Wanna buy the Internet? - (Check this out...)

190 replies
Someone in offtopic (Diver's) just asked "Who owns the Internet?" The answers were, unsurprisingly, odd, funny, and just odd. Whateverpedia suggested that he'd bought them all years ago, and planned on selling them to the public.

That prompted an idea. My response was...

Dude... You just hit on a Goldmine. That could be one of the coolest viral gimmicks in years.

Create a certificate logo with the number of shares purchased automatically added to the graphic at the time they order. They can post the logos on their sites or whatever. Then sell shares at 1 cent each, with a minimum of 100 shares per bundle. Each share counts for one vote at the annual stockholder's meeting at Google's Moonbase every September.

Preferred shares would have a cooler certificate, cost 1.5 cents each, and get an invite to the private party after the meeting. Etc. Add enough humor, and get some cool logos, and you could sell a bunch of shares.

If anyone runs with this, I want One Million Preferred shares as my fee for offering the idea. Make them out to Welcome To My Universe.


--- end of response ---

That could work. If not, it might be the basis for an idea you could run with yourself. Sometimes, if you want to come up with viral ideas to test, look for the truly weird and offbeat comments other people make. Especially if they get a strong response from the people around them in whatever venue.

Odd concept? Maybe. But so was the Million Pixel Home Page. And he sold out, as I recall.


Paul
#buy #internet #wanna
  • Profile picture of the author petelta
    The million pixel home page...lol...the very reason I started looking into how to make money online.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Travis,
      The million pixel home page...lol...the very reason I started looking into how to make money online.
      This could be bigger. Seriously. It wouldn't take that much in the way of programming. Writing the humor would be more work.

      Have someone create the graphics, including whatever levels of stock certificates you needed. Then have a programmer set it up to "print" the total number of shares on them and email them as attachments to the buyer. As an added cool feature, have a script written that would automatically add whatever name they used on the cert to the Directory of Stockholders. At that point, they're Official.

      This could be a lot of fun.


      Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post


        This could be a lot of fun.


        Paul
        And a full time business to boot.

        I can actually see how this would operate. It would probably be, with the
        right PR campaign, the biggest thing to hit the Internet since the Internet
        became widely known.

        Problem is, with the massive potential of this, I doubt one person could
        run it. Heck, I'd venture to say that this would take quite a team. The PR alone to get this going would be monumental.

        I mean, it's not like people are looking up, "How to buy the Internet".

        In fact, the global monthly search volume (broad match) for that phrase
        is only 1,300.

        The effort to truly make this go viral and catch on AND to be profitable
        would be staggering.

        And then of course there is the risk factor. You're essentially creating
        a demand which I'm sure you realize is very hard.

        Personally, if I was retired, bored and had nothing to do, I might get some
        people together and give this a shot, just for sh*ts and giggles to see if
        I could make it fly.

        But right now, running a full time business (again) I wouldn't even consider
        it.

        But God bless the person who takes this and runs with it and actually
        makes it fly.

        He deserves all the millions he's probably going to make.
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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          Oh, by the way...buytheinternet.com was taken in Aug of 2006 and is
          registered through 2012. You can get it through a service but I am sure
          this person wants a fortune for it. I think they got it knowing that someday,
          somebody was going to come up with this insane idea.

          ** EDIT ** The keyword phrase "buy the Internet" gets 14,800 broad
          match searches a month...so that's a little better.
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
          Steven,

          Humor works. Make this funny, and add the ego boost of being listed as one of the owners of the Internet, and that's a potentially viral gig right there.

          The biggest issue I can see, besides a payment processor who doesn't mind you selling graphics for a user-determined price, is what happens if the server gets swamped. For those cases, you want a backup server that the payment receipts go to, and are entered into a database. If there's a snafu with the delivery of the graphic, you want to be able to click a button and have the graphic sent again.

          There are as many potential problems with a successful viral campaign as one that flops.

          The content could easily end up being crowd-sourced. There are no ends to the creativity of geeks with sci-fi puns, for example. I can hear the jokes now about Eric Schmidt and his "harsh mistress." Paying for air indeed!

          Hell, people pay real money to be registered as owners of stars, so why not for a chunk of the Internet?


          Paul
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          • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
            Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

            Steven,

            Humor works. Make this funny, and add the ego boost of being listed as one of the owners of the Internet, and that's a potentially viral gig right there.

            The biggest issue I can see, besides a payment processor who doesn't mind you selling graphics for a user-determined price, is what happens if the server gets swamped. For those cases, you want a backup server that the payment receipts go to, and are entered into a database. If there's a snafu with the delivery of the graphic, you want to be able to click a button and have the graphic sent again.

            There are as many potential problems with a successful viral campaign as one that flops.

            The content could easily end up being crowd-sourced. There are no ends to the creativity of geeks with sci-fi puns, for example. I can hear the jokes now about Eric Schmidt and his "harsh mistress." Paying for air indeed!

            Hell, people pay real money to be registered as owners of stars, so why not for a chunk of the Internet?


            Paul

            I agree. I do absolutely see the potential here even with the low keyword
            searches. Once this catches on there may not be any stopping.

            Sadly, I'm just not as adventurous as I was when I was younger and
            played ice hockey in 6 degree weather on closed, abandoned park pools,
            falling through the ice and nearly drowning.

            I have the newspaper story still tacked up on the fridge.
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            • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
              Paul, if you go to Google and type in "buy the internet" (no quotes) you
              will find that there are no relevant results. The top sites are about buying
              things on the internet. So I don't think ranking your site for the phrase
              will be hard, providing you can find a domain that's a close enough match.

              The problem I see is how Google will actually treat the relevancy.

              Remember, this an oddball phrase. Who the hell types in "buy the internet"
              and is actually looking to buy the internet? So I wonder if, even with a
              relevant domain name and content that matches the topic (I could
              certainly write some off the wall stuff) if Google would even recognize it
              as an authority site.

              Naturally, the viral campaign will help and then once that goes around
              enough and people start doing the actual search, the site itself will then
              probably be at the top of the results.

              Getting that domain, which I am sure is going to run 1K to 2K to grab
              a hold of, will make things a hell of a lot easier.

              There is no question we could make this fly.

              But then...there are the legal issues.

              Selling shares in the Internet?

              Even as a joke or spoof, don't you think that might raise a few eyebrows?

              I can just see the FTC knocking on my door now for running the ultimate
              scam.

              And forget running this through PayPal. They'll shut you down in a heart
              beat. In fact, no merchant account with any rep will touch it.

              You would probably have to get one of those porn processing accounts
              like Epoch.com to handle the transactions.

              Just too much about the idea that scares the crap out of me.
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              • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
                Ah, Steven...

                Who cares about Google? I sure don't. Are you that focused on the traditional mechanics of the thing?

                This is about people. Humor and fun and spoofed bragging rights. Not search engines and keyword counts. It's a sandbox thing.

                The FTC??? You'd have to write the thing so that the typical consumer had the impression, at the time of ordering, that they were actually buying real stock. That's kind of an easy hurdle to clear. For example, the whole "Stockholder meeting at the Google Moonbase" schtick would be a dead giveaway.

                Probably need to avoid the Google reference, but maybe not. It's certainly not damaging to their rep. Maybe if it said it was being rented for the occasion. Creates a clear separation between the entities.

                As far as payment processors, I doubt the product would be a problem. You're selling a custom gag graphic for a web site. Might be issues with potentially huge amounts of very small transactions, but that can be figured out by asking them.

                Loosen up and get creative, dude. Even if no-one ever does anything with the idea, it's a seed. Something to think about for folks looking for a viral concept. That's why I posted it. The framework is valid, and it's a good way to free up the thinking channels.


                Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          It would probably be, with the
          right PR campaign, the biggest thing to hit the Internet since the Internet
          became widely known.
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        • Profile picture of the author Scott Voss
          Who the heck is searching for that?!?!

          Either the very 'slow' or absolutely maniacal, world domination type.

          Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

          I mean, it's not like people are looking up, "How to buy the Internet".

          In fact, the global monthly search volume (broad match) for that phrase
          is only 1,300.
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    • Profile picture of the author spudnick
      Originally Posted by petelta View Post

      The million pixel home page...lol...the very reason I started looking into how to make money online.
      Haha! Me too. That is the first thing that opened my eyes to the possibilities of earning money online!
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    • Profile picture of the author spennyc
      Originally Posted by petelta View Post

      The million pixel home page...lol...the very reason I started looking into how to make money online.
      Yeah - that was great!
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Worner
    If the internet doesn't interest you there are people who sell lots of land on the moon you can purchase, although the legality and enforceability of such a transaction is questionable.

    Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Can I pay in virtual money Paul?

    Ps. I thought Allen Says owned the internet.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      John,
      Can I pay in virtual money Paul?
      Nope. Gotta be in Lunies (with apologies to our friends from Canuckistan), which are conveniently fixed at an exchange rate of one Lunie to one US dollar.


      Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
        If you give every stockholder a logo that links back to the site to place on their own web properties, this could go supernova in no time. Start right here on the WF, for crying out loud, and I bet you'd have hundreds of backlinks the first day of operation.

        Offer virtual giftcards that they can send their friends: Happy Birthday, Friend! Because you already have just about everything, I wanted to buy you something unique. Here is your very own piece of the Internet.

        Or "Hey, old fart! Wanted to give you something to bring you out of the stone age so here's your very own share in the Internet"

        Write up a piece for a Google News site under technology - massive traffic and buzz.

        Tina
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
          Tina,
          If you give every stockholder a logo that links back to the site to place on their own web properties, this could go supernova in no time.
          Kewl. That's smart thinking.
          Offer virtual giftcards that they can send their friends: Happy Birthday, Friend! Because you already have just about everything, I wanted to buy you something unique. Here is your very own piece of the Internet.
          That's what I want to hear. Clever stuff!
          Or "Hey, old fart!"
          [ahem] Was that really necessary?


          Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

          If you give every stockholder a logo that links back to the site to place on their own web properties, this could go supernova in no time. Start right here on the WF, for crying out loud, and I bet you'd have hundreds of backlinks the first day of operation.

          Offer virtual giftcards that they can send their friends: Happy Birthday, Friend! Because you already have just about everything, I wanted to buy you something unique. Here is your very own piece of the Internet.

          Or "Hey, old fart! Wanted to give you something to bring you out of the stone age so here's your very own share in the Internet"

          Write up a piece for a Google News site under technology - massive traffic and buzz.

