Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:00 AM): hello all....I am a virgin to this chat..so go easy on me

Ken McArthur(kmcarthur@portalcube.com) (11/5/2001 9:00 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:00 AM): Hey, we got us a virgin! I didn't think there were any left!

PattiMay (design@applecountry.net) (11/5/2001 9:00 AM): hi Rob

John McCumber-Virtumundo.com (11/5/2001 9:00 AM): Entered the room.

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:01 AM): Bret: Me too, but you can go as hard as you like on me. I'm thick skinned :)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:01 AM): Good morning, everyone! Hey Bret, since you 're new, you can jump right in first. We always try to let the new guys go first.

John McCumber-Virtumundo.com (11/5/2001 9:01 AM): Rob, great video on the site.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:01 AM): Peter, you can jump in if Bret doesn't wanna.

PattiMay (design@applecountry.net) (11/5/2001 9:02 AM): two virgins... your lucky day Rob

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:02 AM): Rob: I'm only spectating or commenting this week, nothing of my own to promote -yet- ;-)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:02 AM): Thanks, John! It's a hoot, ain't it? I'll be interested to see if it helps or hurts.....

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:02 AM): Well here is my question for the group. We are starting a new computer company, unlike anything seen before

Cheli (11/5/2001 9:02 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:02 AM): Peter, that's totally cool.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:03 AM): Details...and a question Bret?

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:03 AM): we have a basic marketing plan..but need to stream line the whole thing

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:03 AM): Okay....

scottm (tamesgroup.com) (11/5/2001 9:04 AM): Entered the room.

Cheli (11/5/2001 9:04 AM): Cheli (eduville.com)

Jodie - ScoreBrowniePoints.com (11/5/2001 9:04 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:05 AM): Hi Cheli....hang on a sec while Bret posts his question. You're next.

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:05 AM): the budget will only be 150 thousand for the launch

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:05 AM): what is a good place to start

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:06 AM): Entered the room.

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:06 AM): Entered the room.

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:06 AM): we will hire an agency, but don't know who to choose or how

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:06 AM): Bret, if you've read ROBX, you know that one of Frankel's Law of Big Time Branding is that "the brand belongs in the business plan."

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:06 AM): hello to new sign-ons

Hi Folks :) (11/5/2001 9:06 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:07 AM): So you want to make sure that as your readers scan the plan, they get a feel for that brand. It shows that you already have your team and approach solidly in place.

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:07 AM): It's present in every statement in the business plan

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:07 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:07 AM): However, the MOST important question you should always keep in mind when writing a business plan is, "Why should I invest money in this?" because that's what your readers are saying.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:08 AM): I find that too many people spend pages justifying their proposition instead of telling people how they're going to make money and then why it's going to work.

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:08 AM): Hello all

DawnIsMe (11/5/2001 9:09 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:09 AM): Personally, I write business plans in just that way. And I always write TWO plans. The first is a business summary, which tests for investor interest. That needn't be more than ten pages, maximum.

DawnIsMe (11/5/2001 9:09 AM): Hi gang

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:09 AM): Our investors are very aware of the company branding and product

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:09 AM): Once you get those prospects' interest, you can hit them with a more detailed plan, complete with financials.

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:10 AM): hi Sharon

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:10 AM): Hello Dawn

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:10 AM): The first plan should also include a run down of the management team.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:10 AM): Okay, Bret, so then what is it you're asking?

Joel Shellman (iKestrel.com) (11/5/2001 9:11 AM): Entered the room.

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:11 AM): what would be the best option for rolling out a new branding?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:12 AM): Your best option is hiring a guy who's noted for his expertise, and if possible, an Obnoxious Bobbing Head.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:12 AM): Hey, you had that coming!

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:12 AM): 400GRPs per week of network TV

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:12 AM): LOL

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:12 AM): LOL

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:12 AM): And with $150k, you -might- be able to afford Rob :-)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:13 AM): Seriously, without knowing your company -- and having only $150K -- you want to build that branded community and turn those users into revenue-generating evangelists.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:13 AM): $150K won't buy you more than late night drunks watching reruns at midnight on TV.

Keith W (11/5/2001 9:13 AM): Rob, let me know when I can go

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:13 AM): Keith, Cheli is ahead of you. Then you can go.

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:14 AM): Oh...there was a budget limitation - I just saw the "best way" part...

Cheli (11/5/2001 9:15 AM): Hi, I am enjoying being part of this group and have learned a lot so far. I am launching an educational information and resources website for parents, and need to find a good backend database that will assist me in gathering data

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:15 AM): Bret, your question isn't really specific...Think about reformulating it.....

