How best to start out with a new opportunity...

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I have a small group of like-minded friends that have become business partners of sorts, just looking for interesting stuff to invest in. Recently, one of the partners' neighbours approached him with regards to a new website/tech start-up and gave us an opportunity to get in basically on the ground floor.

It's going to be essentially a matchmaking service for entrepreneurs and service providers, and they want (and expect) they'll be able to make this available worldwide when it launches in March, but the opportunity they've given now is essentially marketing. They're not spending anything on marketing, focusing solely on word-of-mouth.

As there is no money being asked for at this point, we feel it might be worth a bit of effort anyway, but we're unsure how to proceed. I've created a simple website, but does anyone have any suggestions on how best to get that website noticed? SEO comes to mind but this is all new to all of us.

Thanks in advance
#opportunity #start
  • Profile picture of the author Lurk
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  • Profile picture of the author dndoseller
    Content marketing, SEO and blogging.

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  • Profile picture of the author johnlagoudakis
    Hi EvolutionX,

    To help you best, I'd recommend you tell us more about this opportunity. A url would be great.

    This will help us give you a better idea of how best to promote it...

    ...and whether you should get involved at all.

    I've seen many 'startup' services that I know from experience are doomed to fail before they even begin.


    All the best, John.
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    • Profile picture of the author ev0lutionX
      Originally Posted by johnlagoudakis View Post

      Hi EvolutionX,

      To help you best, I'd recommend you tell us more about this opportunity. A url would be great.

      This will help us give you a better idea of how best to promote it...

      ...and whether you should get involved at all.

      I've seen many 'startup' services that I know from experience are doomed to fail before they even begin.


      All the best, John.
      Hi John,

      As I said, the idea came to us via the neighbour of one of my partners, Denis Cauvier. He has teamed with a guy who used to work for Google and they, with a few partners, are working on a new website called Neurs.com. The information is sparse right now, but as we understand it, the service will essentially be a matchmaking site for entrepreneurs and business service providers (think lawyers, CPA's, those who teach business classes, etc.). The website proper won't launch until March, but they have decided to try and do all the marketing via word-of-mouth and what they're calling "affiliate" marketing, paying for referrals to those who will used the paid services on their site.

      At this point, absolutely no money is being asked for, the only outlay would be the work involved in promoting the site. Really, it does no good to promote only to those who would promote in turn, we need to drive people who would actually be interested in the services offered in order to generate any revenue. We're just not really sure how to properly do that, this is our first attempt at anything online, hence my trip here.

      Hopefully that gives a little better idea what I'm talking about, thanks again for any input!
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      • Profile picture of the author lived
        Banned
        OP, you say you've got an ex-Google guy on board, are seeking to match up potential entrepreneurs, yet haven't got a clue about how to market it . . . relying instead (your words) on word of mouth.

        I'm not only gob-smacked, I'm dumbfounded as well. It beggars belief that you could even post a thread like this, purporting to match opportunity seekers when you clearly haven't a clue what you're doing yourself.

        No offence intended, but really . . .
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        • Profile picture of the author savidge4
          Originally Posted by lived View Post

          OP, you say you've got an ex-Google guy on board, are seeking to match up potential entrepreneurs, yet haven't got a clue about how to market it . . . relying instead (your words) on word of mouth.

          I'm not only gob-smacked, I'm dumbfounded as well. It beggars belief that you could even post a thread like this, purporting to match opportunity seekers when you clearly haven't a clue what you're doing yourself.

          No offence intended, but really . . .
          That is what is interesting here. go to the site and watch the video, he has already given more information than they do. Ah the secrecy behind start ups... its a wonderful thing!
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          • Profile picture of the author ev0lutionX
            Sorry if I'm being unclear, I don't mean to suggest that I am in any way involved with the creation, content, or direction of this new start-up. As I said, the only reason I even know about it is that one of my partners (for lack of a better term) happens to be neighbours with one of the main partners in Neurs. I am in no way suggesting that I have any clue how to match entrepreneurs with anyone, ever. None of us do, but again, we're not the ones who have created the service.

            Their idea is to offer an opportunity for people to market the site and the service before it launches in March, and to be compensated for doing so. The pre-launch was only last Saturday, and information has been sparse so far. As no money is being asked for, we figured the worst we could do was invest a little time. I came here after a Google search for "internet marketing forum" and figured I'd ask some people who seem to know about marketing on the internet for some ideas on how we can drive some traffic and maybe make some money, who knows. I'm a soldier, not a businessman.

