A new project: Myzone.co.za

Eve Dmochowska    Just for fun, Startups     MyZone

I’ve got a new project! It’s a “Who’s who in SA” portal, and I’ll give you more info shortly. First I thought I’d share how the project came about. It’s rather unconventional.

Some of you may have heard that I recently came second in the global MIT startup pitch. So not only do I have a pretty cool idea for an online startup, but I also have proof that I am not the only one who thinks so. Now I need to get it off the ground asap, and launch. It’s.A.Big.Project. Even though I was offered access to funding at the MIT event, I opted to take it to launch phase out of my own pocket. In order to raise some more money, I wanted to sell a domain I had had for eons: myzone.co.za.

Personally, I think it’s an awesome domain even if its history is slightly tainted (it was a startup in its previous life, and shut down from one day to the next, with salaries unpaid etc. Although the investors bailed, I managed to keep the domain). Anyway, since I think its an awesome domain, I thought it was worth some money. Apparently, I was wrong. I contacted two major players in the online space who could really work with the domain (you figure them out), but their offer wasn’t really exciting at all.

So I decided to leave it, and carry on focussing on the startup. But then, in a moment of some madness, I figured that the domain would be perfect as a “consolidating” site for SAfricans’ online presences. So I set it up quickly, and managed to build a revenue model in as well. So there you have it.

At first glance, MyZone.co.za looks like another social network, but I assure you it is not. Although it has the functions of a social network (you can befriend people, etc) it’s real value lies in the fact that it isn’t a social network at its core. What it is is a place for you to create a profile, and add links to all your other online spaces (facebook, twitter, linkedin,etc. More will be added as they are suggested). This, I know, is hardly original. What makes it unique though is exactly what makes Zoopy.com unique: it is targeted at the South African audience.

So in theory, if I market it properly, in time it should become the primary place to have yourself “checked out” by other South Africans: the ones most likely to hire you. You meet someone at a conference and want to learn more about them? Look them up on MyZone, where the info will be presented in a local context. And since users can post their skills, if you are looking for an Architect in your city, you could in theory (eventually) search for one on MyZone.co.za, see his links to his other online spaces and read the recommendations others have given him.

In other words, it’s a marketing site for You. I was toying with the tagline of “The best business card you will ever have“.

Btw, if you are asking what the point of this is since you already have your own website, you are missing the point that most people will never have a website of their own, but that they still deserve to have a professional online presence.

Someone asked me today why they need to be on MyZone if they are already on three other social networks. My answer: “You need to be on MyZone BECAUSE you are on three other social networks.” You need to give others the opportunity to explore all your online spaces, if they are interested.

So, I present you with MyZone.co.za. Please join. Spread the word and all that good stuff. See you there!

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