If you’re a mom who has dreamed of owning your own successful business, then you might find the right opportunity within More Organized Mom. Of course drive alone won’t get you through it. Someone with the right knowledge and the will to grow MOM into what it has the potential to become is exactly what this business needs. The real question would be, is that you?
I got an opportunity to talk with Angie Morris, the mom behind MOM, to find out what it is that she’s looking for.
How old is More Organized Mom (MOM) and what are some of the products you sell?
More Organized Mom is four years old. We sell calendars, notepads and checklist to help keep moms organized. Our MOM Calendar—a weekly planning tool that allows you to record everything from appointments, To Do’s and dinner– was in Parents magazine twice in 2005. The editor of Parents, Sally Lee, is quoted as saying “Finally, a planning tool that works for everyone.”
What type of person are you looking for when it comes to someone purchasing your business? Do you have any requirements?
Ideally, we are looking for a mom. But she should also be an entrepreneur who has business expertise. Someone who has sold to women would be a plus. Someone who can recognize a company with a great brand, great products and great potential. Someone who can take this company to the next level. All start-up investments have already been made and the buyer doesn’t have to worry about that, however we did feel we needed more capital to properly market our products and expand our customer base. We are also considering partnerships.
What kind of sales has MOM seen in previous years? What kind of growth has it gone through since it was first conceived?
We launched MOM in September of 2004. Our sales in 2005 were over $50,000. Fortunately, calendars are items which get repeat sales year and year and we have found our customers to be quite loyal.
Why have you decided to sell?
My personal life right now is not conducive to owning a business. I recognize that it takes a certain type of person (and sometimes the right timing) to be an entrepreneur. All these “invention” shows and contests make it look easy–like all that you need is a good idea. But there is a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into it too. Owning a business is full of wonderful highs and some lows too. I have learned a lot and feel that I have created something really good. It will be hard letting go—this is another kind of “baby”, but I believe this is the best thing for my family and I right now. If we partner, I would want to stay involved, but obviously in a more limited capacity.
What do you feel will be the biggest benefit received by the person who does purchase this business?
They will have bought a turn-key business with 14 proven products, loyal customers, and inventory and can operate on Day One. With very little—and I mean just a few press releases—we were able to get exposure for our MOM Calendar and were profiled in a national parenting magazine. There is still no established leader in the market of organizational products for moms. With more marketing–the opportunity is ripe for someone to become the leader.
How much time on average per day (or week) does it take to keep this business up and running as it is right now?
More than I have. I would say it is a full-time job plus. As sales increase, pieces such as fulfillment could be outsourced. Especially during the busy season from August until January.
What are your plans once you sell MOM?
Just to be a mom. I had a newborn, a two-year old and a four-year old when I started this business. It was tough. Spend more time at school and coach a sport and that kind of thing.
Approximately how much are you asking?
We are asking $70K. Significantly less than most franchises. And it would be 100% yours. [Again, we would also consider partnerships.]
What advice do you have for someone interested in purchasing MOM?
Really assess your commitment to entrepreneurship. And be honest about yourself about what you want, what you can bring to the table and where you will need help. What resources do you have? What resources are you lacking? We had the fortune of being met with success very early due to our exposure in Parents magazine. But we were unprepared for that success. You need to examine every possible scenario.
How can you be reached for more information?
Email is best. I am at amorris@moreorganizedmom.com.
Productivity guru David Allen is the author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, the 2001 book that has sold more than a million copies and has been translated into 30 languages. His eponymous, $8 million time-management empire spans everything from $595 per-person public seminars to corporate speaking engagements that can earn him $40,000 to $60,000 a pop.
Widely abbreviated as GTD, Allen’s method of getting things done focuses on two basic concepts.
The first is that by dumping all the tasks floating around in our heads (everything from “buy toothpaste” to “write strategic plan”) onto paper or into software, and then sorting them into a system of lists, we become better able to deal with the unexpected crises that disrupt our days.
The second is that the complex projects that populate our to-do lists (say, “hire marketing manager”) should be broken into granular “next actions” (”e-mail recruiter” and “call HR about firing current one”).
