Fred,

This sounds pretty similar to our own bootstrapping procedure for a local public community. Expect it to take a lot of work, and especially promotion.

Please let us know how the process goes for you!

-Tom

One of the benefits of living and working in a rural area is that so many people know each other. A unique aspect of this particular area is the high ratio of self-employed / small business owners, many with kids in school.

When we got to thinking about how to initially seed a new directory site, we realized that high school students probably know more about social networking than any other demographic. We also understand that many of their parents may not realize how to use that aspect in their own marketing.

So once we add Adirondack Internet venue partners and invite them to manage their profiles; we'll have a spring break fundraising contest. We'll ask the experts (our students) to enter their family business, and as many others as they'd like, with some initial geographic restrictions.

We can track who added the profile from the project details, but what we're really looking for is active participation from the profile owners. That's where we need our student experts to explain how it all works, help the business owner claim their profile, and start adding reviews.

We'll offer a nominal flat dollar amount to the students, for every business they enter which is subsequently claimed by the owner. It may be a little unorthodox, but I think it'll be a win-win for everyone.

Business owners get free marketing, and leads directly from the system; those smart students have extra cash for spring break; we get a head start on building the local directory service.

I'll let you know how it works out, once Concourse Connect is available. I'm curious if we could use the same model in other schools as we expand our area coverage; and what the parents' reactions will be to their new promotional tools.