Lately I have been thinking about different ideas for how I can provide a greater value for readers of my blog, jasonverdelli.com, and need some of your advice on an idea I have to improve and monetize it at the same time. My idea is to do a online marketing video tip everyday for those that see value in gaining insights into strategies, new ideas and tools in the online marketing arena. To keep me doing it everyday or at least scheduling videos everyday I would charge a very small fee, maybe something like $12/month, to access the video section. The video tip would be emailed daily to assure members would be reminded to watch the latest video.

What are your thoughts on this idea? Do you think it has merit? Is the price I am asking for reasonable?

Does anyone have any experience with paying for Facebook Ads, and if so, was it worthwhile for you?

I am using Constant Contact to send out my email newsletters. After spending hours creating them, I have discovered that they don’t format the same on some phones, and alot of people do view them on their phones. Has anyone else found this, or have any solution?

What is the best way to get a list of all the contact people for local newspapers for when I send out Press Releases?

I have AVG protection, Spy-bot and Ad-ware on my computer and I am still having issues. Everytime I try to open my g-mail account I get the message “Internet Explorer is not working” and it shuts everything down. Any suggestions on where I’m going wrong?

I need to shop my phone service. I have two locations with four lines each. I also need internet service. Every offer I see is a different configuration. How do you compare plans? Which is most reliable? What are the lengths of contracts? Are the services changing and is a short contract best?

I have not found a short answer to the question what are the new requirements for small businesses under the new health care rules?

What is the cost of a sidewalk A Frame type sign? I do not want to spend much as I am afraid it might get stolen or damaged by someone passing by.

I have a small staff and would like to have a short training session on communications. We deal in a retail and B2B environment. This creates some challenges with different communication styles. We constantly struggle with continuity in our communication from one day to the next as a different person is dealing with the customer.

What is the best way to ’shop’ your business insurance needs? I do not feel qualified to prepare an RFP.

If an employee leaves my company or is fired, can I keep him or her from setting up a competing business?

We are currently looking for the next topic that we can use in our first ever Central PA Experts Roundtable discussion for our online discussion area (new) and offline bi-weekly events. We added a new section to http://www.centralpaexperts.com that will allow you to share your thoughts and ideas with other series professionals here in Central PA. We are also taking this topic and facilitating a structured bi-weekly discussion group event at Training Masters in Camp Hill to discuss these issues/challenges and, of course, allow for face-to-face interaction amongst the group.

Our goal is to connect professionals in the manner of building solid relationships through meaningful conversations that later can be transformed into possible exchange or referring of services, partnerships, etc. The first discussion group event is scheduled for September 14th, but before the event we need your input to find out what issues/challenges are important in your business or other businesses you observe right here in Central PA.

Please respond to our latest group discussion here on LinkedIn to offer your thoughts. Thank you.

Experts are saying 1.5-2 hours a day is critical for growth, but many business owners say “I don’t have the time.” Realistically, I think a small goal of 30 minutes a day is a good start.

How much time do you spend on social media marketing?

There is a right of way between us and our neighbor. Now the people that own the right of way are building a house, almost done, and they just now got their property surveyed and their survey company is trying to say that their 50 ft right of way is now 75+ ft wide cutting into both of our properties. Their surveyor stopped out and met with us and even showed us a new court doc showing the new survey marks, etc. How can they get this changed in the courts without our consent, etc? How do we go about disputing this, we don\’t have tons of money to fight this, yet our neighbor will have to sell his house b/c he can\’t afford to redo his entire septic that this guys is now saying is on his property! We are in a bind, any suggestions and referrals on who can help us affordably?

Think of these Roundtable gatherings, not as “networking” groups, but as business advisory boards. These are other professionals from different walks of life and a vested interest (through their membership with Central PA Experts) that come together to pool their wisdom, experience, and acumen to assist one another. Topics will vary, because our lives and business issues are constantly changing!

Example: Tuesday morning eight or so members gather together and spend 15 minutes chit-chatting or “networking.” Then for the next 36 minutes everyone circles around and begins conversations revolving around issues brought by the other group members. Todd, shares that in the last week, he had a particularly difficult situation with a client and wonders how everyone else would handle this delicately. Linda recalls that she faced a similar situation and gives her experience. Jason agrees and remembers a situation that he could apply the same advice to.

…synergy.

So, the purpose of these groups has an element of learning about one another’s business, but more on the level of building relationships. This isn’t a cleverly disguised group where everybody tries to give sales pitches, it’s a group where “everybody” is an expert, has something to share, and can give genuine advice, and/or perhaps just empathize with each other. …just to know that we’re not alone! There will be an signed honor agreement of confidentiality and conduct and each participant will be need to be a professional or expert level member with Central PA Experts.

More details forthcoming, but I cherish your feedback on this. This is how we all grow, help one another, and maximize potential.

“If I have a business card and you have a business card, we could exchange cards and still each only have one card. BUT, if I have an idea and you have an idea, we can exchange ideas and both have two!

Thanks!
Sean Michael Kelly
“Community Synergist” – Central PA Experts