Here are four key ideas from Allen’s seminar:
1. Write it down. Jot down everything from ‘buy dog food’ to ‘build vacation home’ before processing it into a set of lists.
2. Break it out. Too many to do lists are composed of complex projects that say little about what should eb done next.
3. Do it now. If a task can be done in two minutes, do it right away.
4. File it away. A good filing system, both for paper and emails is essential.
Just saved you $595.
Photo by Max S. Gerber.
What’s the airline-industry jargon for unconventional wisdom? Southwest Airlines.
By some estimates, the country’s major carriers have consumed perhaps $100 billion in capital during the past decade, but Southwest Airlines continues to be profitable. It’s been in the black for 33 consecutive years and, last week, for the 127th consecutive quarter, it paid a modest dividend.
Its balance sheet, with about $3 billion in cash on hand and $600 million in available credit, is the envy of an otherwise fuel-price-ravaged industry.
What does Southwest know that no one else does? It keeps things simple and consistent, which drives costs down, maximizes productive assets, and helps manage customer expectations.
• One Plane Fits All
• Point-to-Point Flying
• Simple In-Flight Service
• No Frills, No Fees
• Strong Management
• A Relatively Happy Workforce
• Aggressive Fuel Hedging
Photo by Southwest.
What’s the airline-industry jargon for unconventional wisdom? Southwest Airlines.
By some estimates, the country’s major carriers have consumed perhaps $100 billion in capital during the past decade, but Southwest Airlines continues to be profitable. It’s been in the black for 33 consecutive years and, last week, for the 127th consecutive quarter, it paid a modest dividend.
Its balance sheet, with about $3 billion in cash on hand and $600 million in available credit, is the envy of an otherwise fuel-price-ravaged industry.
What does Southwest know that no one else does? It keeps things simple and consistent, which drives costs down, maximizes productive assets, and helps manage customer expectations.
• One Plane Fits All
• Point-to-Point Flying
• Simple In-Flight Service
• No Frills, No Fees
• Strong Management
• A Relatively Happy Workforce
• Aggressive Fuel Hedging
Photo by Southwest.
When it comes to car repair, sometimes the best you could do would be to prevent a problem before it can happen. Preventive maintenance can save you money and time in the long run, potentially extending the life of your vehicle for as long as possible. As a business owner, you could help others while providing a service which will be profitable for yourself.
At a Grease Monkey International both the franchisee and the customer will be able to get exactly what they are looking for. Grease Monkey was founded in 1978 and currently has over 200 centers open in the US and Mexico.
Currently they are open to new franchises in a variety of cities and states, some of which includes:
* Alabama
* Arizona
* California
* Colorado
* Florida
* Georgia
* Idaho
* Indiana
* Iowa
* and many more
The initial franchisee fee is $30,000 with a 5% royalty. The total investment is anywhere from $200,000 to $250,000 for a single franchise.
Productivity guru David Allen is the author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, the 2001 book that has sold more than a million copies and has been translated into 30 languages. His eponymous, $8 million time-management empire spans everything from $595 per-person public seminars to corporate speaking engagements that can earn him $40,000 to $60,000 a pop.
Widely abbreviated as GTD, Allen’s method of getting things done focuses on two basic concepts.
The first is that by dumping all the tasks floating around in our heads (everything from “buy toothpaste” to “write strategic plan”) onto paper or into software, and then sorting them into a system of lists, we become better able to deal with the unexpected crises that disrupt our days.
The second is that the complex projects that populate our to-do lists (say, “hire marketing manager”) should be broken into granular “next actions” (”e-mail recruiter” and “call HR about firing current one”).
Here are four key ideas from Allen’s seminar:
1. Write it down. Jot down everything from ‘buy dog food’ to ‘build vacation home’ before processing it into a set of lists.
2. Break it out. Too many to do lists are composed of complex projects that say little about what should eb done next.
3. Do it now. If a task can be done in two minutes, do it right away.
4. File it away. A good filing system, both for paper and emails is essential.
Just saved you $595.
Photo by Max S. Gerber.
One day 10 years ago at his downtown Pittsburgh barber shop, Enrico Bellisario dropped his comb and had a moment of razor-sharp clarity.
