Need Monetization Ideas For Living On A Marina

21 replies
Dad owns a marina. I'm approaching the age of 20 and I want to take a small break from online stuff and start monetizing this gold mine. So basically we are the largest freshwater marina in Canada, which means we have a lot of customers. There are 2 offices:
-Main Office: Where everyone pays for yearly docks and buys boats, etc
-Gas Bar: Self explanatory... gas, snacks, drinks

Right now, I am just thinking about the gas bar. I have all winter to prepare as the season is just ending. I cannot really offer any boat related services to the customers because that market is pretty saturated by my dad already (parts, maintenance, sales, cleaning, etc). On the average sunny weekend, there's hundreds of customers a day, spending hundreds of dollar each, and the best part: Most boaters own businesses!

My first idea that I want to try is leaving web design business cards in the gas bar.

There are so many possibilities. I can go around in a golf cart (btw, I got all the capital funds I ever needed) and sell ice and chips, but that's not very expandable, just an example.

What would you do if you had access to thousands of wealthy people? Hundreds of them being millionaires.

I would really appreciate some ideas. Note: The "selling food" idea is taken, as we already have contracts with onsite people.

Wait!
I almost forgot, I also have access to another HUGE traffic source. On the other side of my house, we are at the end of a road. It's a turn around and parking lot. Branching off the parking lot, we have a restaurant, and Sea Doo rentals (there is a sea doo rental contract too, so i cannot do that) and on the weekend, there are thousands of people that turn around here. We have lots of those mobile signs where you change the letters on them by hand and can tow it behind the truck as the sign has wheels. The majority of these people are tourists.

I bought the {city}cottagerentals.ca (as its in Canada) domain. I could advertise that on a sign, and then turn that site into a classified site. The only cost I have on that business idea is web hosting which is a dime a dozen.

I have until May long weekend to get everything setup and ready to rock. Please let me know if you have ideas. I may make a post in the JV section after this. This is going to be hard to come up with ideas as my dad is a great business man and there isn't much room left in the boating niche to offer, just read the posts below to find out the difficulty.

EDIT: Not interested in providing Internet.
#ideas #living #marina #monetization
  • Profile picture of the author SendCards
    Do you have wireless internet available for your clients so they can use the internet and check email on their boats?? If you set this up for them make sure they have to login to use the service and put up your own ads and special offers on he login page from local businesses that would be relevant to your summer visitors... You could sell a daily deal, advertise restaurant menus, dockside deliveries etc..

    A busy marina in the high season is like a little city on the water and you are the Mayor...

    Cheers!

    Chris
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
      Originally Posted by SendCards View Post

      Do you have wireless internet available for your clients so they can use the internet and check email on their boats?? If you set this up for them make sure they have to login to use the service and put up your own ads and special offers on he login page from local businesses that would be relevant to your summer visitors... You could sell a daily deal, advertise restaurant menus, dockside deliveries etc..

      A busy marina in the high season is like a little city on the water and you are the Mayor...

      Cheers!

      Chris
      The internet business is taken up by 2 big contracts, one of them being rogers.com with their cellphone/internet tower. It's a big boys game.
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      • Profile picture of the author SendCards
        Originally Posted by Josh MacDonald View Post

        The internet business is taken up by 2 big contracts, one of them being rogers.com with their cellphone/internet tower. It's a big boys game.
        Hi Josh,

        I understand there will be a local internet/cable provider, but how do your clients get Internet access on their boats??

        Cheers!

        Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author Rocket Media
    You should try to make friends with as many of the wealthy customers you can and tell them about your web design service. Impress a few people and get a few referrals..
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  • Profile picture of the author dudeontheweb
    I don't know what the laws are in Canada, but you could set up a micro broadcast AM or FM station. You could run programming and advertisements during the season. In the US it's called Part 15 broadcasting. No FCC licenses required if you keep the transmitter under a certain power level. Your range can vary from a few hundred feet to over 1 mile. Just enough to cover the marina. You can get a transmitter for a few hundred bucks or if you are good at soldering you can build a kit for 30 to 40 bucks.

    Also there are radio station automation programs that you can run programming 24/7. Zara Radio is what I have.

    So with a transmitter and an older PC you could have a working radio station catering to the marina. Then you could sell ads to all the businesses on the marina.

