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[MSE Natasha]

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's "Am I a social entrepreneur?" blog. Please read the blog first, as the discussion follows it.

Read Martin's 'Am I a social entrepreneur?' Blog

[--_Adam_--]

..and maybe this all fits until the title of an Infopreneur:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infopreneur

[zaq]

Go for it, Martin. I think that you can make it apt. Social entrepreneur.

zaq

[Errata]

Do your peers and the industry you operate in consider you're a social entepreneur? I've seen you described as a financial campaigner in the press which seems fair enough. The site stats are impressive, but they're not solid evidence of lives being changed. Perhaps it's time for a piece of independent research to be commissioned.

[MSE Martin]

Do your peers and the industry you operate in consider you're a social entepreneur? I've seen you described as a financial campaigner in the press which seems fair enough. The site stats are impressive, but they're not solid evidence of lives being changed. Perhaps it's time for a piece of independent research to be commissioned.

An interesting question. The industry I work in are the opposition so their view doesn't really count for me. My peers - well I certainly have those as a money journalist - but not in the specialised nature of what I do. I suspose the only recent look was the Govt Power of Info study.

Actually I think the users of the site are better qualified to answer whether it changes life than those you mentioned. As for independent research; I think that may be taking a mulled point a little far

[Errata]

Thank you Martin. Whilst I agree with you that the opinions of users of a service are important, the difficulty with an internet site such as this is that those members who post in forums do so using a non de plume making their opinion of how useful the site was to them anecdotal at best - nothing wrong with that, and unverifiable at worst. The opinions of non-members and members who don't post is probably unquantifiable.
My opinion is that this is an interesting site, but how valid my opinion is depends on a great many variables none of which can easily be defined.
Your reputation is what you build yourself, nobody can give it to you but anyone can take it away. Best wishes.

[nearlyrich]

There are lots of life changing stories on many of the boards, Debt free wannabe is one of the best, I know I'm biased I'm the board guide there but it's heart warming to see the support thst is given and received on there.

I have the greatest respect for Martin and what he has acheived with this website, it's a lifeline for many people everyday, and Martin is still grounded and focussed on his aim of consumer revenge.

[charles woodward]

I think that people's lives have been changed - I was threatened with court action by my bank over my £600 overdraft - I then recovered £1600 in unauthorised charges - so the advice from this site changed my life - and I know it has others.

As far as you making a decent living, why not. I have no objection to people profiting from honest toil, I do object to being charged £39 when my bank sends me an email stating they've refused payment of a £20 payment.

The work that you, and all those who help with this site, are doing is helping to redress the imbalance between big business and the little guy, the consumer. More power to your elbow.

[mandarinduck]

I think you've changed many people's ways of thinking, which has a knock on effect to their lives. I certainly wised up a lot more about money after reading the book and then checking out the website and I know others have too. And I remember working as a supervisor in an insurer and taking a complaint and the customer saying 'I've been emailing that nice Martin Lewis about this' (whether it was true or not I don't know). I was very amused. I'd been threated with the media, the CAB, the FOS, solicitors and now Martin Lewis! Luckily I was able to help him, so I can sleep easy at night.

Clearly, you have made people feel that money isn't a dirty word and they don't just have to lie down and take it from the banks and big companies.

Socially entreprenurial indeed.

Mandarin Duck

[(Land of) Maz]

Martin says.... "In fact I’d love it to make me a billionaire, providing it never compromises my ethics and recommendations or cost any users a penny!”

Does this mean he is a millionaire already?

Do you think he still takes a sandwich to work every day??? Spose not, he'll get free lunch coutesy of TV/Radio! lol

[Ken68]

Your site, Martin, has certainly changed the way I do things.
Once I had learned to manage utility bills, this went onto using the same technique to lower all spending.
And at the age of 71, so never too old to learn.
Just one last push, trying not to spend anything for a whole week. Damn, this message could have been posted on the free library computers. <laugh>
Good for you Martin you have replaced WHICH

[(Land of) Maz]

My previous post didn't say that I too think he is a social entrepreneur and this is a good thing as he helps so many people, but i think the second you start calling yourself one, especially in your signature, it maybe becomes a tad naff. In my humble opinion....

Keep doing what you're doing MSE Martin, and don't worry about the labels!

[guppy]

I think the Council Tax and Bank Charges reclaiming is easily statistically measurable, and Martin has been the only one driving that forward that I can see.

The site stats speak for themselves...people don't read the site just for amusement, they act on it...

[bootserbabe]

Martin has shown himself to be a true social entrepreneur as he has succeeded in making a socially beneficial project financially viable. This is the spirit of social enterprise, in my opinion. Whether he hoards his pennies or reinvests them is his business, the main point being the site doesn't depend on public money to exist, and is free to use. The concept of social enterprise is a still a bit of a new fangled thing to many, sitting as it does between traditional commerce and not for profit sectors, but it can be a very positive way to trade and just requires a bit of lateral thinking, as Martin has proved. From one social entrepreneur (though less successful LOL) to another - keep up the good work!

[adeleyvonne2003]

I think the site is wonderful - I wouldn't like to say how much debt I was in at Christmas - but it was several £1000's - I am now debt free - did not borrow one penny to do it. Martin's advice has been invaluable - one statement I will never forget "people who have debts should not have any savings" - that line stays with me - Martin is an inspiration - well done and thank you

[cafenervosa]

Originally Posted by Maz3374

Martin says.... "In fact I’d love it to make me a billionaire, providing it never compromises my ethics and recommendations or cost any users a penny!”

Does this mean he is a millionaire already?

Do you think he still takes a sandwich to work every day??? Spose not, he'll get free lunch coutesy of TV/Radio! lol

I remember a few years ago when it said "In fact I’d love it to make me a millionaire", so now he's changed it and for me he must have become a millionaire or why would he change it?

[flutsy]

I don't understand why people have to label things down to the last detail. Couldn't you just be discribed as a businessman? Or Website owner?

[JimmyTheWig]

"Imagine you were asking a reasonable person who knew what you do for a living. Would they say it was reasonable for you to describe yourself this way?"

[MothballsWallet]

Martin: you do change peoples lives - be it from your articles, or TV & radio appearances.

For example, from IPTW - when you say to people that "debt is solvable": it's the way you say it, the way you explain things. It might just stop someone in serious debt who was watching from doing something stupid, and direct them to where they can get help.

You're also enthusiastic about saving people money, and getting more for less.

I'd describe you as an "Enthusiastic campaigner for financial clarity, adviser and all-round nice bloke". By the way, I owe you a drink!

[paulasplin]

For a long time I was your natural enemy. One of the 'evil companies' out to take advantage of consumers.

And then I noticed that we were getting a lot of sales in from people who had been on your website previously. In fact, the increased sales meant that I could pay my staff bonus' and afford to improve my customer service through a new CRM system.

I'm now a bit of a convert and try to come up with the best policies possible to try and attract more mentions on moneysavingexpert!

Paul Asplin

www.worldwideinsure.com