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:15 AM): Hi Patti!

scottm (tamesgroup.com) (11/5/2001 9:16 AM): Cheli... It doesn't take a backend database.. It takes a database that can do BOTH the front and back end securely...

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:16 AM): well thanks all for opinions we will work on it more

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:16 AM): Hey, Cheli. Nice apple. The stuff you seem to be doing might work with simple PHP...have you looked at that? When I worked with Education.com, I recommended a number of solutions for them....

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:16 AM): Bret: You also need to consider what media you're using.. just the Web, or TV, radio, newspaper, direct mail..? All of them affect your methods in some way.

Cheli (11/5/2001 9:17 AM): Oh, what do you recommend any leads?

Glenn Wright (Labelguys.com) (11/5/2001 9:17 AM): Entered the room.

katsuey (11/5/2001 9:17 AM): Entered the room.

Jerome Sierra (Jerome.Sierra@emailguru.net (11/5/2001 9:17 AM): Entered the room.

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:18 AM): anyone want further info please email me at bret@blueorbnetworks.com

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:18 AM): Cheli, contact Michael Kimsal at michael@tapinternet.com He's great.

Cheli (11/5/2001 9:18 AM): Thanks:)

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:18 AM): Entered the room.

scottm (tamesgroup.com) (11/5/2001 9:18 AM): Cheli... Get a good developer, look at several, be a good consumer and weigh the potential solutions.

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:18 AM): I personally recommend.. a) find out what database technologies your Web hosting allows b) find a freelance programmer who is used to implementing Web sites with that database.

Joel Shellman (iKestrel.com) (11/5/2001 9:18 AM): Cheli, are you looking for someone to build it for you, or are you asking for technology suggestions for your specific application?

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:19 AM): I wanted to throw our new brand name into the mix...

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:19 AM): Also, Cheli, if you subscribe to FrankelBiz (free) you can post a NEED and get tons of people responding to you.

Joel Shellman (iKestrel.com) (11/5/2001 9:19 AM): Cheli: Either one, I would be happy to discuss it on the phone with you if you would like.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:19 AM): Keith, you wanna jump in?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:19 AM): Bill, you're after Keith

Keith W (11/5/2001 9:19 AM): Is a niche defined by the product or who buys it? e.g. We have a travel site. Does it make sense to niche by selling travel services to say "SUV drivers who shop at Target", or should it be product focused as adventure travel only? Can a theme, such as "fun" applied to travel generally be a niche?

Cheli (11/5/2001 9:19 AM): I am asking for integrating it into my existing website

Cheli (11/5/2001 9:20 AM): Thanks, Joel. Thanks Rob:)

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:20 AM): Cheli email me off line I own a web design company, and hosting company

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:21 AM): Keith, I think you're smart to begin with the niche that's most closely aligned to your target market.

Keith W (11/5/2001 9:21 AM): So the market is the customer?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:21 AM): That would be travelers who you think you can convert to your product.

Cheli (11/5/2001 9:21 AM): Okay Bret:)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:23 AM): Isn't the market always the customer?

Keith W (11/5/2001 9:23 AM): OK, thanks.

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:23 AM): Cluetrain Manifesto #1 Markets are conversations.

Bret Payne (11/5/2001 9:24 AM): bye all...have to run..thank you Rob and company...

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:24 AM): Bill, did you have something to toss in?

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:25 AM): ClueTrain is an excellent book.

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:25 AM): Entered the room.

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:25 AM): Cluetrain Manifesto #1 Markets are conversations.

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:25 AM): sorry about that accidental reposting I am not chanting over here...

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:26 AM): Hi all! :)

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:26 AM): Yes, I have a new brand name for my company's service

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:26 AM): Bill, did you have an issue to bring up?

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:26 AM): The product/service is now called ZipProof(tm)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:26 AM): Pants that never stay up?

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:26 AM): It's a replacement for faxing or couriering proofs to customers

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:27 AM): Okay....

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:27 AM): We went 2 years would a name for the thing we do.

DawnIsMe (11/5/2001 9:27 AM): LOL I like Rob's idea better!

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:27 AM): The competition (sort of) is RealTimeProof and ProofItOnline

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:28 AM): Our niche is a system designed to be used by VERY non-technical end-users

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:28 AM): Okay, so what's the question?

Jodie - ScoreBrowniePoints.com (11/5/2001 9:28 AM): Bill, FYI - the first thing I thought of was denying the ability to make Zip files

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:28 AM): I.E. a newspaper sending a ZipProof(tm) to a car dealer

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:28 AM): so the car dealer can approve/correct the ad

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:29 AM): It's sort of the ONLY name left ... and it's better than anything else we tried.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:29 AM): ZipMyProof might be better?