            Cheers!
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        Originally Posted by ev0lutionX View Post

        Hi John,

        As I said, the idea came to us via the neighbour of one of my partners, Denis Cauvier. He has teamed with a guy who used to work for Google and they, with a few partners, are working on a new website called Neurs.com. The information is sparse right now, but as we understand it, the service will essentially be a matchmaking site for entrepreneurs and business service providers (think lawyers, CPA's, those who teach business classes, etc.). The website proper won't launch until March, but they have decided to try and do all the marketing via word-of-mouth and what they're calling "affiliate" marketing, paying for referrals to those who will used the paid services on their site.

        At this point, absolutely no money is being asked for, the only outlay would be the work involved in promoting the site. Really, it does no good to promote only to those who would promote in turn, we ne
        ed to drive people who would actually be interested in the services offered in order to generate any revenue. We're just not really sure how to properly do that, this is our first attempt at anything online, hence my trip here.

        Hopefully that gives a little better idea what I'm talking about, thanks again for any input!

        Neurs.com is basically a shopping mall for all things start-up The general idea based on the 1st video is to bring people in to the community. I do not have a "invitation" ( wink wink nod ) so could not learn further. Given the information given, they are going to hit this hard and heavy, but the people with the "invitations" are going to be the people that create income. It appear that you need to thin less in terms of a website, however a centeral information center would be nice, but you need to focus more on social media and reaching people.

        If one would happen to have an "invitation" sent to their PM box they might get a better understand of what the model is and be able to give better more accurate insight.
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Originally Posted by ev0lutionX View Post

    I have a small group of like-minded friends that have become business partners of sorts, just looking for interesting stuff to invest in. Recently, one of the partners' neighbours approached him with regards to a new website/tech start-up and gave us an opportunity to get in basically on the ground floor.

    It's going to be essentially a matchmaking service for entrepreneurs and service providers, and they want (and expect) they'll be able to make this available worldwide when it launches in March, but the opportunity they've given now is essentially marketing. They're not spending anything on marketing, focusing solely on word-of-mouth.

    As there is no money being asked for at this point, we feel it might be worth a bit of effort anyway, but we're unsure how to proceed. I've created a simple website, but does anyone have any suggestions on how best to get that website noticed? SEO comes to mind but this is all new to all of us.

    Thanks in advance
    The question is what does the money look like for you?

    A single website will not be enough 6 to 10 primary sites pointing to the startup with a cascade of funnel sites behind it would do the trick, but on the top end you are looking at the 120 site category. low end would be 36.

    Think of it this way, this concept is not like a single product. This is multiple industries you would have to get traffic for. I am assuming web design, seo, graphics, SMS, phone systems, printing, software, hardware, blah blah blah.

    So asking again... how much is in it for you?
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  • Profile picture of the author ev0lutionX
    After speaking with savidge4, I think I've got a better understanding as to how to go about this. The initial opportunity is essentially a referrals-based commission, but only paid out for referrals of those who are using the paid services on the site. Rather than simply trying to drive anyone to sign up as an affiliate, it makes more sense to try and focus on those who might actually benefit from the services offered. Or, conversely, to focus on those people who might be able to help us reach the widest audience possible (individuals with lots of facebook/twitter followers are a possibility)

    As there is nothing required but a bit of time, it's worth a look for us. If the site takes off as they are hoping it will, some money stands to be made. If not, no harm, no foul.

    Thanks again for the help!
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    • Profile picture of the author agmccall
      I only have one question. You say that there is no monetary investment on your part, this is a company that the founders want to go global, and I am assuming make tons of money. By the information in your post, you have no idea as to what to do at all, and you are asking a bunch of strangers.

      So my question would be more for the people asking you to get involved. and that question is

      WHY????

      al
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        having looked at this and ultimately getting involved, I have to say that up front the company itself is very vague in the information the provide.

        Now that I have "joined" and meet some core requirements I am getting a better understanding of what they are offering and how they are going to do it.

