Method and apparatus for creation of new channels in a consultation system

Abstract

In exemplary embodiments, an apparatus and method for creating a new channel on a consultation system is provided. In exemplary embodiments, a selection to create a new channel is received from a device of a creator. Data directed to creating the new channel is also received. The data may include category information for the new channel. The new channel is created based on the received data. In one embodiment, the new channel is a new category. In another embodiment, the new channel is an affiliate relationship.

1 . A method to create a new channel in a consultation system, the method comprising:
 receiving, via a communications network, a selection to create a new channel from a device of a creator;   receiving data directed to creating the new channel, the data including category information; and   creating, using one or more processors, the new channel based on the received data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the new channel comprises a new category on the consultation system, the data including a category name and description. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the new channel comprises a new affiliate relationship, the data including registration information for an affiliate. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving founding expert data for the new channel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving of data further comprises receiving affiliate channel customization information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the affiliate channel customization information comprises a category to which to route questions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the affiliate channel customization information comprises question box customization information. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the affiliate channel customization information comprises routing information to route users to the consultation system. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the creating of the new channel comprises generating a standard or customizable question box for the new channel on a landing page. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the creating of the new channel comprises listing the new channel on a test site of the consultation system. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the creating of the new channel further comprises categorizing questions posted on the test site into categories on a main site of the consultation system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a reporting of affiliate revenues based on the new channel. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus, comprising:
 one or more data modules to receive, via a communications network, a selection to create a new channel from a device of a creator and to receive data direct to creating the new channel, the data including category information; and   a channel creation module to create, using one or more processors, the new channel based on the received data.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more data modules comprises an expert data module, the expert data module to manage data of a founding expert of the new channel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more data modules comprises a category data module, the category data module to manage data direct to a new category. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more data modules comprises an affiliate data module, the affiliate data module to manage data of an affiliate creating the new channel. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein channel creation module is to customize a new channel based on routing information, the routing information comprising one or more of when to route and where to route a question posted on the new channel. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the channel creation module is to customize the new channel based on question box customization information. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a financial module to provide a reporting of affiliate revenues based on the new channel. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having embodied thereon instructions which when executed by at least one processor, causes a machine to perform operations comprising:
 receiving, via a communications network, a selection to create a new channel from a device of a creator;   receiving data direct to creating the new channel, the data including category information; and   creating the new channel based on the received data.   
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 20 , where one or more of a brand name, graphics, unique resource locator (URL), and user interface are customized based on the received data in creating the new channel.