Google helpouts, why have I not heard of this?

Just checked out the site, that looks like a very ambitious project. Curious to see how it unfolds.

Thanks, Bob...

Now next week there will be 1000 WSOs on how to use this to make money. hahaha

I got accepted in the beta....lots of hoops to jump through..

FYI..Here are a couple Helpouts groups that are growing and providing member's personal experiences to date:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/communit...20922119140466

https://plus.google.com/u/0/communit...12472115066588

Cheers!

C

I don't see this working for most of the offline services.

It's pretty much a lose-lose in my opinion. Let's use the first example: "Overflowing Toilet"

1. As the consumer are you really going to pay a plumber to virtually tell you how to fix your toilet when it's overflowing? Well, maybe if the price is a lot cheaper than having him come out and fix it himself. But, what happens if you can't get it fixed from his directions? Then what? Do you need to hire someone else virtually, do you need to have him come out, did you just throw your money down the toilet

2. For the Plumber the ONLY way you are going to get any clients from this is if you offer this service at a much cheaper rate than your price if you actually come out to customers home. Plus, right off the top you need to give Google 20%.

Why would a plumber want to waste their time sitting at home trying to give directions to a customer on how to fix their toilet...when they get paid much less than if they just went over there and did it themselves?

Those are my initial thoughts...and I'm sure it might be good for some service (consultations), but I'd say don't waste your time trying to figure out the in's and out's of this one. I'm sure it will be gone before you even know it.

If it does stay around, it will be geared to everyday people help out everyday people with minor projects, questions, etc.

The idea is pretty clever and it may work in some cases, but it also has drawbacks. Are there liability problems? Would any good technician buy into this model? Seems like it really limits their ability to earn. Of course I can understand Google wanting to get a cut of every transaction possible! These guys are relentless.

You know, I can really see this working in some industries. Like education, or tutoring/mentoring. But it seems like a lot of hoops to jump through, and a pretty big commission.

20% = GREED! Seriously

Hope YouTube remains free.

This is very different from other help sites including youtube and ask.com or any of those. If you have a pilot light out in your old furnace for example, you might search forever to find out how to light it or what's wrong because you may have a different model or whatnot.

Instead of trying to search online forever and find someone with a relevant furnace, or spend the time taking screenshots and waiting for someone to respond, you would be able to go to helpouts and get an HVAC guy live who can look through your phone and tell you exactly what to do.

I am 100% positive a lot of people would pay for live video help that they don't have to wait forever for answers for. It's also interesting that there's medical experts, I can see a huge demand here, where you could pay a few bucks to talk to a health professional about a problem you might have and get a professional answer right then and there.

Legal help would be an amazing service too. Anything live where you can talk with an expert in real-time about your situation at an affordable price, in the convenience of your home, at a moment's notice, with a money-back guarantee and a host of reviews and credibility is an incredibly good value in my opinion.

I can see it now, pilot passes out, passenger uses Google help outs to land plane.

Starting by invite only :


Google Rolls Out Broader Marketing of Helpouts | Understanding Google Places & Local Search

http://helpouts.google.com/welcome?authuser=0

http://support.google.com/helpouts/?hl=en#topic=3269999

Holy crap this is brilliant.

But it's flawed... ultimately it hinges on the underlying Google Plus network, which is still far behind Facebook.

Wait till facebook jumps on this... or wait till someone makes an app that interfaces with facebook to do this.. THEN we'll be cooking with gas.

Launched today - Google Launches Helpouts, Paid Video Chats With Experts To Address Whatever Is Bothering You Right Now | TechCrunch

I think this will evolve and be a useful thing. As with most anything, critical mass for mass market takes google money and time. But there will be oppty for many niches/verticals.

A great vertical for this is virtual/remote golf coaching right on the practice range or even golf course with you. A buddy videos your swing for a live remote coach and you get feedback via your bluetooth earpiece. Or the cameras are mounted on your golf cart and have PTZ auto track to a bluetooth fob you wear so you are always in frame. get audio feedback before/after swing and video info/feedback at golf cart after your shot.

it could be recorded for later review/analysis, or live coaching for an upsell premium fee.

I did not know of this either! There have been sites like this through the years like Guru and Kaza where experts actually got paid to give their advice. I guess on Google the reward will be self promotion. Very interesting!