Know-How Exchange : Our Forum

Hi, Kamran...

I'd guess that about 90% of the questions posted here are from visitors who get here via Google, share a dilemma (realtor tagline needed urgently -- yeesh!!), and never come back or communicate with other forum participants again.

It's that other 10% that keep things juicy here. I'm sure some of the top-ranked experts will shed some light about why that's so.

Don't hang around here expecting applause and oodles of gratitude. Keep participating because it's a great way to learn stuff, a place to connect with other smart marketers, and just a whole lot of darned fun!

Glad to have you on board! ;]

Shelley

Ryan / Adam,

Thanks for the quick response.

It seems that, we do not have any concrete data.

Ryan, 80:20 or in this case 90:10 rule for the inputs, we give. I am not expecting any applause (never received any in all the free of cost activities, I did). But still, it would be nice to know some details.

Another point, how many questioners, just accept ALL answers to a question, without judging them for benefits? Any idea?

Regards

Kamran

Dear All,

I apologize, if I gave the wrong impression. As a marketer (at least, I try to think that, I am one), I want to quantify as many things as I can. So when I am asked, I have figures to back up my claims. I just brought the same philosophy here to KHE.

Randall (WMMA) says, growth of forum is concrete evidence of its effeciveness. I say, more evidence is needed to convince people.

I am a newbie here and have hardly participated in the discussions. Even with MY limited inputs (it took me 90 minutes total spread over a week or so), the results were amazing (got an offer to test drive a car in my Country - I live in Pakistan & KHE is US based).

Carrie, I gave inputs to the dreamers, because I wanted too, not because I wanted or expected a return. I expect my monetary return from my day job, KHE is a labor of love.

Butif this labor of love is generating a return (in whatever form) for us, then those of us (experts / volunteers / dabblers), who have received some response (financial, networks etc), have a duty to sing praises of KHE out loud here. Those of us, who have benefitted from the advice, should also say it out loud.

Gary (Vevolution), Randall (WMMA), you have received business through KHE. e.g. you say that due to your inputs on the forum, your revenues has increased by ?% etc.

Bob Glaza (Bobg) joined in september and already feels that his subscription has paid off. Wouldn't you say that is a terrific return on investment (4 months)?

If KHE can give these kinds of figures (Gary's, Randall's and Bob's etc), wouldn't that increase the value of KHE? wouldn't it get sponsorship / ads / subscriptions / attention etc?

We get our reward by meeting some very sharp people. Shouldn't we try to give some reward to KHE for giving us the opportunity to help people? to learn? to network? to gain business? Afterall, if KHE is there, then we are here, No KHE = No Us.

In the end, I apologize for my delayed response. I am travelling and have limited access to Internet.

Thanks to all of you, who have answered so far.

First, I think I should have selected a better caption for the question. this one seems to be inappropriate.

Second, I agree with all of you (Donna, Gary, Randall and Dave), that all of us get returns from KHE in non-monetary terms and that KHE has enriched our lives in different ways. I joined KHE for the same reason (NOT for financial gain, but to learn, help people and become a better service provider to my clients).

Third, I am not interested in selling ads & such for KHE (would not know, who to approach in US - different market). I just want some concrete facts available to KHE, if THEY want to do this.

Fourth, Paraphrasing Tom Clancy, "the only stupid quetion is the one not asked". If I am missing the point, then I can only improve myself by learning and learning can only take place by asking questions, even questions like this.

Fifth, a few general things.
a. Randall, Congragulations on the increase in business.
b. Again Randall, what is the the big blue marble and I am guessing that, marcus & michael are colleagues.
c. Dave, I am also thankfu for the support group. But the opportunity to talk things out with experts, who keep you jumping is more important for me.
d. Gary, I am based in Pakistan and for me, you are at the other side of the globe. In fact, I would say that 80% of the people live on the other side of the world from me. now where else, can i interact with such a great bunch of people?
e. Donna, reading the articles has been a great plus point for me, generating ideas and avoidng making mistakes.

Finally, thank you to all. so far it has been an interesting ride.

I'm still trying to decide if you are deliberately trying to insult our entire forum with your headline, or are doing it accidentally.

It is certainly one of the most negative question headlines I have seen. It is sad to see it come up every time I go to the main MarketingProfs page.

You have said above that you regret the headline. Yet by leaving the question open, you leave this negative comment on our forum main page, so that everyone who volunteers their time by participating in our forum can be insulted by it.

Which is it?

1) you intend to insult us, or
2) you have no sense whatsoever of how to communicate in a civilized manner.

My guess is number 2. That, as a person unfamiliar with business customs, you insult others unintentionally. The amazing thing is: you continue to leave this negative message on our page, despite our friendly comments.

As someone who has spent many hours trying to offer what little help I can, I take personal offence at your headline, and ask you to close this question.

I will continue to offer "free advice" - despite your judgement and pronouncement that such advice is "unappreciated and useless".

p.s. If you would like to try to learn about doing business in a less hostile and argumentative manner, I will be happy to try to advise you. For example, if I were you, I would begin by reading the book, "How to make friends and influence people".

Randall,
Thanks for the information. You are the kind of person, I would like to be. someone, who keeps his cool, no matter what.

Giordano,
I have been and am involved in giving subjective inputs. The issue is that, as a Developmental Professional, we are told to quantify our oupts. They (funding agencies etc) are not interested in the fact, that we make a difference in the lives of people. They want facts & figures and giving them quantifiable results gets difficult, if not impossible at times. But still we have to try, thus the question.

Jennifer,
I believer that, everyone is great. The only difference is that, the known great ones are never afraid to share their views. People like us, we are not brave enough to share ours.
You sent a client to this place, because though, you were not able to help him, but others here would be. You didn't make any money now, but is he or she going to forget about this? My opinion, the client will remember that, you acknowledged your ignorance and tried to help. So hopefully, a long term relationship will start. I wish, I can be this good with all my clients (some are just too difficult to be pleasant to).

Dave,
I apologize for the offence, I caused you. But isn't there a famous saying, that "I might not agree with you, but I will defend to death, your chance to say what you think".
If my judgement & pronouncement are wrong, please let me know about it, in no uncertain terms. But at least give me the chance to express my opinion for however long, I have that opinion.
I would like to take you up that offer for help.

All,
I am summarizing the discussion so far, everyone is sharing expertise and offerring, because they want to and because it is fun.
People have received individual feedback (thank yous etc), they have also received paid work, but there are no specific figures.
Finally, KHE has helped particpants develop themselves through all the questions, comments and articles.

A Clarification

I have been told in no uncertain terms, that people found the title objectionable.

To be honest about it, I could have phrased the title in a better way and despite all my follow up efforts to make amends, the title still rubbed people the wrong way.

What I wanted were useful and meaningful metrics to help me convince people that Business Advisory Services (inputs by experts to a business or consultancies) are effective and efficient. Right now, where I work, BAS, especially free BAS are considered to be useless as well as unappreciated. Hence the title of the question.

Metrics on results from MarketingProfs questions would have served me as a case study, which I could have shared with others around me and tried to convince them of the benefits of BAS.

So I would be asking the moderator to change the title and I apologize to all people, who were offended by the title.

Regards

While I'm certainly not a marketeer, I think of myself of being creative and I just like to help people with my ideas. Whether they use it or not is up to them.

Who knows, maybe I can launch a company into super stardom with a catchy tagline. That would be nice!