM): Hey Rob.

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:02 AM): Hi Rob

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:02 AM): Weber, I love your optimism. Now send me some money.

Ken McArthur(kmcarthur@portalcube.com) (1/21/2002 9:02 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:02 AM): FSBC, did you have a question?

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:03 AM): FSBC is Yick

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 9:03 AM): (Del, I check to see what the client is running first, then decide the width -- if they're still 640, I go with that)

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:03 AM): Rob, actually I am talking with a friend about you. He is launching a new product I can't talk about.

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 9:03 AM): Hi Rob! It's a gorgeous day with tons of promise! Tamra, to answer your question - I don't read negative stuff, so I'm free to be as optimistic as I like *grin*

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:03 AM): Yick Tan? Hey buddy....have something you want to toss in? Or does anyone else?

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:04 AM): How can I brand my feng shui business card business. I am a subscriber to your tips newsletter as well.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:04 AM): (I read lots of negative news, but I stay as optimistic as possible :) )

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:04 AM): Should I ask the question here or at the newsletter?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:04 AM): Interesting you should ask that, Yick. I found that fascinating -- but I also had a problem with it that led me to a problem of my own.

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:04 AM): Question: Chargebacks a problem? Or does everyone have that problem solved?

Del (1/21/2002 9:04 AM): Ben/Tamra: Yeah. I'm thinking on 720 or 700 (a happy medium).

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:05 AM): You should definitely ask it in FrankelTips, because I can give you a more detailed, thoughtful answer there.

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 9:05 AM): Rob, do you feel like a prophet when you see the brands doing themselves in that you predicted? *grin*

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:05 AM): My pre-launch site is www.fengshuibusinesscard.com.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:06 AM): Art, hang in there. Yick, the one thing I do want to touch on is the aspect of writing your own press. The reason is that I'm following my own advice and I think you should work with an outsider on that brand, for the same reason I am:

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:06 AM): Yes, Terri, I do! I'm loving it.

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:07 AM): What do you mean by as an outsider?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:07 AM): Yick, as I launch http://www.i-legions.com, I'm finding that bringing in specialists is really helping. For example, in my case, I'm working with a sales pro. Just yesterday, I sent him a PowerPoint presentation of the i-legions concept.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:07 AM): By running it by him, he came up with all kinds of comments, but specifically, he mentioned that the phrase "monetize" is not understood by most people.

Vanessa (1/21/2002 9:08 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:08 AM): In that same way, your concept - with which I'm familiar -- is very oblique. I think you really have to find a way to get the concept and its benefit clear and meaningful.

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:08 AM): You mean ask someone to sell me or me selling someone else, right?

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:08 AM): Entered the room.

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 9:09 AM): Amazing how we become so familiar with the jargon of our own industries, we forget that everyone else doesn't know what we're talking about!

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:09 AM): Feng Shui is a very powerful -- but not well understood -- philosophy. Before people can buy it they have to understand it. Selling it to them in real estate is hard enough -- but on a business card, it may be way out of their realm -- at lest in America.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:10 AM): Right, Terri. Without my sales person, I would have gone off marching to a tune nobody else could hear. Yick, that's the thing with your brand -- it's viable, but is it accessible?

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:10 AM): Do you think putting sample on the website will help?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:11 AM): Absolutely, Yick. I have "Before and After" case studies on my site and it really helps people understand what you do and how you do it. They also personalize it to themselves

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:12 AM): The ultimate goal is to sell ebook but since it is not ready, I just put the consulting service on.

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:12 AM): Rob, It's not really a philosophy. It's working with energies, and pillars of destiny and more. We did an interview with a very famous Feng Shui Master in Interviews With the Masters -- our ezine.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:12 AM): Yick, definitely write in for this on FrankelTips. This is worth the long response.

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:12 AM): I think case studies in your situation are essential. Show by example...

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:12 AM): Weber, this is right on point: Yick is doing this for business cards. That's a whole specific application.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:13 AM): Yick - I agree with Ben - I see lots of 'before' shots on your web site, but not many 'afters'.

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:13 AM): I know it is not an ordinary concept and it makes me the only solution to their problems.

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 9:13 AM): Rob, do you think having an outsider write one's sales pitches, case studies, etc. adds value (besides them seeing issues with jargon I mean)?