          Tina

          Tina stop it! You're tempting me and I got too much on my plate to
          tackle this one.

          Damn I hate you guys!
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        • Profile picture of the author theurbantwist
          Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

          If you give every stockholder a logo that links back to the site to place on their own web properties, this could go supernova in no time. Start right here on the WF, for crying out loud, and I bet you'd have hundreds of backlinks the first day of operation.

          Offer virtual giftcards that they can send their friends: Happy Birthday, Friend! Because you already have just about everything, I wanted to buy you something unique. Here is your very own piece of the Internet.

          Or "Hey, old fart! Wanted to give you something to bring you out of the stone age so here's your very own share in the Internet"

          Write up a piece for a Google News site under technology - massive traffic and buzz.

          Tina
          Thanks for your reply in my other thread about PMing...I couldn't respond there because the thread has since been deleted, lol.

          But you made me see this forum a lot more clearly.
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  • Profile picture of the author theurbantwist
    I thought Al Gore owned the internet. :-P

    But seriously, I dig your idea man. With the PR campaign, could create a snowball effect in terms of just getting traffic to the site and obviously the money will come when that happens.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Damn. Dont have one! Just emptied my paypal!

    @ theurbantwist

    Dont feel bad. I thought Manual Labor was the president of mexico!
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    • Profile picture of the author theurbantwist
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      Damn. Dont have one! Just emptied my paypal!

      @ theurbantwist

      Dont feel bad. I thought Manual Labor was the president of mexico!
      Lol...I actually never heard that one before.
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      • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
        [ahem] Was that really necessary?
        Probably not but my sense of humor seems to be sleeping early tonight so that was as close as I got.

        Tina
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      • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
        It reminds me of the publicity stunt Paul Hartunian did.

        "Broklyn Bridge For Sale"

        Media were tripping over themselves to get a piece of that story.

        He actually rounded up some pieces of wood that came from workman
        working on it.

        He cut them up into small pieces and sold packets of them.

        No major news stories happening now so media will love

        "Internet For Sale".

        All the best,
        Ewen
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
          Ewen,
          It reminds me of the publicity stunt Paul Hartunian did.

          "Brooklyn Brige For Sale"
          I've got two of those certs. One from years ago, and one Paul sent me of the 25th anniversary edition, complete with certificate of authenticity, leatherette binder, and handwritten note. One of my favorite possessions, oddly. Or perhaps not so oddly. Paul is not only a cool guy, he's a very smart cookie.

          That kind of thinking is what I'm talking about. He was watching the news and saw the pile of lumber in the background. Everyone else saw junk wood from a dilapidated walkway. He saw a media monster and turned it into reality.

          I'd swap a few brain cells with him. I doubt he'd go for the deal, though.


          Paul
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          • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
            Paul
            Geez man, seriously get on the blower with Paul H and come up with
            the biggest media stunt this decade.

            He has the media contacts, been on untold TV and radio stations.

            Hear is an angle "23,000 Shareholders Vote To Sell Their Shares In The Internet"

            Shareholders being us on the Warrior Forum.

            Shareholders is true because every phone and internet user wouldn't be able to have the network without the users.

            Ewen







            Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

            Ewen,I've got two of those certs. One from years ago, and one Paul sent me of the 25th anniversary edition, complete with certificate of authenticity, leatherette binder, and handwritten note. One of my favorite possessions, oddly. Or perhaps not so oddly. Paul is not only a cool guy, he's a very smart cookie.

            That kind of thinking is what I'm talking about. He was watching the news and saw the pile of lumber in the background. Everyone else saw junk wood from a dilapidated walkway. He saw a media monster and turned it into reality.

            I'd swap a few brain cells with him. I doubt he'd go for the deal, though.


            Paul
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            • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
              Ewen,
              Geez man, seriously get on the blower with Paul H and come up with the biggest media stunt this decade.
              [chuckle] He'd be good, alright. I doubt he'd want to mess with it these days, unless there was real money in it for http://www.AuntMarysDoghouse.com - It's a dog rescue organization.

              Paul's been taking things a lot more leisurely the past few years.

              One interesting bit that might be good with the story is if someone captured the quote from Whateverpedia in the OT section and then offered to "buy him out." If he agrees, you've got the "lost treasure" angle to work with, along with the "girl/boy makes good" theme.


              Paul
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              • Profile picture of the author drmani
                Empire Avenue raised six-figures in seed capital recently.

                http://blog.empireavenue.com/?p=411

                They're selling shares too... IN YOU!

                (My portfolio is worth six-figures there!)

                All success
                Dr.Mani
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              • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
                Paul,
                Yeah I knew he was big on the dog rescue thing.

                Anyway, good laugh.

                There is still the news angle turning into long term pay days though.

                The domain name internetusersassociation.org is available.

                Set up the organization with a Fan Page on Facebook
                and you be the head honcho, making the rules doing what the hell you like.

                People will love you and hate you, just like here.

                Charge them for all sorts of things.

                Remember, if they are a fan they will buy....memberships,
                advanced memberships, advocacy, t-shirts, mugs, conventions,
                bumper stickers, caps, medical insurance plans, advertising space
                for access to these rabid tech heads....dating portal for these hormone rampant
                people...

                Think how big the Red Hat Society, the old folks organization.

                People want to belong.

                People want to be with others.

                Starting to get the drift where this can go?

                Ewen

                People want to be part of something special.




                Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

                Ewen,[chuckle] He'd be good, alright. I doubt he'd want to mess with it these days, unless there was real money in it for Aunt Mary's Doghouse - A Non-Profit Dog Rescue Organization - It's a dog rescue organization.

                Paul's been taking things a lot more leisurely the past few years.

                One interesting bit that might be good with the story is if someone captured the quote from Whateverpedia in the OT section and then offered to "buy him out." If he agrees, you've got the "lost treasure" angle to work with, along with the "girl/boy makes good" theme.


                Paul
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                • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
                  Ewen,
                  Set up the organization with a Fan Page on Facebook and you be the head honcho, making the rules doing what the hell you like.
                  Nah. I like what I do now, although it'd be funny to see the comments from people if I claimed to Rule Teh Internets.
                  People want to belong.
                  Ya know, that's not a bad idea at all. Along with the graphic and the registry, you could put in a forum or other interactivity systems.

                  I don't want anything from it but my 1 million preferred shares for the idea.


                  Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    THE INTERNET IS FOR SALE!!!

    $299 per pixel!!! Im serious...

    Hi,

    My name is John Durham, and I am an internet stockbroker.


    Yup thats right.


    I work for... you know...
    "The guy that owns the internet"?

    Representing him as an authorized agent, I can sell you a piece of Internet property, with a one page minisite built right on it, overlooking a valley of competitors, for only $5000 per month with a google yellow page ad.


    How can I do that?

    Because he owns googles property too!

    Call- BR-549 for a quote on a few internet acres today!
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    • Profile picture of the author theurbantwist
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      THE INTERNET IS FOR SALE!!!

      $299 per pixel!!! Im serious...

      Hi,

      My name is John Durham, and I am an internet stockbroker.


      Yup thats right.


      I work for... you know...
      "The guy that owns the internet"?

      Representing him as an authorized agent, I can sell you a piece of Internet property, with a one page minisite built right on it, overlooking a valley of competitors, for only $5000 per month with a google yellow page ad.


      How can I do that?

      Because he owns googles property too!

      Call- BR-549 for a quote on a few internet acres today!

      Pretty impressive copy...especially in such a short amount of time.
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      • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
        Okay, I just bought WannaBuyTheInternet.com - who wants to JV?

        BuyTheInternet.net was available but I decided it sounded stupid.

        Ha, I'm going to hit up Karl Warren in the morning and see if he'll JV and do the graphics.

        Tina
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        • Profile picture of the author theurbantwist
          Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

          Okay, I just bought WannaBuyTheInternet.com - who wants to JV?

          BuyTheInternet.net was available but I decided it sounded stupid.

          Ha, I'm going to hit up Karl Warren in the morning and see if he'll JV and do the graphics.

          Tina
          You move fast. :-)
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          • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
            Gotta move fast or get hit by the bus.

            Tina
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            • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
              Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

              Gotta move fast or get hit by the bus.

              Tina
              OK, who just bought "HitByTheBus.com"?



              ~Bill
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        • Profile picture of the author mrsray
          Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

          Okay, I just bought WannaBuyTheInternet.com - who wants to JV?

          BuyTheInternet.net was available but I decided it sounded stupid.

          Ha, I'm going to hit up Karl Warren in the morning and see if he'll JV and do the graphics.

          Tina
          am I too late to get in? sent you a pm

          ps ... I love this, warriors getting together, can we do more things too? maybe start a group LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Steven,

    Hey. This is what we're looking for. Ideas people can use in lots of ways.

    A few years ago, I came up with the idea of "The Golden Jackass Awards," which would be given to people and companies that had done really bone-headed things re: online advertising. The first recipient was going to be me, since I had the notion that I was someone who should be calling anyone else a jackass.

    Linking back from the graphics, which someone actually made up (and were cool) was part of the plan.


    Paul

    PS: Note that Tina had nothing to do with that particular bizarre notion. Although, after that "Old fart" thing...
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  • Profile picture of the author Fraggler
    You'd be amazed what people would pay for...

    That Second Life game has apparently made many people quite rich selling virtual property and goods.
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    What's going on here. I thought it was common knowledge. Allen Says owns the Internet and he already promised me I could have it when he is finished with it.

    George Wright
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Originally Posted by George Wright View Post

      What's going on here. I thought it was common knowledge. Allen Says owns the Internet and he already promised me I could have it when he is finished with it.
      In the mean time you can buy my shares.

      I'm naked short selling so you better act fast....

      ~Bill
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      • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
        I'm naked short selling
        Bill, threatening the man like that on a public forum

        Tina
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

    Someone in offtopic (Diver's) just asked "Who owns the Internet?" The answers were, unsurprisingly, odd, funny, and just odd. Whateverpedia suggested that he'd bought them all years ago, and planned on selling them to the public.

    That prompted an idea. My response was...

    Dude... You just hit on a Goldmine. That could be one of the coolest viral gimmicks in years.

    Create a certificate logo with the number of shares purchased automatically added to the graphic at the time they order. They can post the logos on their sites or whatever. Then sell shares at 1 cent each, with a minimum of 100 shares per bundle. Each share counts for one vote at the annual stockholder's meeting at Google's Moonbase every September.