    Check out hobbybroadcaster.net and part15.us for more info.
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
      Originally Posted by dudeontheweb View Post

      I don't know what the laws are in Canada, but you could set up a micro broadcast AM or FM station. You could run programming and advertisements during the season. In the US it's called Part 15 broadcasting. No FCC licenses required if you keep the transmitter under a certain power level. Your range can vary from a few hundred feet to over 1 mile. Just enough to cover the marina. You can get a transmitter for a few hundred bucks or if you are good at soldering you can build a kit for 30 to 40 bucks.

      Also there are radio station automation programs that you can run programming 24/7. Zara Radio is what I have.

      So with a transmitter and an older PC you could have a working radio station catering to the marina. Then you could sell ads to all the businesses on the marina.

      Check out hobbybroadcaster.net and part15.us for more info.
      Was actually looking into that last month but couldn't find much on Canadian Broadcasting laws. It is so annoying how the government hides all the good info in the back of the sites, hard to find.
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  • Profile picture of the author David B.
    Does the Mariner have a website listing/advertising all the business/activities going on? You can market, do SEO etc and charge your dad and every business on the marina $$$ for the exposure - cheaper than if they try and market there own websites.

    Also you can sell Ads to businesses that are not on the Marina but will benefit from the traffic you will get to the website (tourists). example-hotels, laundry service, cottage rentals etc
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
      Originally Posted by David B. View Post

      Does the Mariner have a website listing/advertising all the business/activities going on? You can market, do SEO etc and charge your dad and every business on the marina $$$ for the exposure - cheaper than if they try and market there own websites.

      Also you can sell Ads to businesses that are not on the Marina but will benefit from the traffic you will get to the website (tourists). example-hotels, laundry service, cottage rentals etc
      Oh yeah, he already has a laundry service building, and there are no hotels in this area right now, but he might build the first soon. We are a local monopoly.
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  • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
    Find ways to get them to optin into your email list, then you can do anything with them you want - forever.

    Work with your dad to sell all your stuff from your mobile phone. Yep. minnows, worms, sun glasses and whatever else you guys sell.

    Every boat should have your customized QR code on their dash that goes to your mobile site.

    The idea is fast-service. Whatever they need they can select from their cell on your mobile site and you deliver it, fast.

    If they're out on the lake and run out of something, you get it for them. Where do these people store their boats? Hook up with a storage outfit and take a commission. I had a large storage business and stored boats. It's like printing money.

    For those turn arounds make "wipe" packages with your QR code on one side. Give them to everyone. They leave them in their car so they can wipe the dust off their interior.

    You could hire a hottie to do this for you. You need to be the go to guy for all these boaters. The doors will open like you can't believe.
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      I'm sorry....I felt "compelled" to jump in here. Granted...all the above "suggestions'" ar from folks who WANT to help...however...the ones I read are just (IMHO)...tossing out "possibilities"!

      Hey! WE are IN the "Electronic Age"! What does that mean and How can it help YOU!

      Well....I go back to what I learned LOOOONG ago; "Put Yourself In The Shoes of Your Target Market"!

      The Millyunaires traipsing about to and fro you marina. Ask yourself this question: WHAT do they WANT?....and HOW can little ol' ME....provide it for them?

      Well....one thing comes to mind and that is; "Even a guy with Millyuns, moving about in his Yacht....WANTS....(get ready)....COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER FELLOW YACHT OWNERS!

      WHAT ARE THE OTHER MILLYUNAIRES DOING IN THEIR BIG BOATS!....THIS WEEK!...THIS MONTH?

      Would these Big Bux people PAY....to "Know WHAT their fellow Big Bux buddies are doing? Probably!

      So....how does little ol' you....satisfy this WANT!

      One suggestion; Set up a "Marina Community Website Blog" that is accessed by: Scanning a QR Code that is pasted on the Wall in their Yacht...with their Ultra-Smart Phone!

      You....would set up the "Blog" (you could use html but start out with WP) where YOU would post ....WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK AT THE MARINA!'

      Ex: "Joe & Mary Jones, just got in from Brazil and are having a Cocktail Party this Friday eve at Slip #23! Everyone's invited! Come' on Over!'

      etc

      So....I will BETCHA once you get this up and running....you could get an easy $100/ mo from ALL members......or even more! Hey! You are providing Marina Yacht Owners with a way of "Finding Out What's Going on in the Harbor!"

      Don Alm...remembering my Sailing Days in Wilmette Harbor in North Shore of Chgo. We didn't have Smart Phones in those days...or Smart Phones or...QR Codes but....we ALL had an Interest in what OTHER Marina Members were doing!