Del (1/21/2002 9:14 AM): FSBC: Actually, the other solution is to leave their biz card alone.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:14 AM): I agree, Ben. For some reason, Frankel & Anderson (my ad agency) has been getting a lot of new business inquiries lately. And virtually all of them reference the samples on the site as the reason for them calling.

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:14 AM): You've certainly "niched" yourself nicely... I'd polish up your site and other brand materials, and get hunting for some great target markets...

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:15 AM): Tamra, I think if you're careful it does. Let me explain: the sales person I'm working with is an active partner in the business. He's motivated to make it work.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:15 AM): They definitely work it harder when they're coming into a piece of the business they can call their own.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:16 AM): Yick - I would position yourself as an expert - write articles on Feng Shui for online and offline newsletters/magazines - get some press. Show that feng shui *can* make a difference when applied to business cards.

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:16 AM): I see this to be a huge niche for any business man because Joey Gerald makes his way to the top in his car selling career by distributing a lot of business cards.

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:16 AM): Tama, Rob, The thought I would like to put in is this.... You know what you are saying, but that is because you are very close to it. Others may not understand what you mean, so it is best to have an outsider who is not that close write material.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:16 AM): Also, Tamra, I've definitely comes to grips with the realization that there are some things I do GREAT! And lots of things I do HORRIBLY! One of the horrible tings I do is sales. They walk a different walk. I needed someone who works at that frequency with others.

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 9:17 AM): Yick, I know that many businesses consult a feng shui expert when choosing their office space, etc... I would think those people would be a perfect market for your business cards - they obviously already know the value of feng shui!

ExpressWebsites_com (1/21/2002 9:17 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:17 AM): Right, Weber. I agree. Just like throwing together a test web site. Once you're really serious, you want to hand it off to a specialist who really can make it sing.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:18 AM): Anyone else have an issue they want to toss in?

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:18 AM): Rob, what is your view of animated logos?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:19 AM): Frederick, you're asking that from a guy with an Obnoxious Bobbing Head?

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:19 AM): Anyone who has a list which I can do a JV with?

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:20 AM): That's a graphic. Your logo isn't animated

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:20 AM): Here's my take on animated logos: If it can work in static mode, nothing wrong with it that I can see. Or did I miss what you mean by "animated logo"?

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:20 AM): Yick - Look for the Feng Shui Conferences in the USA.

Del (1/21/2002 9:21 AM): Frederick: I can't think of a single eCommerce site that uses an animated logo.

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:21 AM): I don't think you missed it. I was thinking of logos that sort of 'come into being'

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:21 AM): Fred: I'd say that as long as it's effective standing along, and the animation doesn't take away from that, it works. As soon as the animation begins o detract from the logo or its use, ditch it.

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 9:22 AM): Del, I can't think of a single eCommerce site that's decently designed! I don't use them as my examples.

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:22 AM): Del, maybe they are ripe for one, then

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:22 AM): Yick - take a look at http://chineseculture.about.com/cs/fengshui/ for some good resources about Feng Shui (including organizations)

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:22 AM): Thanx Weber.

Del (1/21/2002 9:23 AM): Tamra: Too bad. 'Cause there's some "non-decently designed" eCommerce sites making a killing right now - take ebags for example.

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:23 AM): Be, so you're saying that animation per se will not necessarily detract?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:23 AM): Personally. I find anything that makes me wait for action annoying. In fact, I use authorize.net for my e-commerce stuff and every time I log on I have to wait for their logo to load. I hate that...

Del (1/21/2002 9:23 AM): Frederick: Or, much like sticking lit explosives down your pants, maybe it just isn't a good idea. ;-)

FSBC (1/21/2002 9:23 AM): Thanx Jonathan.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:24 AM): I'd like people to remember that especially when it comes to business, it's far better to be clear than clever.

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:25 AM): Not if it's done right, Fred. The agency i used to work for was called Eye Integrated, and our logo was (among other things) an "i" with an eye graphic. On our sites, we had "EYE did it" and our logo, that subtly blinked every 15 seconds or so. Nice and subtle...

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:25 AM): One of the hallmarks of newbie/amateurism that telegraphs inexperience is relying on gimmickry. A pro knows when to use -- and when not to use -- technique.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:25 AM): I'd agree with that, Ben.

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:25 AM): I think animated logos can only work as an application, and not the "main" logo presentation...

