Thursday, June 14, 2007

Solve the puzzle - GenealogyPays!

I rarely get press releases from anybody - but I got this one from Dan Lynch about http://www.genealogypays.com/. The press release says:

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New Genealogy Site Offers $30,000 Cash Prize
And Free Features for Genealogical Societies


Trumbull, CT – 14 June 2007 – Organizations serving a growing worldwide interest in genealogy and family history will get a unique boost in their sustained online marketing efforts today as Mattatuck Consulting launches
www.GenealogyPays.com – a new service designed to connect family historians with products, services, events, and destinations relating directly to their ancestral pursuits.

The site is free to consumers and features a series of genealogy challenge puzzles, one of which carries a prize payout up to $30,000. This unique puzzle will award half the prize payout to one winning entrant, with an equal amount paid to a genealogical society selected by the winning entrant from among those organizations registered on the site. All genealogy and local history societies are eligible to register at no cost. Featured sponsors pay to participate in the challenge puzzle which officially begins on 01 July 2007.

“We’re excited to launch this innovative and fun site,” said Mattatuck co-founder, Dan Lynch. “During the last four years, we’ve helped increase online visibility for hundreds of products and services.
GenealogyPays.com provides a sustained effort enabling even the smallest organization to bring cost-effective and qualified online visibility to their offering.”

A recognized expert in online marketing, Lynch is also a professional genealogist and has developed marketing and business development strategies for some of the most notable organizations in the genealogy market. London-based FindMyPast.com, a Mattatuck client since early 2006, is among a group who joined as sponsors during the pre-launch phase.

“We think this is a brilliant idea and were quick to join as sponsors,” noted Elaine Collins, commercial director for Title Research Group, Ltd., parent company of FindMyPast.com. “Dan has an extraordinary understanding of online marketing techniques, as well as the genealogy market in general and we’re confident this new service will help bring visibility to our offering during the upcoming year.”

Each year, organizations dedicate significant time, money, and personnel to participate in one or more genealogy trade shows – all in the hopes of meeting potential new customers. GenealogyPays.com provides this same opportunity in a virtual setting, but with the added benefits of a worldwide audience, round-the-clock availability, and cost effective participation. By building a bridge between consumers and the organizations hoping to serve them, GenealogyPays hopes to become a central meeting place for “all things genealogy”.

Although the official launch date is still two weeks away, the site is live and accepting free registrations both from users and the organizations they belong to. A free
genealogy events calendar highlights a range of upcoming even – everything from seminars to cruises.

“All societies, clubs, family associations, and other groups are welcome to participate."

About Mattatuck Consulting
Established in 2002, Mattatuck is a technology marketing firm based in Trumbull CT. Serving a wide range of clients in both traditional and online marketing, Mattatuck has a specialty emphasis in the genealogy and family history marketplace. Co-founder Dan Lynch is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) with more than 25 years research experience and a popular author and presenter covering genealogy topics.

Contact:
Daniel M. Lynch
Mattatuck Consulting, LLC
(203) 459-4949 (Connecticut)
(801) 623-6955 (Utah)
dan@mattatuck.com or dan@genealogypays.com

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This web site is interesting - there is a Rebus beneath the Grand Prize puzzle that can be solved by anyone - there is no entry fee. But the squares get uncovered only by companies or folks buying puzzle squares and thereby showing the puzzle. A sample Rebus is here. Solve the Grand Prize puzzle and win a prize for yourself and your favorite society.

UPDATED 6/14/07 7:40 PM. "Improved" the last paragraph after Dan's suggestion in comments.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Randy:
Thanks for sharing the press release of GenealogyPays.com. One important correction to your final note, however, is that anyone can solve the puzzle and win the cash prize, not just participating sponsors. There is no purchase necessary.

Certainly, as more sponsors sign on for ads of various sizes and shapes, it unveils more of the puzzle, and therefore increases the chance that someone, somewhere will solve the puzzle.

Any and all feedback welcome!
Dan Lynch