How my business makes $100k+ Revenues Annually

32 replies
How my business will make $100K Annually. The plan for your viewing pleasure.
Full Business Plan for $100,000 Annual Revenues.

Very light simple read. Please comment below, ask questions, I welcome feedback. I'm hoping that by posting my plan I can seek other Warriors opinion on the goals and expectations. Need 2nd & 3rd opinions, feedback, recommendations, etc.

Warriors, this is not a sales related post. no link, no offer.

My Background: BS -Business, MBA - Business Admin, 2-Years Financial Sales, 3-Years Banking...... 5 Years of "Hobbylike Online Ventures for fun websites, blog, etc", 2-Years Online experience (a student of affiliate marketing, online etc etc etc).


2012-2013 Strategic Plan

Marketinc Solutions (currently only 8 clients, launched part-time venture in early 2012)

A. Web, Mobile, Social Media - full services for online development and business solutions.
-Revenues from sale of services ($500-$1000 avg per client annually)
*Backdoor sales method, cheap solutions from common problems and continue to Upsell services.
*Specifically target higher $$$ client value relationships. ex-database driven websites, etc. No interest in finding 100 $100 clients. I'm an entrepreneur, not a web designer. Although I will be accepting any and all clients during growth.

B Comprehensive Marketing Services - full offering of online and offline marketing services including marketing/advertising campaign creation & management.
-Revenues from sale of services
-Revenues from 10%-15% ad spend. 5% online ad spend


UNIQUE PRODUCT OFFERING

"Mobile App & Everything Local Website" - Springield, IL And central Illinois. Ab Lincoln themed, but only thru the name, this will be very unique look and feel, but definitely a copied proven business model as outlined in A LOT of warrior posts. Shop local, text, email, exclusive local deals in Springfield il, and $5 deals club with coupons and tons of local deals. 2013 version of "local directory" with all the bells and whistles.

*$5 themed everything for the launch phase. Think $5 bill.
*$5 Premium Business (many categories) listings monthly, $50 annually (upfront to get 2free)
*$5 Event listings up to 2months before event.
*Premium ad spots after growth

Goals of Website&App Launch

PRIMARY GOAL- create more business for Marketinc Solutions Products & Services.
*Generate buzz, and immediate credibility as a leader in the industry.
*Great networking opportunity and great sales/lead generation tool.
*Low cost, back door entry to *shop local* businesses.
*Website and App are in Beta Testing ready for launch in a few weeks, pending a few details.

-25/50 FREE listings to get App Launched and approved by App stores. gain credibility as a " Have to be apart of this NOW" feel. Will be bigger businesses and franchises to fill in free listings, the hardest to target anyway.

Goal1: 100 $5month sales = $500mo / $5,000 annual, rebates
Use this as means to properly launch the app city-wide with advertising, etc etc, possibly tweak the design, add additional content. Create demand for more and more downloads, possibly offer incentive for downloads besides FREE.


Goal2: 500 sales, Additional sales after buzz launch and huge internal push.
500 $5 month = $2,500 month / $25,000 annually, rebates


Goal3: 500 additional sales @ $10month, after goal2 met and demand is created for downloads and business buzz, as well as community buzz.
500 $10 month = $5,000 month /. $50,000 annually, rebates.

TOTAL REVENUES GENERATED- $80,000

TOTAL REVENUES GENERATED FROM MARKETINC SOLUTIONS- $??,000


The primary goal is to create buzz and gain 100's of high quality leads and potential long term clients.

I believe with my abilities and the abilities of my small team @ Marketinc Solutions, we can accomplish this.

What do you think? What questions do you have? I have all the details on paper, so I havent overlooked much...... I'd rather not put EVERYTHING on here, unles you want to know something.

Good luck everyone, I applaud all you entrepreneurs and your efforts

-Eric
#$100k #annually #business #makes #revenues
  • Profile picture of the author digichik
    Originally Posted by Marketinc Solutions View Post

    Warriors, this is not a sales related post.

    My Background: BS -Business, MBA - Business Admin, 2-Years Financial Sales, 3-Years Banking...... 5 Years of "Hobbylike Online Ventures for fun websites, blog, etc", 2-Years Online experience (a student of affiliate marketing, online etc etc etc).
    This may not be a sales related post, but this is a Sales related business. The degrees you hold mean very little, if you can't sell the services yourself. Have you dusted off your prospecting, qualifying, probing and closing skills?

    I do wish you much success.
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    • Thanks for you contribution

      I beg to differ..... Graduate degrees do hold their weight in the business world. Degree bragging was not intention, but to paint a picture of me as a professional with a good background.

      But of course no degree, certificate, license, designation, can replace experience and action. They are simply the necessary tools that some need to achieve long term career growth, as well as long term entrepreneurial succes.

      I think you mis-read my post, as I was simply describing my background.... Not giving you keys to success.

