No diatribe or rhetoric here, just plan to write what I've done and what I plan to do.
So - two business ideas.
ONLINE
The first is online and I have posted about this already in the online section of the forum. I have already built a site, but I gave little thought as how to move forward with it, how to monetize it. I have been given some great advice on these points by other members, and did a lot of thinking and planning over the weekend.
As such I have decided to turn my site into a lead generating site, similar I guess to MJ's limo site, back in the day. To convert the site from it's present state will be minimal work - no more than a week or so's coding. Before I do this though, I want to see if I have a market! I have identified a few industries that I feel would benefit from the model of website that I am going to build. I have today put together a list of local businesses that I am going to contact, and ask them if they feel my new web service would be beneficial for them.
I'm nervous about cold calling these business, and have already convinced myself that I'm not going to be able to get past the secretaries to the decision makers. But that's just dumb. If I encounter that problem then I will need to change my approach, but I'm not there yet, so no use worrying about it!
So - TOMORROW - I will go and sit in a coffee shop during my lunch break and phone as many as I can get through in 30 minutes.
OFFLINE
Second business idea is a snowboarding accessory. I have already made a functional prototype in my garage. It works, but frankly, it looks like a dog's dinner and no-one in their right mind would buy one! So, just before posting here I have spoken to and made an appointment with a professional carpenter. I am going to see him on Saturday morning to discuss making a professional version of my product.
I made this prototype back in August/September last year, and since then have ummed and ahhed, saying stupid things like "I can't let a carpenter look at it, he will steal the idea. And I can't afford to patent it, so what am I going to do!" ( cry in the corner ).
I doubt he's going to steal my idea. He has his own business to deal with. And even if he does, so what? I do it better or move on.
So - tough talk from me, mainly to me. I've been sitting on these two half businesses for over a year now, in the case of my online one. The sooner I start then the sooner I know if they are viable, the more I learn and a few more steps towards the home run.
Cheers for taking the time to read this!
So - two business ideas.
ONLINE
The first is online and I have posted about this already in the online section of the forum. I have already built a site, but I gave little thought as how to move forward with it, how to monetize it. I have been given some great advice on these points by other members, and did a lot of thinking and planning over the weekend.
As such I have decided to turn my site into a lead generating site, similar I guess to MJ's limo site, back in the day. To convert the site from it's present state will be minimal work - no more than a week or so's coding. Before I do this though, I want to see if I have a market! I have identified a few industries that I feel would benefit from the model of website that I am going to build. I have today put together a list of local businesses that I am going to contact, and ask them if they feel my new web service would be beneficial for them.
I'm nervous about cold calling these business, and have already convinced myself that I'm not going to be able to get past the secretaries to the decision makers. But that's just dumb. If I encounter that problem then I will need to change my approach, but I'm not there yet, so no use worrying about it!
So - TOMORROW - I will go and sit in a coffee shop during my lunch break and phone as many as I can get through in 30 minutes.
OFFLINE
Second business idea is a snowboarding accessory. I have already made a functional prototype in my garage. It works, but frankly, it looks like a dog's dinner and no-one in their right mind would buy one! So, just before posting here I have spoken to and made an appointment with a professional carpenter. I am going to see him on Saturday morning to discuss making a professional version of my product.
I made this prototype back in August/September last year, and since then have ummed and ahhed, saying stupid things like "I can't let a carpenter look at it, he will steal the idea. And I can't afford to patent it, so what am I going to do!" ( cry in the corner ).
I doubt he's going to steal my idea. He has his own business to deal with. And even if he does, so what? I do it better or move on.
So - tough talk from me, mainly to me. I've been sitting on these two half businesses for over a year now, in the case of my online one. The sooner I start then the sooner I know if they are viable, the more I learn and a few more steps towards the home run.
Cheers for taking the time to read this!
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