Hi Guys,
Been offline for a couple months as I was simply finding this place too distracting. This is an incredible resource and one of the best corners of the internet. But it can pull you in, and I needed to get shit done, hence my few months away.
In those couple of months things have moved quite a lot in my life, and frankly, I'm crazy excited. My energy is through the roof, just grinding away. So feel its time I started getting the journey documented.
I'm going to keep the details of this thread fairly vague, as most of us do these days. Its about the journey, not the product. When I feel the product needs to be discussed to remain relevant I will start an INSIDERS thread.
What is it?
It's a website. I would say it sits between peer to peer and a platform. It has providers (those who provide a tangible, in person service) and customers (those who need that service). It is a very new, but quickly growing market.
Where did the idea come from?
This is my second business. My first (other than all those businesses you start as a teen selling just about anything to make some cash) was about a year ago. I struggled. Partly because I was very naive, partly because my execution simply wasn't there (read I was shit and lazy). To cut a long story short, this business fills a need that became very apparent during my first business.
Does it make CENTS?
Control - I own the website. It isn't reliant (directly) on anyone else. I (will) rely on advertising, however this will be diverse not reliant on any one source. I technically have no control over the provider side of the market. But its my job to make it attractive for them to stay.
Entry - Competing would require the full development of an imitation/alternative site/app. As barriers go, I would say this is fairly high. There is currently one competitor at the moment who I will talk about later.
Need - This is somewhat scratching my own itch, which isn't ideal. However I have spoken to many people in the same situation as I was a year ago and strongly feel this is meeting a need. The competitor I discussed above is also fair validation. More on that later.
Time - As with all startup businesses it is consuming my life right now. However once fully up and running, it will be independent of my time.
Scale - As mentioned the market is growing globally very rapidly. While my maximum customer base here in the UK is somewhat limiting, the website has potential global reach.
Competitors?
I am very much of the opinion "focus on you, not your competitors", however, as far as I know I will be hitting the market with one established competitor. They have been on the scene about 12 months and have done very well. Their model is very different to mine but ultimately serves the same purpose. Their pricing structure is clumsy and ultimately they add very little value. In fact, as I sit here thinking about it. Their added value is next to nil. I can improve on it greatly. I am not one to underestimate my competitors though. They were first. I need to be the best.
Progress so far
This all started about 5 months ago. I had the idea and instantly started researching and building the website. I quickly discovered I did not have the skills (at all) to build a website as complex, intricate and functional as the one I needed. So about 1 month later I hit UpWork looking for a developer. It took me about a week to find the guy I wanted to use. I interviewed 80% of the applicants and he stood head and shoulder above the others as someone who genuinely cared about my brief. His price point was pretty much right in the middle of all the other offers I had. So far it has taken him about 4 months. We have regular Skype chats and I am pleased with progress. He actually messaged me last week to let me know he has finished the bulk of the work. We just need to finish up some copy and tidy up a few rough edges.
In the few months while he was building the actual website my motivation has fluctuated somewhat. Ideally I would have had a lot more people lined up than I have. The logistics of getting people signed up to something which was not yet in existence proved a bigger hurdle for me than I expected. But thats in the past now. In the next few weeks the website will be ready and I will be able to full throttle the marketing.
What's next
Once the website is live, seriously ramping up the marking comes next. Social media, Adwords and content will be used for the customer side of the equation. A far more direct approach will be taken with the provider side. Calls, emails, letters, just about any means of contact. Bits and pieces will be outsourced but I am excited to learn the challenges of marketing a business like this.
That was longer than intended! But thats 4 months of post in one, so hopefully future posts will be more easily digested!
Thats all for now.
Stay hungry out there.
Been offline for a couple months as I was simply finding this place too distracting. This is an incredible resource and one of the best corners of the internet. But it can pull you in, and I needed to get shit done, hence my few months away.
In those couple of months things have moved quite a lot in my life, and frankly, I'm crazy excited. My energy is through the roof, just grinding away. So feel its time I started getting the journey documented.
I'm going to keep the details of this thread fairly vague, as most of us do these days. Its about the journey, not the product. When I feel the product needs to be discussed to remain relevant I will start an INSIDERS thread.
What is it?
It's a website. I would say it sits between peer to peer and a platform. It has providers (those who provide a tangible, in person service) and customers (those who need that service). It is a very new, but quickly growing market.
Where did the idea come from?
This is my second business. My first (other than all those businesses you start as a teen selling just about anything to make some cash) was about a year ago. I struggled. Partly because I was very naive, partly because my execution simply wasn't there (read I was shit and lazy). To cut a long story short, this business fills a need that became very apparent during my first business.
Does it make CENTS?
Control - I own the website. It isn't reliant (directly) on anyone else. I (will) rely on advertising, however this will be diverse not reliant on any one source. I technically have no control over the provider side of the market. But its my job to make it attractive for them to stay.
Entry - Competing would require the full development of an imitation/alternative site/app. As barriers go, I would say this is fairly high. There is currently one competitor at the moment who I will talk about later.
Need - This is somewhat scratching my own itch, which isn't ideal. However I have spoken to many people in the same situation as I was a year ago and strongly feel this is meeting a need. The competitor I discussed above is also fair validation. More on that later.
Time - As with all startup businesses it is consuming my life right now. However once fully up and running, it will be independent of my time.
Scale - As mentioned the market is growing globally very rapidly. While my maximum customer base here in the UK is somewhat limiting, the website has potential global reach.
Competitors?
I am very much of the opinion "focus on you, not your competitors", however, as far as I know I will be hitting the market with one established competitor. They have been on the scene about 12 months and have done very well. Their model is very different to mine but ultimately serves the same purpose. Their pricing structure is clumsy and ultimately they add very little value. In fact, as I sit here thinking about it. Their added value is next to nil. I can improve on it greatly. I am not one to underestimate my competitors though. They were first. I need to be the best.
Progress so far
This all started about 5 months ago. I had the idea and instantly started researching and building the website. I quickly discovered I did not have the skills (at all) to build a website as complex, intricate and functional as the one I needed. So about 1 month later I hit UpWork looking for a developer. It took me about a week to find the guy I wanted to use. I interviewed 80% of the applicants and he stood head and shoulder above the others as someone who genuinely cared about my brief. His price point was pretty much right in the middle of all the other offers I had. So far it has taken him about 4 months. We have regular Skype chats and I am pleased with progress. He actually messaged me last week to let me know he has finished the bulk of the work. We just need to finish up some copy and tidy up a few rough edges.
In the few months while he was building the actual website my motivation has fluctuated somewhat. Ideally I would have had a lot more people lined up than I have. The logistics of getting people signed up to something which was not yet in existence proved a bigger hurdle for me than I expected. But thats in the past now. In the next few weeks the website will be ready and I will be able to full throttle the marketing.
What's next
Once the website is live, seriously ramping up the marking comes next. Social media, Adwords and content will be used for the customer side of the equation. A far more direct approach will be taken with the provider side. Calls, emails, letters, just about any means of contact. Bits and pieces will be outsourced but I am excited to learn the challenges of marketing a business like this.
That was longer than intended! But thats 4 months of post in one, so hopefully future posts will be more easily digested!
Thats all for now.
Stay hungry out there.
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