Search Engines

[Frank Talk Admin]

Guys,
When the site was brand new and only about 25 guys, we decided to keep the forums blocked from google, yahoo, dogpile (and 20 something others) search engines. The BOTS you see online are those search engines. They have just been reading the treatment pages. The fear was that the topic was so intimate that the guys did not want anybody to be able to trace them. As more than a year has passed, the site has grown 10X that and more guys join everyday.

This week I sat down with a marketing firm who hammered me about this decision. First, the information you guys type in, is exactly the wording that other guys will use to find help. Second, they say that this decision has practically hobbled growth and slowed it down to a trickle. Even though this site is doing VERY well (according to them) for a site just one year old, they say the message is too compelling to not let men find FrankTalk. We also need growth to attract underwriters (notice - NOT sponsors). Chat is not searchable, and never will be. It is not a web page. No one can ever see chat room talk, rest assured.

As a non-profit, we are now competing with many other charities for support and if we can prove that FrankTalk is making a difference, the help we get will be much greater.
I have spent the last day or so looking at the posts. There were few cases where I could determine someone's identity. But, there are some guys with nicks that are their name, or a nick they use on other sites. Would the guys who are nervous about exposure be willing to change their nicks? If it is changed, it is changed for all your posts that have ever been written.
The more men we get, the more experiences, help, and ideas we all get. There are also a lot of isolated men out there without the computer skills to dig deeply into search results to find FrankTalk. They need this place too.

Thoughts?
Paul

[jn1421]

What can I do to help?

[kbota53]

I never use a nick that would identify me. Then, I have the latitude to share personal information with whoever I choose to. So far, there are only 3 guys on this forum that know my name.

I would encourage you to open it up to the search engines. I'm often disappointed that this forum moves so slowly, with minimal responses to posts. FT is a great site, and were it not for Jeff, I would never have found it.

That's my two pennies.

[Brouwe16]

Internet marketing is the most effective answer to all your business goals. It is not that easy to get success and this is why you should be carefully hiring the team that knows how to create the successful custom made strategies. I had hired the social media marketing and seo company Los Angeles service. Very happy with the results.

[Mr stuby]

How did you find this sight. Signed Paul.
Was the question put to me. I thought well that's a silly question OK now I have an answer! Things and life can be a
two edged sword ya gota learn how to use it patience think it through
Mike

[GruffHunter]

GO PUBLIC. Your Marketing guy was right.

[handfulWES]

I have been a while in posting. Yes, I guess I have whatever it is that would identify me. Most people don't call me by the initials I have. This is a carry over from my military days. Oh, hell I really don't care. Had I cared that much I wouldn't have put them in anyway.
All my goal has ever been on FT was to try and help some other guy in this damn struggle men face each and every fucking day. For me it started when there was no NET OR HELP. I was going to say I couldn't tell you how I found this but I do now. I was researching something about implants and prostate glands and came across one of the sponsors of FT. It was thru that I discovered FT. This has been a salvation for me and once moved, I want to spend several hours daily working and making post. I feel as if I actually did blaze this trail getting an implant when doctors wouldn't do them unless you were over 60 or had a spinal cord injury. Starting with ED issues at 19 1/2 which was 1969 there was NOTHING.
I believe more men would find more help if FT were listed in some SEARCH ENGINE. From what I see here I believe our ADMIN has done a fine job. If they feel and I believe it would be good then lets go for it. If given the choice of changing my handle I doubt I would. If Admin feels I should I will change it. When I signed up I only have 2 other people who call me by my initials and both are very dear friends. One tells me I have split personality and on different days I have different names. Like I said, this was a carry over from the military. I only have one family member who might recognize it and I know what he would say "way to go....".
Admin I will leave it to you on my handle but I am just fine. I have gotten to know so many guys here, exchanging phone conversations and doing some on line video chatting so I am fine either way. I am a big boy and if somebody did recognize me so fucking what.
I don't mean to sound uncaring because I do care. I have been listed in a local hospital article on implants by the doctor who did my first 4 implants. I had a number of people tell me they read the article and YES, SOME WHERE WOMEN. I guess you gather I'm not to shy EXCEPT with a woman doctor doing a prostate exam on me. NO FUCKING WAY!! LOL Other than that one tiny hangup I am fine. That article did ring out and my buddy the doctor used me for a number of years to talk to many of his patients.
OH I MUST SHARE THIS: I had a guy who saw my post to Paul's request if you would be interested in allowing someone to see your implant, feel or whatever was needed. I said sure that I have done before. I have made a wonderful friend by this guy who sent me a PM wanting to talk. He wondered how I would feel if both he and his wife could actually see one that was live and breathing so to speak. I told him I would be happy to do so. I am not exactly sure how we will arrange this as we both may need to travel some. GUYS!!! This is the MEAT of FT. This is what it is all about. I believe this is the mission of FT to educate, allow a brother to lean on us and help them thru some tough situations. As I type my brain has jumped into overdrive. I bet I could write till the damn cows from China got here and never be able to give all the help you would receive from this site. I have visited other sights. They don't hold a candle stick to this. I just met a guy who is 20 years old with MS and his struggle has just started with ED issues. I want to make a post and find other guys with MS and trust I will get this guy on board. He is shy or was in the beginning and I may need to do the researching for him. The reason I mentioned this is I saw a video presentation by A FUCKING FAMOUS urologist in another state. I sent a request because his specialty was working with MS patients. This young man is concerned that he may never be able to have a kid and is already struggling with ED issues. I sent this FAMOUS doctor 2 emails. That was almost 10 months ago. He swore up and down he was willing to help anyone. THE POINT IS: (my famous line) FT gives far more info and accurate info I believe for individuals such as this kid. You know, it would be interesting to know just how many men have been helped by FT. I also believe there is thousands of guys UNDER 40 who need help and some may not realize the fact.

handfulWES

[bldoink]

You guys do realize that this is a zombie thread brought back to life by what appears to be a spammer.

[Frank Talk Admin]

This post is 9 years old.

Trust me we have come a long long way in the last nine years. At this point I think we had a couple hundred members, and it was just a site I had started mostly 4 prostate cancer patients. I think this post was part of the discussion whether to open it up to other guys who had Ed. How funny! It seems so laughable now. I think a doctor at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City had told me ED was a much bigger deal then just prostate cancer. I was still just a school teacher hear.

we hadn't even become a 501 c 3 nonprofit yet. Wow I should look at all those old posts it make me feel pretty good about how far we've come. Thanks for the trip down memory lane

[Quester]

I think the site should go public, I found the site from a post from a Peyronie’s site I find the threads and chatting with peers the guys who have done it been there what ever you want to call has helped me a lot being able to find the site in a general google search would have been very useful to me on my education and reducing my anxiety.

As far as someone knowing it’s me that information we can keep more or less private through PM and the chat room. As a fairly new member of the site I have picked my nickname as a personal choice I don’t think anyone would know who I am from it other than those I have told. The more men know they’re not alone the better we can get the medical care we do need without being embarrassed