    Preferred shares would have a cooler certificate, cost 1.5 cents each, and get an invite to the private party after the meeting. Etc. Add enough humor, and get some cool logos, and you could sell a bunch of shares.

    If anyone runs with this, I want One Million Preferred shares as my fee for offering the idea. Make them out to Welcome To My Universe.


    --- end of response ---

    That could work. If not, it might be the basis for an idea you could run with yourself. Sometimes, if you want to come up with viral ideas to test, look for the truly weird and offbeat comments other people make. Especially if they get a strong response from the people around them in whatever venue.

    Odd concept? Maybe. But so was the Million Pixel Home Page. And he sold out, as I recall.


    Paul

    The logo should have Al Gore's face instead, since he DID invent the Internet...

    That may also give the campaign credibility since so many people believed him too...
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    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
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  • Profile picture of the author Mcrofts
    You Could Make a Nice Website, put it on Clickbank.
    Selling Internet "Shares" People Will Buy for sure & Clickbank will Approve for Sure.
    If you Did it right.

    Well you can Purchase "Shares"/ Land on the Moon (Search For Buying Lunar Shares/Land)

    Also people buy & Sell Regal Title's.

    So Someone's bound to Start Selling Internet "Shares"
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    "Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal, a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek."
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    You know, typing the words "buy the internet" without the quotes are certainly bound to show you anything but. I mean 2 of the most popular words on the internet combined with one of the most popular articles in the english language? OF COURSE you will get a lot of dreck. I typed it WITH the quotes and found one page that was kind of funny and I have heard enough people say such things that I can believe it!

    Computer Stupidities: The Internet

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    People buy "stars". Why not?

    We are all selling virtual space... the space thats between the spaces... it doesnt really even exist in tangible form.

    ..and people are paying THOUSANDS of dollars for a "piece" of it! lol

    Go figure?
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      People buy "stars". Why not?

      We are all selling virtual space... the space thats between the spaces... it doesnt really even exist in tangible form.

      ..and people are paying THOUSANDS of dollars for a "piece" of it! lol

      Go figure?
      lol - Someone bought me a star a few years ago as a gift. I don't have any place to put it though, so I just left it where it was.


      If I buy the Internet, what do I get in free bonuses?
      Signature

      Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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      • Profile picture of the author DogScout
        Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

        lol - Someone bought me a star a few years ago as a gift. I don't have any place to put it though, so I just left it where it was.


        If I buy the Internet, what do I get in free bonuses?
        If you were to buy the ENTIRE internet, for 1 cent a share for as many shares as we are willing to sell, say 1 trillion... if you came up with the ten billion dollars to buy the whole net, you would get as a bonus, an entire constellation! (As well as a gravity jar to keep it in).
        Cassiopeia and Canis Major (which includes the star Sirius, the brightest star in the sky), are already sold. However at this time, any of the others are available. (I own Canis Major!)




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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    This reminded me about when my son was younger and came across the
    Save Toby website and wanted me to donate to save Toby from being eaten
    Savetoby.com | Only YOU have the power to Save Toby!

    That site became an urban legend.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
    Banned
    I own Your Internets - Your Internets (PR1) if you want it for your campaign. ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Faber
    The number of searches are inconsequential, for now. This thing would be totally viral and media driven, just like most gags are at the beginning. After it really got rolling, you can bet that the number of searches would increase a bit.

    With the right social media, forum marketing, and blogging campaigns, coupled with a few well timed and written press releases, someone with an in at some major media outlets, and this whole thing could blow up in about 10 days.

    To think we were here when the Internet was sold....Take that, Al!
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    For Killer Marketing Tips that Will Grow Your Business Follow Me on Twitter Now
    After all, you're probably following a few hundred people already that aren't doing squat for you.....
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Okay, folks. Take a look at what's happening here.

      I had an idea, and shared it. Tina grabbed a domain, and has plans for the graphics. Mal offered a domain for it, too. And we've got a number of people coming up with ideas they're giving out freely.

      This is called collaborative creation. This is a group at its best.

      Another lesson: Despite the fact that we're talking about a marketing technique, we've got a bunch of marketers excited about the idea. Not just because it could make money, but because it's cool and fun. That's a positive sign for the rest of the world. Not conclusive, but a decent first indicator.

      As a side note, I told a friend about the idea this evening. She was laughing from the phrase "selling shares of stock in the Internet." She kept laughing all the way through, including the comment about holding the shareholder meetings at the main conference room at Moonbase Google. She's a real old-timer, Internet-wise. Makes her living with the thing. She also plays Farmville, and spreads links to funny videos, and emails her friends pictures of kittens, and bunnies in hats and sunglasses.

      She said she wanted to buy some shares for her youngest son, who's a major geek.

      Again, not conclusive, but a positive sign.

      The only two big tricks left are the programming, which shouldn't be too horribly complex, and the content. Those are what we do, yes?

      So, my first question is: What other ways can we add things to make this more fun, more viral, and more likely to succeed?

      Second question: What potential problems do folks see, in terms of both security and scaling?


      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Couldnt miss this opportunity Paul - The Internet Is For Sale

    We could create 1000 portal pages to Pauls newsletter... which spreads the rediculous notion (or not so) that someone is selling the internet.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      John,
      Couldnt miss this opportunity Paul - The Internet Is For Sale
      Hey! No affiliate links in posts!


      Paul
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      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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      • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
        That reminds me of this page: tHE eND oF tHE iNTERNET
        Signature
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        Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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      • Profile picture of the author PatriciaJ
        and tell Google that they don't own the Internet, blimey..
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Okay, I have an idea...sort of like a War of the Worlds radio broadcast
        sort of thing.

        We start it out with a rumor that shares of the Internet are being sold. At
        this time, they are unconfirmed.

        We then build on the story giving fake names, places, etc.

        We could do this on blogtalkradio and let it spread.

        Every day, another broadcast would air with more news.

        Each broadcast would be about 5 minutes.

        We'd keep building on the story until we finally reach the day when the
        actual shares are being sold.

        This will give us time to put the project together while buzz is being
        built.

        I've done TV scripts before so writing this would be no problem for me.

        Also, we could use Xtranormal videos (I've done these too) and put
        them up on YouTube. Those crazy characters could spread the rumors
        about shares of the Internet being sold.

        Anyway, there are my 2 cents on this thing.
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      • Profile picture of the author tpw
        Should this ever go beyond the idea/planning stage and into execution, count me in...

        Just let me know what I can do to help...
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        Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
        Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
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      • Profile picture of the author EllieSenra
        Also, I was just thinking, wondering, I suppose... people would most probably be compelled to fake their own stock certificates, wouldn't they? How would we know which ones are real and which ones are phony? Or is this so insignificant that it wouldn't really matter? -- also, could some sort of affiliate program come out of this? A lot of newb questions, I know. Forgive me!
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    It would be cool if you could get people using shares of Internet Stock to trade for things on the Internet. Farmville land for 10,000 shares of Internet stock. One eBook on eBay for 100 shares. (A Warrior could run the auction and specify under forms of payments, PayPal, Postal Money order or Internet Stock Shares.

    Run an ad on Craigs list, CD Collection for sale, will trade for 1,000 shares of Internet stock. "Have 10,000 frequent flyer miles will trade for 10,000 Shares of Internet stock."

    Here you go, Run a WSO and accept shares of stock for your eBook. On and On and On

    Sell Shares on Amazon and eBay for xx and trade stuff worth xxx for xx shares. More bang for your buck with Internet Stock. (well it doesn't quite ryme but close)

    Actually trading things on the net for Shares would get people wondering, "Hey, Where Can I get me some of those Shares of Internet Stock."

    George Wright
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    "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
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  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
    Oooh... nostalgia!

    Way back in 2003 I used to sell something on
    eBay: Lake District Rain

    With the right message you can sell just about
    anything. These days it will be much easier to
    spread the word using social networking sites
    such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

    So many ideas... so little time. ;-)

    John
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    John's Internet Marketing News, Views & Reviews: John Taylor Online
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Im in. Teach me guys How do you pull off an internet coo?
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Oh and of course I could write articles on the subject as well getting them
      out to directories.

      Maybe we put together a free report and upload it to a bunch of article
      directories.

      I know this is all basic stuff but every little bit is going to help. The more
      avenues we use to spread the word, the faster it will spread. Naturally, this
      also means Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Digg, etc.

      Still brainstorming here while I'm taking a break to play Sorcery Quest.
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  • Profile picture of the author Olga_Tarkhan
    We could do this on blogtalkradio and let it spread.
    Every day, another broadcast would air with more news.
    Each broadcast would be about 5 minutes.
    That reminds me of the good old Orson Wells' days...

    Olga
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  • Profile picture of the author Olga_Tarkhan
    And I thought I was old.
    I take it as a compliment!!!

    BTW, warriors, how about buying 49% of the Russian Internet from me? Great market, everybody says.

    Could make you a very handsome price...

    Olga
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Oh, and of course once this thing starts to spread, local news shows are
      going to pick it up.

      At that point, we get a hold of the best looking person to go on one of these
      things and talk about the whole idea.

      When I say "best looking" I mean best for the part, meaning, it could very
      well be some nerd in Clark Kent specs with a pocket protector.

      We'd have to figure out the best persona to pull this off.
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      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post


        At that point, we get a hold of the best looking person to go on one of these
        things and talk about the whole idea.
        That would be me jk

        This is really a monstrous idea... who ever comes out with this report is going to make ALOT of money... maybe there could be a twist to where it could actually be a legit claim by some play of words...

        People in the "offline world" often ask "Where do I buy a keyword"? They think someone owns all the keywords and you have to "buy" one... in a sense thats true, you can buy and exact match domain...

        I wonder how "Buying up all the keywords" could play into this... or "Someone already sold off the last keyword"...lol

        It reminds me of some line I came across of Pauls that made me covet... "This is my brain on Internet Marketing" or something like that... I remember thinking "What a great hook"...

        Paul you've done it again.
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  • Profile picture of the author BryanC
    This is just epic. I want in (as I'm sure everyone does).
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  • Profile picture of the author jacktackett
    hum, to really go viral we'll need an enemy to crusade against us selling the internet -

    I'll volunteer to be the enemy (for a few shares hehehe). I can start up a site and fan page saying something like

    We Need to STOP these Scam Artists NOW. The internet is blah blah.

    Can't have a cause unless someone is against you - so why not generate our own enemy. And of course that will get the link out even faster.

