YourLocalAuction.com founders, Tim and Pam Hoke review their inital sites.
Free, local online marketplaces opened as creative solution to boost economy and morale.
Something new has come to the global marketplace that could prove to stimulate the economy and American morale - an online concept has been created where everyone call sell, bid, buy, network, donate or raise funds locally and free. An entrepreneurial couple wishing to bring hope to our nation and beyond for 2008, has created something that can potentially solve several economic woes, boost morale, and address many current issues within the global cyber-marketplace. Tim and Pam Hoke, who have owned and run their own branding and web design companies for over 10 years, have just opened 20 localized auction sites in key areas to start a new-age idea of connecting communities on a local scale that’s affordable -they’re free. These sites are ready for local residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations to simply register completely free and start spreading the word to their neighbors about what they have to offer or need. The concept, based from parent portal, www.yourlocalauction.com, is driven to connect communities everywhere through a perfect combination of the features of popular eBay.com and CraigsList.com, yet brings a unique localized community spirit and provides a free service to communities, with supportive ideas for local residents, businesses, and charities – such as additional community message board, wanted items postings, along with specific Charity, Real Estate, and even Political sections. The business model relies on the larger business sector to support the sites while experiencing the image benefits of directly supporting their community with affordable and trackable advertising packages.
Because the sites are local and free, anyone in their area can put up just about anything for sale without being tied to insertion fees, end-sale fees, or subject to theft or fraud through the feedback feature and privacy policies in place. The site is ideal for larger items such as homes, rentals, boats, cars, and furniture that potential buyers want to "touch before they buy". The sites eliminate many buyer and seller aggravations and costs from current online marketplaces or traditional methods, or, getting lost in the masses of global power sellers, all while saving time and money. The full circle effect to communities really clicks in with the message board, wanted items post, and Political and Charities sections. All verified non-profit fundraising efforts have free instant ability for donation buttons, event tickets sales, volunteer opportunities, continuous auction fundraising, with introduction pages provided free upon request to increase awareness to the community they serve.
“We are striving to educate what this really stands for and how it will impact the global marketplace. We have a solution that utilizes our age of technology to connect communities, boost morale regarding our economic situation, assist struggling homeowners, businesses, charities, grassroots and political campaigns, and even increase our efforts to improve our environmental habits by doing more business online,” states Chief Developer and owner of Syntheweb, Tim Hoke. “We have become overwhelmed by the vastness and complexity of global marketplaces and the large cost and environmental consumption of print communications, are financially stressed, and have become leary of anything being offered free online these days without catches, spam aggravation, online theft and fraud. That is why Pam and I made the sites local and free, and placed strict philanthropy and privacy guarantees, with procedures in place to monitor the sites constantly for inappropriate content and potential fraud.” The husband-wife team is driven to make a difference, and believe they have found a way to help ease the difficulties faced in 2008, focusing on their home country first. “The American spirit has always been based on being neighborly, and coming up with creatives solutions together,” states Hoke, “so here we are, just doing what Americans do.” Since the business model relies on businesses to step up to support it through innovative, affordable and trackable advertising opportunities, The Hoke’s are currently accepting limited banner advertisers,interviewing top supporters to be the bearer of the gift to their area, and possible media partners for each area. Each area site will only accept a limited amount of advertisers, so as to preserve the neighborly brand created, therefore local businesses are being encouraged to respond quickly. Requests from community residents and business leaders for their area sites to be opened are encouraged, and the Hoke’s simply ask everyone to embrace the idea by simply using it and sending feedback. The idea is designed to be a positive solution where everyone in the community in which they live wins.
“The concept is an entrepreneurial home run,” states John T. Williams, former President of Huntington Mortgage of the Midwest, “and promises a particularly large boost to the real estate industry. This powerful husband-wife team has proven that even the simplest concept can have a huge impact and bring hope in the midst of adversity.”
“This truly is a place where everyone wins, and it is going to change how local residents, businesses and non-profit organizations communicate and connect,” states Pam Hoke, co-founder and brand strategist. “The benefits are endless, and creative ways to utilize the service for good come to our minds daily; we can’t wait to hear what the rest of world says! We are counting on feedback to help us mold the sites into the ideal vision. It’s exciting that anyone will be able to sell or buy items or services, donate to or purchase items or tickets from participating charities or non-profits, and post items or services they are seeking completely free. Local residents can have a virtual yard sale and post items they are seeking, or even seek employment or second jobs. Local businesses have instant ability to sell their products or services locally and advertise affordably if desired. Realtors, Commercial Brokers and Homeowners can place their properties up for sale, rent or lease completely free, with detailed listing information and photos. Local Charities and non-profits can access internet fundraising while increasing community support and awareness instantly. Politicians can place their donation buttons with awareness statements to target areas with option to advertise. Travelers, relatives, or second-homeowners can stay in touch with their family’s areas, favorite businesses or charities from afar. Even more exciting, is the ability for larger companies to directly connect with communities through an innovative, interactive, more personal grassroots approach that’s affordable, while effectively tracking online response rates with click for coupon offer plans and more. And, there is the thrill that this is a way to begin a green-friendly option to excessive printed materials by all.”
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To view a list of current areas opened, learn more about the concept, investigate business opportunities, or request to have your area site be opened, visit www.yourlocalauction.com, e-mail pr@yourlocalauction.com or, call 1-866-LOCAL-
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
