Discussion Boards

Discussion Boards (aka Discussion Forums) have become a staple of the Internet age and for good reason.  They are an expression of free speech, a public exchange of ideas, targeted precisely to those who wish to participate.

This type of public discussion has saved many of us from unscrupulous transactions, while pointing us to the best of customer satisfaction. It's all about learning the ropes without paying the dues.

The downside is that anyone can say anything, and inevitably everyone does.  Misrepresentations, unjust slanders, and petty competitor battles may find their way onto the board.  Fortunately, the dirt has a way of coming out in the wash and the truth does prevail.  The misrepresentations, slanders, and competitions are found to be exactly what they are.  When we can all have our say, the good guys eventually win, and evil is ultimately vanquished.

Nothing is perfect, but Discussion Boards are pretty close.

Why would you put forth the time and money to set up, host, and then monitor a Discussion Board? There are seven profitable reasons.

There are a couple of fellows who are quite good at running profitable Discussion Boards, and they'd like to help you set up yours.  They don't charge a lot of money, and the IMC is confident in promoting their services.  They work for Epperson Enterprises and EIS, Inc.  

About those "seven profitable reasons" here's a hint.  They are:

Fees
Interest
Numbers
Advertising
Notability
Control
Equity

Put them all together, they spell FINANCE.  (Now, isn't that cute?)  Epperson Enterprises and EIS will explain these in detail as well as provide the Discussion Board software and the setup.  Best of all, they'll put together a "link swap deal" on your behalf with the rest of us (the IMC).

We have also identified the following business opportunities that could benefit by the addition of a Discussion Board, as well as be a part of the Internet Marketing Community (IMC).  Your Discussion Board would then be a support service for one of these business opportunities.

Apply one or all of the following to your existing (or startup) plans.  Some opportunities listed have estimated costs.  This is often because some development work has already been done. These costs represent a "best guess" as to what it would take to acquire the assets and traffic that have already been built around that particular opportunity.  However, if you can do it on your own, there's nothing to stop you.  Many of these opportunities have no acquisition costs. This is because no work has been started.  If you already have some business expertise, or even an idea that isn't listed here, go for it.

Note that the following opportunities can be added on to the set up.  {The estimated cost for Epperson and EIS Consulting, including software, setup, and tech support is $1,500.  Contact Epperson Enterprises at (360) 659 9051.  The consulting estimates below are provided by Electronic Information Services, Inc.  To inquire, call (425) 487 3700.}

RETAIL PRODUCT SALES

This requires an online shopping cart.  This technology is available from many sources.  References and consulting in this area are often provided to IMC Directory Owners (IMC Service Providers) at no charge.  The Service Provider (you) then offers this technology to individual vendors (IMC participants) for a fee.

WHOLESALE PRODUCT SALES

Nothing too involved here. It's a promotion for your product or service.

Estimated Cost for Consulting: Free to IMC Service Providers.

DIRECTORY of DISCUSSION BOARDS

Running a directory is the basis from which all IMC benefit flows.

No charge if you qualify for an 'Open' directory.
Need help? $500 will buy you consulting for an unclaimed (open) directory.

CLASSIFIEDS

If you choose not to run this yourself, then hook up with a "Classifieds" Service Provider.

Also see "Classifieds".

AUCTION REVENUE

With a few exceptions, most online auctions have flopped.  The problem is that the approach was too broad.  You can't compete with Ebay, so why try?  If you stick to your area of expertise, Ebay can't compete with you.

Estimated Cost for Consulting: Free to IMC Service Providers.

BROWSER SOFTWARE

Imagine that surfers all over the Internet have your web site built as their default startup page every time they open their browser.

Also see "Browser Software".

Estimated Cost for Consulting: $5,000 plus programming and licensing. Fees can be reduced considerably by pre-selling or partnering with others in the IMC. Enough 'partners' and you'll be in the black before you start the project.

CD-DVD PROMOTION

This business has been tested, and achieved great success with the creation and distribution of the Surplus Directory on CD-ROM. These CDs will soon be sold out and everyone will be ready for version 2, this time with more than just surplus vendors. This business has 3 known revenue streams, including inventory sales.

Also see "CD-ROM Directory".

Estimated Cost for Consulting: $5,000 plus programming. Duplication costs will depend on the volume being produced.