    And I think I can act crazy enough that maybe people will think whatever this kook (Crazy Jack (tm) is against can't be all bad ;-).

    thoughts?

    --Jack
    Signature
    Let's get Tim the kidney he needs!HELP Tim
    Mega Monster WSO for KimW http://ow.ly/4JdHm


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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Jack,

      Originally Posted by jacktackett View Post

      hum, to really go viral we'll need an enemy to crusade against us selling the internet -

      I'll volunteer to be the enemy (for a few shares hehehe). I can start up a site and fan page saying something like

      We Need to STOP these Scam Artists NOW. The internet is blah blah.

      Can't have a cause unless someone is against you - so why not generate our own enemy. And of course that will get the link out even faster.
      There's already a potential big and bad enemy out there, at least in the minds of many folks, and that's the mega corporations (e.g. Google and Verizon) that are advocating an end to Net Neutrality.

      One angle on this particular venture could be "Hands Off! - The Net Belongs To The People".

      Get a little Robin Hood action going...


      Frank
      Signature


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      • Profile picture of the author Alfred Shelver
        That angle would be a gold mine people buying shares to stop big brother....

        the Ideas on this forum are often mind blowing wow some of you are smart.
        Is it because of warrior forum or despite warrior forum

        Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

        Jack,

        There's already a potential big and bad enemy out there, at least in the minds of many folks, and that's the mega corporations (e.g. Google and Verizon) that are advocating an end to Net Neutrality.

        One angle on this particular venture could be "Hands Off! - The Net Belongs To The People".

        Get a little Robin Hood action going...


        Frank
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by jacktackett View Post

      hum, to really go viral we'll need an enemy to crusade against us selling the internet -

      I'll volunteer to be the enemy (for a few shares hehehe). I can start up a site and fan page saying something like

      We Need to STOP these Scam Artists NOW. The internet is blah blah.

      Can't have a cause unless someone is against you - so why not generate our own enemy. And of course that will get the link out even faster.

      And I think I can act crazy enough that maybe people will think whatever this kook (Crazy Jack (tm) is against can't be all bad ;-).

      thoughts?

      --Jack

      Jack, this is an excellent idea. Opposing forces. Kind of like Luke
      Skywalker vs Darth Vader.
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      • Profile picture of the author highdimensions
        I wonder how long it will take before I receive hundreds of emails offering me to buy internet shares...
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
          Look... before this gets a lot of momentum, I am willing to sell you folks all of my shares. Someone make me an offer I can't refuse. Besides, I haven't the time for another project at the moment.
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          • Profile picture of the author draede
            This is brilliant. Count me in! feel free to skype me at geektwistdesign
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          • Profile picture of the author John Durham
            Originally Posted by JohnGuanzon View Post

            Look... before this gets a lot of momentum, I am willing to sell you folks all of my shares. Someone make me an offer I can't refuse. Besides, I haven't the time for another project at the moment.
            We dont really have to have alot of time if we all pitch in our single effort then it will add up to hundreds off little single pieces that create a huge puzzle.

            Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

            Jack, this is an excellent idea. Opposing forces. Kind of like Luke
            Skywalker vs Darth Vader.
            I agree. Brilliant.
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            • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
              Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

              We dont really have to have alot of time if we all pitch in our single effort then it will add up to hundreds off little single pieces that create a huge puzzle.
              .
              Can I opt to simply trade a few of my shares for outsourcing my part of the effort? Basically the more hands off the better. Looking for anyone who is better than me at putting together puzzles. Name your price.
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              • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
                www-dot,
                So far this is all sizzle and no steak. What exactly are you guys selling?
                When you're talking entertainment, the sizzle is the steak. The whole idea here is the fun of the thing, and being able to continue as part of a big group gag. That's what the stock cert graphic is for.

                The actual product is the custom graphic, which should be designed as something they could put on a website. The full-page cert Mark showed might not be a bad idea as an add-on, though. It should, if something like that is used, have their member ID #, which would correspond to their public listing in the directory.

                The idea of linking back to the site from the web logo is cool. Maybe with a link to their listing, to verify it, so they can't be as easily "forged."

                Here's a thought: Let people include links to their own sites in their listings if they want, as their "virtual address" info. Hmmm... I wonder who might pay for a cert when it included a link? Maybe make that a premium listing, with a minimum participation level...

                Or make it only apply to preferred stock owners, which might require a higher investment. That makes more sense.

                As far as "The Internet," that's not the same thing as Cox Cable or AOL or a fiber line or a server farm. Those are the parts that make it work, but they're not "The Internet." An interesting thing about the responses in the original thread in OT... The majority of the non-silly comments suggested that the Internet was 'owned' by the humans who use it.

                That's a sentiment that can be echoed in the content to give the humor more truth.

                Do that, and maybe add in a serious segment that talks about how the Internet is more than the sum of its parts, and is a cultural artifact belonging to everyone who uses it, and you've got both the entertainment and emotional connections. Each of which is valid and true, and which creates something even more potentially significant.

                No guarantee it's an idea that will go crazy viral, but it's a fun concept and a cool idea for a sandbox. And the potential if it's done right and catches on could be big.

                I like the idea of bringing Net Neutrality into it, but you want to be careful that you're not implying that it's some kind of campaign or crusade, unless that's where you want to spend the money. Making those sorts of things the object of some (most?) of the humor is cool. Just be careful to maintain the humor and fun as the focus. That doesn't mean you couldn't have some sort of Netizen's Manifesto included.
                I think most of you are processing this concept from the mid-90's pop culture view of the internet.
                This wouldn't have worked in the mid-90's. I was there for it. This would have been slapped silly by the over-serious techs, or treated as too serious for humor. This is regular people stuff, not niche-geek content.

                A lot of the things that are considered seriously now were poor fits for that age online. Precisely because the net isn't viewed as something magical any more.
                Sorry, but the concepts in this thread cannot really be transfered to selling the internet. Have fun wasting your time people.
                That is almost word for word a comment that was made to me a long time ago. It went very close to this: "The newsletter publishing model we're talking about won't work in email. You're wasting your time."

                Granted, not all of them worked, but the model itself has pretty well been proven.

                John,
                Not until Paul has worn it out of course!
                Paul has more going on than he should as it is. That's why I asked for shares if someone else ran with it. I'll be happy to help out with advice and some content, but I've got projects to handle now that take up more time than I like.

                Karen,
                remember the pet rock? I used to think who the hell would buy something like that? I get it now.
                [chuckle] I've always believed that was one of the best marketing gimmicks ever. Personally, I went at it the dangerous way. Caught my own. A hefty chunk of wild feldspar. Scared the crap out of those foofty little "poodle pebbles" that travelled in boxes.


                Paul
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                • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
                  Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

                  www-dot,When you're talking entertainment, the sizzle is the steak.
                  I understand the foundation you guys are working from, but it isn't very solid yet.

                  You are selling the the ability for someone to have an emotional response, which does work with the right product. I just don't see that happening with a paper certificate or a web graphic stating that you own the internet. Not here in 2010. Back in the mid to late 90's this would have been more interesting.

                  Imagine trying to sell radio waves as a novelty item. How far back would you have to go to find buyers? Probably a time in which people didn't really understand how the radio worked. The mystery would have been the key component to making it a fun novelty.

                  That is pretty much what I'm getting at with selling the internet. The mystery is gone. People know enough about how it works now that the whole cyberspace as a mysterious dimension angle from the 90's is gone.

                  Originally Posted by opportunitiesaplenty View Post

                  Most people still do have a mid '90s view of the Internet. It's all very mysterious. Ask your non IM savy friends about the Internet and check the answers they give you.
                  They know the internet is about modems, routers, websites and a 1 year ISP contract. That is enough to have killed the fun mystery.
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                  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
                    I understand the foundation you guys are working from, but it isn't very solid yet.
                    That's quite true. It's an idea at this point, not yet a project. Having considered it as the thread developed, and observed my own reactions and the responses posted here, I don't see any reason other than the form of execution why it couldn't work to at least a moderately successful level. Possibly VERY successful.

                    A lot of it will depend on the presentation.
                    That is pretty much what I'm getting at with selling the internet. The mystery is gone. People know enough about how it works now that the whole cyberspace as a mysterious dimension angle from the 90's is gone.
                    Fundamental difference in perspective going on here. We're not selling the Internet. We're talking about selling a (partial) gag item, along with a very real feeling of ownership. Not of the technology or hardware or bandwidth, but of the culture and community. That needs to be felt in the content, but probably not stated directly.

                    Here's an example: Some people in this group take the label of 'Warrior' very seriously. Others just think it means 'someone with an account here.' Both are right in their own way. But, and this is a very big but, the folks who treat that label as something to be earned and respected form a sub-community that drives this group. We defend the place as though it were our own, because, in many important ways, it is. We all share the spirit and create the community.

                    Without those people who defend and build the place, it would fall into uselessness quickly. That's why I refuse to allow forum wars to have any footing here. Other people have their own places with their own cultures, and those common interests help them to build their own communities. It is no more our place to drag them down than it is for them to mess with us.

                    And, inevitably, when communities fight, everyone loses.

                    That feeling of 'ownership' is very real, and it's something people can feel. If you tie it to an idea, which is what 'The Internet' really is, you create something subtle and powerful. The truth behind the comedy is what makes it work.

                    The idea of 'shares' isn't saying you 'own' the Internet. It's saying you own part of it, and you have a say in what happens with it. That's the underlying appeal to the idea. The rest is entertainment, which has always had a big part to play in any social context.

                    All of that is undercurrent.

                    The product is the label that says, "I own part of this. My voice counts!"


                    Paul
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                  • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
                    Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post

                    I understand the foundation you guys are working from, but it isn't very solid yet.
                    And your contrarian approach is helping a great deal
                    in prompting reponses that will improve the idea.

                    That's one of the things I love about brainstorming.
                    When you suspend judgement of the person, and
                    simply pay attention to their content, it encourages
                    everyone to consider alternative perspectives.

                    By questioning the idea you have gone a long way
                    in encouraging people to think more deeply about
                    how it could work.

                    Thanks

                    John
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                • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
                  Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post


                  Karen,[chuckle] I've always believed that was one of the best marketing gimmicks ever. Personally, I went at it the dangerous way. Caught my own. A hefty chunk of wild feldspar. Scared the crap out of those foofty little "poodle pebbles" that travelled in boxes.