Scooping up the comb with his hand that was cradling the scissors, he suddenly saw it - a scissors-comb gizmo.
His invention, he figured, would revolutionize the humble haircut.
“It was like a boom,” he said.
That boom propelled him from his barber’s chair to the U.S. Patent Office and to the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering. And it prompted him to experiment on his fiercely loyal male clientele with some odd-looking scissors gadgets.
Then came the hard part - finding someone to manufacture a pair of scissors with comb teeth protruding out of one side of the metal-like porcupine needles. After eight years of rejections, he has unveiled his invention, named ShearFuzion.
“You see,” he says, beaming at his new invention like a proud father, “there is no switching. Before you would comb, then switch hands, and then cut. Normally there are three steps. Now there are only two steps.”
That might sound like a minor matter, but it has shaved five minutes off each haircut for the man who does 20 clients per day.
It also has helped relieve his carpal tunnel syndrome, a common problem with stylists. It also makes it easier to cut the hair of squiggling little boys who sometimes come with their dads for their first haircut. “You can do kids in strollers,” Bellisario said.
Photo by ShearFuzion.
Nashville residents looking for Swedish design at low prices don’t have access to a local IKEA; the nearest blue-and-green big box is in Atlanta.
So two friends decided to bring IKEA to Tennessee by taking orders from customers and driving down to Atlanta to pick up the goods.
Customers submit their orders on Modernash.com, listing item numbers, colours, etc. Modernash brings the goods to its Nashville storage facility, where customers can pick up their orders (the company also offers home delivery for an additional $50). ModerNash’s shipping rates are significantly lower than those charged by IKEA, ranging from 20–29% of a customer’s total purchase amount.
The company also assembles furniture for $25/hour, handles returns (even for customers who didn’t order through ModerNash), and partners with other local companies that design and install IKEA kitchens. Last but not least, it keeps a small number of popular items in stock for immediate pick-up or delivery.
IKEA’s shipping fees in the US tend to be very high—its business model just isn’t geared to catalogue and delivery sales.
In many countries, customers can’t order online from IKEA at all. Which opens up opportunities for local delivery companies who’d like to target a niche audience and are willing to offer the extra service, expertise (and patience) required for shopping at IKEA.
Photo by ModerNash.
In a business which has been monopolized by some of the best known companies available comes Chris of PrintPrintPrint.biz. Aiming to offer the best quality products possible at the lowest prices available, Chris has started something that will not only catch on but bring with it the potential to become one of the top in it’s category.
I got an opportunity to interview Chris about his business and he has shared with us some information about what inspires him as well as some of the things he has learned along the way.
How old is PrintPrintPrint.Biz and what are some of the products you offer?
I started PrintPrintPrint.Biz back in March 2008. We offer full color business cards, postcards, brochures, stationary (both letterhead and envelopes), and magnets. All of our products print in full color.
Which of those products are among the most popular with your customers?
It’s pretty much a tie with business cards and postcards. Once a customer orders business cards from PrintPrintPrint.Biz, they then know the quality and want to order postcards.
How long on average does it take for you to process an order and get it shipped?
All of our business cards and postcards have a guaranteed 2-4 business day printing turnaround but normally print and ship within 3 days. We do have the option for next day printing available as well. Our other items such as: brochures, magnets, letterhead and envelopes have a 5-7 business day turnaround for printing & processing.
What separates you from the other printing businesses on the market?
Well, one thing that has made us popular is that we have our pricing available on the home page with the shipping prices the same for everyone in the Continental United States. If gives our customers a quick way to look at what their marketing costs are going to be before logging in and going through a whole order when they just want to get a price quote. The other (big) thing is – we’re one of the cheapest & easiest printing websites to use.
What plans do you have for expanding your printing options? Where do you see this business going in the coming years?
Within the next few months – we’re looking to LOWER our prices. Yes, that’s right – lower. The more popular we become, the more money we save on printing costs. We then pass that savings down to our customers. We also add new products on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. Within the next few months we’re also launching a new website for signs and banners: www.signsignsign.biz – where you’ll be able to get custom printed yard signs, vinyl banners, outdoor stickers (including bumper stickers), and vehicle magnets at a fraction of the cost that our competitors charge.
