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Is a means to an end type service worth doing???

by aceshigh888
7 replies
I've been tinkering with projects. It's been so annoying. But I know it takes many tries often times to find the right thing.

Okay I'm thinking I'm onto something now....

I broke out an old project that I was working on. I had come up with a new USP for it. And I wrote up the sales letter. The USP is fairly convincing. It's also on an electronic product which is nice. The site could be set up as nearly like a hands free passive income stream.

My challenge is the service. I know I can deliver on "some levels", but I know this would be rather challenging.

Like I'll try and give you a few examples:

1) you join a dating agency. They match you up with a compatible date. But they can't promise it will be a match, or that you'll fall in love.

2) a SEO company, they try and get you onto page 1 of google, but they really can't guarantee it orangically. So again, they often promise a lot but can't alway give the exact end results.

3) some weight loss program, again they try, but again they can't guarantee because of too many variables.

4) Movie actors agent, they charge the actor a fee to represent them. They get the actor auditions. The actor goes to the audition. But the agent can't guarantee the end result, the actual movie role.

These are say a few "means to an end" type of services, but that don't guarantee "the end". I feel like they're sort of a necessary evil in society, but as a marketer do you venture into those areas or not???

I'm just annoyed because I have this good idea, and I think it would actually sell, but the challenge again is the service side. I'm not sure if I can deliver that's the problem. I can on "some levels", but likely not a slam dunk over night 110% guaranteed sure thing, like many other businesses face.

So I'm just not sure what to do with this. I know that over time I could refine the service. So if it starts selling lets say really invest a lot of time and energy into the service to try and make it the best I can. But again I know it would be a bit challenging.

so I guess my question is, should I explore this new idea anyway? And try and iron out the bugs later? Or just leave it and find something else?

Just that I have a lot of good idea. not a lot of great ideas. But I feel like this could be a "great idea", potentially. I mean it's better than a lot of things I've come up with lately. So that's why I'm eager to give it a try, and maybe fix any bugs with it later.

What do you suggest I do?:confused:
#end #means #service #type #worth
  • Profile picture of the author OrangeBull
    If you've heard the term minimally viable product, the question is can you build a minimally viable product. Can you at least half-ass deliver something people really need, because if you can, then version 1.2 might do a damn good job. If you can't at least half-ass deliver then why bother, but if you can do that, then you take your shot and test the market. If it sells, you know you are onto something. If it doesn't, move on.

    Of course developing a useful product is only half the battle, the other half is getting eyeballs onto the product, so they can say, yup, I'll try it.
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  • Profile picture of the author blackli0n
    That USP is good enough, believe it or not. If anything, you sound more credible when you say, "Look, I can get you the best opportunity possible....I just can't guarantee you'll be happy in the end." And then what you do is chop out that second part and don't mention that at all.

    That's what many people do anyway...halfway promises:
    - dating service - meet lots of people! (assumed but un-guaranteed promise: you'll meet someone you like)
    - lawyers - we'll fight for you! (assumed but un-guaranteed promise: we'll win your case)
    - car mechanic - we'll look at it right away! (assumed but un-guaranteed promise: we'll fix it fast/cheap)


    Talk about the parts that you can guarantee. And then use clever imagery and wording to give people the feeling and emotion of what success would feel like. And leave it in the fine print to say things like, "No guarantees on weight loss, results may vary, everyone's results are different. Etc, etc."
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Originally Posted by aceshigh888 View Post

    I've been tinkering with projects. It's been so annoying. But I know it takes many tries often times to find the right thing.

    Okay I'm thinking I'm onto something now....

    I broke out an old project that I was working on. I had come up with a new USP for it. And I wrote up the sales letter. The USP is fairly convincing. It's also on an electronic product which is nice. The site could be set up as nearly like a hands free passive income stream.

    My challenge is the service. I know I can deliver on "some levels", but I know this would be rather challenging.

    Like I'll try and give you a few examples:

    1) you join a dating agency. They match you up with a compatible date. But they can't promise it will be a match, or that you'll fall in love.

    2) a SEO company, they try and get you onto page 1 of google, but they really can't guarantee it orangically. So again, they often promise a lot but can't alway give the exact end results.

    3) some weight loss program, again they try, but again they can't guarantee because of too many variables.

    4) Movie actors agent, they charge the actor a fee to represent them. They get the actor auditions. The actor goes to the audition. But the agent can't guarantee the end result, the actual movie role.

