Help making money out of a bad idea

I don't think the idea is bad. I think the
models are kinda cheesy looking.

Maybe tone down the "sexiness" just a little.

Tsnyder

Thanks for the comments. I don't think I can salvage the bikini model idea.

I do see possibilities stemming from 5000 FB friends related to cars.

Just need a new idea to promote.

Quite honestly if someone sent me those pictures I wouldn't be impressed...the girls are all very good looking, but it is amateurish beyond measure.

Wow, what a coincidence. I'm going to be blunt here, I hope you don't mind. I was looking for a picture of a GTO to send to a friend a few days ago (it's my current goal for a first car to buy ), stumbled on the one from your site, and sent it to her so we could giggle over the cheesiness. My jaw dropped when I saw this thread and the very same pic!

Now, constructive criticism: I think it could be a great idea if the graphic design were done better. There are some pretty serious lighting issues, to start with. Depending on how willing you are to work with the idea, you could perhaps consider outsourcing graphic design to a pro who can match it up better, but really, you're never gonna get the same results as you would with a live model and car in a photo shoot. I don't suppose you're interested in photography?

If you just want to do something about the Facebook account... easy way out would be that you could sell it, or a more profitable way is to use it to market some kind of car site or product. Perhaps even a car blog, allowing people to submit pictures and specs of their own cars and posting relevant articles, eventually monetize it with relevant information products or an affiliate program.

maybe there is something else your market would like. You know they like cars and women, (pretty much any guy). Maybe there are some affiliate products you can promote.

Good luck, looks like you put in some time...

Now, what do men like besides sex and cars...beer or football?

Tough one :p

I'll throw out a few ideas:

Products/Services to market to your Facebook auto friends:
- auto loan quotes (there are many CPA offers available)
- high-end auto accessories
- auto insurance quotes
- used car warranties

Dealerships
If your friends include the Facebook pages of dealerships (not just people you suspect are dealership employees) those dealerships signed up because they want the exposure to your friends since you're in a related niche. You could offer the dealers advertising space on your site (independent dealerships might take you up on that). Or, offer something that would help them grow their social network and exposure online.

Photoshop Idea
Maybe you could add to the services you offer in the way of photoshopping the vehicles. What if some of your Facebook friends wanted a set of photos they could use to list their cars for sale online? You could do a package that cleaned up the background, added a banner across the photo, added text - anything that might make the photos stand out from the rest. Some of the smaller dealerships might even be interested in such a service.

Just some thoughts....

"If I found that picture in a quick Google search for "GTO 2004" (page three), your site did something right. That's pretty far up the rankings."

Thanks. If my idea did not work just due to the quality of the images, that would mean that I did not push the idea far enough. Main problem was that car enthusiasts reacted by asking that I remove the model from the pic- they just wanted to see the car.

I think what I should do is to remove or reduce the bikini model theme of the site, then use ideas of Sojourn. Those ideas are inline with what I have had in mind.

add- "I agree with the other warriors. Ditch the models."

Thanks Nathan. I did not see your post until I hit reply.