Craig Newmark School of Business + Slidecasts ++

Submitted by kpaul.mallasch on Tue, 04/11/2006 - 1:32pm.

I mentioned that I followed the 'Craig Newmark' school of business kind of off hand to Steve Outing a while back. I originally mentioned it because he said he'd had no business plan or model in mind when Craigslist was created. Thinking on it more, though, I'm also reminded of something I read about him and customer service - that he's a zealot and thinks it's of great importance. I've been emulating this too at Muncie Free Press.

What I've been trying to do at MFP is go above and beyond for people when they come to me about something. And believe me, it's happening more and more requently - people contacting me and saying The Star Press is ignoring them and they have information they want to get out to the public. I have an insatiable appetite for people like that. They're passionate. And if I'm passionate (truly) when dealing with their issue, whatever it might be, they're going to be more excited about the Muncie Free Press.

I didn't really realize the importance of this in the very beginning, though. I let more than one person slip through my fingers after they contacted me. I'm trying not to let it happen anymore. Onward and upward as they say.

In other news, I continue to be banned over at The Star Press forums. The people are talking about it, though, with more than one saying they'd check MFP out now to see what the fuss was all about.

We have over 30 people signed up for the MFP forums now, with a few even going the extra step to get accounts on the 'main site.'

Also big, is what I'm calling a Slidecast. You can see our first example - Almost Hank & Kpaul: Episode 13. (MP3 only.) I'm thinking (hoping, praying, I'm outta cash and in need of funds) that these bar owners will pay a nominal weekly fee to have one of the 'slides' be of their business. Maybe more if they want an audio plug.

We've been doing these for a while. I have an Almost Hank website set up. We have a themesong (of sorts.)

Targetting entertainment places (bars) was one of the original ideas Larry Riley and I talked about last summer before I launched. I've been 'out in the field' for a long time ... studying. ;) I think I'm getting close to making some money off of it, though.

Then, that can fund other 'more noble' pursuits (and keep the rent paid. ;)

Last but not least, check out this deal we have going with a local Karate school. Basically, they're going to train a parent and child for free (through Yellow belt) as long as they let us document the process and post blog entries on Muncie Free Press. No money has changed hands in setting it up. It's beneficial for both of us, though.