Chat Part Two: I've linked a public chat area off my web site.
I continue to believe a public chat is a valuable way for us to try out new 90Minds members without giving them access to all of Socialcast (and our prior messages) until we know for sure that they'll have some longevity and we're able to discuss their membership.
I'm using Campfire Chat -- which I have as a free component of my 37 Signals Suite (Basecamp).
I tried Skype group chat and unfortunately the interface on my computers is just too cumbersome (I'm on a Mac).
Ideally the way this works is:
Login to the chat via web when you're in the office (if you want me to setup an account for you - leave your email in the comments here).
People can also join via public links that do not require any registration (
https://mas90guru.campfirenow.com/eb906 ) - therefore everything in the room is public and open for viewing by anyone with an account (people who join via the public link can ask questions and reply - but without registering cannot see history -- only items from when they are actually in the room).
There's three reasons for chat:
a. It's a recruiting tool for 90Minds
b. It's a live off-shoot of our Ask90Minds project - just another way for those so inclined to get a quick connect to a consultant.
c. It's great PR for our 90 Minds group. It's another way to sell the capabilities of group membership and to prospects.
There's normally NOTHING going on -- the chat is an informal way to ask a quick question of another member who happens to be online at the same time.
Do not visit chat and expect to be entertained or to discuss the latest episode of Jersey Shore.
Do visit chat if you are willing to keep the browser tab open on your desktop and reply/participate in the one or two technical questions that arise during the day.
Since the chat shows people logged in -- we have some idea of who is around and available for questions (versus Socialcast which doesn't show who may be online at any given time). (Note: Yes, Skype does this as well but as I noted - group chat for me on Skype is just a huge mess).
If you would like an account setup so you can participate just let me know the email address you would like to have added.
This is also NOT a way for us to provide FREE quick question type support to random web visitors.
I fully expect that leads and prospects will be recommended to enter into a paid engagement as opposed to receiving free support in the chat area.