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:29 AM): Calling it the "YouWorkIt" solution (the name of the company) stinks

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:29 AM): What's Bill's question?

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:29 AM): Proofzapper

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:30 AM): We also own ZIProof ... for spelling errors.

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:30 AM): The question is, is ZipProof(tm) better than the company name YouWorkIt.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:30 AM): Proofzapper sounds like you're getting rid of it <chuckle>

Jodie - ScoreBrowniePoints.com (11/5/2001 9:30 AM): Alanna/Bill: I like ZipMyProof

Cathy (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): Entered the room.

Jonathan Cohen (Copywriter, jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): Entered the room.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): Thanks Jodie ;-)

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): Our customer base is Newspapers, Printers, and Media companies (advertisers, production)

Jonathan Cohen (Copywriter, jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): [good morning, belatedly]

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): Well, Bill, I'm not one for group decisions, but I have to admit that the name doesn't work for me....neither one.

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): zipmyproof is long tho when its not necessary

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): ZipMYProof sounds like a Red Hot Chili Peppers song..

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): I don't like ZipMyProof ... too long.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:31 AM): not really...

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:32 AM): OH well. We're going to go with it because the alternative(s) suck

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:32 AM): And believe me, there's ALWAYS another name. This weekend, Internet Solutions screwed up and I lost a great name.....Came up with another one in five minutes.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:32 AM): MyProofNow is good too

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:32 AM): What does zip even mean?

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:32 AM): We'll keep trying ... we have a nice logo for this.

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:32 AM): bill - is the average person using your service going to associate with the word "zip"? It seems almost like a contradiction - you want to gear it to nontech people, but you're using a term that is more techy

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:32 AM): hope that makes sense

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:33 AM): InstaProof

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:33 AM): alanna - I thought of that too... but there are a lot of insta things already

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:34 AM): Bill, the secret to finding a good name is, of course, in the brand.

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:34 AM): Zip = Zipcode, the logo will help.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:34 AM): Go back to the Prime Directive: why is your service the best solution?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:34 AM): ...to THEIR problem?

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:34 AM): TheProofessionals.com :)

Jonathan Cohen (Copywriter, jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (11/5/2001 9:34 AM): Entered the room.

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:34 AM): Because it's the only solution that works for all platforms and all users

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): bill - that didn't even occur to me (zipcode) what does a zipcode have to do with getting proofs there faster

Jodie - ScoreBrowniePoints.com (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): oh! I was thinking "zip it over"

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): Jan, you're funny!

Peter Clough (cpc@ebasesystems.com) (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): very punny Jan..

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): no log-in, installs, plug-ins, even runs on a WebTV.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): Jodie, that was my impression, as well.

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): Simplest interface.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): But maybe that's the problem, Bill....you've got terms that mean different things to different people.

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:35 AM): If zip is zipcode I understand even less... Does that make you the "only solution"?

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:36 AM): easyproof?

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:37 AM): seems like everything you are saying points to it being an easy way to deal with proofs. just a thought.

THE WEB NEWSROOM (azreporter.com) (11/5/2001 9:37 AM): Entered the room.

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:37 AM): Zip = Fast, ZipCode = Mail,

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:37 AM): InstaProof ?

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:37 AM): Yes, and the business we sell to are conservative and in fact HOSTILE to all things Internet

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:38 AM): All the more reason to make sure the brand is in the name and disarms them.

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:39 AM): By the way, PacBell DSL is seriously messed up today.

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:39 AM): Entered the room.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:40 AM): question Rob when ready

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:40 AM): ANYONE ELSE with an issue? We're kinda going in circles here....

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:40 AM): proofessionals.com is a great name!

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:40 AM): so much for HTML in messages

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:40 AM): Go Alanna

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:41 AM): Proofessionals.com would get us kicked out of most printers and newspapers.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:41 AM): How important is your domain to fitting your brand? I've had webmasters ask me this this week... for example

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:41 AM): Thanks. Good comments all...

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:41 AM): (Bill that's all I ever hear about PacBell DSL!!!)

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:41 AM): can you be successful in branding if your domain doesn't fit

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:41 AM): The brand must be the domain as far as I can tell.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:41 AM): It's pretty important....I sure wouldn't trust a Child Day care Center called Molesters R Us.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:42 AM): Remember that a brand only works if it can be both articulate and compelling.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:42 AM): What if you have had a domain for a while and your visitors know it

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:42 AM): I was not being serious with that one, but InstaProof could work I think. You need to communicate more clearly why people should choose you and ZipProof simply doesn't do that I think.

