It's not a new concept but it's new for GBA

I'm so grateful to be surrounded by so many people that share the same vision as I do. Lisa Bevan, our latest advisory board member add, has been "all in" since the beginning. And when I say "all in", her initiative is amazing. She quickly agreed to be a guest blogger, wrote an article for our first Trends & Tips magazine (which was rated one of the highest articles in the mag) and has helped me bring GBA's discussion forum to fruition. Thanks Lisa for all you do. I hope I can return the favors.

Yes, I said it - a discussion forum. I know, I know, there are many of them out there but hey, the more the merrier right? Sometimes. Here's my opinion, experience and general perception on discussion forums.

First, let me tell you that I stayed away from them for many years. When I first got involved in the greater gift basket community, it was many years ago. I jumped into a few forums as a guest and I really, honestly, didn't find it to be of value. And for those of you that know me, I spend my time in places where I can help others and I get value out of it. So, off I went. When I started GBA, I decided I better get back into the broader community if I was going to make GBA known.

I talked to several different people including Adriana of GB Exchange and liked her. I liked her concepts, her professionalism and the way the board was organized was very impressed. So, I joined. Then I found out about Basket Chat and joined that one too. Gary & Dorothy are wonderful people but after going through some attacks and turmoil on Basket Chat and some ridiculously juvenile behavior, I decided that I needed to do my own. I want the GBA community to have a sense of bonding as members and a discussion forum is the best place to do it. In addition to provided a central "bonding" location, I'm hoping that it will reduce some of my email traffic too and get some of these conversations in front of everyone, not just me. I get about 25-50 emails per week asking for my advice, direction and opinion on particular subjects. Just think - if you were to get more than just my opinion!

And in terms of my opinions of discussion boards, here they are...

1) DB's are great if you have good people participating. Ego's and competitiveness must be checked at the door. If you have dominate people in the DB and their "tone" isn't appropriate, the members won't be comfortable.

2) You have to be overly cautious with your language and the way you write things. It's hard for people to know you online so if you're sarcastic, people make not take it right.

3) People have different levels of experience. What worked for you ten years ago may not be appropriate now. You have to take advice from people for what its worth and not take it a concrete evidence.

Just three of my opinions. So here's the question I get regularly...should I be a member of all the boards or just one? Here's my advice:

1) Watch the amount of time you're spending. If you're spending too much time on them, you're losing money. You could be spending that time selling a gift basket. Get in and out. I personally only allow myself 30 minutes per day to hit the discussion boards I'm a member of...GB Exchange and Basket Chat. I just don't have time to be a member of all of them.

2) Know who the people are...if the people that are give advice have bad reputations, then why would you listen? Go to their website and decide if you like their style and business model. Find people to follow and partner with that you appreciate. Don't just assume that what everyone is saying is right. There are some bad people out there and its important that you qualify them first.

3) Participate. Give as much as you receive. Even if its just your opinion or experience. Share what you know and help others. Good things happen to good people.

....more to come...if you're a member of GBA, join GBA Talk now!