(April 14, 2002)
This week's interview is with Christan, who runs many events for singles in New York City. She does a lot of web promotion and I thought she'd have some insight on how best to use the web to make some cash and, more importantly, how I can get with her best-looking girls.
Site: NetworkingGirl.com
Description: A site designed to inform people of parties, events, fundraisers, etc. and provide them with ways to meet new friends, business contacts, lovers, etc.
Webmaster Name: Christan
Webmaster E-mail: tessmgill@aol.com
Birth Date of Site: Aug. 1, 2001
Traffic Data: unknown ... 2,000 members, though
1. The first time I heard of NetworkingGirl.com, I thought it was a job site for lesbians. Must I have been drunk at the time?
Yes, because all of the other guys who sign on to my site think it is a website for hookers just because the phrase "working girl" is on the home page. I guess when they see "Join the mailing list and get discount on upcoming events" they think it means they get free blow jobs.
2. How much of your business is generated in online promotion?
The majority of my mailing list comes from word of mouth. But the success of my events is reliant on promoting them on other similar websites and in their newsletters. MurphFest.com, MurphGuide, NYCBP.com, MariaScoop.com ... all were huge contributors to me and helped me out. I'm very grateful. We all seem to be a little fraternity in a way, helping each other out and cheering each other on.
3. More importantly, has any promotion from PaulKatcher.com amounted to anything?
I have had 1 male subscriber due to PaulKatcher.com. Well, 2 but Paul himself doesn't count. I think the guys who read Paul's content and stories in my newsletters forward the messages to their friends, then they log on to the site and sign up.
4. Does anyone help you code, update or design the site, or is this a one-woman Net empire?
This sister is doing it for herself. It may not be pretty, but it's functional. I update it 2-3 times a week or so. I was sick over the summer and bored out of my mind and decided to check out all of the neat programs on my laptop. Microsoft Publisher was one of them. I wouldn't give up until I figured what the hell FTP Space was and published the pages I had created.
5. What do you find to be the most effective ways to promote your site?
Forwarded e-mails, 8minuteDating.com events, co-sponsoring events with bigger sites like MurphGuide.com or MariaScoop.com
6. Who's more likely to use the computer to search for love, men or women?
Men use it to search for sex; women use it to search for love. They'd be more successful if they searched for sex. I think women have high expectations in general; guys just want to get off. Ironically, if a woman uses it for sex, guys don't believe her and assume she's searching for love. Silly boys. We masturbate, too, you know. Stop thinking that you know what we are all about because, honestly, you 'd be amazed at the way we talk, think and act. We discuss sex in ways you wouldn't fathom, and we can go out and have emotionless sex far easier than you think.
7.What's the deal with 8minuteDating? Does it really work?
Yes, it really works. If I didn't believe that is was a viable way of meeting quality people, then I would not get behind it. Every event I host gets bigger and bigger, and my crowds end up hanging out til 11 or 12 o'clock. I've even seen a couple hanging out at their table from their last date making out. So that's the best advertising we could ask for. I'm constantly looking for new guys to try it out, so if you live in NYC, contact me and we'll talk. I keep getting repeat business from men so that should prove that the quality of women is fantastic — and they are. Some of the women are pretty hot! And guys are cool, too. Very sweet guys, most are boy next door cute, some down right gorgeous. There are a few more timid, shy ones, too. I've met 3 guys from these events that I've dated. There is always at least 2-3 guys at every event that I would be interested in dating.
8. There are two female 8minuteDating organizers in NYC. Any catfights?
Catfights? No. Headaches? Yes. I met the other event organizer about six months ago and one of the first things she said to me was how she hated men because her last boyfriend wouldn't leave his wife. That was my first red flag to stay away drom her. I've had to deal with tantrums and competitive B.S. Recently she threatened a bar in the city and said she would hold back on promoting their chef in an upcoming news special (she works for a news team here in NYC) if they let me host an 8MD event at their venue. Seems she was pissed that they came to me instead of her to host an event. Whatever, I got tired of Melrose Place-like dramas in 1997. I've been really lucky how certain sponsors have attached themselves to my events. Bacardi, Smirnoff, New York Sports Clubs, Harper Collins. The way I see it, if people are going to pay $28.88 to come to these events, I want them to get their moneys's worth — free drinks, free food, free gifts, whatever. If you pay money there should be a return on investment somehow.
9. List three web sites you couldn't do without.
PaulKatcher.com
CNN.com
MurphGuide.com
10. Has the e-mail address replaced the phone number as the new "digits" people look to score from a hottie at a bar?
Yes, absolutely. No one likes getting incessant phone calls from someone they met at a bar. It's easier to hide or avoid someone when you use your computer to communicate or hook up. Plus, e-mail is less invasive — and far safer. You also get a chance to get to know someone through their writing and get a sense of who they are.
11. PaulKatcher.com is updated every Sunday night. How often do you visit?
Every Sunday and whenever I create my e-mail newsletter, which is 2-3 times a week. I always include content from Paul's site because I like to give the guys something to read and want to keep them interested. I mean, how many times can they hear about 8minuteDating or happy hours? Plus, it wouldn't hurt for women to see this stuff and have something to talk about when they are out at happy hour.
Paul's content gets the highest click rate out of all of my articles in my newsletters.
12. Do you have any tales of success/failure using an Internet dating site/service?
Lord, yes, on both counts. It's too easy for someone to hide behind a computer, plus it seriously hinders their social skills. I tried the online thing, even met my current "special friend" there after five months of being friends, but I wouldn't recommend it. Dating online is a bit sketchy, which was why I started creating and advertising events. I wanted to give single people places to go and things to do so that they can meet someone. I also wanted to put a new spin on "singles events" and make them cool, more accepted. Everyone gets these ideas of wall-to-wall losers, guys with pocket protectors, girls with baggy pantyhose talking about their cats, or worse. These events are cool, they're fun. And the people are attractive, normal. successful people. They're there to party, and they happen to be single. I get a kick out of watching people make out at the bar or in the darkly lit corners. Loneliness SUCKS. I've been there and have first-hand experience in the whole "what's wrong with me?" bullshit. I like the idea of hooking people up, or facilitating the hookup. Making someone else happy, or less alone, makes me happy. Maybe it fills a need within myself. And, hey, if they can get laid out of it, all the better. Love the one you're with, baby.
13. If me, Ouchy the Clown, Jared from Subway, Richard "Little Hercules" Sandrak and Scotty Schwartz all showed up at one of your parties, who would get the hottest babe?
Paul Katcher, definitely. I even propositioned Paul and he turned me down. Go figure.
14. How does one get on your list of singles events in New York City?
E-mail me at tessmgill@aol.com and tell me you want to join the list. Or go to NetworkingGirl.com.
Thanks to Christan for being so candid. It's nice to hear from someone who hangs with single women more often than all my friends combined. Most men I talk to think that 100% of women are clinically insane, but it's clear to me now that the number might be as low as 96.1%.
Now Christan, would you please find me a hot, smart, independent, creative, musically inclined funny girl who enjoys reading, writing, video games, the Yankees and oral sex? Is that too much to ask?
Want to be interviewed? E-mail Paul.