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 9:26 AM): Frederick, animation is good when used "responsibly" -- call attention to something, like your Buy Now button. Point out a free download. Maybe animate the logo only on your "about us" page.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:26 AM): It's just more "Look at me" puffery, instead of the "What can I do for you" that's so crucial to the brand.

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:26 AM): Agreed. I saw a logo for someone calling themselves a Rainmaker - Drops of water like in a puddle went over nicely.

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:26 AM): Just like any other "web" based visual design, if it works in print, it's fine on the web...

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:27 AM): Usually... ;)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:27 AM): BTW, Art if you'd like to plug your site -- you too Vanessa, -- this is a perfectly suitable forum to do so.

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:27 AM): Agreed. I saw a logo for someone calling themselves a Rainmaker - Drops of water like in a puddle went over nicely.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:27 AM): Vanessa just joined FrankelBiz and Art is also a subscriber to FrankelTips

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:28 AM): I was thinking of something very subtle - like if you have a clock in your logo, the second hand actually sweeps

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:29 AM): Something to remember with animated 'build up' logos - there are browsers that only display the first frame (and some human browsers add on filtering software that will only display the first frame of an animated GIF to reduce annoying animations).

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:29 AM): Fred, we did a one time loading logo for i-legions. The dots load up as if they're the heads of soldiers lined up.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:29 AM): You don't have to loop them forever.

Del (1/21/2002 9:30 AM): ...and in some cases, looped animations can actually cause the page to load poorly or incompletely.

Deborah (www.proposalwriter.com) (1/21/2002 9:30 AM): Entered the room.

Ben Woodward (bow@perpetuainteractive.com) (1/21/2002 9:30 AM): Yeah... I'd agree. Do your animation, and be done with it. unless it's spaced out enough to *seem* one-time (like loop your second hand, then wait ten seconds...)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:30 AM): In that case, I think the animation had value -- it showed the emphasis of lining people up for a Branded Community.

Deborah (www.proposalwriter.com) (1/21/2002 9:31 AM): Greetings

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:31 AM): I asked about chargebacks....but it seems quite materialistic compared to existing conversations. Whenever anyone comes up for air, you can toss me a response.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:31 AM): And under *no* circumstances, no rotating 3-d logos!

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:31 AM): Wow, I feel like Joan Crawford in "Mommie, Dearest" :)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:31 AM): Anyone else? We have time to discuss more stuff and I don't want anyone left out...Deborah, how can I help you?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:32 AM): Art, anything goes here!

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:32 AM): Good pointers - thanks all!

Del (1/21/2002 9:32 AM): Art: What about chargebacks?

Deborah (www.proposalwriter.com) (1/21/2002 9:32 AM): just came to listen and learn

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 9:32 AM): (Jonathan -- does that mean no flames either? Darn!)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:32 AM): Art runs a chargeback elimination service, right Art?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:33 AM): And Art, you can't get more materialistic than this group! Tee Hee.

Del (1/21/2002 9:35 AM): Is there a single characteristic of eCommerce websites that can impactfully assert the brand in the eyes of the customer?

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:35 AM): Sending high volume products to purchasers over the Internet can result in chargebacks. Does anyone have that problem? From your discussion I am assuming most of you design sites or have low volume, higher prices.

Del (1/21/2002 9:35 AM): <-- just throwing out questions now. ;-)

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:36 AM): Yes, Rob, we have developed a program take has us chargeback-free for 2000.

Del (1/21/2002 9:36 AM): Chargebacks are a fact of line in any mail order/eCommerce operation. Minimize it by using AVS and CVV2.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:37 AM): Art, everyone on this list and in this forum uses the web to make money. They all have e-commerce issues

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:37 AM): Art, have you announced that on FrankelBiz? You could probably get partners as well as customers.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:37 AM): Del, can you be more specific with your question?

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:37 AM): Thanks, Rob, I will submit it.

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 9:38 AM): (Del -- shipping. Tell me up front, or give me an "estimator" on shipping costs. I abandoned three shopping carts yesterday, all of which I had to fill in order to find out shipping charges.)

Del (1/21/2002 9:38 AM): Rob: nope. just shooting off the hip while there was a lull in the conversation.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:39 AM): I have a question about sourcing...but it may be too off-the-wall

Del (1/21/2002 9:39 AM): That helps you make the decision to shop, but does it really affect the brand?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:39 AM): Good point Tamra. I'm probably guilty as anyone on that. You have to order my stuff to get to the choices of shipping, which is why it isn't listed too far in advance.