      And I also wanted to inform the reader that this was not "sales related" as-in this will not be followed up by an offer, call to action, or forum trickery.

      YOU ARE VERY RIGHT, the skills need dusting. Mostly the cold calling skills need dusting, but I'm looking to maximize all prospecting and targeting efforts with the strategy listed above. All targeting methods will be used - with most efforts around cold-walking, business walk-ins, email, social media messaging, warm direct mail, and local advertising.

      I will be pushing my easiest product offerings for me to manage while still holding a ful-time career. Social media, website design. To start simple and get effective results, tweak sales processes, gauge product and service demand in community, build more working capital$$, and eventually......... SCALE UP, QUIT FULLTIME JOB, AND PURSUE MY ENTREPRENURIAL PASSION.
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      • Profile picture of the author socialbacklink
        Originally Posted by Marketinc Solutions View Post


        I beg to differ..... Graduate degrees do hold their weight in the business world.
        I do see where you are going with this and I do hope you have nothing but success. I haven't looked over the plan in great detail but having a plan is great. You just have to be able to adjust on the fly. That's the most important. When things go wrong, and they will, you've got to be flexible enough to redirect things.

        On the bolded point above I totally disagree with that. The reason why? I served in a Chief Marketing Officer role for a pretty large internet marketing company. I only have 6 months of college in the field of Criminal Justice. However, most of my nearly 20 employees all had degrees. Several of them told me they learned more from me than they ever did in college. The point is that experience and hunger/drive/desire (whatever you call it) always beats a degree.

        That's the thing more than anything else. You've gotta be hungry. Hungry to learn, hungry to succeed, or just hungry to eat or not get evicted. Whatever the case that is the purest key to success there is.
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        • Originally Posted by socialbacklink View Post

          I do see where you are going with this and I do hope you have nothing but success. I haven't looked over the plan in great detail but having a plan is great. You just have to be able to adjust on the fly. That's the most important. When things go wrong, and they will, you've got to be flexible enough to redirect things.

          On the bolded point above I totally disagree with that. The reason why? I served in a Chief Marketing Officer role for a pretty large internet marketing company. I only have 6 months of college in the field of Criminal Justice. However, most of my nearly 20 employees all had degrees. Several of them told me they learned more from me than they ever did in college. The point is that experience and hunger/drive/desire (whatever you call it) always beats a degree.

          That's the thing more than anything else. You've gotta be hungry. Hungry to learn, hungry to succeed, or just hungry to eat or not get evicted. Whatever the case that is the purest key to success there is.
          Thanks for the post and the positive words.


          Without dropping a full resume, or credentials (we all have them) I'd just like to say I'm confident in my abilities and I will NOT be out worked. But, right now ACTION is all I'm worried about
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  • Profile picture of the author surgematrix
    I read the post several times but unable to see where the post is going. I admire your knowledge. Are you looking for partners or you just wants a review of your plan?
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    • Originally Posted by surgematrix View Post

      I read the post several times but unable to see where the post is going. I admire your knowledge. Are you looking for partners or you just wants a review of your plan?

      Several times?.....

      "For your viewing pleasure".... And to spark conversation, get feedback, find out who is willing comment, and see where it goes.

      Nothing more, nothing less
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Misleading title, so the prelude to a WSO is looking pretty good.

    Studying does not give you experience. You mentioned you were a student of affiliate marketing, and all that, but did you do it? What REAL sales experience do you have?

    Your unique product, is already offered in springfield, as well as Peoria. That's central IL... you need to realize it isn't unique, you already have competition.

    I don't think your current plan shows enough focus. Pick something, succeed at it, THEN think about expanding with a different service.

    PS... just because you see members on here say something about a business model, doesn't mean it is accurate. Most people don't ever do anything, they just talk in theory.
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    • Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      Misleading title, so the prelude to a WSO is looking pretty good.

      Studying does not give you experience. You mentioned you were a student of affiliate marketing, and all that, but did you do it? What REAL sales experience do you have?

      Your unique product, is already offered in springfield, as well as Peoria. That's central IL... you need to realize it isn't unique, you already have competition.

      I don't think your current plan shows enough focus. Pick something, succeed at it, THEN think about expanding with a different service.

      PS... just because you see members on here say something about a business model, doesn't mean it is accurate. Most people don't ever do anything, they just talk in theory.


      iAmNameless, because I've read your posts before I know you mean well and you give great adive and you don't put up with no PIMP BULLSHIT (taken from the pimp, ,no bullshit websites thread).... Did I read your post right?? NO WSO offer here, maybe after REAL SUCCESS.

      I read your comment and I agree. I asked for advice because I obviously wanted live feedback, so please will you keep this conversation up. I will answer your questions the best I can, simple, to the point.

      1. I Have been a student of offline and Online Marketing/Online everything for years.....more of a hobby/passion....ALLLLLLLL types..... Maxed out my time and energy on MBA, Financial Analyst at Bank, Board Member/Vice Pres of Youth Sports League, and trying to be 22-26 single living downtown----- gotta live right?

