Do you think there is a place for a freemium Q&A website?

I like the idea, but before you even tackle the challenge of educating people about this resource (which is huge), you have to ask a bigger question: How large do you think the market is for this type of exchange? How many entrepreneurs are asking these types of question and need help that only PHDs can provide? What are alternatives for these entrepreneurs to get this information today? How hard is it for them to do that today?

Seems like the use case is very narrow. Can you think of another use case that is a bit more broad but not as generic as Quora and Clarity?

Why only entrepreneurs? Why not let all professionals seek help in return to paid advise? Same is the case with PHDs. Why not go after all those who have an expertise in something? That brings me to the question, how are you going to be too different from Clarity itself? Do you have money to back you up?

I'm sorry to sound so critical but do think hard about what value you are genuinely offering before getting too firm with your idea. Nothing wrong in throwing open a website to test out your idea, but let it do just that - test your idea, nothing more.

Think about adding an academic angle to the whole thing by letting experts offer answers to burning questions out there and throw open these stock answers in the form of videos. Stringed together answers on a subject, and let people pay for something that is specific after they have liked the stock answer.

Don't wait. Go for it. The worst that can happen is that you fall short of your goal while learning a lot.

I am not trying to sell you on calling me. Really, I am pretty busy with my businesses and consulting. However, I need more info before I could have a greater impact in helping you.

Ask, Ask, Ask, then Ask again.

Bonus:
Here is $10,000 worth of information for free and in a nutshell.

Concentrate on the 3 M's. There are actually 7, but 3 will do for now. These are Market, Message, and Media. They come in that order.

Who is your target market (customer, clients, buyers, users, etc.)?
Tailor your laser focused message for this target market.
What is the best media mix to get your message to that market?

Here's what you do...first, make it an offer that is so incredible that they cannot resist. Secondly, do all the work for them. Make it so easy to make the purchase now that they can do it virtually without effort. Thirdly, give them an incentive to act right now. Fourthly, offer an almost unbelievable guarantee. Fifth, offer a bonus for acting now. There are many other incredible steps, but these steps should help the novice to the professional sell anything.

Whether you are selling B2B or B2C, you have to focus on selling to only one person. You can actually sell to one person at a time while selling to millions at a time. They are one and the same. Don't get off track, what we call digital marketing selling is just selling in print. And that has not changed since Cluade Hopkins wrote "Scientific Advertising." Really long before he wrote the book.

The secret to success: I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with some of the biggest names in business, celebrities, actors, entrepreneurs, business people, and companies from startup to billion dollar operations. The number one reason for their success is doing what they know and love while doing it in new, creative, and innovative ways.

Ask, Ask, Ask. Have thick skin and learn from each "mistake." In a short while, the market will tell you what you need to do and who and what you need to ask. But get started now even if that just means asking a contact on LinkedIn.

While you are thinking, think big and think of something at least 1% better, newer, or different. And being cheaper is not a winning strategy.

Make decisions quickly and change decisions slowly..unless you are actually going off a cliff.

Remember these two 11 letter words...persistence and consistency. They are two of the most important tools ever invented.

Treat everybody you talk to and everybody you meet (including yourself) like each is your number one million dollar customer.

Bootstrap when possible and reasonable. Read "How To Get Rich" by Felix Dennis. Or better yet just remember the camel's nose in the tent story.

However, sometimes you just need to make a deal.

Listen, in any business you have to take some chances and some risks. Make sure you don't need a license and go for it. Remember, timid business people have skinny kids. Paraphrased from Zig Ziglar.

Best of luck,
Take massive action and never give up.
Michael

Michael Irvin, MBA, RN