Thoughts on my execution strategy

[JWelch]

So here’s the background on my thoughts of executing a new business strategy.

I’ve developed an idea for a website that would service an industry in a way that is currently not being utilized. The closest thing to it would be something like expedia although they wouldn’t really be a competitor just to give everyone an idea. I’ve yet to have started a web based business so this is all new to me.

I’ve been researching and living the industry for a while now and the way I’d like to approach this is to start with a blog and YouTube channel, completely free and transparent to offer help, insight and value to the community through which I would ultimately validate the need for the actual web service, which would launch in about a year.

I think that through the blog and YouTube channel that I could grow the community and establish myself as a recognized and trusted figure in the space before the web launch.

No. 1 Any input or thoughts on this strategy?

No. 2 I would ultimately like to find a name for each of those 3 things that are (virtually) the same name. Can anyone help me with a resource that I can use to go through and check to see if a given name is unused for ALL of these areas (blog name, youtube, domain name)
Thanks folks.

 

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[theag]

start with a blog and YouTube channel, completely free and transparent to offer help, insight and value to the community through which I would ultimately validate the need for the actual web service, which would launch in about a year

Sounds like a horribly bad strategy. Why waste a year offering free stuff? Build some barebones version of the site and send paid traffic to it.

Can anyone help me with a resource that I can use to go through and check to see if a given name is unused for ALL of these areas (blog name, youtube, domain name)

LMGTFY

 

[JWelch]

Sounds like a horribly bad strategy. Why waste a year offering free stuff? Build some barebones version of the site and send paid traffic to it.



LMGTFY

Well, offering free stuff doesn’t mean I don’t exactly plan to not monetize those two mediums through ads and such.
There just wouldn’t be a direct cash exchange from customers.
The goal would be to develop a trusted audience/customer base to then parlay into actual customers who would use and recommend the product.

 

[Mazino]

Nice avatar.

I agree that this sounds like a bad strategy. You're talking about spending a year before you even validate your idea. That time would be much better spent interviewing people in your target audience, building a MVP to validate the idea, developing the service, launching, and iterating. And if validation fails, you find out early and can pivot or abandon the idea having only wasted a week or two instead of an entire year.

The exception is if you're truly passionate about the topic and would spend time producing content for this community anyway. Even in that case I'd suggest moving your execution timeline up a bit since your authority won't be a big factor for a web service akin to Expedia.

 

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[JWelch]

I see where you guys are coming from.

I’ll scrap these paths altogether then and focus more on the building and development of the site and service itself.
Thanks