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

I’ve just finished the video tour for the local business section. I’m dead tired, so I hope it makes sense. I have to get up early to head into Boston for a trade show, so I won’t be able to get to this tomorrow, and most likely won’t be able to post anything (unless it’s really late). So enjoy today’s video tour!

Thanks,
Chuck

A bunch of you requested that I put a link to the Pre-Launch Introductory Tour on the blog, so here it is. Just click on the screen capture image below, and the video page will open in a new browser window.

Chuck

Here’s a quick update on the Tell A Friend Race Contest:

Melissa Fetterhoff = 6 referrals

Jennifer Koulopoulos = 5 referrals

Meagan Ackroyd = 5 referrals

Lisa Manley = 3 referrals

Nancy Prevost = 2 referrals

Toby Tyler = 2 referrals

Beth Bedard = 2 referrals

Kathy Mercurio = 2 referrals

Things are really starting to heat up, with a lot more people getting involved. But, noone has reached the Race goal of 15 referrals, so everyone is in the running!

Make sure you enter today at:

www.NashobaValley.com/tellafriend.html

Good luck!

Chuck

I just got back from a full day of football. First, I saw my son’s Pop Warner football team (the North Middlesex Rustlers) play in Gardner this morning. Then, the whole family went to the Patriots game in Foxboro, where we watched the Pats squeak out a close one over the Buffalo Bills. It was a great time.

I just checked the survey results, and I was surprised. Here’s the latest on what you had to say about what you are looking for in a community portal:

As you can see, the most popular response to the survey, by far, is a Community Events Calendar. It just so happens that a Community Calendar is featured prominently on the NashobaValley.com portal. And, if you are involved in a community or charitable organization, you can apply for Community Leader status and post all of your events to NashobaValley.com for free.

I plan on making NashobaValley.com THE place to find out what is happening in the Nashoba Valley region.

I’m working on a video tour of the site. It’s almost done, and as soon as I get the final technical glitches ironed out, I’ll post the tour here at the blog. They aren’t going to be slick, professional web videos. Nope, just me talking while showing you what is on the site.

Watch this page for more info, and an update on the Tell A Friend Race Contest tomorrow.

Thanks,
Chuck

P.S. I’ll be sending out some information for the businesses of the Nashoba Valley very soon. If you are a business owner, make sure you’re registered for the Pre-Launch Notification List to get this news first!

I’m looking for your opinion on what you think is most important in a community portal serving the Nashoba Valley. I’ve created a little anonymous survey with some multiple choice questions, as well as a comment field. Use the comment field to send me your ideas.

The survey is located at:

www.NashobaValley.com/tellchuck.html

When you fill in the form and submit, you will be redirected back to this blog.

UPDATE: Tell A Friend Race Contest

The contest is starting to heat up a bit, but the contestants are still not close to winning the iPod Nano. Here’s the latest results:

Meslissa Fetterhoff = 5 referrals

Jennifer Koulopoulos = 4 referrals

Nancy Prevost = 2 referrals

Toby Tyler = 2 referrals

Lets make sure all your friends are signed up for the Pre-Launch Notification List. I’m going to have a very special Pre-Launch Prize Package, and I’ll let all of you on the list pick the prize I’m giving away! I’ll send out a survey in a few days.

Thanks,
Chuck

Here’s a quick update on the Tell A Friend Race Contest. Right now, there are a number of people who have confirmed referrals. The leaders are:

Melissa Fetterhoff = 4 referrals

Jennifer Koulopoulos = 3 referrals

Nancy Prevost = 2 referrals

Toby Tyler = 2 referrals

Melissa is almost 1/4 the way to the iPod Nano prize, with Jennifer, Nancy, and Toby nipping at her heels.

If you would like to enter, and you are already registered, you can find the “Tell A Friend” form at:

www.NashobaValley.com/tellafriend.html

Good luck to everyone, and keep those referrals coming. I’m going to have even more special surprises for everyone who is on the Pre-Launch Notification List. I’ll be giving you some hints over the next few days!

Thanks,

Chuck

I’ve decided to try and kick up the membership drive a notch by running a “race contest” for an iPod Nano with 2 Gb of storage. This iPod is worth about $200, and is a great way to store and listen to your favorite music while walking or jogging (or on a plane). And, if you have a child over the age of 6, you could be a hero if you wanted to give it to him or her.

So, here are the rules of the…

Pre-Launch “Tell A Friend” Race Contest

1. To participate in the contest, you must be registered at www.NashobaValley.com. After completing your registration, you will be redirected to the “Tell A Friend” page.
2. On the “Tell A Friend” page, you will have the opportunity to send an email to 15 of your friends to let them know about the NashobaValley.com web site, and the “Tell A Friend” Contest.
3. When one of your referred friends signs up and mentions you as the “Referred by” contact, you will get one point. The “Referred by” form is located at www.NashobaValley.com on the registration form.
4. The first person to get 15 points will win the iPod Nano. 15 referrals = 15 points. The winner will receive the iPod Nano (or $200 in cash - your choice).
5. All referred friends must live in towns of the Nashoba Valley - defined here as Ashby, Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford.

If you have already registered for the NashobaValley.com Pre-Launch List, you can go directly to the “Tell A Friend” page and start entering. To enter again, simply go back to the “Tell A Friend” page and enter more friends.

I understand a few of you have already referred friends, but unfortunately I have no tracking these past referrals - sorry. But, with only 15 referrals needed, you should be able to find some people to sign up as your friend.

Ongoing results will be posted on the NashobaValley.com Pre-Launch Blog.

Good luck!

Chuck

Hello Everyone!

This is the NashobaValley.com Pre-Launch Blog, and this is where I’ll be posting information about the launch of NashobaValley.com (scheduled for Monday, September 25th).

I’m VERY excited about launch NashobaValley.com, and I look forward to making my web site THE place to find information about the communities and businesses of the Nashoba Valley region. Right now, the site includes the towns of Ashby, Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford.

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sending you video tours and snippets of information about what you can expect when the site launches. In addition, I’ll be asking you feedback on the features of NashobaValley.com, as well as your opinion on different matters - including what prizes I should offer every week.

So please watch your email for more information, and don’t forget to tell your friends to register for the Pre-Launch Notification List. I’ll be cooking up some great benefits to being in early for the Pre-Launch!

Regards,
Chuck Smith
Owner, NashobaValley.com