The blogosphere has renewed some debates that we had back when we were 82ASK. One persistent question is who are the Texperts (are they really experts or just people using Google)? And another is, why would I pay a quid for something I could probably dig up on Google?
Rob Gale raises these issues in his ace blog A Welsh View, and in a previous blog, we detailed some other skeptical reactions. These questions are actually driving forces behind our re-branding and the focus on our people. The Texperts definately aren’t “Google-monkeys” - they’re specially trained and are hired on the basis of their skills. Many are PhD students, professionals, and people who work in creative industries.
In terms of the information we provide being worth £1, our promise is “if you’re not impressed, the next one is free.” But we’re really focusing on being useful to people in key situations. As Tech Digest reports in their recent coverage of our re-branding:
“You might think services like this are for novelty value only, or at best a way to ensure you hang onto your pub-quiz champion status.
But Texperts reckons an increasing number of its incoming questions concern practical, useful information like directory enquiries, travel timetables, restaurant information and requests for directions.
Serving this demand takes a service like Texperts away from being a pure novelty, and into the area of being a competitor for mobile search services like Google. The theory: messaging is more intuitive to most mobile users than firing up their mobile internet browser. They may have a point, too - although if you’re on a flat-rate data tariff, the latter is free.”
Our thinking is that the information might not necessarily be worth a pound, but the situation, timing, and delivery mechanism adds that value. Or as Helen Keegan of BeepMarketing very kindly summarises: “I really like their style and at a £1 or less a pop, it’s a bargain time and stress-saver.” Cheers Helen!