        They are basically a mix of a dating site and facebook targeted towards entrepreneurs. When the site becomes live ( march 2014 ) you will pick one of 3 categories: Concepts Connections or Capital. you will fill out a questionnaire much like a dating site. The site will then match you to the best fit across the other 2 catagories. If you select "Concept", you have an idea for a business, you need help making that work. Your matches in "connections" are matched to your needs based on the survey. These will be services and consultants that can get your idea off the ground and develop a better business plan. The "capital" segment, will be matched to provide you with avenues of getting "start-up" capital.

        They are right in saying there is nothing else in the marketplace that provides this kind of connection. It really is an interesting idea that I believe will take off and be huge. It will be huge for the people with the concept, to see their dreams come to life. It will be huge for the connection segment, due to the idea of developing business IE money flow. And then having access to capital, is huge unto itself!

        I hope that better describes the product for you. If you would like an invitation to join please PM me your first and last name and a e-mail acct you will be using for neurs.com I will delete the PM as soon as it is input in the system. You will receive 1 and only 1 pm ( no e-mails ) in return from me stating your invitation was sent. Please note that the timer is on a 24 hr timer, so pleases log in and create your account as soon as you can.
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        • Profile picture of the author ev0lutionX
          Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

          having looked at this and ultimately getting involved, I have to say that up front the company itself is very vague in the information the provide.

          Now that I have "joined" and meet some core requirements I am getting a better understanding of what they are offering and how they are going to do it.

          They are basically a mix of a dating site and facebook targeted towards entrepreneurs. When the site becomes live ( march 2014 ) you will pick one of 3 categories: Concepts Connections or Capital. you will fill out a questionnaire much like a dating site. The site will then match you to the best fit across the other 2 catagories. If you select "Concept", you have an idea for a business, you need help making that work. Your matches in "connections" are matched to your needs based on the survey. These will be services and consultants that can get your idea off the ground and develop a better business plan. The "capital" segment, will be matched to provide you with avenues of getting "start-up" capital.

          They are right in saying there is nothing else in the marketplace that provides this kind of connection. It really is an interesting idea that I believe will take off and be huge. It will be huge for the people with the concept, to see their dreams come to life. It will be huge for the connection segment, due to the idea of developing business IE money flow. And then having access to capital, is huge unto itself!

          I hope that better describes the product for you. If you would like an invitation to join please PM me your first and last name and a e-mail acct you will be using for neurs.com I will delete the PM as soon as it is input in the system. You will receive 1 and only 1 pm ( no e-mails ) in return from me stating your invitation was sent. Please note that the timer is on a 24 hr timer, so pleases log in and create your account as soon as you can.
          Essentially, this. It seems like an interesting idea, and the founders have decided to go with an affiliate marketing program rather than spending on marketing themselves. You spread the word, draw people to the site, and they pay you a commission based on referrals. It's that simple.

          Will it take off? I don't know, but I'd like to think so, it seems like a service people will use. We were offered a chance to be in on the ground floor (or top of the affiliate pyramid, as it were, it's literally Neurs - Ev0lutionX, no step in between) and I figured I might get some ideas as to how to drive people to the site from this forum. I have, so...thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author ronrule
    Originally Posted by ev0lutionX View Post

    I have a small group of like-minded friends that have become business partners of sorts, just looking for interesting stuff to invest in. Recently, one of the partners' neighbours approached him with regards to a new website/tech start-up and gave us an opportunity to get in basically on the ground floor.

    It's going to be essentially a matchmaking service for entrepreneurs and service providers, and they want (and expect) they'll be able to make this available worldwide when it launches in March, but the opportunity they've given now is essentially marketing. They're not spending anything on marketing, focusing solely on word-of-mouth.

    As there is no money being asked for at this point, we feel it might be worth a bit of effort anyway, but we're unsure how to proceed. I've created a simple website, but does anyone have any suggestions on how best to get that website noticed? SEO comes to mind but this is all new to all of us.

    Thanks in advance
    I wouldn't spend one minute on it to be perfectly honest with you...

    A company that doesn't understand how to do a proper capital raise, and thinks "word of mouth" and volunteer marketers (who have to ask in a forum how to do it) is a company that's destined to fail. Everything you've said makes them sound like a bunch of amateurs with big dreams, but no experience running a business, no access to capital, and no idea how to reach and engage their target customer. Don't waste your time.
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      Originally Posted by ronrule View Post

      I wouldn't spend one minute on it to be perfectly honest with you...