Jim (jmalone@malonesales.com) (1/21/2002 9:39 AM): Entered the room.

the web newsroom @ azreporter.com (1/21/2002 9:40 AM): Entered the room.

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:40 AM): We have free shipping on our sites. It helps attract business....we believe.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:40 AM): Jonathan, unless you're asking it naked, it's never too off the wall.

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:40 AM): And think how pissed off you would be if the estimation of shipping costs is to high

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:40 AM): PLUG: BTW, the FrankelPack offer is on again at http://www.RobFrankel.com/valuepack02.html Grab it before it's gone!

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 9:40 AM): Yeah, shipping does affect the brand -- those three brands are now "tainted" in my eyes as unhelpful.

Ken McArthur(kmcarthur@portalcube.com) (1/21/2002 9:41 AM): Rob - Can you tell us a bit about how you plan to use Branded Icons on i-legions

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:41 AM): Rob - unrelated to my business, I'd like to sell a page-a-day calendar. The page-a-day part is easy, but I'm not sure where to find those black plastic easel calendar holders used to hold up most of the page-a-day calendars I've seen in stores.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:41 AM): Tamra, that's because you don't have customers that ship next door or halfway around the world. This morning, we shipped an order to London. Not the same as shipping to Hoboken.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:42 AM): Jonathan, that's a FrankelBiz post if ever there was one.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:42 AM): Rob - really? cool! didn't think of that :)

Del (1/21/2002 9:42 AM): Visit a promo dealer site like kaeser and blair. find a manufacturer that does packaged calendars like you seek and call to find out if they can supply the body component only.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:42 AM): I don't need thousands of them yet

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:42 AM): (thanks Del)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:43 AM): Ken, sure: i-legions is built to implement the Branded Communities that clients have neither the skills nor time for. The Branded Icon is a real human being that I train (or can function as) that personifies the brand.

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:43 AM): I get FrankelBiz but never think of posting there. What are the rules?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:43 AM): In Frankel Land, I'm the Branded Icon.

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:44 AM): Rob - I agree. We ship our JAJA SteviosideTM, and pearl powder, to Asia, Canada, London, South Africa, and the USA. Freight is different depending on how they want it shipped, or how much they order.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:44 AM): Fred: http://www.FrankelBiz.com/bizfaq.html

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:44 AM): Once I create the brand, I recruit an train the branded icon for that Branded Community

Ken McArthur(kmcarthur@portalcube.com) (1/21/2002 9:45 AM): Rob - What are some of the communities that you are trying to create

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:45 AM): Ken, Branded Community is not about technology. That's the point everyone misses. Technology only plays about 30% into the program.

Del (1/21/2002 9:46 AM): Weber: That's where I'm lucky. I only work with clients in the US. Even turned down a lucrative job order from Canada (due to lousy import regulations regarding printed goods).

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:46 AM): Ken, EVERY business benefits from a Branded Community> At the moment, we're talking to companies with user bases of 100,000 and 20,000 and one with a user base in the millions. The on thing they have in common is that they don't know how to build and manage and monetize those user bases.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:47 AM): Some of our prospect/clients are search engine companies, magazines, restaurants, energy companies, lab analysis companies....

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:47 AM): If they have 10,000+ users, we can make them money.

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:47 AM): Del, the thing I like about International biz is that I get exposed to different cultures, ways of doing biz, which helps make better decisions.

Ken McArthur(kmcarthur@portalcube.com) (1/21/2002 9:48 AM): Rob - My Research Site www.mbsinternet.net has about 60,000+ members I'd like to monetize

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:48 AM): It's better than just e-mailing those users every three months begging them to upgrade to version 3.2!

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:48 AM): By 10,000 users, do you also include 10,000 people who purchased

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:48 AM): Rob, what is the driving force to make them money...your contribution?

