[swasch]

Hello - curious to hear people's thoughts around the different styles of message boards out there today. What do you think about points based message boards like www.marketingprofs.com? For those of you that haven't used this site, to tie it into what I am considering is as follows:

Message board for career-related topics: Users join and receive a certain number of points. They can post questions that use up points, and answer questions to earn more points. People receiving the responses click to accept a response and the person who gave the answer receives the points allotted. You can also see a scoreboard for who has the most points etc. My thinking is a points based system would generate a fun type of environment where people can be recognized as experts on the board for the # of points allotted. Also, I could get people to pay a fee to upgrade their membership to get more points. It would also encourage people who have already found a job etc. to come back to the site vs. just using the board for their own career interests.

Looking for feedback if a career message board using points would or would not be good.

Thx.

[teana]

sopunds intersting.

but what do they get for the points? is there some sort of incentive? for instance can they redeem the points for something?

I am creating a point system for our customers whereby they get points for each purchase made which then can be used to buy more teas once they reached a predefined limit.

I would definitely say put some sort of incentive system in place by talking to other vendors.

Maybe you can work out a deal with vendors where they can sell you stuff at a discount so that you can then 'sell' them to your members for points. one reason why a vendor would do this is b/c perhaps you will allow them to advertise to your members.

just a thought.

teana

[swasch]

I tested the product idea you referred to and its not appealing to vendors since its a career message board. So the alternative is to remain with the focus of expanding someone's career related questions from their immediate friends and family to anyone on the message board. The incentive to respond to other people's questions to get points is so that you can accumulate points to post back to the board. Picture youngentrepreneur's message board that we are using working like this... if I found your comment useful above, you would have gotten 125 pts. let's say. This would have been more points for you to become more of an 'expert' if you will... but also allow you to post questions now based on the value of points you want to spend.

[teana]

a career board with points...hmm...
i dont know, perhaps i dont fully understand your objective. why not just use a forum then and allow someone to be an expert when they've reached 'x' amount of posts.

i think putting in points is pretty over the top if its just people asking / answering questions, unless there was something else the points could be used for. but thats just me.

since its a career site, are you going to have actual experts? then the points would make sense since then the points would allow them to talk to experts, or get a reply immediately (like within 48 hrs) instead of waiting.

as for products stuff, even though its a career site, you can set up a 'shop' where they can buy stuff. could be business related or not. i am sure that you work out something with other entrepreneurs for either services or the like. i would be interested in this simply b.c it would also get my product into the hands of another distributor. i would sell the product to you at a discount in return for advertising or something else.

thats my .02

good luck with it.

teana

[swasch]

Good things to think about. Let me understand your concept of a shop more... 1) Would I have to buy the product up front at the discount price before I made a sale of it through my site? 2) Do we make the transaction once someone buys from my site your product?

I assume this is the same concept like Red Envelope www.redenvelope.com or other companies as such....

The idea is appealing but I want to avoid inventory, and shipping if possible.


Thx.
Sandra

[teana]

sandra,

keeping inventory would almost be inevtiable unless you find someone to drop ship your stuff.

If perhaps you want to sell cltohing, you can check out www.cafepress.com. no inventory or upfront costs.

I am sure there are other ways to do this. Its the whole concept of 'added value.'

Perhaps instead of selling actual products you can 'sell' gift certificates from companies. I am sure there are companies that are willing to sell you certificates at a lower cost, again in exchange for some advertising / sponsorship. I'd be willing to do something like this for members in the states.

but we'll talk more once your site is up and running.

good luck!

teana