Myngle.com - is this a spam attempt to unseat ChinesePod?

jono_19

January 10, 2009, 01:54 PM posted in General Discussion

I received a msg from someone I don't know saying I can learn Chinese on www.myngle.com...

Don't know what you think but how can it compete with CP - and I think it is shameful this site is being used to promote their website.

Has anyone else received this msg?

I was NOT happy to read it!!

Jono

kencarroll

January 10, 2009, 02:02 PM

jono,

There's so many of these things out there now. I get spammed by them, too, which is a very bad way for them to build a brand name, if you think about it.

I agree Ken and meant to point this out myself.Spam puts me off so that I wouldn't do business with such a company [especially one trying to poach..not to mention I'm sure they wouldn't be as good anyway],but I suppose they're working on a numbers game.I can't see it working here though.You have an academic discerning following that won't be easily distracted from the best there is.Some people take a similar approach to dating and are happy with one acceptance amongst 99 rejections.

Purrfecdizzo

January 13, 2009, 08:15 PM

I received such a spam as well, and my reactions are similar to what has been stated above.

lechuan

January 13, 2009, 11:41 PM

Let them know what you think about their marketing strategy:

http://www.myngle.com/index/contact

chanelle77

January 14, 2009, 12:40 AM

Hi guys,
Also noticed this and then started thinking....Actually the idea behind it (private teacher on demand) is not that bad, although spamming here is absolutely not done. I googled them (it is a Dutch start-up company) and they won an innovation award for the idea. I guess the marketing strategy will not get any prize ;-). However, it is no real competition for Cpod at all and I think and it is equally bad to start spamming them back in return. . But, if they really like to get the idea out this bad, someone might just run with it….
Maybe something similar would be interesting to do here in the future. Something like a user based language “Ebay" where all levels (and sites) come together and users can offer / receive "free" help or practice speaking on Skype / VoIP real time. You could do this with native speakers / other levels etc. platform wide (Cpod / Epod / SpPod / DutchPod ). You could use / earn (Praxis) credit by using / helping fellow poddies. All poddies have at least one skill (their native language) in which they could offer help. So no one is left out.
Imagine the following: there is a similar tab on all pod sites: "speak now!" (or whatever). There you can see who is online and willing to practice the language of your choice. (In the profile or with little icons in the specific pod colour you could see skills and levels etc.).
Now, I am online and someone likes to practice Dutch (as if haha) and contacts me. I believe the world is a better place if more people speak Dutch and speak to him / her for 30 minutes (or another standard time) and earn x credits. Some point in time I want to practice Chinese, find a user and spend my x credit. That is the basic idea.
I think this could bring a new dimension to the community (even more interactive / on demand). It should be seen as complimentary. Do not get me wrong there are absolutely no complaints here: the community is fantastic as it is!

ceciliamyngle

January 26, 2009, 10:01 AM

Hello Jono,

I am Cecilia from Myngle and I would like to learn more about the "spam" you are talking about.

Which mail have you received? I can give you explanations about it and I would like to say that I am very sorry if you have felt spammed.

It is not Myngle's intention at all to spam.

Myngle is a different service from Chinese Pod and don't want to compete with it.

Please let me know, thank you very much

Cecilia

cecilia@myngle.com