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Massive attack of multiple vertically integrated (sometimes referred to as 'niche') directories. Full scale integration with reckless disregard for SE issues relating to interlinking.
Cornered the market on all the good directory domains awhile back, so can't do much about that. Either they work or don't. C'est la vie.
I think that about covers it for moi. Did I forget anything?
So, having said that, I've got to ask: What's your secret plan for global directory domination?
No holding back. We've all likely gotten it pretty well figured out anyway, so . . . lights down, spotlight up, audience sits silent, drum roll . .
This isn't a request for critques. Just lay it out: How will you rule the world, in 50 words or less, and wherever possible, make it funny while spot on.
P.S. Please take this in the spirit it is intended: 1) We are all in this together. 2) There's plenty of room for players. 3) If this isn't fun then what's the point? 4) You'll survive, so why not have a laugh and be nice to one another. 5) It's usually better to make friends than to do otherwise ;-)
Fishing for information? That's sad in my book, really. That attitude is the antithesis of what WW is about my book. I've put a great deal out there in the interest of helping others here, in WW, without the slightest concern of being disadvantaged by it. Why? Because I've got a vested interest in the world working. I've found people from all over the planet who, like me, see this world - this planet - as a place where's there's plenty enough to go around and who see the world as a 'we're all in it together' place.
Some people, however, see the world differently. They forever feel threatened. People are not to be trusted. People want something from you, something they can use – information – in order to supercede you. Some people live in a state of scarcity: You win, I lose. Win-win just isn't real, possible or worth the effort. First, you would have to trust someone is telling you the truth, and some people just always have to hold back. They're called cynics. Not skeptics. Cynics..
Sorry, not for me, for at least 6 billion reasons.
Here's how competition works in my book: Be an honorable competitor and there will always be ways of helping one another. The lawyers that I 'compete with' for work/clients are the same lawyers who refer me their conflict work because they know I'm good at what I do and won't screw them or their conflict-client. Be an honorable competitor and I'm likely to turn you on to an opportunity that presents itself that I just don't have the time for or that, based upon my knowledge, I know you would do a better job with. Who knows? It works for you and next you return the favor. I don't look for that, but it just happens. Why? Because people can be that way.
I'm a master of skepticism. It's a lawyer's blessing and his curse. It causes me to question things, everything, but it doesn't make me a cynic. I'm well equipped for cynicism if I want to take it on. You see, in the practice of law you encounter all manner of bad, vile things, up close and often. Probably closer and more often than most of you, but being exposed to the bad stuff however doesn't lead to one being a cynic. Most of the lawyers I know recognize that the really bad stuff is far outweighed by people behaving decently, people longing to have a good time of it.
WW is at its best when it brings forth actionable advice, and it does a pretty good job of that. That willingness to put out the good stuff for public consumption is a reflection of the character - and the success - of many people who post here. They 'get it': You're not a threat, your just another person.
Success is a function of many, many, many more things than simply whether you know a thing or two that I share with you. Success is oftimes a function of having the whole package. It can sometimes be a function of 'special knowledge', but that knowledge is often of a highly technical nature, such as how to crack an algorithm. This stuff we are bandying about back here – about business models and practices relating to directories – it's mostly fluff. In some cases well researched and thought out fluff, but not something that you need an IQ of 160 to work out.
I'd like to suggest that cynicism isn't part of the whole package of a happy successful life on this planet and that you might, in your yearning to achieve something, first address what drives your palpable cynicism. It could be self-doubt smashed down and cemented over with a heavy layer of bravado and braggadocio, characteristics that can become the real barrier to success for a person who otherwise holds some real potential for success.
I wish you all all the success in the world. Otherwise, I would not bother to post at WW. This business of me 'fishing for information'? Believe me, that's not something I started yesterday. On the issue of this post being about me fising for competitive information I can share with you the fact that I've been running a commercial fishing trawler for 5 years, so fear not: Your kindness in engaging in a dialogue won't be your downfall, though a lack of kindness hardy inspires . . .
Now, back to the topic at hand, which I'm happy to see people continuing to contribute to ;-)
[edited by: Webwork at 3:44 pm (utc) on Nov. 11, 2004]
This stuff we are bandying about back here – about business models and practices relating to directories – it's mostly fluff. In some cases well researched and thought out fluff, but not something that you need an IQ of 160 to work out.
Well I think anyone could see what I'm saying ;)
I'll put it in two sentences:
Short terms success can be accomplished with the correct tools.
Long-term success takes working harder and/or smarter, or having lots of $.
The directory world (like industry as a whole) is about domination. Domination is about POWER, which is the ability to control. If one controls the market, they own the users, advertisers etc also control the charges people have to pay for the 'honour' of being listed in whatever publication.
Currently, Google probably has the most control. Ok, I'm not saying it's not about profit, cos it is - but this profit allows them to do things, which others quite frankly, can't. The motivation to do these 'things' is probably strongly backed up by a want to help others, but more likely to achieve or dominate something unique! This domination would then lead onto other achievements such as Web awards, function attendance, other recognition, greater control of overall market, takeovers and mergers, charitable work etc.