We are already growing at a very rapid rate (orders are up over 400% since launch) and look to continue this rapid growth. Within the next few years we will have many more products to offer our customers at a highly discounted rate and will continue saving our customers marketing budgets!
Have you always wanted to become an entrepreneur? What inspired you to go into the printing business?
I was almost “forced” into the printing business. I started doing freelance graphic design and all of my clients needed the work I designed for them to be printed. So, in order to make more money, I started working with some local commercial printers. Before long, the printers I was using always had price fluctuations, missed deadlines, poor quality and any other excuses you could think of. I then switched to using other online printers, but it was a whole new mess of issues (some still the same). Only this time, the prices that they displayed on the website were never the same before I clicked “pay now.” This is what acted me to make a change in the industry by providing cheap priced printing, superior quality, and reasonable turnaround times.
What are some of the benefits you feel your customers receive by ordering online rather than going to an actual printer offline?
Well, first and foremost – it’s faster - especially if you know what you want. You could, literally spend days at a local printer trying out paper types and seeing different print qualities and styles. It’s also usually cheaper. Most local printers don’t print in a gang run process (many customers jobs all laid out on 1 big sheet). All online printers print in a gang run format – that is how we are able to keep the costs very low. So, as a result – you would pay more for virtually the same product.
What kind of knowledge or previous experience were you able to bring into the start-up of your business and how has it helped?
Well, first and foremost – I brought my experience working with commercial printers. That helped immensely in multiple facets of the business – from pricing to quality and turnaround time. Then, my entrepreneurial spirit allowed me to try to crack a multi-billion dollar industry that is a commodity without worrying too much about any of the big competition and what they are doing. Also, being a freelance graphic designer showed me how to work with some of the neediest of clients and make them happy.
What have you learned as an entrepreneur that you’re able to apply to everyday life?
I’ve learned several things… Pricing is a game that can be won only by negotiation. I haggle the price for everything I buy. I’ve also learned to manage money a lot better. Saving for that next marketing plan or piece of equipment for the business is the key to our success.
When you look back, is there anything you wish you had done different? What have you learned from those mistakes?
Sure. I think we all do. I think I took a little long to decide to build PrintPrintPrint.Biz. I really had this idea about 1 year ago and I never acted on it until recently. I’ve learned if you get an idea in your mind and in your heart and you have almost no question whether it will work or not, try it. At the end of the day, if it fails – at least you tried and it will make you a smarter/stronger person. On the other hand, if you don’t do it – you’ve already failed.
If someone was to contact you looking for the one product (from what you have to offer) you feel would best promote their company, what would you tell them to choose and why?
It all depends on what types of marketing they do. If they’re one that goes to a lot of events and does a lot of palm pressing – I would say an impressive business card would do the trick. If the customer plans on sending out mailers, I would direct them to either a postcard or brochure because they are the easiest and cheapest to mail as you can receive a bulk rate. If the person is looking to introduce someone to a new product or service and they have more to say than just what you can fit on a brochure or postcard, I would tell them to get some letterhead and envelopes printed up. Letterhead and envelopes provide a company with a more traditional marketing approach and allow a client to include much more information in letterform as opposed to a postcard. If they are in a service type business – I would get them to get us to product some business card magnets that they can leave with their clients. People tend to not throw out magnets because they’re useful.
What form of advertising has been the most helpful in getting the word out about your business? Why do you feel it has worked so well?
Word of mouth… Hands down – friends always tell friends about great deals on PrintPrintPrint.Biz! Second would have to be Google adwords. I’ve gotten some nice printed orders from people googling us. Also, Social networking has been very helpful. We try to be on all social networks, but there are so many and more everyday! There should be one service that allows you to sign up for all social networks… Business Idea!
Was there anything you have read or heard that has helped inspire you along the path you are on now? Why was it so inspiring?