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:42 AM): Bilk: I used to work in the print industry.. and I found that the companies that were most remembered, and got the most work, were ones with three letter acronyms.. (just an observation)

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:42 AM): Marnie, can I use yours as example?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:42 AM): That having been said, you don't need to be dead on, but it does have to be brand-compatible.

Jonathan Cohen (Copywriter, jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (11/5/2001 9:43 AM): Peter - the problem with three letter acronyms (unless they spell something) is that it's hard to remember what they stand for, unless they're industry standards like IBM, NEC, NCR, etc.

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:43 AM): yes Alanna go ahead

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:43 AM): Alanna, if you're getting traffic, just point the old URL to the new site, but promote the new site with the new URL

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:43 AM): Marnie has IdeaMarketers... what do you think first off that it would be?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:44 AM): I would think they take inventors' ideas and take them to market

Jonathan Cohen (Copywriter, jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (11/5/2001 9:44 AM): Entered the room.

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:44 AM): wonderful site, Marnie can you share in a line what it is?

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:44 AM): InstaProof.com is taken, but no web site.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:44 AM): maybe try to get them funded, manufactured, etc.

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:45 AM): How to market ideas.

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:45 AM): Using articles & ezines to promote yourself - unites writers & publishers

Bill Volk (11/5/2001 9:45 AM): IdeaMarketers? Advertising...

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:46 AM): now her visitors know her, but new people might not connect it

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:46 AM): Sorry, Bill, just brainstorming... If speed is the key then you need a well known and positive expression for that...

Mike Chwastiak (creative@mediacollision.com) (11/5/2001 9:46 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:46 AM): Wouldn't of thunk that from the name, myself....

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:46 AM): Alanna & Marnie, look at it this way (I did when I transitioned from Frankel-Anderson.com to RobFrankel.com):

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:47 AM): People may know you from your first name. but lots more people don't know you at all, and they represent your future market.

Jonathan Cohen (Copywriter, jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (11/5/2001 9:47 AM): [hi Mike]

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:47 AM): SpeedyProof Bill

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:47 AM): Should she try to use another domain like articlesource.com?

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:47 AM): how do you know when it's worth changing your domain?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:47 AM): So choose a new name, make the change abruptly, but expect others to adapt gradually. The new people will never know the difference.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:48 AM): I'd use something more to the point. I have about 15 URL's that point to robfrankel.com

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:48 AM): So you highly recommend that existing webmasters really look at their domain names to make sure strangers connect it eh?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:49 AM): You know it's time when you start asking the question you just did. You REALLY know after you've sat down and hammered out your brand strategy....which leads me to a great plug:

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:49 AM): (I'm here to help Rob <chuckle>)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:49 AM): THIS is why I'm having the Big Time Branding Round Up November 16 & 17! http://www.RobFrankel.com/seminar.html !

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:49 AM): I often use a thesaurus to find good names : http://www.thesaurus.com

Frederick (bspage.com) (11/5/2001 9:50 AM): Entered the room.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:50 AM): Yup...if it's not really dead on, it at least has to lead to a brand compatible proposition/issue

Frederick (bspage.com) (11/5/2001 9:50 AM): Made it! Better late than never!

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:50 AM): I NEVER use the thesaurus...I figure that if it doesn't ring in your head naturally, it's not common enough in the culture.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:51 AM): (TEN MINUTE WARNING)

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:51 AM): So would ArticleSource.com (which I also own) be better if the site primarily unites writers and publishers (ezine editors, webmasters)?

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:51 AM): Marnie, if you're uniting the two, why not say that?

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:51 AM): And that is when you use the thesaurus to find a better alternative ;)

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:51 AM): The site is a big library of articles and an ezine builder that runs off of it

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:51 AM): The site is a big library of articles and an ezine builder that runs off of it

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:51 AM): Nah, Jan....it makes the name work too hard. My experience, anyway.

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:52 AM): Marnie - I have ezinebuilder.com :) (I think!)

Mike Chwastiak (creative@mediacollision.com) (11/5/2001 9:52 AM): [Hi Jon, Marnie, folks...] Sorry I'm late to the discussion: Along the lines of brand names - we're considering an editing service that removes "technobabble" from sites, replaces it with good ol' fashion plain English. There's two thoughts around here: positive and "negative" names. For example: Babble Cop vs. Text-Doctor (neither great examples). Positive = happier, but is the negative more "memorable"? Thoughts?