                  Paul
                  What if we took a hotwheels car bottom, super glued it to the bottom of a rock with crazy eyes on it and market them as "Rock & Rolls"? Will bet the value of say 100 of my shares that it would take off like a rocket.
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          • Profile picture of the author Paul Hancox
            Originally Posted by JohnGuanzon View Post

            Look... before this gets a lot of momentum, I am willing to sell you folks all of my shares. Someone make me an offer I can't refuse. Besides, I haven't the time for another project at the moment.
            I'll trade you Pluto for them.
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            PresellContent.com - How to sell without "selling"
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            • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
              Originally Posted by Paul Hancox View Post

              I'll trade you Pluto for them.
              Would prefer an actual planet over a small cold rock, but decent offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Ratliff
    This follows the "buy real estate on Mars" concept.

    The idea is so inherently viral, that people would buy in just to be able to say "I have shares of the Internet"...then even possibly compete to say they are "in the top 100 investors of the Internet."

    Wow...some deep thinking here Paul...love it
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    • Profile picture of the author EllieSenra
      Wow, this is so crazy to me! But brilliant. It's always something like this that takes the world (and in this case, it would be the world) by storm... how awesome!

      If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I'm definitely interested in seeing how this plays out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alfred Shelver
    If anyone is looking for free graphics on this I will get you some of the best work for free... Just a mention would do ... My father in law is a genius with anything from pen to Photoshop and would work through the night to get in on an oppertunity like this.

    If you wanna see some of his work here it is Portfoliojuniorshelver.com | juniorshelver.com just a small mention if this went viral would be huge for anyone involved,
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  • Profile picture of the author Alfred Shelver
    Could you Imagine the aftermarket sales on this if it went viral.

    Share certificate frames.
    Authentic coins.
    Tshirts etc.

    And just think of the size of the list you could build.

    Well if anyone could make this a huge reality and lots of Money it is someone on here... Paul If you ran with it, I know you would pull it off.

    Imagine this thread could be the start of something huge.

    I saw the guys selling Real estate on Mars made a fortune. This could be bigger
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  • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
    So far this is all sizzle and no steak. What exactly are you guys selling?

    Everything between the thin phone line leading to your home to the web server at the other end is owned by big companies. If you are selling shares in the internet and the internet is owned by many companies, then you are selling what you don't own. This isn't like selling land on Mars as a novelty item. Nobody will recognize claims to land in outer space. Everyone knows that's a joke.

    Even if you market it as a generic piece of cyberspace that exists yet doesn't exist, there is no chance of this going viral because you aren't selling anything of substance. Not physical. Not emotional. When you buy land on Mars or the moon, you can go outside and think "Haha, I own part of that!" When you buy a star, its code name is replaced in the database with your name.

    I think most of you are processing this concept from the mid-90's pop culture view of the internet. Cyberspace was promoted within society as a mysterious place where digital unicorns may as well have been delivering text to your computer. A place where a computer virus was a pixelated monster on your screen that was very frightening. People are smarter than that now. They know that the internet is very much physical.

    Sorry, but the concepts in this thread cannot really be transfered to selling the internet. Have fun wasting your time people.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post

      Sorry, but the concepts in this thread cannot really be transfered to selling the internet. Have fun wasting your time people.
      I bet you're lots of fun at parties, too.:rolleyes:

      Tina
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      • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
        Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

        I bet you're lots of fun at parties, too.:rolleyes:
        Invite me and I'll bring more of what you guys are smoking in this thread.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      dubdubdubdub... Im typing with a stutter...lol!

      I wouldn't underestimate this group. I for one am gonna make money off of it somehow.... just the line "The Internet Is For Sale" alone is worth money... even if it isnt a viral hoax... you can use it in everyday copy. It's called a "Hook" !

      Edit: Not until Paul has worn it out of course!




      Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post

      So far this is all sizzle and no steak. What exactly are you guys selling?

      Everything between the thin phone line leading to your home to the web server at the other end is owned by big companies. If you are selling shares in the internet and the internet is owned by many companies, then you are selling what you don't own. This isn't like selling land on Mars as a novelty item. Nobody will recognize claims to land in outer space. Everyone knows that's a joke.

      Even if you market it as a generic piece of cyberspace that exists yet doesn't exist, there is no chance of this going viral because you aren't selling anything of substance. Not physical. Not emotional. When you buy land on Mars or the moon, you can go outside and think "Haha, I own part of that!" When you buy a star, its code name is replaced in the database with your name.

      I think most of you are processing this concept from the mid-90's pop culture view of the internet. Cyberspace was promoted within society as a mysterious place where digital unicorns may as well have been delivering text to your computer. A place where a computer virus was a pixelated monster on your screen that was very frightening. People are smarter than that now. They know that the internet is very much physical.

      Sorry, but the concepts in this thread cannot really be transfered to selling the internet. Have fun wasting your time people.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post

      So far this is all sizzle and no steak. What exactly are you guys selling?
      Something you'll never grasp.
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      • Profile picture of the author LegitIncomes
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        Something you'll never grasp.
        Agreed.
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        • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
          I'm in! I can offer webmaster services, community integration skills,
          a great big sense of humour, and a love of anything fun!
          plus I can write fairly well.



          ps: dubdubdubdot, laugh a little...will you?

          remember the pet rock? I used to think who the hell would buy something like that? I get it now.
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      • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        Something you'll never grasp.
        Translation: "He has a point, but I already predicted that this would be the biggest thing in the history of the internet. So I'll just tell him he can't grasp the response I don't really have."
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
          Translation: "He has a point, but I already predicted that this would be the biggest thing in the history of the internet. So I'll just tell him he can't grasp the response I don't really have."
          Or matbe he was thinking of some perfectly rational and sensible response, and didn't want to try and explain it. Or maybe he really believes exactly what he said and didn't need any other response.

          The fact that someone doesn't agree with you does not mean they don't understand your argument. Or, for that matter, that they do...


          Paul
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          Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Faber
      Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post


      I think most of you are processing this concept from the mid-90's pop culture view of the internet. Cyberspace was promoted within society as a mysterious place where digital unicorns may as well have been delivering text to your computer. A place where a computer virus was a pixelated monster on your screen that was very frightening. People are smarter than that now. They know that the internet is very much physical.

      Sorry, but the concepts in this thread cannot really be transfered to selling the internet. Have fun wasting your time people.
      Most people still do have a mid '90s view of the Internet. It's all very mysterious. Ask your non IM savy friends about the Internet and check the answers they give you.
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  • Profile picture of the author jacktackett
    Signature
    Let's get Tim the kidney he needs!HELP Tim
    Mega Monster WSO for KimW http://ow.ly/4JdHm


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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      Guys, it's selling SHARES in the Internet, not pieces of it. Shares are just a piece of paper (or digital certificates in this case). It just means they get to vote in the imaginary business meetings.

      Tina
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Could we offer internet timeshare for those who cant afford a whole one? Like you own it on wed and I get it on thurs... oh can I get next tuesday if its okay with you and trade it for wednesday...? Okay it settled. I own it on tuesday and you own it on wednesday... Its works out perfect cuz Im on the road that night anyway....

    Am I rambling all this out loud?
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    • Profile picture of the author EllieSenra
      The picture jacktackett posted made me laugh incredibly hard.
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  • Profile picture of the author Irishman
    I smell a WSO coming.
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  • Profile picture of the author dagaul101
    The offtopic ideas are always the one that attracts the net community
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  • Profile picture of the author glassextreme
    This is hilarious. Can I be a shareholder too?
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    Internet Stock | You Too Can Own a Piece of History

    Actually, adding a certificate 'suitable for framing' on parchment paper and 'aged'... not to mention dated 1991, because so many people now DO understand the significance of the net;
    makes this 1,000 times as likely to go viral as selling radio waves.
    (And makes a physical product that more can be charged for...
    $12 for a 10,000 share certificate with $5.95 S & H)
    Sell 100 million of them bad boys!:p

    Pet rocks and Chiapet got NOTHING on the Warriors!

    Not to mention, radio waves WERE sold by the US Government and selling them as a gag could have infringed on the FAA's territory.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by DogScout View Post


      Okay, it's printed. I'm going to go out sometime today and get a nice wood
      frame.

      I'm then going to take a photo of me holding it and make a blog post with
      the following title.

      "I Own The ****ing Intenet!"

      There will be a brief story (fabricated) of how I got it with the photo of
      me holding the shares under it.

      I'll do whatever I can to make this go viral. If people ask me where they
      can get their shares, I'll tell them they can't just yet. Then when I get
      the word that they're available, I'll post a followup article.

      I've got a lot of ideas and my head is swimming with them right now,
      including the BlogTalkRadio series (ala Orson Wells) and the videos to
      YouTube.

      Time to get this puppy moving.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    @ John... Can you give me a good upraisal on my shares? I think I have some buyers.... If you can make it real look good maybe I can make it beneficial for you.

    Yeah their my Grandparents by the way, the buyers. I happen to know they have 200k in retirement savings. Maybe we could get about 180 of it!
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      @ John... Can you give me a good upraisal on my shares? I think I have some buyers.... If you can make it real look good maybe I can make it beneficial for you.
      Yea, can get you set right up. As I mentioned the assessment process is outsourced. Basically my Wife takes total cost of our bills this month, times that by 10 and you have your overall share price.
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    We need to outsource the physical certificates... printing with consecutive numbers and the customer's name and shipping. If it does go viral, no one will be able to keep up making them. (Besides the final product needs to be a little better than these I whipped up. Lol.)
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
      Originally Posted by DogScout View Post

      We need to outsource the physical certificates... printing with consecutive numbers and the customer's name and shipping. If it does go viral, no one will be able to keep up making them. (Besides the final product needs to be a little better than these I whipped up. Lol.)
      Who does the "buy a star" certificates? They seem to do a good job. Keeping up that is, cause we know those have got to be flying out the door, right?
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    Sales page needs to be automated. Maybe send the info (after payment) to someplace pre-setup to fill the order. Like: Online Color Printing Services for Brochures, Postcards, Catalogs or some other printer that can do on demand printing, just like on demand book printing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Ambrose
    Oh Nuts!

    Google beat us all to it.

    LOL

    Google Acquires Internet (May 2017)
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by mm365 View Post

      Oh Nuts!

      Google beat us all to it.

      LOL

      Google Acquires Internet (May 2017)
      What they don't realize is that they bought a knock-off.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        What they don't realize is that they bought a knock-off.
        There's that too.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
      Originally Posted by mm365 View Post

      Oh Nuts!

      Google beat us all to it.

