KnowYourPro

We installed a new widget to help us increase our traffic. Logging in with Facebook credentials is easy, and will allow people who do not want to sign up as a 'professional' to still have access to all of our wonderful features- including BLOGGING, which I am doing right now. 

Here's how you can do it:

Go to our Welcome Page. Under our current login area, you will see the following: 



Click on the Facebook link. You may be asked to allow KYP 'special permissions'. Say yes. You will then be taken here:  

 

After signing in with Facebook, you should be all set. You MAY see our login page again, with two options. One, 'Create New Account', on the left is the one you would want. You simply use your Facebook username and password, and you are in.

Once you are logged into the site, you will be able to blog, comment on forum topics, upload videos- you name it.


It  has never been easier to join KnowYourPro, and of course, it is still free! So, come hang out with us!


Jen Monastero

It's time once again to invite you all to take advantage of the blogging tools available here on KnowYourPro and start writing!

Pick something you are passionate about, or simply want to share with others. I happen to be passionate about politics, so that is what I choose to write/rant about. I know many of you feel that you don't want to expose yourself that much- maybe you don't feel you write well enough, or don't have good enough topics to discuss. If you need ideas, or want editing help, please let me know.


This community is only as good as we all make it, so start being creative and sharing a little bit more of yourself. That's what this is all about.


JM 

Hot off the press :)

KnowYourPro wants good karma. We also want to have lots of members- a spectacular community of all sorts of interesting people. We say 'the Yellow Pages, on steroids' because that's what we envision. Who uses the yellow pages these days? I know I don't. If I need to find someone, I look online. The only problem is, most websites out there have an 'agenda', and it's usually simply to make as much money as possible. The consumer's interests take a back seat to $$$.

There are websites to help people find all kinds of professionals- some of which CONSUMERS have to pay for! How crazy is that? On the other hand, you have websites that are nothing more than a gigantic database, and whoever pays the most money gets the best listing- no care to how that person does business. 

In the hopes of keeping this site up and running for many years to come, we have to get creative. In looking for ways to finance our endeavor, we have already taken charging fees to consumers and/or professionals off the table. We were looking for a unique way to make an impact while also making a living, and I think we've found it.

Our idea is simple. We'd like to organize fundraising events for organizations in our communities. I am very passionate about education, so some local schools are on my list. I would invite ALL members (professionals and consumers alike) to let us know who/what/where we should be holding fundraisers in YOUR area. We have members from Massachusetts to California, Florida to Michigan. This is grassroots. This could be AWESOME. 

All we ask in return is a share of the funds raised- 10% to be exact. We will do all the work, and make sure our 'co-fundraiser' exceeds all expectations. Why do all that just for a measly 10% share? Because we are AMAZING people, that's why!

So let's get cracking- I think we should have a nationwide event with a ton of fun local fundraisers sometime over the summer. Let's make it happen!

Thanks so much for reading.


Jen and Paul
 

I want to repost the great blog article Danny from Positive Real Estate Professionals did with us.

After a few weeks of being 'live', I have some questions/concerns I'd like to address. I'd like to clarify what KnowYourPro is, and what we hope it becomes.

1) We are not and will not ever be a 'lead generation site'. We will leave that business to the LendingTree and Zillow and ServiceMagic types. Paul and I, as well as quite a few of our founding members, recognize that times are changing. Consumers no longer want to be bombarded with phone calls and emails from people they do not know. Professionals no longer want 'leads' that go nowhere. We think we can bring consumers and pros together without compromising anonymity and more importantly the integrity of the site. We will always be consumer-friendly, and in tune with what is important- building business relationships that will last.

2) We will generate revenue primarily from advertising. We will never charge consumers to register for the site. Professionals may have to pay a VERY small monthly fee to join. We chose to utilize advertising dollars as our main source of revenue for many reasons, most importantly it keeps costs to consumers down. Any 'lead generation' site creates revenue by taking money from the professionals that keep those sites running. Those professionals in turn build those lead costs into their pricing. Who wins in this situation? Certainly not the consumer. Other sites charge the consumer, and that is just silly. Why charge for free information? Advertisers will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and will be RELEVANT. No Dr. Pepper ads, or garbage/spam ads.

3) Moderation will be sparse. We are building a community here, and a welcoming one at that. We will try to censor as little as possible.

4) We will have a 'Featured Pro' section which will be an area dedicated to paying professionals who want to have a more prominent spot on the website. These professionals will be vetted heavily, only the cream of the crop will be considered for placement.

5) There have been a few concerns raised about privacy. As you can see from the profile options, you can be as public or private as you want. For professionals, it's probably a good idea to use your real name, and link to your personal website. For consumers, use a 'handle' and block your contact information if you choose- it is all up to you.

6) We hope this community becomes a place to discuss issues of the day, in any profession. A place where consumers can come to and ask questions, get answers, and learn something new. Because it is free for consumers, there's no reason to not join. It's simple, fun and easy to use. The site will only grow by word of mouth, we won't be advertising for quite some time. Help us grow by spreading the word.


Thank you for reading, keep the questions and comments coming in. We listen, I promise you that.

 
Jennifer Monastero
Master of Her Domain