Del (1/21/2002 9:49 AM): Weber: different market, different opportunities. :-)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:49 AM): Ken, you're perfect for it. You know how frustrating it is to see all those bodies there and NOT get a check from them.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:50 AM): Art, the driving forces are many. The most compelling one is what I realized from my own branding consultancy: these clients pay me big bucks to tell them what to do, but have nobody in place to implement the recommendations. That's why I built i-legions.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:51 AM): Many of them think they can implement the programs themselves, but they have no idea how to do it. That's where my value comes in.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:51 AM): (TEN MINUTE WARNING)

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:51 AM): Rob, do you have a FAQ site for this?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:51 AM): And I can tell you that many branding companies are way behind the curve on this. They have no idea what's going on, hence "Rob is the only solution to their problem"

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:52 AM): At least you all know I practice what I preach!

Ken McArthur(kmcarthur@portalcube.com) (1/21/2002 9:52 AM): Rob - the trick is monetizing 60,000 + users without capital :)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:52 AM): Art: http://www.i-legions.com

Del (1/21/2002 9:52 AM): Weber: You interested in getting that etailer chat going again?

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 9:53 AM): Yeah

Del (1/21/2002 9:53 AM): Rob's doing his Jay Abraham impression. heh. But doing it right. :-0

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:53 AM): Ken, this is a business, to be sure. We work on a shared revenue basis, but we do have a monthly maintenance fee. It pays out pretty quickly, if you commit to the program.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:53 AM): Del, if I were doing Jay, I'd have to be at least five inches shorter.

Del (1/21/2002 9:53 AM): LOL

Art Gardner (art@gardnerbusiness.com (1/21/2002 9:53 AM): Well, I want to say that I received value for attending. Thanks all.

Del (1/21/2002 9:53 AM): No wonder he's always sitting down in his photos.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:54 AM): I'd also be promising you a $20,000 program for "only" $5,000 -- if you buy today -- for a pile of paper costing $4.29!

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:54 AM): Art, seriously, we're really all here to help each other build our businesses.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:55 AM): Del, you crack me up.

Ruffis (1/21/2002 9:55 AM): Entered the room.

Del (1/21/2002 9:55 AM): And that other people have spent $10,000 PER PERSON to attend your 1-hour seminar. ;-)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:55 AM): Isn't he quoting $5,000 and hour or something silly like that?

Del (1/21/2002 9:56 AM): Last I heard.

Ruffis (1/21/2002 9:56 AM): Hi guys and gals

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:56 AM): Anyone else while we still have few minutes?

Del (1/21/2002 9:56 AM): You know he did compile everything he sells for $500+ into a ~$30.00 hardback book sold in practically every book store.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:57 AM): Ruffis get your question in now!

Ruffis (1/21/2002 9:57 AM): Who Shot Kennedy?

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 9:57 AM): Hi, Ruffis!

the web newsroom @ azreporter.com (1/21/2002 9:57 AM): Entered the room.

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:57 AM): whoever did didn't brand themselves very well - that's for sure.

Ruffis (1/21/2002 9:57 AM): Hi!

Del (1/21/2002 9:57 AM): Who in their right mind would spend $500 for a photocopied manual or $5,000 for a 1 day seminar or $25,000 for a weekend session when they can buy all the material covered in a $30 book?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:58 AM): Del, that was a total flop. He actually launched a mailing begging people t buy two copies of his book, tearing out the title page, sending it to him for a refund of the cost of one of his books. Just to pump the numbers!

Frederick (bspage.com) (1/21/2002 9:58 AM): Thanks all - leaving early - don't want to be late twice in one day!!!

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:58 AM): (TWO MINUTES)

Jonathan Cohen (jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (1/21/2002 9:58 AM): bye all - have a great week!

Terri Robinson (recruit2hire.com) (1/21/2002 9:59 AM): Rob, everyone, great session today! Lots of food for thought! Thanks, Rob! See you all next week!

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 9:59 AM): Alrighty then, this was a fun and productive session! I'll see you online -- have a great week everyone!

Del (1/21/2002 9:59 AM): Rob: You mind us using the chat room sometime during the week (on an ongoing basis) for an etailer session? (Timing and day of the week to be determined?)

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 10:00 AM): Del email me weber@emperorsherbologist.com

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (1/21/2002 10:00 AM): Del, be my guest and let me know so I can announce it to the list for you -- also to send you the archive file.

Tamra (tamra@hcstudios.com) (1/21/2002 10:00 AM): Bye all!

Del (1/21/2002 10:01 AM): Great. Will let you know when I'm ready. :-)

Del (1/21/2002 10:01 AM): Weber: Got ya.

Weber emperorsherbologist.com (1/21/2002 10:02 AM): Thanks Del. See you all later