      A company that doesn't understand how to do a proper capital raise, and thinks "word of mouth" and volunteer marketers (who have to ask in a forum how to do it) is a company that's destined to fail. Everything you've said makes them sound like a bunch of amateurs with big dreams, but no experience running a business, no access to capital, and no idea how to reach and engage their target customer. Don't waste your time.
      If you saw who was involved you might think that again. These are not a bunch of idiots, these are heavy players. just remember the name Neurs.com
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      • Profile picture of the author ev0lutionX
        I'd have to agree, these guys are not exactly lightweights. Frank Codina left a rather lucrative position to start Neurs, and Denis has written 10 successful books and has a busy speaking schedule, they've self-financed to this point so there is money behind it.

        At this point (6 full days in) our network is 350+ people strong and spans 19 countries, people seem to be genuinely interested in what they might be able to accomplish.
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  • Profile picture of the author ronrule
    Thats exactly what everyone who has been "ground floor" with every failed MLM and online venture once said. The model you describe doesn't sound like it has a chance of winning. Relying on unpaid marketers with no skin in the game never works. Thousands of smart people have made the mistake of starting businesses this way and gone nowhere. I guess what I am saying is passion is fine for the founders, but when you aren't paying your marketers they quickly lose interest. They'll only commit for so long without seeing a return, and once they start bailing everyone else loses no matter how hard they work. It happens because life gets in the way... People need to be paid for their time, and its easier to walk away from something you have nothing invested in than a paying gig.

    But you're probably going to ride it out anyway, so just be careful and manage your expectations. Don't forego any profitable undertakings that may come your way in the meantime because you want to hold out for this one.
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    • Profile picture of the author ev0lutionX
      Originally Posted by ronrule View Post

      Thats exactly what everyone who has been "ground floor" with every failed MLM and online venture once said. The model you describe doesn't sound like it has a chance of winning. Relying on unpaid marketers with no skin in the game never works. Thousands of smart people have made the mistake of starting businesses this way and gone nowhere. I guess what I am saying is passion is fine for the founders, but when you aren't paying your marketers they quickly lose interest. They'll only commit for so long without seeing a return, and once they start bailing everyone else loses no matter how hard they work. It happens because life gets in the way... People need to be paid for their time, and its easier to walk away from something you have nothing invested in than a paying gig.

      But you're probably going to ride it out anyway, so just be careful and manage your expectations. Don't forego any profitable undertakings that may come your way in the meantime because you want to hold out for this one.
      A solid point and some really valuable insight, thank you, I will pass it along.
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  • Profile picture of the author duplication
    If you want free traffic use the safelists or a traffic exchange.
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  • Profile picture of the author guitarizma
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    Originally Posted by ev0lutionX View Post

    I have a small group of like-minded friends that have become business partners of sorts, just looking for interesting stuff to invest in. Recently, one of the partners' neighbours approached him with regards to a new website/tech start-up and gave us an opportunity to get in basically on the ground floor.

    It's going to be essentially a matchmaking service for entrepreneurs and service providers, and they want (and expect) they'll be able to make this available worldwide when it launches in March, but the opportunity they've given now is essentially marketing. They're not spending anything on marketing, focusing solely on word-of-mouth.

    As there is no money being asked for at this point, we feel it might be worth a bit of effort anyway, but we're unsure how to proceed. I've created a simple website, but does anyone have any suggestions on how best to get that website noticed? SEO comes to mind but this is all new to all of us.

    Thanks in advance
    How about creating a Facebook fan page and run some facebook ads to get a bunch of fans? That could definitely be a good start IMO.
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    • Profile picture of the author ev0lutionX
      Thanks, we've done so and it seems to be working right now. They've been releasing information in a webcast on the weekends and the pre-launch is doing very well! 30,000 users in 125 countries so far, and that's only two-ish weeks in. Our group has almost 500 users alone at this point, it's been quite astounding how quickly it's grown.

      By all means, if anyone is interested just check out the webpage, we're happy to spread the word!
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Test. Run some ads and see what the response is to your offer.
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    • Profile picture of the author ev0lutionX
      An update, things seem to be progressing well so far. Total users signed up so far is approximately 120,000, and our team is already 1200+ strong. More and more info has been released each week, types of accounts, costs, etc, and it seems to be panning out as planned. One of my partners had a meeting with Cauvier yesterday and was pleased by what he heard, so we're pressing forward with the hope that the services offered by the site will be ones people will use.

      I think so, but time will tell.
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