Would this work?

[Steve]

What do you think. Would this work? Building a forum section in the web templates? Would LCOs want to have a forum on their site? Maybe have a green section in there for home owners to ask questions as well? Check out this test site. http://www.gophergraphics.com/frametest2.html It is based on Troy's web header.

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I really like it

[Steve]

Troy you have known a lot of LCOs and a lot of green forums. Have any of them ever had their forum attached to their business site?

Some have had forums, but not really the direction you are looking at. Most that have forums are never used at all by the customer or are shut down because no one can maintain them

[Steve]

Now I am thinking if there was a forum, it could help the lco cut down on time spent going to homes to talk about such issues or even spending time on the phone.

It might not get much activity with just 1 lco but with many it might.

Especially when you think that there have been 10s of thousands of our free web templates downloaded and used.

We could set up a forum where it was ask Troy a question on lawn applications or fertilization.

You could be the expert for that forum and field.

It might even get other lcos to ask you questions as well.

I love the idea, my only concern would be, how much would I possibly lose by having the forum?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]how much would I possibly lose by having the forum?

Well, my view now as I think of it more, would be it could be more like your newspaper article.

You become more visible. Your visibilty then helps you sell your services. If people want to do it themselves, they could get an answer anywhere, but if they got it from you, it makes you look like a good guy and they will talk about you.

Tell me more of your thoughts.

[Steve]

Further more, it could give you more of a platform to possibly record your thoughts on lawn care and create a pod cast that others could download and listen too.

People from around the world would be listening to your insight.

I think that is neat too.

Ok, now this is my opinion on the matter. Yes, I love the forum idea, but I personally feel that I would not be able to maintain it that great, it would get out of control, and I would lose work.

Now I like the idea of like "Question of the Week". Where customers can submit their questions, and I can answer it. Or another thing, if perhaps have a live net meeting. Really promote it where....."May 1st, 2006, from 6pm-9pm, Lawn Expert Troy Tiedeman answers your questions LIVE about your lawns."

[Steve]

Very insightful.

What if we took small steps forward with this and see how things went.

What if you hosted a section on this forum for lawn care.

Then I could change some of the free web templates and add the forum section in and see if there is interest. Maybe others will use them and enjoy them.

What if we called it "Talk Lawns with Lawn Expert Troy Tiedeman" and made it the first forum in the list?

You could then talk about the different issues people bring to you. You could help other lco's with your insight.

Maybe later if you wanted, you could always add a forum section on your website.