Why I Created NashobaValley.com
A lot of you have asked me a few questions, and I wanted to answer a few of the more popular questions in this posting. So, without any further ado…
Question 1: Where the heck have you been?
Answer 1: I’ve been travelling on business. I’m not doing NashobaValley.com full time. I actually have a couple of other jobs. I have a number of Internet businesses, and I also do 20 hours a week at a high tech firm in Chelmsford. Last week, I was at a high tech trade show in Boston from Monday to Thursday. Friday morning, I flew out to San Diego for an Internet marketing event. I’m learning how to put video and audio on the web, so I’ll be incorporating that into NashobaValley.com (of course, I’ll have to figure out what to put on the site). I get back on Thursday, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the kids and my wife.
Question 2: Where do you live?
Answer 2: I live in Pepperell, and have been here for a number of years (with a few years in Shirley and a side trip to Franklin for about three years). I graduated from North Middlesex way back when, and also got my degree from Fitchburg State. I’ve worked in Westford and Littleton, with some odd jobs in Groton. I also used to play in the old Times Free Press softball league and played in Ayer, Ashby, Harvard, Pepperell, Shirley, and Townsend. I’m a Nashoba Valley guy through and through.
Question 3: Why did you create NashobaValley.com?
Answer 3: Actually, I created NashobaValley.com out of frustration. I was looking for someone to fix the door on our microwave oven, and being a high tech and Internet guy, looked in Google.com. The search results were disappointing at best. It got me thinking about what an ideal portal would be for residents in my area. I thought encompassing the entire Nashoba Valley was a good idea, so I wrote down all my ideas and had some of my online buddies create the web site (my buddies are programmers in Romania). I think the site is pretty close to my vision, and I hope to make it the place for information about the Nashoba Valley.
Question 4: What is going to be on the site?
Answer 4: I did a little video tour of the site, but basically, what I want to have on the site is local businesses (including coupons for these businesses), community events, local news and articles, and links to great sites of interest. In addition, I’ll be having a weekly contest for registered users.
Question 5: I have a local business. How can I get listed on the site?
Answer 5: Chances are, your business could already be listed on the site. There are almost 4,000 businesses already listed at NashobaValley.com. These are basic listings, and they are free for any business in the 11 towns of the Nashoba Valley. These contain the business name, address, and phone number, and ONLY businesses in these 11 towns can be in the business directory.
In addition, there area a number of options available to increase visibility for your business. Enhanced listings are displayed above the basic listings, and are available on a first come, first listed basis. Sponsored listings are above the enhanced listings, and are limited to only 3 per category.
Businesses can also offer savings coupons and purchase banner ads.
Question 6: I work for a community organization. Can we get a listing?
Answer 6: Yes, there is a directory of useful links on the site, and any community organization can be listed for free. In addition, you can apply for Community Leader status, and when approved, you will be able to post all of your events in the community calendar for free.
Question 7: You mentioned a weekly contest. What kind of contest (and what kind of prizes)?
Answer 7: The theme of the contest will change weekly, but the basics are that registered users will post their entry (usually some kind of tip), and then community members will rate the entries. The top-rated entry of the week wins the prize. So, instead of me choosing te prize winner, everyone in the community will choose.
As far as the prizes, I’ll have to figure that out as I go along. But, I will do my best to make the prizes valuable and desired.
Question 8: Why is it taking so long to launch?
Answer 8: NashobaValley.com is a software project, and unfortunately, I’ve never seen a software product delivered on time (or even close to on time). I’m still testing the site, and also writing some of the content. I finally set the September 25th launch date to make sure I finally get the site launched.
Question 9: When can I sign up?
Answer 9: I’ll most likely be opening up the registration for the pre-launch list this Friday, and for everyone else on the 25th.
These were the most popular questions, but feel free to post in the comments if you have any additional questions or comments.
Thanks,
Chuck