      LOL

      Google Acquires Internet (May 2017)
      That doesn't appear to happen until the year 2017. Pretty sure it's our pioneering efforts here that allows Google to create such an acquisition.
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    • Profile picture of the author DogScout
      Originally Posted by mm365 View Post

      Oh Nuts!

      Google beat us all to it.

      LOL

      Google Acquires Internet (May 2017)
      That's because in 2017, we will sell them the internet for 10,000,000,000.000 dollars. (and make them pay dividends to all the stock holders!):p
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      • Profile picture of the author draede
        I can help with the outsourcing. I dont work my guys full time so I can have them set up the automation. We need to get a skype group going for this
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan Ambrose
        Originally Posted by DogScout View Post

        That's because in 2017, we will sell them the internet for 10,000,000,000.000 dollars. (and make them pay dividends to all the stock holders!):p
        Actually the quoted sum we will sell them the internet for is $2,455.5 billion in cash

        Having said that - we need to get past the supposed end of the world in 2012 first. lol
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnGuanzon
          Originally Posted by mm365 View Post


          Having said that - we need to get past the supposed end of the world in 2012 first. lol
          Funny, our calender ends (again) before that on Dec. 31st 2010 and no one is scared the earth will end we just have a party instead. Maybe we just have a really epic party at the end of their calender.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kent Tee
    Haha..funny idea and maybe workable.
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    • Profile picture of the author Elmer Hurlstone
      People, including me, will buy anything -- if correctly and effectively presented.

      Lots and lots of years ago, while undergoing basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas I purchased a "Piece of Texas". It consisted of a little bag of dirt, ostensibly from Texas, and a small brochure. I don't recall how much it cost but it couldn't have been too much. An Airman Basic didn't make much money in 1964.

      Now, as to why I bought it, I still don't understand. I didn't particularly care for basic training, or for that matter, Texas.

      The point of this is, people like to be connected, at some level, in any activity they're part of. Why else do they buy, among other things, event tee shirts they'll never wear?

      From my perspective this thread has caused me to remember a project I put a great deal of thought into several years ago and then put aside.

      Thanks, Paul, for the the thought provoking thread.

      Elmer

      PS. My "Internet Stock Recommendations Newsletter" will be available shortly for the low, low, one time only introductory subscription price of $39.95 per month.
      (All nebulous securities need touting.)
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    Local printer here:
    Certificate paper with stock certificate color border (suitable for framing) sequential numbered 500 = $425 (including $50 name printing set up as a one time charge) and printing the name and mailing & handling is roughly $7 sent with-in the US, a bit more international. So roughly $7.75 per US order and a buck or so more international sent 1st class. A bit cheaper sent 2nd class, etc.
    Sold for $10 and $7.95 S & H nets roughly $10 a sale.

    10,000 share certificates with a billion share cap is roughly 1 million profit? 10 billion cap, 10 million; (or 1,000 shares with a billion cap). If one can sell that many.

    2nd 500 is $50 lower as the $50 set up for name printing is already in place and is a one time fee. Orders over 500 are lower per certificate. So if 2500 orders came in with-in a short time, that would lower the per unit costs as well.

    May or may not find cheaper fulfillment place, but most will require an upfront set up that a single order would require, even if no other orders where ever received.

    Just need a few hundred up front and an automated payment processor that sends the fulfillment place their charge and the customer's name and address. The rest is just marketing. Don't suppose that is a hurdle? Then who is in and who doesn't care to participate and all the legal mumbo jumbo with so many people involved. (Bound to be % arguments?)
    (There is another one time charge for the printing, so the 2nd 500 is just $300, not $375).
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  • Profile picture of the author leebarclay
    I am confused.... How can you sell what you do not own? Sounds like fraud to me... Or maybe I missed the point
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    Disclaimer: "These shares have NO actual value and are for entertainment purposes only."

    (in large enough print to be read, but small enough to not detract from the 'entertainment value' of the shares).

    "Imagine the conservation starter that having a framed:
    '10,000 shares of the INTERNET'
    stock certificate sitting on your coffee table will be at your next party!"

    Etc
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      I dare you to put one on ebay.

      Originally Posted by DogScout View Post

      Disclaimer: "These shares have NO actual value and are for entertainment purposes only."

      (in large enough print to be read, but small enough to not detract from the 'entertainment value' of the shares).

      "Imagine the conservation starter that having a framed:
      '10,000 shares of the INTERNET'
      stock certificate sitting on your coffee table will be at your next party!"

      Etc
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    • Profile picture of the author Elmer Hurlstone
      Originally Posted by DogScout View Post

      Disclaimer: "These shares have NO actual value and are for entertainment purposes only."

      (in large enough print to be read, but small enough to not detract from the 'entertainment value' of the shares).

      "Imagine the conservation starter that having a framed:
      '10,000 shares of the INTERNET'
      stock certificate sitting on your coffee table will be at your next party!"

      Etc
      Mark,

      You may wish to change this, "Imagine the conservation..." to this: "Imagine the conversation..."

      Elmer
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      • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
        First things first: In response to Mark's comment, I don't own the idea, and I don't have the time to add it to my list of things to do. I posted it because it seems like both a solid project with big potential, and a great example of the kind of thing you can do if you're looking for something that has viral potential. Not to mention an example of how you can find these weird ideas.

        Now, in regard to making it work: Always keep the end user experience in mind. How do they feel when they show up at the site, and what do they want from it? How do they use the site? What can you do to keep the visit congruent with their expectations, and enhance those, so they really get more of whatever it is they want? And how can you make the act of ordering and owning the logo an extension of that experience and desire?

        What do they experience at every stage?

        Keep the user experience in mind, and this thing could rock it.

        The physical cert could be cool as a separate item, but I think there's a lot more money and fun in the graphic, with a link back to the listing for the owner in the directory.

        As far as the graphic, I'm thinking something more like a seal than a full page item.


        Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author DogScout
        Originally Posted by Elmer Hurlstone View Post

        Mark,

        You may wish to change this, "Imagine the conservation..." to this: "Imagine the conversation..."

        Elmer
        Dyslexic.
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by DogScout View Post

          Dyslexic.
          I seriously am...I believe.

          Okay:

          Big question for dog scout!

          If you can manufacture these certificates, and I can sell some... how much do I get paid. seriously?

          I wouldnt steal your idea because we are both good men, but I will be your first affiliate if you want!

          Originally Posted by ZaraK View Post

          If somebody really runs with this, they just need to blanket the offline (remember offline?) news outlets with press releases.

          All it would take is a small mention on The Today Show or CNN to kick off the worldwide stampede.
          Yes. Retail novelty stores would buy this.

          Edit:

          What if you could sell it as PLR , and people could add a certificate as a bonus to their reports...?
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          • Profile picture of the author taktikz
            Banned
            [DELETED]
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            • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
              Why are my posts being deleted?
              More a matter of how you asked than the question itself.
              I'm just asking, what the heck is this? Like, are you guys serious?
              If it's done right, yeah. It could work in a big way.

              Fact: 99% of ideas like this aren't done with the end user's experience in mind, or they appeal to the wrong things, so they flop, or achieve minimal results. An example is the paper cert idea. Not going to work well if that's the main thing. It could be a profitable add-on, but by itself... Not anything that would go viral. The appeal just isn't there for any number of people to spread the word.

              The ingredients have to be right for the audience. A great example is using "viral videos" as subscription generators. I saw one some years back that had every ingredient but one in place. He really had something people were spreading around, and was getting thousands of visitors a day, free. Problem: His sign-up page was wrong. Unbelievably bad results. We fixed that, and the thing exploded.

              That was a problem with the user experience, not the "product."

              I absolutely believe this could work in a big way. It would have to be right for that to happen. And the thing that determines what makes up "right" is going to depend on how you formulate your definition of your audience, and fit it to their motivations. It has to have reflexive appeal.

              Creating something that goes viral in a big way is simultaneously simple and twitchy. You need to spot the thing that would have reflexive appeal, and create a system that does what you want while amplifying that, rather than getting in the way.

              If it involves selling, you want something people will link to and tell their friends about even if they don't buy anything. Your conversion rate will almost always be very low.

              The main reason I posted this is that I think it can work, and that creates an example from which to consider other possible ideas.

              As you can see from some of the comments and questions, a lot of people don't 'get' the idea, and some think it's ridiculous. That will be especially true for the majority of direct marketers who use things like CPA advertising and other paid systems. The mindsets are sufficiently different that it can be hard for folks to cross over from one to the other. In either way, unfortunately. Just a matter of how humans think.

              Making the effort to see how both types of systems work, from the user's perspective, can lead to improving either form of promotion.

              If what you've got is working for you, stick with it. Do more of it. And maybe consider how some of the ideas here could be used to make it work better.

              Or just ignore it. This isn't the sort of thinking that appeals to everyone. Nothing is.


              Paul
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              Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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              • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
                Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post


                Fact: 99% of ideas like this aren't done with the end user's experience in mind, or they appeal to the wrong things, so they flop, or achieve minimal results.

                Paul
                Hurray for thinking about the message reciever!

                I've been harping on about this on the copywriting forum to those coming in for help.

                First job in marketing is to think of the prospect and customer.

                It's them who pay your bills and lifestyle.

                All the best,
                Ewen
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          • Profile picture of the author DogScout
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            I seriously am...I believe.

            Okay:

            Big question for dog scout!

            If you can manufacture these certificates, and I can sell some... how much do I get paid. seriously?

            I wouldnt steal your idea because we are both good men, but I will be your first affiliate if you want!



            Yes. Retail novelty stores would buy this.

            Edit:

            What if you could sell it as PLR , and people could add a certificate as a bonus to their reports...?
            Not sure, but I think Paul is saying the on-line certificate is a more 'instant gratification' product, which this sort of thing would appeal to more. Also, most people attracted would be internet junkies... like us, lol. Having a list of 'clients' that link to their sites also gives them a one way back-link from what someday would (hopefully) be a high PR site. *meaning at the right price point, some would buy just for the link.* Having a 'seal' they can also put on their site that links back, helps the site's PR. (& is optional for the buyer, of course.)
            The physical certificate would be a back end up-sell and could go for as much as...??? depending on how nice it was. The place selling stars has 3 packages. in each, the certificate goes from a piece of paper($39.95), to wood backed(59.95 if I remember right) to framed(99.95 I believe).
            Also having the main product digital only makes costs virtually non-existent... the cost to sell 100 is the same as to sell 10,000; you just need to set up a site with a script that sequentially numbers the images and allow users to type their name in, like this site: ACME License Maker .

