MerchantCircle Video - Enabling Local Businesses Online

Check out Ben talk about everything from "Enabling merchants online" to "Competing with the Big Guys" all the way to "Tools and Features of MerchantCircle".

Merchant Blogging

A few months ago we released the ability for our merchants to blog. Ok, I am the first to admit that when this idea came up, I said it was nuts. For me, the guys at Ben’s BBQ in Fairhope, Al are never going to figure out how to blog.

(No shot at Bubba at who owns Ben’s, he is a very smart man who prints money in addition to making some of the best BBQ in the south)

Well, I was wrong. 30% of our merchants are blogging. I don’t think they think of it as the traditional internet crowd’s definition of blogging. Merchants see it as communicating with the local consumers they want to talk to. When you look at it this way, it is a natural behavior. If you look at the most successful local merchants you will find their core skill set is communicating and connecting with local consumers. It is what they do. They communicate, they listen and they bring value to their consumers. The idea that they are going to use a modern idea like blogging is not so surprising when you look at how close it is to a core skill they already have: communicating. In fact if you look at the local merchants who write “real estate corners” or “how to landscape tips” for their local paper, this is really the same thing.

The interesting thing is that blogging drives more traffic and visibility, more of a customer connection and more of a powerful impression for local merchants. The merchants who have done it are seeing an immediate response and then blogging even more. So my suggestion for all our new merchants is to try it. Try it for 5 minutes every 2 days for 3 weeks and you will see a result.

How about this, if you don’t; I will buy you a 6 pack (Budweiser or Pepsi). Shoot me a note with what you tried and how it did not work and I will have it delivered.


Take a look at some of the chatter going around in a couple neighborhoods (Scotts Valley CA, Fairhope AL, Boulder CO)

Now on a side note, I want to know how California could possibly need 2001 Starbucks, I bet that is more Starbucks than we have elementary schools. They are everywhere. There are 2 of them in just Scotts Valley alone. Maybe we could all use a few more local shops like the Coffee Cat and few less Starbucks.


For more on blogging visit my in depth podcast on blogging benefits.

thanks,
Ben

Spoke

The company I founded a couple of years ago with a bunch of great guys just released a new version. Wayne who put MerchantCircle together with me was on the Advisory board at Spoke. It is really a tremendous improvement and finally shows a recognition of the new to provide value to the free user. You can sign up for free and get access to over 30M people. I expect to see some interesting further changes at the company.

Hell, it even has roundy corners. This is clearly now a web 2.0 company. If you want access and want to Kill the Cold Call, you can try this and experience what we have been talking about since 2002. It is great to see the CEO grabbing ahold of the Kill the Cold Call messaging we laid out in 2003.

best regards,
Ben

Merchant Protection

Recently we've had a few more people ask about the specifics of our fraud measures. In response, I figured I'd list our steps on suspicious accounts for all to see.

As of now we rely on random samplings and the policing of MerchantCircle from both ourselves and our community.

When sent inquires the following steps include:

1. A source verify on Name, Business Name, Phone, Email, Website, and Address. We make sure that these values check with the person claiming the company (ie. for a bank listing - is the phone number and address associated with an actual bank location?).

2. If the source verify turns out fuzzy or still leaves questions, we then proceed with a contact. We begin with an email for clarification and a request for confirmation. We specifically ask to speak with the owner to confirm the listing and in extreme cases will ask for identifiable proof of business (ie. name attached to business mailing or billing).

3. Overall, if the listing still seems incorrect, we do have the right to freeze or terminate the suspected account and will pursue this course for the better interest of our community.

I hope this better sheds some light into what we do.

Merchant safety is among our top priorities.

best regards,
Ryan

Merchant Activities

I like to see what our merchants are up too so I often scour through our many listings to take a look at what's new and interesting. Check out some of these excellent merchant pages being created.

All American Gutter
Majestic Art Gallery
Cordova Wellness Center
Blonde Bear Bed and Breakfast

Great stuff guys!

Among these, I also ran across AnnaBelle's Bakery in Dayton, Kentucky and apparently she is having her Grand Opening tomorrow - May 20th 2006! This is definitely a first for MerchantCircle and we welcome her advertisement on our site. It goes to show yet another way to get the word out and to bring the power of the Local Internet to local businesses.

This is excellent news and I wish you the best! Definitely keep us all posted on your happenings.

best regards,
Ryan

More on MerchantCircle

Another great MerchantCircle Interview by Chris Tolles of Next Stuff Now. Chairman and Co-Founder Ben Smith speaks again on MerchantCircle and our value to local merchants.

Highlights:

* The start of MerchantCircle
* A Yellow Page Alternative
* Helping local businesses bring real customers through their door

click here to listen

cheers,
Ryan

MerchantCircle Interview

Our chairman Ben Smith was recently featured on Ad-Tech Radio with Susan Bratton.

Listen to what MerchantCircle is about in our own words!

Highlights:

* Bringing local customers to local merchants.
* How can we help consumers to find the best local deals online.
* Networking on MerchantCircle.
* Creating deals and coupons online.
* Leveraging the web to better suit local merchants.

click here to listen


Thanks,
Ryan