Mentor Website idea

**CharlieB** · 09-24-2010 12:23 PM

Hi

I've brought up this idea on here before, i'm just trying to gather more reaction on it.

I'm aware that mentor websites already exist but is there room for a niche version of facebook where mentors and mentees could meet via a search tool where you search for mentors by age, experience and industry. The relationship would then be based on the website where you would be able to exchange files and have instant messaging and eventually skype calls on the website. The mentors would be able to offer mentees advice and help though their careers.

Revenues will be made by selling advertising space, like facebook does.

Does this sound like a good idea or is it impossible to make it with facebook out there?

Regards

Charlie

**generationy** · 09-24-2010 01:43 PM

Dude! it sounds like an awesome idea. Finding a niche and innovating within the space is one of the most important aspects of becoming a successful entrepreneur! Good for you! As for the idea itself, I think its definately worth a chance at success. Just remember to stay focused and always keep the client in the center and yourself/your biz around it. Have their needs as the most important and always follow up. After your first client, ask them for a testimonial etc. and move forward form there! Good luck dude!

**rogercbryan** · 09-24-2010 01:51 PM

I'm a firm believer that mentoring can only take place with constant face to face interaction. I don't believe there is any real value to be gained from participating in an online mentoring program.

With that being said a platform on Facebook that acts like existing mentoring sites would be a good idea. Most people are unaware of the fact that Facebook is now the #2 search engine on the internet (based on daily searches). Positing yourself to take advantage of what is happening on Facebook is always a good idea. Most people looking for mentors have little to no idea what they are supposed to get out of them so giving them an online platform that satisfies their needs (doesn't really do them any good) could still be a profit center.

**Bohlman** · 09-24-2010 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by rogercbryan

I'm a firm believer that mentoring can only take place with constant face to face interaction. I don't believe there is any real value to be gained from participating in an online mentoring program.

I agree with you.

But now a days with programs like Skype, face to face interaction (sort of) is just a webcam away.

**CharlieB** · 09-27-2010 01:35 PM

so would this concept only work on facebook or would it be possible to have its own website? Does having the idea on facebook restrict it too much?

**akula** · 09-28-2010 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by CharlieB

Hi

I've brought up this idea on here before, i'm just trying to gather more reaction on it.

I'm aware that mentor websites already exist but is there room for a niche version of facebook where mentors and mentees could meet via a search tool where you search for mentors by age, experience and industry. The relationship would then be based on the website where you would be able to exchange files and have instant messaging and eventually skype calls on the website. The mentors would be able to offer mentees advice and help though their careers.

Revenues will be made by selling advertising space, like facebook does.

Does this sound like a good idea or is it impossible to make it with facebook out there?

Regards

Charlie

no, i think it's a bad idea
i think that the problem definition could use a little redefinition
namely, i don't think that helping novice founders get off the ground with whatever operation they've got going, by hooking them up with some dubious "mentor" is good problem formulation.

i think that that the better problem to solve is "board representation". founders experience a lot of difficulties securing sales, funding, distribution deals and other resources because typically the founder is a no body and doesn't have any body on the board of directors to give the new company some legitimacy. it's a serious problem. companies need boards and appropriate board members are hard to come by.

an appropriate board member is some one who is deeply networked in the relevant industry and has the experience to sit on a board and execute the duties of a director

my advice to you: start a jobs board like monster.com...though instead of advertisers paying the fee to create a listing, use the linkedin model and charge users to contact people who have created a profile on the board offering their services as company directors

i tell you man...my company is gonna need board members in the future. professional company directors who sit on boards and keep ceo's accountable. i'd like to go to a website, find my self some potential board members and then pay you so i can contact them

finding suitable board members is serious problem and i would pay for an elegant solution....an alternative to me spamming people and asking them out for lunch...this approach, i've found, produces mixed results.