Of course, you can look at the branding opportunities of other less-connected names.. (Amazon, EBay, etc) (11/5/2001 9:52 AM): Entered the room.

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:52 AM): Well, here you get alternatives to speed like Swift etc., but maybe it is because I am not a native English speaker I need it :)

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:53 AM): Sharon, you saying you own ezinebuilder.com?

DawnIsMe (11/5/2001 9:53 AM): Marnie, ArticleSource.com is an excellent name for attracting ezine publishers looking for content

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:53 AM): Mike, go with the one that follows the Prime Directive: Remember on the web, people look for solutions, not problems.

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:53 AM): Entered the room.

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:53 AM): Marnie - I think so. I have over 1800 domains so hard to keep track LOL

Mike Chwastiak (creative@mediacollision.com) (11/5/2001 9:53 AM): Marnie: Familiar with your cool service, and I think ArticleSource is stronger. IMHO.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:53 AM): For those of you who do not know her, Sharon is a recovering domain name addict...<G>

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:54 AM): I'm next in line Rob... lol

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:54 AM): Marnie - yes, I checked.

Jonathan Cohen (Copywriter, jacohen@damnfinewriting.com) (11/5/2001 9:54 AM): Mike - if the site owner is also the one who wrote the content, using a negative expression may offend them ("My site's not babble!" etc.)

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:54 AM): hi mike! :)

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:54 AM): I don't think you should change your name without good reason though. If WalMart became 'Grocery Store' it'd be a bad day ;-)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:54 AM): Alanna, you wanna jump in next? Go!

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:55 AM): no, I'm addicted to domains, and I'm in rehab now

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:55 AM): Ah, okay....anyone else? We still have a few minutes....

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:55 AM): Rob - lol just caught that. The last domain I bought was domains-inc.com - that was the end of it

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:56 AM): for sale, Sharon? :)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:56 AM): Oh, yeah, right Sharon. What about those domain names behind those books in the bookcases in the living room????

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:56 AM): Rob: If you're a self-employed person.. do you think it benefits your branding by branding yourself as a 'company' (Smith's Consultancy) or as a single person (Mr. Smith)?

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:56 AM): Marnie - I don't normally buy them to resell. Are u talking about ezinebuilder? If so, I even have a logo avail

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:57 AM): Sharon, Marnie would give it a warm home ;-)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:57 AM): Nope, Peter, which is why I use RobFrankel.com. If you're the dude, people want to work with you, not the company.

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:57 AM): email me Sharon.

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:57 AM): webmaster@ideamarketers.com

Mike Chwastiak (creative@mediacollision.com) (11/5/2001 9:57 AM): Rob: to follow Peter's question, even if you don't go with the last name, how much should you play up the "you" in the business?

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 9:57 AM): Btw Rob "The emperor's new clothes" is not a book, but a short story. Good story though :)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): And using "associates" only tells them that you're sitting alone in an office.....

Alanna webmaster@lovestories.com (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): Rob, is there a danger later if you want to sell and it's too tied to you?

Sharon Tucci (sharon@sharontucci.com) (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): Marnie - sure

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): ...or your basement.

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): Great, that's what I thought. Okay, I'll have a proper question next week.. site launching this week.. *crosses fingers*

Mike Chwastiak (creative@mediacollision.com) (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): Rob: I think you just answered the question

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): (TWO MINUTES) Yes, Alanna, there is. It can lower your value, because the buyer thinks the business is too reliant on you.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): This was the subject of a FrankelTips issue earlier on....

Marnie Pehrson (11/5/2001 9:58 AM): Is it better to have several domains that point to different sections of a site than one site that does it all?

PeterCooper (11/5/2001 9:59 AM): Jan: Short story? They managed to drag it out to 90 minutes at the cinema :)

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 9:59 AM): marine, I don't think so. I make sure every domain points to the main page, otherwise, you're underrepresenting your brand and cutting out potential additional sales

Frederick (bspage.com) (11/5/2001 10:00 AM): The Emperor's New Clothes is a Hans Christian Anderson short story.

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 10:00 AM): Jan -- but you get the point!

Jan Hviid Hemmingsen (11/5/2001 10:00 AM): It is only a few pages long though... :) Never heard of a movie version...

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 10:00 AM): Jan's alluding to this week's issue of FrankelTips.....

THE WEB NEWSROOM (azreporter.com) (11/5/2001 10:00 AM): Wasn't impressed with the Disney movie

Rob Frankel (Rob@RobFrankel.com) (11/5/2001 10:01 AM): Wow, what a session! I think we even got some biz connections today! I've gotta run -- see you all online!