Learning

I’m pretty excited right now. And pretty nervous. We are getting ready to launch the Public Beta version of the site a week from today…and there is a lot to do yet.

As we continue to get feedback from our test users (thank You, thank You, thank You), I have started to re-think a few things before the world gets its hands on the service. All right, fine, I’ve started re-thinking everything; from site copy to pricing options and affiliate models to streaming choices. Today’s article in the NYT about streaming caused me to over think things even more, if that’s possible.

But that’s what you do when you put so much of yourself into something, isn’t it? When you’re so passionate about it and believe it in the way I do about beYOU.tv. You keep wondering if it’s good enough, how can I make it better, did I make the right choices, will others “get it”, how will they use it?

It’s also what you do when decisions are being made at Web 2.0 speed, based on what you know at a particular moment in time. So now that the launch is pending, we have to ask, were the choices made in the best interest of our consumers? Are there new competitors? Better technology options? How has the landscape changed? How do we need to respond?

Kareem, Sean and I recently made a trip to San Diego where we debuted the closed beta version of the site at the 2007 IDEA Show. IDEA is the world’s leading health and fitness membership organization with nearly 21,000 health and fitness professionals. This was our first presentation to the fitness community, which brought more questions. What would they think? Would they want to work with us? How would they use it?

The response far exceeded our best expectations. The brand, the concept, the service and our festive booth were very well received, to say the least. We got the answers to some of our questions, and identified some revenue streams that had not occurred to us before. We made great contacts, and are now in negotiations with 14 new content producers as a result of the show, most all of who approached us!

We especially want to thank Scott Cole, one of our celebrity instructors, who spent time with us at the booth and introduced us to some top-notch fitness gurus that we can’t wait to start working with!

So all of that should make me pretty happy, right? I should be sleeping better at night, no? Well, I did that night at least.

At beYOU.tv, we live by 4 words – live – learn – give - grow. We’re about finding fulfillment, not seeking perfection. Something I need to remind myself of from time to time. So over the next few months (and years for that matter), with the help of You, we’ll continue to learn ways to make the service better with each new release. We’re already working on Your Community section. We’ll work hard to give You all that you ask for.

But most of all, we look forward to growing with You to live more fulfilling lives!

Thanks for being You!
Bob