The
Interview
Quikonnex
An Exclusive Interview With Jim Gray (co-founder)
So, let's dive right in....
1. What is Quikonnex, and how does it work?
- Quikonnex is a communications system based around the technologies of weblogging, RSS (Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication), coupled with our own private messaging system. We have also added our own web-based newsreader that enables subscribers to our channels (our name for RSS feeds) to be apprised of updates and new messages without the need to install or download an application.
2. Who and what are you targeting with Quikonnex?
- Our target market is the writer that produces regular and quality content, the newsletter publisher that either produces their own content or publishes articles written by other writers. Any business that needs to get out regular and reliable updates to their customer base (typically those with products where the customer wants to be apprised of updates) can use Quikonnex, companies that have many affiliates, distributors, or members and need to train and educate them on their products and services or are providing membership based information.
3. Can you describe the benefits? (WIIFM) for the publisher
- This is a 100% opt-in system whereas the publisher cannot be accused of spamming
- Email does this as well, how does this differ?
- List management is eliminated, as there is no need to manage bounce-backs, unsubscribe requests, or double opt-in processes
- How does the publisher promote his or her channel to prospects without e-mail?
- The publisher does not need to worry about whether their subscriber’s email program will accept HTML or text only messages
- There is no need to install or maintain email list management software or pay an email service to deliver newsletters
- The publisher can know exactly how many subscribers they have and whether their information is being seen and read.
- How So?
- It is a time saver because the publisher does not need to do any special formatting for delivery of information and they can add news and schedule it to be available at specific times and dates.
- Can a publisher access to the channels from anywhere? Example: the publisher is out of town at a seminar and forgot to send or schedule his newsletter release.
- Yes, from any PC connected to the internet.
- Can the information be stored?
- Publishing a channel is easy and requires no special skills.
- New publishers will not lose great first articles; the Quikonnex system maintains an archive of all articles published so even the newest subscriber can access the oldest article.
- Publishing via a channel helps a publisher in their search engine rankings. Email cannot be searched, but an RSS feed can.
- Can you expound on this? Readers will definitely want to know about it.
For the subscriber to the publisher
- Through our private messaging system and commenting system, the subscriber can provide real time feedback to a publisher on any information they have read.
- Also, I have noticed that you can post comments on articles and receive feedback on them as well, sort of like a thread. Can you get notices on this?
- The subscriber and publisher relationship is much closer as the publisher needs to deliver relevant content to the subscriber and the subscriber really wants to read what the publisher makes available.
For the subscriber in general
- The subscriber has 100% control over what they read. If a publisher stops producing quality information, the unsubscription process is as each as changing the channel on your TV.
- How? Is it the same process as unsubscribing through e-mail ?
- If the subscriber chooses, they can remain 100% anonymous when the read the publishers information. By using one of the many RSS reader programs available they can subscribe without revealing any information to the publisher.
- Interesting point. How does this happen?
- The QuikView Web-based program, though, is recommended as it establishes the relationship between subscriber and publisher. Very little information is shared with the publisher, but since the subscriber is not just an IP address, the publisher is encouraged to keep producing quality material.
- Very interesting point. What information is released to the publisher?
- The information produced by Quikonnex publishers is safe. Since they are all paying members of Quikonnex, there’s a relationship established that prevents them from delivering information to any subscriber that could cause harm to their computers.
4. You believe that the current email system is dead.
- Why?
- It is not dead, but it is severely injured and without a major overhaul will die soon. 99% of the email I receive these days is junk. It is almost a complete waste of time to check it anymore. However, since there is still the 1% that I need to get, I still check it. What I am finding, though, is that because the good email is hidden in all the junk that I am deleting legitimate email messages. It is difficult to scan message subjects and pick out the real ones.
- Can Quikonnex be considered a real and viable alternative to e-mail, as a method of mass communication?
- What would be the main similarities and main differences?
- What should the publisher be aware of?
- The email publisher needs to recognize that their business is at serious risk. The current anti-spam processes can cause a publisher to lose their ISP and their websites simply due to a forgetful subscriber who forwards their newsletter through anti-spam services. There is no assurance that any of their email is really being delivered. The trend is that in order to get email delivered, publishers will need to pay bonds to organizations such as Ironport, Microsoft’s Bonded Sender program, or Habeas.
- The large service providers have already started to block email from domains that they arbitrarily place on their blocking lists. The day is coming where AOL users will only be able to receive email from other AOL users.
- What should the consumer be aware of?
- Email is the main source of all viruses received on the Internet. Spam filters and anti-Spam companies have been and will continue to be ineffective at stopping spam or the delivery of pornography to your computer. Legitimate email will not be delivered and the consumer may never know. Receipt of information via an RSS feed is reliable and safe.
In addition, since, the consumer is in the driver’s seat, the information that received will be of a higher quality than that delivered by email.
5. How do I become a publisher in Quikonnex?
-
What is the process?
- First, a prospective publisher has to become a member of Quikonnex. After that, all they need to do is click on an Upgrade link and pay for their membership with either PayPal or 2Checkout.
- How long does it take?
- Once payment is received, the Quikonnex system automatically creates the publisher’s channel and when they access the Channel Manager link in the Member’s Area their new channel will be there ready to use. It takes just a few minutes.
- What is the learning curve with Quikonnex for the average publisher?
- It is recommended that the new publisher take about 30 minutes to read the “Getting Started” material in the Member’s area. However, a new publisher could start adding new information into their channel within minutes, especially, if they have previously been a subscriber to one of our other publisher’s channels and have a visual picture of how it is being done. The biggest challenge with a new publisher is getting out of the mindset of email delivery. Some new publishers have a tendency to take their existing email based newsletter and just paste it into the Quikonnex system without any modification. That is not an effective way to use our system.
- Good point. So, Quikonnex has a way of creating the newsletter within the system?
We've gotta leave it there folks ! 
To read the concluding part of our exclusive interview with Jim Gray please watch your inbox for the July 15th issue of the Biz Tool Review.....
Warm regards,
Rory Mac