Yes! I was told by a couple of people along the way that I’m breaking into a market that is a commodity and it will be very hard to take business from the likes of vista print. So that inspired me to do it! I look at Google and how they came into the search market when it seemed so closed off because yahoo had huge things going on. Also, Sergey Brin said in a speech one time that Google is aware of what Microsoft does, but they focus mostly all of their attention on innovation and that has allowed them to become number 1 in the search market. So, I think by us applying these innovations/new things to a very old industry, we can take market share and give customers something they have been searching for – for their printed products. But, on the other side of the coin, Steve Balmer from Microsoft once said “It’s easier to do something that has been done already and do it better, than to create something new.” And since I already knew what the printing industry had to offer, I thought I would do it one better by starting up www.PrintPrintPrint.Biz.
What advice do you have for someone interested in starting their own business?
I would say go for it. Like I said above, if you have an idea, do the proper research, and care about solving a problem and not just about making money, then you can be successful. If you worry about the money and not solving the problem, you start penny pinching and counting and not focused on the primary thing that brings those pennies in – customer service.
One of the big names in Detroit’s downtown music and entrepreneurial scene, Robert Stanzler, 40, recently introduced a new line of T-shirts and outerwear called Detroit Manufacturing LLC. At least 25 retailers have come on board.
“Detroit Manufacturing is not just a brand, it is a dynamic product with a Detroit-centric philosophy,” said Stanzler, owner and producer. He plans to deploy workers to the Arts, Beats & Eats festival in Pontiac over Labor Day and hires contractors to sell a full line of products at Eastern Market in Detroit every Saturday.
Crowds flock around the booths to buy shirts with high density inks, fine-gauge cotton and foil designs that bear logos such as “Detroit, City of Tomorrow,” “Little Miss Detroit” and other upbeat mottos.
Stanzler sued a former employee to register his own name on the trademark graphic of a man holding a wrench in the “Made in Detroit” logo. The design was part of an inspiration and mission to create a positive image of the Motor City. He is constantly working on new designs.
Today he competes with a variety of retailers and wholesalers. Pure Detroit sells city-themed merchandise at its stores in the Guardian and Fisher buildings and in the Renaissance Center. An upstart T-shirt company, Aptemal Clothing sells its wares at Eastern Market on Saturdays. Kid Rock sells shirts through his Web site, www.madeindetroit.com. Yet, the Stanzler name and design package retain their clout.
Image via MadeInDetroit
I’m happy to announce the birth of our third son Greyson Woodrow Alexander Carlson. Mom and baby are doing great.
Thank you to everyone who suggested a name. The winning name was first suggested by Chet Kuhn who said:
Well, of course it should be Greyson. It fits with the G theme, it fits with the sound of the other names, and you can call him ‘Grey’, which is a cool sounding name!
When I contacted Chet about his winning entry and asked him about his prize choice he said said:
You realize, of course, that being a since my girlfriend and I have no kids and two pretty good jobs, there’s absolutely no way that I’m taking any money from someone who’s just had a baby! Thanks anyway, but you keep that $100 and buy something nice for that kid of yours. If you REALLY feel the need to give money away, there’s plenty of good charities out there who need it more than I do.
Chet, that’s really nice of you. When Greyson starts sleeping through the night, I’ll find an appropriate charity to make a donation in Greyson’s and your name.
Thanks to everyone who participated. Greyson’s name came as direct result of the comments on the name the baby post, so my wife and I are very thankful for all of the suggestions. For some reason we were really stuck this time around, and didn’t chose a name until nearly the very end.
Surprisingly for such a good name, Greyson was only suggested one other time, by Tidbits Of Tammy .
If you want to get your name out there and continuously make connections when traveling or attending conferences, having a business card is your best bet.
While there are a variety of ways to make your business card, the costs of making them can be pretty expensive and it kills a ton of trees.
Why not send your business cards via the web or your mobile phone instead?
* Retaggr is a nifty interactive profile card service. Create a new and unique way for people to not only email or call you, but also connect with you on social networks that you’re active on.
* 211me is a funky and creative business card service. However, a key feature of 211me is being able to send your pre-made business cards to someone’s mobile phone. If your phone supports v-card downloading, you can save the information from each business card sent to you.
Photo by Retaggr.