            PS-Not my idea, still Paul's, he just released it. Meaning, you are as morally able to do this as I am.

            Certificates in novelty stores would be non-personalized (though they could 'write in' their name on it). Half? Lol. Cost for non-personalized, but sequential numbered is just 60-77 cents each. The store could retail for $14.95? Wholesale $5? The store would want to have an assortment of frames nearby.
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    The 'Million Dollar Homepage' guy was blackmailed by Ukrainian hackers. He refused payment and they initiated a DOS attack on his site which took him 4 days to figure how to beat. That method is still in use and he has made more from that than the page itself.

    He is the reason DOS attacks have gotten so hard and now require several million bots to succeed. In one respect he was singlehandedly responsible for bot herders to have to infect more computers to be successful, hence the amount of spy-ware went up 10 times in just over 2 months after that.
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  • Profile picture of the author ZaraK
    If somebody really runs with this, they just need to blanket the offline (remember offline?) news outlets with press releases.

    All it would take is a small mention on The Today Show or CNN to kick off the worldwide stampede.
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    It is Paul Myer's idea. He put it out as a 'group' project. In cases like this, IF he still wants it to be a group project, who and how many, what their 'job descriptions' are and what %s each receives is a huge undertaking, perhaps more involved than the project itself.

    In my mind, I would not do anything without Paul's blessing and input. As far as I am concerned, he may as well 'own' the idea, (in spite of the fact 'ideas' are not legally protected, they are, to me, morally so). All I have done is buy a $7 domain and have already gotten $7 of enjoyment from it. Lol.

    IF this were to proceed, there would need to be a 'project manager' to move it toward the envisioned end. Not to mention again, the legal mumbo jumbo involved. Anyone that posted on this thread, even if negatively, may or may not feel 'entitled' to a cut of this project, no matter how small. Depends on the tenets and ethics of whoever might feel entitled.

    IF Paul wanted to do this himself, and use the domain I bought, I'd just forward it to his server and give it to him when it became eligible to transfer.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Originally Posted by mm365 View Post

    Oh Nuts!

    Google beat us all to it.

    LOL

    Google Acquires Internet (May 2017)
    Now you have a backlink!

    Google said to have Purchased the Internet from Bill Gates!

    Learn More>>>
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    God I love this place! To have an insider's view to how the "Warrior Brain" works is priceless. The power of brainstorming is amazing and this thread just proves that point.

    You definitely need a Canadian on board....just cuz....count me in!
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by Jacqueline Smith View Post

      God I love this place! To have an insider's view to how the "Warrior Brain" works is priceless. The power of brainstorming is amazing and this thread just proves that point.

      You definitely need a Canadian on board....just cuz....count me in!

      If the main forum caption said "This is the warriors collective brain"

      on THIS thread it would say:

      "This is the warrior's collective brain on Paul Myers"

      Can I try to interpret what Paul is saying for myself here to make a mental note?

      Its much more effective to talk about a subject (let say on the wf) and create a massive amount of participation on the subject "without a link in your sig"

      Then, after about 2k people are watching intently...; Drop one BAMMMM!

      If you promote the product first and not the idea itself... it may never reach 2k people watching intently...

      Thats what I am getting from Pauls Advice.

      Note taken.

      Its like creating a FREE report and giving away one thousand copies, and making 100 sales... instead of SELLING the report and only having 100 viewers PERIOD... and only a couple of sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author willyboy104
    OK I am in ladies and gentlemen, love the idea, love the fun and viral side of things and heck it would be very entertaining to see how some of the best marketers online, all collaborate together to make the biggest viral scandal in the history of well...the world wide web.

    As for what I can bring to the table, I generally have a lot of ideas, which I would pose now but my girlfriend is staring at me waiting to go out. She just doesn't understand how big this could be =D

    However, I could probably leverage the fastest growing web company ever created to jump on board with this since I work for them

    Obviously there would have to be something in it for them, but heck there would definitely be huge advantages for us too!

    Be back soon

    P.S Some sort of owners pack would be a neat little novelty, a sort of certificate (as someone print screened before), a membership card? ^^, a VIP pass to the owners appreciation club...and a year's free hosting?

    EDIT: For added leverage and viral/worth we could spin it off as a charity thing as well, a sort of 50% goes to the world's biggest charity (edit in name here)...and every shareholder has their name on the wall of fame - Internet owner's appreciation page, again novel but we could also use this to build petitions for world peace ^^ or something really big.

    Point, it's world peace day coming up soon...again just ideas floating from the top of my head
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    If you want to learn how to make money online, no bullshit click here.
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    PPS- Not sure why Paul isn't doing this. He owns 'theinternetisforsale.com' and could outsource the scripting/copy-writing in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
    He also seems to have a great grasp of how to best approach the thing.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Mark,
      Not sure why Paul isn't doing this.
      As I said at several points: Time.
      Not sure, but I think Paul is saying the on-line certificate is a more 'instant gratification' product, which this sort of thing would appeal to more.
      Think 'impulse' and you're closer to the mark. In several ways.

      It's $1.00 for a 100 share logo. (Probably a good idea to have different logos and give them a choice.) The whole thing is virtual. It's fun. It can make a statement, in much the same way as a t-shirt.

      Virtual-T. Interesting notion.

      Ah. By the way... you probably want to have an option that allows them to leave out their email address and just download the thing by right-clicking the graphic. Make that page the one that comes up after every order, email address or not, so people don't lose it if the mail gets blocked or lost or filtered.

      That's the sort of thing you'll need to think about in developing it.


      Paul
      Signature
      .
      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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      • Profile picture of the author DogScout
        Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

        Mark,As I said at several points: Time.Think 'impulse' and you're closer to the mark. In several ways.

        It's $1.00 for a 100 share logo. (Probably a good idea to have different logos and give them a choice.) The whole thing is virtual. It's fun. It can make a statement, in much the same way as a t-shirt.

        Virtual-T. Interesting notion.

        Ah. By the way... you probably want to have an option that allows them to leave out their email address and just download the thing by right-clicking the graphic. Make that page the one that comes up after every order, email address or not, so people don't lose it if the mail gets blocked or lost or filtered.

        That's the sort of thing you'll need to think about in developing it.


        Paul
        Thanks... I actually have several 'virtual' t-shirts. Lol.



        :p
        (it's a 'Harry Potter' thing. LMAO.)
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by DogScout View Post

      PPS- Not sure why Paul isn't doing this. He owns 'theinternetisforsale.com' and could outsource the scripting/copy-writing in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
      He also seems to have a great grasp of how to best approach the thing.
      Nope thats me that owns the internetisforsale.com... but if he wanted it I would hand it over with no argument. I agree this is Pauls baby.
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  • Profile picture of the author mogulmap
    What a great idea, I got $2k to invest in it!
    Signature
    Rus Sells says...
    Your signature is all that matters!
    and
    Cat's = PROFIT"S
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    I love WillyBoys idea about a portion going to charity. I have been involved with many charities and would love to work on that aspect.

    Is Paul willing to part with his domain name????????

    I went to bed last night with my mind on overdrive thinking about this plan.....woke up this morning and my mind was still racing.

    Time to take action folks?????

    There has been alot of discussion on here and I know Tina has purchased a domain (in case Paul won't let go of his...lol). Someone mentioned a skype group....great idea. Has anyone set anything up yet? I'll get the ball rolling if someone hasn't already. If someone has, please let the rest of us know.

    I will assume that there isn't a group established and will set one up....to quote Tina "run or get hit by the bus"!

    So, those that have been a part of this discussion and would like to seriously move forward....PM me your skype and I wll get a group set up immediately.

    I don't have the technical skills that others are able to bring to the table but I am very good at organizing and coordinating.

    Time to take our ideas to the next level!
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  • Profile picture of the author mikekimm
    Is everyone here serious?

    You realize the implications of selling "stock" in the internet right? and if its a novelty gift i have never seen any novelty product people had to pay for go viral so youll need money to advertise to sell this entertainment.

    Also once you make some money, expect someone to say they own the internet and you cant sell it and sue you. Also expect the government agencies to come in and have an issue with your "ideas" and sue you too.

    I am just amazed that you think this is a viable business, i like the collaboration and enthusiasm but the idea is terrible
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by mikekimm View Post

      Is everyone here serious?

      You realize the implications of selling "stock" in the internet right? and if its a novelty gift i have never seen any novelty product people had to pay for go viral so youll need money to advertise to sell this entertainment.

      Also once you make some money, expect someone to say they own the internet and you cant sell it and sue you. Also expect the government agencies to come in and have an issue with your "ideas" and sue you too.

      I am just amazed that you think this is a viable business, i like the collaboration and enthusiasm but the idea is terrible
      There isn't anything illegal about entertainment or gag type products. Look at buying a star for someone. I bought one. Look at donating to Save Toby's life ... I donated. Saw a page where you can buy real estate on the Moon. The page is ages old.

      Not to mention Pet Rocks ... lol. At least I didn't buy one of those.
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      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

        There isn't anything illegal about entertainment or gag type products. Look at buying a star for someone. I bought one. Look at donating to Save Toby's life ... I donated. Saw a page where you can buy real estate on the Moon. The page is ages old.

        Not to mention Pet Rocks ... lol. At least I didn't buy one of those.
        I did... his name is "rocky".... he has a trick... yeah , he can sit in one position longer than anyone I know, without moving. Its amazing.
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        • Profile picture of the author rockingcow
          People can allready own a bit of the internet.

          It's called Facebook.

          And it's more fun than a certificate.

          The internet is so normal to everyone now it would be like buying a share in the sky, or a share in the sea.

          This might have worked 15 years ago but not now.
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          • Profile picture of the author sb
            Originally Posted by rockingcow View Post

            People can allready own a bit of the internet.

            It's called Facebook.

            And it's more fun than a certificate.

            The internet is so normal to everyone now it would be like buying a share in the sky, or a share in the sea.

            This might have worked 15 years ago but not now.
            THAT was the most logical post of all.
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    • Profile picture of the author DogScout
      Originally Posted by mikekimm View Post

      Is everyone here serious?

      You realize the implications of selling "stock" in the internet right? and if its a novelty gift i have never seen any novelty product people had to pay for go viral so youll need money to advertise to sell this entertainment.

      Also once you make some money, expect someone to say they own the internet and you cant sell it and sue you. Also expect the government agencies to come in and have an issue with your "ideas" and sue you too.