    These are say a few "means to an end" type of services, but that don't guarantee "the end". I feel like they're sort of a necessary evil in society, but as a marketer do you venture into those areas or not???

    I'm just annoyed because I have this good idea, and I think it would actually sell, but the challenge again is the service side. I'm not sure if I can deliver that's the problem. I can on "some levels", but likely not a slam dunk over night 110% guaranteed sure thing, like many other businesses face.

    So I'm just not sure what to do with this. I know that over time I could refine the service. So if it starts selling lets say really invest a lot of time and energy into the service to try and make it the best I can. But again I know it would be a bit challenging.

    so I guess my question is, should I explore this new idea anyway? And try and iron out the bugs later? Or just leave it and find something else?

    Just that I have a lot of good idea. not a lot of great ideas. But I feel like this could be a "great idea", potentially. I mean it's better than a lot of things I've come up with lately. So that's why I'm eager to give it a try, and maybe fix any bugs with it later.

    What do you suggest I do?:confused:
    Here is the deal. you have an "Electronic" product. are we talking physical hands on product? or are we talking a digital software type thing?

    Kind of regardless of which.. does the product do what it is supposed to.. I'm not talking results, just does it do what it is supposed to?

    If it does do what it is supposed to you can simply use a results may vary waiver or the like.

    And like mentioned... if it half way works version 1.2 should be a lot better. You can include free upgrades for a year with a purchase.
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    Success is an ACT not an idea
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Aces,

      The market always comes first . . . not the product or service. Whatever you choose to test for viability, you need to do market research first to find out exactly what people in the niche want and how/where you can contact them online. Once you know something about the market and what is wanted, you will be able to understand whether your product/service fits (and if not, how you'll need to change it to satisfy demand.)

      Something you said needs to be answered: "I'm not sure if I can deliver that's the problem." Yes, that is a very big problem and one that needs to be solved prior to getting real serious about the niche. Not delivering what you say you can and leaving customers hanging is a surefire way to go down in flames quickly.

      And by the way, I don't believe for a minute in what OrangeBull said about a "minimally viable product." You get just one chance to satisfy your paying customers.

      Would you ever deal again with a business that sold you something that was "minimally viable?" I certainly wouldn't. Sure, you can always make a product better, and that is expected, but if you give a customer anything but your best you won't be in business long. Advice that you should "at least half-ass deliver" is not going to elevate your business above the competition. Give the best you've got every time out!

      The best of luck to you,

      Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author onSubie
        Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

        Something you said needs to be answered: "I'm not sure if I can deliver that's the problem." Yes, that is a very big problem and one that needs to be solved prior to getting real serious about the niche. Not delivering what you say you can and leaving customers hanging is a surefire way to go down in flames quickly.

        And by the way, I don't believe for a minute in what OrangeBull said about a "minimally viable product." You get just one chance to satisfy your paying customers.
        And much of that depends on what your product is.

        If it is a book "Hair Tips to Get an Acting Job" it would be reasonable to assume that you can't actually guarantee that an impartial 3rd party (casting agent) will cast any one individual. What if two people who followed your tips showed up at the same audition?

        But if it is the "Electro Hair-Grow Hat" that says lost hair will grow on your head if you wear it 3 times a day, then it would be harder to say "By the way, this device might not work".

        As for a "minimally viable product" that would be something where there is no guarantee/little chance of success, the market knows this but they are so desperate they will buy anything and not even complain when it's crap.

        Especially when failure of the crappy product can be excused as lack of effort by the naive buyer.

        Like Internet Marketing and Weight Loss.
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  • Profile picture of the author aceshigh888
    I guess I could try this thingamabob and see what happens.
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    EXERCISE: Take a deep breath, hold for 10 seconds, release. ..... There see you feel better now???
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Tandan
    'Means to an end' is all over internet marketing.
    Anyone who maintains a list and promotes to them - has invested in an autoresponder, a lot of time, sourcing free product (often at more expense), finding relevant offers (more time) all with the means of developing a good relationship with the list. The 'end' would be the income generated from the people on the list who eventually buy.
    Education, training, hours spent on site development, SEO, all of these are means to an end. It's paying dues is all.

    Sounds like you're on to a great product. Run with it. You don't have to over-promise on the service side or make guarantees, as long as you're clear about it. The weatherman (or lady) doesn't make promises, is wrong 80+% of the time, and still gets paid.

    If you don't think you will enjoy the service side but that it will add value, consider outsourcing if that's an option.
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