      Thanks for letting me remember a Fun period of my life!
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      • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
        Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post

        I'm sorry....I felt "compelled" to jump in here. Granted...all the above "suggestions'" ar from folks who WANT to help...however...the ones I read are just (IMHO)...tossing out "possibilities"!

        Hey! WE are IN the "Electronic Age"! What does that mean and How can it help YOU!

        Well....I go back to what I learned LOOOONG ago; "Put Yourself In The Shoes of Your Target Market"!

        The Millyunaires traipsing about to and fro you marina. Ask yourself this question: WHAT do they WANT?....and HOW can little ol' ME....provide it for them?

        Well....one thing comes to mind and that is; "Even a guy with Millyuns, moving about in his Yacht....WANTS....(get ready)....COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER FELLOW YACHT OWNERS!

        WHAT ARE THE OTHER MILLYUNAIRES DOING IN THEIR BIG BOATS!....THIS WEEK!...THIS MONTH?

        Would these Big Bux people PAY....to "Know WHAT their fellow Big Bux buddies are doing? Probably!

        So....how does little ol' you....satisfy this WANT!

        One suggestion; Set up a "Marina Community Website Blog" that is accessed by: Scanning a QR Code that is pasted on the Wall in their Yacht...with their Ultra-Smart Phone!

        You....would set up the "Blog" (you could use html but start out with WP) where YOU would post ....WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK AT THE MARINA!'

        Ex: "Joe & Mary Jones, just got in from Brazil and are having a Cocktail Party this Friday eve at Slip #23! Everyone's invited! Come' on Over!'

        etc

        So....I will BETCHA once you get this up and running....you could get an easy $100/ mo from ALL members......or even more! Hey! You are providing Marina Yacht Owners with a way of "Finding Out What's Going on in the Harbor!"

        Don Alm...remembering my Sailing Days in Wilmette Harbor in North Shore of Chgo. We didn't have Smart Phones in those days...or Smart Phones or...QR Codes but....we ALL had an Interest in what OTHER Marina Members were doing!

        Thanks for letting me remember a Fun period of my life!
        You don't make sense. Millyunaires? What kind of spelling is that?
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        • Profile picture of the author midasman09
          Banned
          I'm sorry. Excuse my miss-use of the English. Us marketing guys are MORE concerned with presenting our Basic IDEAS rather than our "Spelling" or ....HOW we present them.

          Don Alm....using da "King's Inglish" agin....in da rural backwoods o OreGUN! Where "us" folk walk roun in bare feet an our Unner-wear.
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          • Profile picture of the author dudeontheweb
            Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post

            I'm sorry. Excuse my miss-use of the English. Us marketing guys are MORE concerned with presenting our Basic IDEAS rather than our "Spelling" or ....HOW we present them.

            Don Alm....using da "King's Inglish" agin....in da rural backwoods o OreGUN! Where "us" folk walk roun in bare feet an our Unner-wear.
            Translated:

            i'm sOrry. excus3 my m!55-u53 Of teh 3ng1!5h. us m4rk3t|ng g|_|y5 @re mOr3 conc3rn3d w!7h pr353n7in6 Our bas|c !d345 rath3r 7h4n 0ur spe11!ng 0r ....hOw we presen7 th3m.

            don 41m....u5!ng da k|n6'5 !n6li5h agin....|n da r|_|ra1 84ckwOOd5 0 oreg|_|n! wher3 us fO1k w@1k ro|_|n !n b@re feat @n o|_|r unn3r-w3@r.

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      • Profile picture of the author Steve1776
        midasman09
        Sounds like a good idea to me. I might check into it since we have a few lakes and a few millionaires here around Dallas. Don't know why some people bite your head off when you try to be helpful, especially after they've asked for it.
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        • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
          Originally Posted by Steve1776 View Post

          midasman09
          Sounds like a good idea to me. I might check into it since we have a few lakes and a few millionaires here around Dallas. Don't know why some people bite your head off when you try to be helpful, especially after they've asked for it.
          Welcome to the Warrior Forum, glad to see you've made your first post in my thread.
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          • Profile picture of the author darrylb
            "Gas would cost a ton to bring a can of worms out to someone."

            I would think so! However, what about meeting them at the dock or having everything boxed and ready so that they spend as little time as possible at the dock instead of on the water? That way they spend the gas but it's still a win-win...