CONTACT LIST GATHERING

This can work in several ways.  One being in association with web site construction, and another with a For Sale and Wanted program. Leads are automatically loaded into a database. Very effective, but it does require a technical infrastructure.  (For example, IMASD gets up to 100 offers daily using this venue. )  

Once you're set up,  you'll never have to buy another list.  If your team works from a contact list, this is for you.

Estimated Cost for Consulting:   $2,000. (IMC Service Providers only.)

FAX NEWSLETTER

The value of a delivered hard copy (a fax) is greater than an e-mail. It has more impact.  Running a Broadcast Fax Newsletter can be profitable, and relatively easy to run. But don't think that it's a big earner.  A good fax newsletter is not a huge income earner in itself, but it is an excellent support service.  Publishing a newsletter makes you most of your money indirectly, not as an advertising venue.  This means that you would likely have a main business in which your Newsletter and your Discussion Board acted as support services.

Also see "Broadcast Fax".

Estimated Cost for Consulting:  $1,000.

IT SERVICES (HOSTING, SHOPPING CARTS, WEB SITE CONSTRUCTION)

If you're an ISP or Web Hosting company, this is the way to go. Run an IMC Directory and you'll have a built in customer base. Technology companies should also see "Internet and E-commerce".

Estimated Cost for Consulting: Trade out your services in exchange for the traffic.

MAGNET PAGES

AKA 'doorway pages' are web pages that attract search engine rankings. Good pages will appear early in the rankings of Google, Yahoo, and others. Pages such as these can be sold to individual vendors, or used to attract visitors to the directory overall.

Also see "Magnet Pages".

Estimated Cost for Consulting:
$5,000 for 100 pages, installed.
$1,000 for Do-it-yourself instruction. (IMC Service Providers only)

E-MAILING LIST

There's a way to do this properly, and for a fee the manager of one of the most popular e-mail newsletters on the net will teach you how.  You should keep in mind that a good e-mail newsletter is not a huge income earner in itself, but it is an excellent support service.  Publishing a newsletter makes you most of your money indirectly, not as an advertising venue.  This means that you would likely have a main business in which your Newsletter and your Discussion Board acted as support services.

Estimated Cost for Consulting:  $1,500.  (IMC Service Providers only)

MEMBERSHIP REVENUE

There are a lot of web site portals that tout "become a member" but no one on the Net has done it better than IMASD. A membership to IMASD now costs over $4,000.00! How did an IMASD membership become so valuable, and who's making the money here? Well, you could do the same with your own membership organization, but you better start with an Internet directory. (Learn how IMASD did it.) There are people who can formulate a plan for you, but there's a fee involved.

Estimated Cost for Consulting:  Inquire with the IMASD Web Administrator. www.surplus.net/contact.html

PRINT PUBLICATION

Are you considering the launch of a periodical that's all about Discussion Boards?  Did you know that an IMC Directory can launch a publication cheaper than any other avenue of promotion (not to mention the ongoing source of ad revenue)?  Maybe you already have a publication and you're looking for increased circulation. Hooking up with an IMC Directory can make your year.

Also see "Printing".

Estimated Cost for Consulting:  Negotiable with the individual IMC Directory owner. A quick EIS consultation and evaluation is available at no charge.

PRINT DIGITAL HYBRID

This works using Adobe Acrobat PDF files.  It allows a print publication to integrate with an IMC Directory that uses an online database. Customers can print out timely information and advertisers in both the Directory and Print Publication get greater exposure.

Estimated Cost for Consulting:  $2,000.

DOMAIN NAME

You supply your own domain for this IMC directory.

Buyersguide.net is part of the Internet Marketing Community along with these other great sites:

advertising.net   antiques.org   architects.net   auction.net   audio.net   automobiles.org    banking.org   barter.net   beautyshop.org   books.org   building.net   buyersguide.net   chemicals.net   classifieds.org   closeout.net   commodities.net   computers.org   coupons.net   doctors.net   eis.net   employment.org   equestrian.com   exports.com   fashions.net   furniture.org   gifts.net   grocery.net   insurance.org   liquidators.com   medicine.net   motorsports.org   movies.net   multi-media.com   novelty.net   nursing.org   nutrition.net   office.org   pallets.cc   pawnshop.org   realestate.net   recipes.net   restaurants.org   salvage.com   satellites.com   sav-on.net   spying.com   surplus.net   surplus-sales.com   talent.net   television.net   theatre.net   travel.org   travel.net   videos.net   weddings.net  

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