Allen Stern – CloudContacts/CenterNetworks Founder- Interview

Posted by Tom Blue on November 9, 2009 under Companies, Executives, Profiles | Be the First to Comment

editor1 Allen Stern is the owner/founder of CenterNetworks and CloudContacts. CenterNetworks is a blog focused on internet news, reviews, interviews and conference coverage.  CloudContacts takes your business cards and converts them into usable technology files for importing into Outlook, Salesforce, etc.  He is a bootstrapped entrepreneur so I decided to ask him questions about how he multi-tasks in between his businesses.

1. I see you have 2 companies, what do each of them do?
I run a variety of blogs – CenterNetworks, InsideTransit and HTMLCenter.
HTMLCenter started in 1996 and in the late 90s was one of the most
popular HTML help sites. In late 2008 I launched CloudContacts which
provides a business card scanning and transcription service and allows
people to connect with their contacts on a variety of chat, business and
social networks. I also provide some consulting services although I’ve
had to turn down several jobs to focus on CloudContacts (turning down
work absolutely kills me).
2. On the average week, what percentage of time is spent on
CloudContacts and what percentage of time on CenterNetworks?
Each week more time is being devoted to CloudContacts. As of now I would
guess the split is somewhere around 85% CloudContacts and 15% on the
other blogs including CenterNetworks
3. What are your biggest challenges between these 2 companies?
Splitting my time is the biggest challenge today. I enjoy working on all
of the projects I am currently involved in.
4. Which marketing tactics/strategies have produced the most readers/subscribers for your blog/company? Any new and innovative strategy that has really increased your business?
The most important advice I can provide is to get out from behind the
desk and get out into the community — both online and offline. Writing
content on your own blog is great — the key is to get out and interact
with the community. Leave comments on other blogs and make sure you note
your full name and URL in the appropriate boxes. Never spam other blogs,
instead provide valuable content. Once in a while a person will click on
your link and over time you will build an audience.
5. How long has CenterNetworks been in business?
The original form of CenterNetworks began in 1998 and the current form
of CenterNetworks began as a blog in late 2006.
6. Do you sell your own advertising on CenterNetworks?
To be honest I haven’t spent much time on sales for CenterNetworks and
the other blogs over the past couple of months. As a result the in-house
ad sales are lower than previous months. Naturally the goal is to sell
all of the slots in-house but that rarely happens for any blog. I would
guess that currently the split is somewhere around 35% in-house sales
and 65% ad networks. It’s important to note that some part of the 65% is
also direct ad sales through the ad networks and the balance are remnant
ads.
7. How much do you expect to grow/lose this year in revenues?
I would guess that the websites will generate about the same income as
in 2008.

1. I see you have 2 companies, what do each of them do?

I run a variety of blogs – CenterNetworks, InsideTransit and HTMLCenter. HTMLCenter started in 1996 and in the late 90s was one of the most popular HTML help sites. In late 2008 I launched CloudContacts which provides a business card scanning and transcription service and allows people to connect with their contacts on a variety of chat, business and social networks. I also provide some consulting services although I’ve had to turn down several jobs to focus on CloudContacts (turning down work absolutely kills me).

2. On the average week, what percentage of time is spent on CloudContacts and what percentage of time on CenterNetworks?

Each week more time is being devoted to CloudContacts. As of now I would guess the split is somewhere around 85% CloudContacts and 15% on the other blogs including CenterNetworks

3. What are your biggest challenges between these 2 companies?

Splitting my time is the biggest challenge today. I enjoy working on all of the projects I am currently involved in.

4. Which marketing tactics/strategies have produced the most readers/subscribers for your blog/company? Any new and innovative strategy that has really increased your business?

The most important advice I can provide is to get out from behind the desk and get out into the community — both online and offline. Writing content on your own blog is great — the key is to get out and interact with the community. Leave comments on other blogs and make sure you note your full name and URL in the appropriate boxes. Never spam other blogs, instead provide valuable content. Once in a while a person will click on your link and over time you will build an audience.

5. How long has CenterNetworks been in business?

The original form of CenterNetworks began in 1998 and the current form of CenterNetworks began as a blog in late 2006.

6. Do you sell your own advertising on CenterNetworks?

To be honest I haven’t spent much time on sales for CenterNetworks and the other blogs over the past couple of months. As a result the in-house ad sales are lower than previous months. Naturally the goal is to sell all of the slots in-house but that rarely happens for any blog. I would guess that currently the split is somewhere around 35% in-house sales and 65% ad networks. It’s important to note that some part of the 65% is also direct ad sales through the ad networks and the balance are remnant ads.

7. How much do you expect to grow/lose this year in revenues?

I would guess that the websites will generate about the same income as in 2008.

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