The overall goal is to become world famous and respected by their peers, but money plays a part in this domination process, and any company would find it tough to compete without lot's of it.
It is about Global control, and the only way to compete with that is for the Yahoos to engage in a brand war, and to do that requires millions of dollars.
The only option open to the smaller players is to compete on something like customer service, but that alone is not enough. You still have to continue to compete and come up with new ideas to attract the audience. Most can't and don't have the creativity or rsilience to keep doing that. And is why (together with lack of ops capital) they will fail.
Brand wars are for BT, NTL, Yahoo etc - not for niche directory owners. That's just not possible.
But ROI is very doable - still you need the ideas, and that ain't easy.
Usally, web business are set up by the 20 - 30 age group, who can't stand going to work the 9-5 routine.
Hey, there's nothing wrong with not liking the 9 - 5 routine. And you don't have to be 20 - 30 to feel that way!
it's difficult to actually make major money on the web, and I'm not talking about a few thousand here and their - I mean millions - to run a successful web company.
So what else is new? It's tough to make major money anywhere. It takes time, effort, skills, creativity, luck and friends. And guts.
I think your definition of "successful web company" is too narrow if you think it can only be done with "millions".
Sorry to shatter and destroy anyones dreams but the niche area has been taken care of already 100 times over
Heh heh, that statement is flatly wrong, but it's fine with me if you keep saying that. I'm only part way to world domination in the niche I want to rule, so if you spread a defeatist attitude that thins out potential competitors you'll make my life easier.
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Do watch out for the difference between being a realist and being a defeatist. The hurdles in life's race are very real, and need to be assessed carefully, but you won't make much progress or have much fun if your only response is to freeze with fear at the starting line.
Shortly after I moved from the United States to where I live now, and set up my design shop - someone set up a big web directory and had the lion's share of listings and traffic. After about 2 years I decided to create my own directory - a sort of loss leader for my design clients and a few advertisers.
The thing is, I am pretty good at optimization and positioning, and pretty soon I starting beating the "main" web directory in most serps, and finally all the serps. The competitor started to get desperate and started "any and all" link exchanges, doorway pages and the like. Suddenly his site got grey barred in Google and pretty much disappeared from view.
In the mean time, there are at least 10 other local web directories fighting for advertising dollars - but only a few that are actually ranking for terms and sending advertisers traffic.
I am happy to say my little "loss leader" directory now makes enough money from advertising to have paid back the investment in time, effort and maintenance hundreds of times on an annual basis.
I am not saying that Yahoo is going to be banned from Google, but there is always room for specialist and niche information - as the web grows - the need for categorized information increases exponentially - precisely for the reason that there is too much information to wade through. Consumers don't want thousands of choices, they want to feel like they've been given choices.
Most consumers are happy to choose from red, brown or green widgets - and are frustrated when they are forced to decide between 95 shades of brown.
>>>I think your definition of "successful web company" is too narrow if you think it can only be done with "millions".<<<
Really?, FYI I run a successful company, and have done for 2 years, I've also worked for some of the most highly respected companies in my former industry there are - so if you have to attempt to take the mickey, at least get your facts straight.
>>Heh heh, that statement is flatly wrong<< Very good yeah! I only listed some of the reasons in my statement, and seeing as your ability to mind read tells you what my experience is, what I do, and have achieved in life, this obviously qualifies you as a supernatural phenomenon and possibly a genius, I'm sure we'll be reading about you in the media this evening.
I wish you and your shopping portal great success.
Please explain this freeze with fear judgement, and how you know this.
[edited by: skibum at 6:30 pm (utc) on Nov. 11, 2004]
1) Let's keep this thread and others on topic. I've noticed a tendency for recent threads back here to veer off, undermining the core value to be gained by the thread in its inception; and,
2) If there are people who have either an impulse or knack or some other capacity for entering posts that exert a gravitational pull outside the orbit of the topic - resist the impulse to go there. All it takes is doing nothing (or use a sticky if you simply must respond ;-P.) If someone wants to veer off and discuss something new they can always start a new thread.
A squeaky wheel eventually stops turning without the 'lubrication' of others being drawn into off topic exchanges, argumentation, etc.
[edited by: ncw164x at 5:59 pm (utc) on Nov. 11, 2004]
Now, start adding terms like Vortal, Portal, Community, etc. and now you are working your way towards global directory domination. The only true value of a directory are typically the links. When you start providing value, service and something for your visitors to come back for, then you will be working your way towards your goals.
Domination? Nah. I'm more than happy to share. It's a big Internet out there.
People want and like specialised directories, mainly as it will save them search time, which saves them time to get on with their life.
Here's a free secret plan for global directory domination. Go find a directory of trade magazines. You will find, I assure you, industries with healthy advertiser bases for print but have zero or very few niche directories. Make one that puts sellers (and their products and services) in front of buyers. There are lots and lots of industries that have extremely limited marketing opportunities; you can offer placements for so much lower than print or tradeshows that it's really a very easy sale.
Don't say I never did anything for you...
don't go MAKE a directory of trade magazines, go READ one, and then find the niche industries in there that aren't already done to death. There's a ton of them, I promise.