The tech world was abuzz when AOL acquired Bebo for $850 million. If you’ve never heard of the company, you’re hardly alone. Bebo is a solid but second-tier social network in the U.S. in terms of traffic — the site trails MySpace and Facebook by a considerable margin.
Bebo is, however, huge in Britain, where co-founder Michael Birch was born, and that seemed to be enough for social-media-starved AOL to shell out a huge sum for it. After paying off their investors, Birch and his wife and business partner, Xochi, pocketed more than $500 million. Not bad for a three-year-old company.
“Bebo has always been a lot more successful in the U.K., and although the U.S. is our next-biggest market, we need to grow in the U.S. The combination of AOL’s strong presence in the U.S. and its product AIM, which is the No. 1 instant messaging application in the U.S., made us think that AOL and Bebo could feed off each other. AIM’s demographic is very similar to Bebo’s, so we felt there was a great opportunity to cross-promote. ” Birch said.
What’s next? “The current plan is to take a couple of years off. I do want to do start-ups again, but with a start-up, there’s no halfway. Either you work like crazy, or you don’t do it. I also want to do something that’s not about making money. I want to contribute to a nonprofit venture in the U.K. and encourage more entrepreneurship there. And I’ll do more angel investing and advising.”
Photo by dailymail.co.uk.
While planning their annual summer party in February 2007 Bridget and Mark Young encountered some difficulties in sharing their home-brewed beer.
“My wife wanted me to brew a few kegs of Mexican Lager for our fiesta party,” Mark said. “Except, keeping the kegs cold in the heat and dealing with buckets, ice and then having to worry about water run-off is challenging.”
While searching for a “keg cooler” online Mark noticed that they all required ice and maintenance. “Everything was expensive, like $80 to $300 and none of the products kept the beer cold long enough,” Mark said. “Plus they were big, it was like putting a winter coat on your keg.”
After brainstorming for a few months the Youngs managed to create a product that has the capability to keep a keg cold for up to 24 hours.
The product, dubbed “KEGlove,” combines a neoprene sleeve (much like wet suit material) with a reusable ice blanket. The ice blanket contains a glycol solution that freezes at 23 degrees and thaws at 41 degrees.
Photo by Dennis R.J Geppert.
Irked by changes in fees and the feedback-rating system, merchants who once sold wares exclusively at the online-auction site can now be found on a number of smaller alternative sites that have sprung up. With names like Wigix, Silkfair, Etsy and Oodle, these sites aim to offer more hand-holding for sellers — and charge lower fees — than the behemoth eBay.
Some of these new sites target niche markets, such as Etsy, which focuses on handmade crafts, where small sellers say their products can stand out better than they do at a soup-to-nuts-to-carburetors site like eBay. And many offer free features, such as how-to videos and blogs designed to improve communication between merchants and shoppers. Some sites are even tapping into the social-networking trend — where items for sale can show up on sites like MySpace or Facebook.
“I don’t need a million people to see my things, just the right people who have hopefully good taste to buy my things,” says Cathleen McLain, a 58-year-old jewelry maker who began selling her handmade necklaces on Silkfair earlier this year.
Entrepreneurs have been trying to displace eBay for years and haven’t managed to do so, says Ms. Mulpuru of Forrester Research. She estimates that nearly one in every five dollars spent online goes to either eBay or Amazon.
Photo by Wigix, Silkfair, Etsy and Oodle.
Look here...
What would you like me to read about? Do you have any questions for me? No promises, but I’m always looking for ideas and it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Email dane@carlsoncarlson.com.
As more people move to the internet as a way to find love, more and more dating sites seem to sprout up. Many of them serve a specific genre that interests a large group of people. So when I found Redneck and Single, I couldn’t help but take a second look. It was the first time I’d ever heard of a dating site of it’s kind, and it definitely stands out in the crowd of everyday sites found on the web.
So when I got a hold of Fred for an interview, I couldn’t wait to ask him about his inspirations and motivations for such a website. I did eventually find out that he purchased the website from someone else, but he has since expanded it into the fun (and yes, it is free) dating site that it is today.
What inspired you to start Redneck and Single?