            Just a thought, but what about weather service? A mobile warning system? You'd have to be careful about configuring that to be reliable, and maybe they already have gear to do it, but I thought I'd throw it out. I know around here when the monsoon storms roll in the people on the lake have to hustle to get off the water or into shelter.
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            • Profile picture of the author Summertime Dress
              I can tell you one thing wealthy people travel with, especially to their lake homes, ...PETS.

              This is a GOLDMINE opportunity.

              As a retired veterinarian, I can tell you people who spend money on their boats will also spend money on their pets.

              If I lived in a wealthy community, I would set up a pet service. Depends on your particular skills and whether these people live for extended periods of time or just weekend visitors how you could structure:

              Pet walking, pet sitting, feeding while the owners go out on their boats for a long day and have to leave their little ones...especially the geriatric pets who need to be walked every few hours outside.

              Pet photography...I'm sure you could come up with something creative at the marina...

              Or perhaps adding pet related products for sale at the marina...

              Hunters and fisherman love their dogs...

              Another common thing for pets at the lake...snake bites, spider bites, need of first aid...granted some of this may be getting too much into medical but stocking items specifically for those types of things in kits could be a big seller.
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              • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
                Originally Posted by Summertime Dress View Post

                I can tell you one thing wealthy people travel with, especially to their lake homes, ...PETS.

                This is a GOLDMINE opportunity.

                As a retired veterinarian, I can tell you people who spend money on their boats will also spend money on their pets.

                If I lived in a wealthy community, I would set up a pet service. Depends on your particular skills and whether these people live for extended periods of time or just weekend visitors how you could structure:

                Pet walking, pet sitting, feeding while the owners go out on their boats for a long day and have to leave their little ones...especially the geriatric pets who need to be walked every few hours outside.

                Pet photography...I'm sure you could come up with something creative at the marina...

                Or perhaps adding pet related products for sale at the marina...

                Hunters and fisherman love their dogs...

                Another common thing for pets at the lake...snake bites, spider bites, need of first aid...granted some of this may be getting too much into medical but stocking items specifically for those types of things in kits could be a big seller.
                Your first line is correct. Lots of dogs.

                It's an interesting idea, but would require day-to-day dedication, and we do a lot of traveling, so it would be hard to take peoples dogs for the day. I like the idea, as it is based on a true fact but I need to think more about it. However, most do have big enough boats to bring their dogs with them or they have a trailer they leave them in. Still interesting idea.
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            • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
              Originally Posted by darrylb View Post

              "Gas would cost a ton to bring a can of worms out to someone."

              I would think so! However, what about meeting them at the dock or having everything boxed and ready so that they spend as little time as possible at the dock instead of on the water? That way they spend the gas but it's still a win-win...

              Just a thought, but what about weather service? A mobile warning system? You'd have to be careful about configuring that to be reliable, and maybe they already have gear to do it, but I thought I'd throw it out. I know around here when the monsoon storms roll in the people on the lake have to hustle to get off the water or into shelter.
              Nah, the first dock they come to is the gas dock where we sell EVERYTHING they need: Worms, Minnows, Gas obviously, Batteries, Safety Gear, Life Jackets, Ice Cream, Pop, Chips, and more. Everything that a customer has asked for honestly.

              Weather service = Maybe. Most have mobile phones with internet and can check the weather apps on their phones.
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    • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
      Originally Posted by SiteSmarty View Post

      Find ways to get them to optin into your email list, then you can do anything with them you want - forever.

      Work with your dad to sell all your stuff from your mobile phone. Yep. minnows, worms, sun glasses and whatever else you guys sell.

      Every boat should have your customized QR code on their dash that goes to your mobile site.

      The idea is fast-service. Whatever they need they can select from their cell on your mobile site and you deliver it, fast.

      If they're out on the lake and run out of something, you get it for them. Where do these people store their boats? Hook up with a storage outfit and take a commission. I had a large storage business and stored boats. It's like printing money.

      For those turn arounds make "wipe" packages with your QR code on one side. Give them to everyone. They leave them in their car so they can wipe the dust off their interior.

      You could hire a hottie to do this for you. You need to be the go to guy for all these boaters. The doors will open like you can't believe.
      Gas would cost a ton to bring a can of worms out to someone.

      Boat storage: We rent several thousand square feet of barns all over the area and store everyone.s boats. A few people do go to other people to get it stored, but usually that's because they are a personal friend or something.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh MacDonald
    Regarding the QR thing, most don't know how to do that or what it is.

    All they know how to do with there phones is response and compose emails and call. Literally.
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