      I am just amazed that you think this is a viable business, i like the collaboration and enthusiasm but the idea is terrible
      Disclosure/disclaimers can be written to fend off frivolous lawsuits. I will check with three lawyers I know well and get their opinions; however, as with doctors, I have found 20 lawyers can have as many as 20 different opinions.
      An optional 'model' is free like the Acme license plates and signs with Adsense and other ads, (which if it goes 'viral' could produce a bit of income indirectly as opposed to selling stock. That would make a suit next to impossible as no financial gain was directly attributed to the 'sale' of stock. (It being it's own LLC would help, if it were an off-shore blind trust, there would be no possible way to legally discover the owners, let alone sue them.)
      As to being 'a business', I don't think it would be anyone's main income stream.



      Oops, sorry... had to:rolleyes:
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    • Profile picture of the author George Wright
      Originally Posted by mikekimm View Post

      Is everyone here serious?

      You realize the implications of selling "stock" in the internet right? and if its a novelty gift i have never seen any novelty product people had to pay for go viral so youll need money to advertise to sell this entertainment.

      Also once you make some money, expect someone to say they own the internet and you cant sell it and sue you. Also expect the government agencies to come in and have an issue with your "ideas" and sue you too.

      I am just amazed that you think this is a viable business, i like the collaboration and enthusiasm but the idea is terrible
      Origami Boulder Company -- Original Origami Gifts! went viral years ago

      George Wright, P.S. In fact Stock Holders could send a certificate to the OrgamiBoulder artist and he could create a work of art making the Stock even more valuable.
      Signature
      "The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book." Mickey Spillane
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  • Profile picture of the author rlharding
    It would be easy to open an online store and sell a bunch of associated products: Tshirts, mugs, shopping bags, car stickers, drinking glasses, bar towels,

    what have you.

    ' I own the internet - Do you'
    'got my shares www.iowntheinternet.com'

    etc etc, there are better wordsmiths here I am sure.

    someone mentioned using the shares as 'money' if that takes off, you could have anoter set of products that said something like 'I got this with my internet shares'

    I am thinking a lot about wrist bracelets - they rubber thingies
    mugs
    clothes
    shopping bags
    shoes
    aprons
    hats

    and on and on

    You could end up with a fortune just selling related merchandise. Move over Disney
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  • Profile picture of the author sidpoudyal
    Sorry,

    I just don't think this one would actually take off. Best of luck to everyone though.

    Kind Regards,
    Sid Poudyal
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Folks,

      Get the thing going online before you try to turn it into a retail operation.


      Paul
      Signature
      .
      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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  • Profile picture of the author rlharding
    You're right Paul....I guess in my head I already saw it viral and was looking in the future
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  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    He's either going to make millions laughing all the way to the bank, or he's going to get the supreme smackdown by ICANN (who IIRC, really does 'own' it).

    Depends on their sense of humor about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author RyanRobinson
    Really like the brainstorming here, I think this idea is worth a shot. If you need a website or interface designed in valid HTML/CSS send me a PM or contact me via my website in my signature.

    I am currently just making the finishing touches to my website, so you will see it in my sig anytime soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author gareth
    They already did that - a share is called a domain name
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  • Profile picture of the author Darunner14
    I don't know, would a funny youtube video make this thing go crazy? Well their are shows on TV that pick funny videos from youtube like Tosh.0. Maybe even the media get ahold of this? Just a thought.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sardent
    You guys aren't thinking big enough.

    Once it goes viral you have to be ready to start selling the designer version of the certificate. The designer version would sell space for "sponsors".
    A bright red and white certificate if you can get Coca-Cola on board. Perhaps a certificate with a picture of KISS as the background.

    They could buy up how many shares get printed with their "non-advertising".

    Hell, they might even do their own commercial about it. "Here at Wendy's we like to think we're owners of the net too."

    Get enough money coming see if you can hire Al Gore for a quick cameo in a commercial.

    Allow corporations to buy shares where the money is donated to charity. Free advertising.

    Get enough money coming in and try to hire Al Gore for a quick cameo commercial. He could say something like "I owned the internet for a long time and thought it was time to give back..."
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  • Profile picture of the author Alfred Shelver
    Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I felt this was one of those times that it would add value.

    This was a thread that had the imaginations of many going wild a few months back, and was just a fun way to look at the skills of IM in a different setting.

    Well there was a group of us that really wanted to try out the idea, and run with it. ( I guess looking at the date of the thread and our current progress 'run' may not be the best word, let's say 'Walk steadily" )

    SO a small group of non IM superstars got together, all with something to offer and worked on a singular goal. Well what was great is that we all learned a whole lot more from each other than we ever would have on our own. I guess those of you who are in JV's or mastermind groups knew this secret a long time ago.

    So again the reason I resurrected this thread is that I believe in many ways this thread epitomizes what the WF is all about; the sharing of ideas and knowledge.

    Here is a look at a little bit of what we have done with this idea, below is a copy of the share certificate. Just a small way to show the power of the forum how it gets people to act. I hope this was in some way interesting to someone. It sure has been great fun for us to try and take an idea and make more of it.

    thanks

    Cathy


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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Hi Cathy,

      I hope you're not selling those, because when a secondary buyer purchases the share believing the con artist who sold it to him was telling the truth about it's 'so-called value', all those involved with the creation of the ruse will be spending a lot of time with Brian Kindsvater.

      ~Bill
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

        Hi Cathy,

        I hope you're not selling those, because when a secondary buyer purchases the share believing the con artist who sold it to him was telling the truth about it's 'so-called value', all those involved with the creation of the ruse will be spending a lot of time with Brian Kindsvater.

        ~Bill
        What about all those sites that sell stars. I bought one as a gift for a friend to give him with a telescope that I bought for him. Everyone knows, or should know that I/they don't actually own a star.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alfred Shelver
        Thats if you ever actually say anything about value, this will only ever be sold as a novelty thing with no inherent value promised or given all very clearly stipulated..... You know like those best dad in the world certificates or shares on the moon

        PS. yes still a ways away from ever selling anything have much to iron out.

        Again just wanted to show some progress on a WF born idea

        Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

        Hi Cathy,

        I hope you're not selling those, because when a secondary buyer purchases the share believing the con artist who sold it to him was telling the truth about it's 'so-called value', all those involved with the creation of the ruse will be spending a lot of time with Brian Kindsvater.

        ~Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    I think it's great this thread has been resurrected. When I originally came across it I was still very new. Some of the information from this thread has stayed with me and been applied several times over. There is alot to be learned in this thread with some amazing nuggets of information from top-notch marketers. I also found it very motivational as it clearly illustrates the endless possibilities in IM.

    Don't just skim this thread.....I highly suggest you grab a coffee and dig in.
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  • Profile picture of the author Diver's
    wow..never thought it was going to get this far, when i first post it i was actually kind of frustrated with Google owning every single bit of important things on the internet and come out with their own rules- send home anyone without proper explaination, its like it is theirs...ultimately, Facebook is a good competitor/new Giant in the internet advertising industry. There are just in time..!

    But soon i figured out, Allen Says own its, Paul owns a hefty chunk of it, Steven -he was all over it..lol, Tina own 2%, John, & Bill also have some shares and lots of warriors here do..

    I'm looking for somebody to say 'we own the internet' not some big Corporations.

    but now i saw this thread Paul is sellings shares of the internet, i'll grab a few stocks!

    But basically, the idea and motive behind Paul and fellow warriros brainstorming session here is very valuable to IM'ers. We learn to develop the idea and making it work.

    Perhaps in future WF members can start a project together, pool the expertise and pay nicely, sell some limited shares to a each promising project..

    bytheway, what happened to Tina's domain..


    - Shah
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    Actually, it doesn't matter if one or a million are sold. The 'brainstorming' was mostly to do with things everyone already had going, (or where thinking of doing). The ideas people where able to bring up to help other people in their endeavors are probably much more valuable (money-wise) than this will ever be.
    I think it brings to light the importance of master mind groups. Things like the Friday Night Chat, to mention one, can be huge in allowing a person to 'gel' their ideas. Not to mention, it certainly takes part of the 'I am all by myself!' out of the equation. If you are not in a master-mind club, find one! If you are, kudos! This forum and others in the same vein are great, but actually talking to a small group of motivated, thoughtful, helpful and ethical people in a private setting cannot be beat as a tool in addition to forums or blogs, etc.
    There is actually more to this then now meets the eye, but... tick, tock...
    lol. Bottom line, it has been fun AND inspiring for all parties involved, even if this particular idea never does lift off, it was NOT a waste of time by any stretch.

    Mark

    PS-Join a master-mind group/club, (or make one), it will be one of the best things you ever do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    I know resurrecting (bumping) an old thread is frowned upon around here.

    However, there was so much interest in this thread when Paul started it and I still get PMs from people asking if this project ever took off.

    So......for those that have asked and for those that can learn a great deal from this thread.....yes, this idea did get wings and fly!

    I've said it before and I'll gladly say it again.....this entire thread is full of amazing learning opportunities. It's a must read!

    Working with fellow Warriors on this project has been such a phenomenal experience. Aside from our core group, we networked and outsourced to other Warriors. We've been overwhelmed with the support we have received from everyone we've worked with.

    This experience has been (and continues to be) priceless.

    So......

    Once again....thank you Paul for starting this thread and giving us your blessing.

    And....thank you fellow Warriors for your encouragement and support along the way.
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  • Profile picture of the author DogScout
    We actually did it. LMAO!

    A graphic artist designed a mascot for free, (Otis). for:

    • Own
    • The
    • Internet,
    • Silly!

    Otis & Image © 2011, OTI Corp
    .
    A web site designer made the hand coded, (from a WP beginning) site, also for free. With zero marketing, with zero pinging, or social bookmarking or back-linking, it is already a PR1, (not that that matters) and around 1,000,000 Alexa ranking, ot of a couple billion sites on the net, not that that is very accurate. But we did get an average of 1500 visitors a month for the last three months, before we even 'opened'.

    So far, other than the domain and hosting (& the image script), we haven't spent anything at all.

    PS: Otis has is own Facebook Page and Twitter account, (under 'OwnOtis'). He has taken on a life of his own and we really don't know what he will do next!

    Bottom line: Been a fun year working on this side project. We decided to break every rule of marketing and see what happens. (We can always change things as we go along). Thanks, Paul. (How can you not follow through when Paul gets an idea?. Lol.)


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