Actually, I bought the site from a gentleman who started it about 3 years ago. I saw it advertised for sale and thought it would be something fun and unique to own. Additionally, I grew up about as close to being a redneck as possible, so it is a culture to which I could relate.
What separates your dating site from so many others out there?
We appeal to a very defined and unique demographic. All of our members are unique to the site, not from a database that is shared across many different sites like a lot of others are. They are all real people and real rednecks.
When did you launch and approximately how many members do you have today?
The site was launched in 2005 and currently has over 18,000 profiles.
Any testimonials from members who have met ‘the one’ there? What are some of the success stories shared?
I have only had the site for a few months and most of my focus has been on marketing it, so I haven’t had time to elicit stories from the members, but it is something that is on my list of things to do.
What are some of your long term goals for your website?
I would like to see it become the premier destination for anyone who is looking for a partner or friends to share the redneck (or simple, country) lifestyle.
Is there a specific form of advertising you’ve found to be the most useful in getting the word out? Why do you think it has worked the best?
When I first got the site, I sent out press releases to just about every radio station and newspaper in the country. That got some good attention. I am trying to do some promotion, link trading, articles, directory listings, etc. every day.
How long did it take you to build Redneck and Single? What were some of the steps in that process?
I didn’t build it, so I can’t adequately answer that question, but I am constantly trying to find new content and upgrades to add on so that the members have more to enjoy. So, that is a daily process.
What kind of things have you learned since the launch of your website that you wish you had knowledge of in advance?
I guess the main thing is that in marketing for search engine rankings, you have to do it slowly. If you do too much to fast, they will slap you and lower you in the rankings because you are perceived as spamming. I’ve been slapped a couple times. So now, I just try to be consistent in doing some things every day. Most things I did know about before, but may not have known all of the intricacies, so educating myself more deeply is a constant need.
What you recommend someone should consider before starting a dating website of any kind?
Don’t try to appeal to a general market (unless you have a huge advertising budget). Find a niche and market to it. And know that the competition is fierce for dating sites so don’t expect to see quick results.
Mike Michalowicz knows business, and he knows aspiring entrepreneurs need a hard-core reality check if they’re ever going to get off their duff and start one. Founder of three multi-million dollar businesses, Michalowicz lets readers in on his proven “TPing” entrepreneurial strategies in his new book, “The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.”
“The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur” pulls no punches, busting through commonly held beliefs about business that slow budding entrepreneurs down - or stop them cold in their tracks. In his book Michalowicz explains why a business plan is a total waste of time, how to exploit your super strengths and outsource everything else, and how to launch and grow your business on a beer and pizza budget.
“I’m all about the underdogs, the ‘Toilet Paper Entrepreneurs’ who figure out how to get down to business even if they’re on the last three sheets of their roll,” says Michalowicz, who regularly speaks to young entrepreneurs at Babson College, Harvard, and other colleges all over the country. “My book is for people who have more ingenuity than money, more heart than know-how, and more passion than experience.”
Image via brandon shigeta
A new website is aiming to change the way internet advertising revenue is distributed by giving a large slice back to the people who generate it — the users. Ownmysite.com promises to return 50% of all revenue generated through advertising and affiliate links to its members. What’s more, users will also own a permanent stake in the website and will share 50% of the proceeds from any future sale or acquisition of the site.
Daniel Harrison, from London, England set up ownmysite.com after becoming frustrated with the way many popular websites generate huge profits from the everyday online activities of users without rewarding them for what is a very valuable activity.
“The site sells itself,” Harrison commented, “in that web users are paid for their everyday internet usage and share directly in the success of ownmysite.com.”
He believes that the combination of a monthly income for users and the chance to share in the future profits of an online enterprise offers surfers an opportunity that is too good to miss. “For doing nothing more than surfing the web in their usual way, users have the chance to own a stake in my site and share in the profits on a monthly basis,” Harrison explained.
Asked how he sees the future of ownmysite.com, Harrison said, “The sky’s the limit but in the short term I’m really looking forward to paying members at the end of August to reward them for their faith in the site and to show them that their time spent surfing the web with ownmysite.com is genuinely worth something. I think members will be pleasantly surprised by how much they can earn.”
Image via PRWeb
