What do you think about my idea?

It's a good idea but it may be very difficult to pull off. The reason is that most newbies (just like you... and just like I was) probably don't have any applicable IM skills to barter with.

Because I was a newbie with no money for outsourcing I had to learn it all by myself. Now I would say it was worth the trouble but it sure was frustrating at the time so I know how you feel.

Yes, that is true. Newbies do not have many IM skills, but at least you could exchange some parts of your projects. Maybe you could not exchange SEO skills, but you could get articles written, create a website, install a blog.
For example I have learned a lot about keyword research, but I really do not like writing content.
Looking to some more suggestions! Thank you!

I like the idea.

It's sort of an elance for newbies where services trade instead of $.

Even pros have time consuming jobs they'd like to outsource for advice.

It's a good idea. But you'd have to have it restricted to membership only. Otherwise we could end up giving away secrets that we may want to sell in the future.

Nice idea.

Regards Ian

I'd say it is a good idea. However I agree with Ian that it would need to be a membership site.

You'd have to make 1 big restriction:

You MUST bring something to the table.

When I was very early in the game, I bartered with quite a few people. But I always turned down the person who said they had a good idea and nothing more.

Besides, I still think there's value in a noob getting his feet wet and LEARNING to do a lot for himself. I know people will disagree with me, but I wouldn't trade my beginning years for anything, simply because of the things I learned.

I spent quite a bit of effort prototyping just such a membership site. It would allow members to fill out skills inventories, listing skills/assets they had, and skills/assets they were seeking. Then member could search for other members with very specific search criteria.

I pimped it pretty hard, but there seemed to be virtually no interest. Couple of people suggested using craigslist or something like that, but jeeze, what a low tech and inefficient alternative that would be.

- Russ

I like your idea but it might be hard to pull off. But it won't be impossible. It'll be like a help/work together thing but when moneys involved things can become nasty. I hope all works out for you.

Hi there,

I have just sent you a PM

Hi Laura,

I'm not a newbie but I'd love to see a site like that. Even those of us who have been online for awhile don't do everything well and exchanging services or products would really help a tight budget!

If you're going to create a site like that be sure to let me know when you've got it ready.


Lynn

go to ning.com and set up a password protected forum, free.

then (please) pm me the link (I might wanna join in too)

What would be your suggestions for the name?

What do you think about: Newbies of value

I think it is a great idea and a membership site would be a good option. With a membership site you don't have to keep getting new customers. They sign up and you get paid every month.

Neither a forum nor a stock membership site is going to give you what you want. Members have to be able to search for other members based on criteria.

It's great to have these standard social sites. People bump around and get to know each other a bit through comments. But if you're a graphic designer looking for some sites to work on, or you're a site developer looking for a content person, forums and out-of-the-box membership sites give you nothing more than the ability to make random shotgun blasts.

You have to have member search to get what you're asking for.

- Russ

I love to write but no matter how hard I try, I find the technical stuff really hard and very frustrating, even though about five years ago I did web design and html, it has changed so much that I now find I need to relearn just about everything, except graphics! I agree, doing it the hard way is good but when a person is starting out they can be over-whelmed with all they need to do and learn. So a barter exchange would be very welcome. A person can always read up and learn the areas they are not so good at when they are more relaxed and have more time.

I do think it would have to be a membership site. Where I live they have an off-line Barter Exchange Club. A person joins, lists their skills etc. There is a points system, whereby a person can build up points to exchange for other's services.

Hope this all makes sense, it's late at night here and I have just spent more time than I care to think about submitting Articles.

I think I shall create it on Ning where you can create social networks. I was thinking about point system as well, but it seems too complicated at the moment. I should create point system if the site gets some popularity.

I had that same idea. IM BABIES. Since I do transcription for many of the internet "Gurus," I was thinking of asking them to do small tutorials on certain subjects, i.e. "How to pick a niche," or "Step-by-step instructions on keyword research." I'm not thinking free, but something like 5 bucks a month, just so I could offer "the experts," something for their time since begging, gets old real fast. I agree that are a lot of people who just don't know where to start, but they have the desire and determination needed to be successful. Most of the guides or "tutorials" are either too expensive or they don't give it to you in terms you can understand because you simply don't have the knowledge. I have not made a substantial amount of money with IM, maybe $1,200 or so through affiliate programs, I know that it can be done. Does anyone have any thoughts on perhaps an informal membership site, with informal discussions or even perhaps guest speakers, etc. I'm also think a barter and trade section where newbies can trade their skills. So many people have hidden talents that they aren't aware of.

I would appreciate some more ideas about the site name!

Newbie Exchange? I agree, whilst there is a lot of stuff written, some of it virtually assumes you know what certain things are. A more personal approach, someone with patience, to teach Newbies in simple plain English would be great.

The idea is that newbies don't have much money to start with so if you are going to do a membership site, you have to make the cost very minimal.

One issue I see is one thing taking a certain amount of time and another job taking much less.I once did this very thing with a drummer.Id trade my guitar playing to make his songs and he would trade his drumming.The problem was he expected me to be ready to work on his material whenever he chose,based on the fact i could expect him to perform drumming for me in the studio.

I had to put a stop to it finally because I was working for practically nothing,
getting his drumming studio time for maybe 3-4 hours and working on his songs 10 hours a week.See what i mean?

Great Laura, so pleased you started the Forum. I feel that everyone working to help each other, the time factor would "trade off". What goes around comes around and help and advice given freely, always comes back with interest. Maybe not always from the person whom you helped in the first place but someone else will step up and help you when you need it. I's about time there was a spirit of sharing and giving, without any 'hook' we all need help at times.

It sounds like a good idea. I would be leary of something like that because a lot of newbies don't stick with the program. We see a lot of new people come and go on this forum. However, if you aren't exchanging money, I guess it wouldn't impose too much of a negative affect. Let me know how it goes.

Hey Laura,

Take into account any not-so-enthusiastic responses to your idea, but don't be put off by them. Top kudos to you for actually going out there and doing something about it by putting up the site.

One of the oldest maxims concerning business is 'find a need and fill it', and many fortunes have been made that way.

Here's power to your elbow!

Dave Everett

Sounds great,you must go with the idea!

this looks like very interesting idea..

NoobExchange.com is available

its a great idea i would say...