      2. You're right, I "offer" everything but have no focus...... That is very true, but my business plan is not product driven, it's client driven. It's about maximizing per client value or profitability, while building long-term client relationships......BUT I do understand your point, focus on niches - focus on products you can do best and have the best chances to target. currently I'm focusing on the products I can manage simply and easily with high profit margins - Websites, mobile focus, Social Media-Facebook tabs, twitter, YouTube....as well as Marketing Campaign Management both online and offline.


      I have proper target markets and target niches but I want bore you with regurgitated info ..... I have more respect for all you guys than that.......


      3.... The Local Everything Website & Mobile App.... Have a little faith in my own research and personal experiences living here. But YES, google these type of keywords and there are many competitors for this " unique" thing....... I think the only thing unique about anything in the marketplace is that it's new, improved, and coming from a different angle. I've put some thought into the planning...... I will definitely forward the link to the website and mobile app download for FREE when they are complete. Springfield, Illinois loves a few things - Ab Lincoln, High School Football, Family Entertainment, and Partying!! A lot of young people per capita. Ages 12-25 young. Attendance records for schools, expansion, etc in surrounding areas.

      Again, this will only be used as small capital generating and lead generating tool.


      I will follow up this post sometime maybe about my personal issues with "directory" websites, local info based websites.

      #1 IT'S JUST INFO,,,, I have rarely seen ANY that maximize all efforts, local info, business directory, mobile, app, text, email, coupons from local, social media directory of local Bizz, videos, Million$$ look and feel but locally designed....... Will you please send me links, I'd like to compare and maybe borrow ideas from succesful sites/apps (NOT BIG NAMES, yelp etc)

      I'm on the forum for only positive results....... I enjoy the convo, critiques, and comments.
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    The title was misleading.
    Personally, I think degrees are nice, but its what you do with what you learn that matters.

    I think you need to get down to the numbers to get on task.
    You say 1500 business over the course of a year in three different phases.

    What will it take to get those 1500 businesses????
    Assuming your business works Mon-Fri and no weekends would give you roughly 20 working days a month. 20 working days times 12 months = 240 working days give or take.
    Now 1500 divided by 240 = 6.25

    So you need to close a little over 6 deals per day.
    How many do you have to prospect to close 6-7 deals per day?
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    • Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

      The title was misleading.
      Personally, I think degrees are nice, but its what you do with what you learn that matters.

      I think you need to get down to the numbers to get on task.
      You say 1500 business over the course of a year in three different phases.

      What will it take to get those 1500 businesses????
      Assuming your business works Mon-Fri and no weekends would give you roughly 20 working days a month. 20 working days times 12 months = 240 working days give or take.
      Now 1500 divided by 240 = 6.25

      So you need to close a little over 6 deals per day.
      How many do you have to prospect to close 6-7 deals per day?

      I will expand further on this (I have it in plan, but I mean re-write for forum).

      Generally speaking I agree with all the feedback I've received from this forum, other forums, and reviewing other discussions of similar issues. success leaves clues, and EVERY discussion on this forum has Gold hidden in it.

      I enjoy your approach because I too follow the #'s...... The only way you will find truth.
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  • Profile picture of the author GobBluthJD
    There is a BIG difference between how your business makes 100K and how it will make 100k.

    I stopped reading after that deception was revealed. Just a tip.
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    • Originally Posted by GobBluthJD View Post

      There is a BIG difference between how your business makes 100K and how it will make 100k.

      I stopped reading after that deception was revealed. Just a tip.

      Great Tips..... Not!!


      Sorry I had to

      but yes you are correct, Sorry to trick you. Thanks for taking time to read the first line and comment.
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  • Profile picture of the author bluecoyotemedia
    institutional education generally prepares you to work for somebody else
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    Skunkworks: noun. informal.

    A clandestine group operating without any external intervention or oversight. Such groups achieve significant breakthroughs rarely discussed in public because they operate "outside the box".
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    • Originally Posted by bluecoyotemedia View Post

      institutional education generally prepares you to work for somebody else
      I agree....

      Forums suck for seeing who a person really is, what they are about, and what they believe in..... If you guys /gals only knew my viewpoints on the Education System (US) I think we have more in common than you think.


      BTW - undergrad full $cholarship for Football - Kicker (soccer player turned kicker), Quincy University. Grad school 25%paid by employer, almost done with my 2 year commitment to them.

      Now, I am bragging about being a good Football Kicker hahah


      I'd say, at the VERY least I was resourceful in getting "institutional" education, for my own personal goals, career & entreprenurial needs.
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    Let me give you a contrast.

    Our partnership just acquired a new company last month. They had done $800K in revenue over the past 10 months of operation.

    In September, the first whole month of acquisition, we did $180K in sales (and we have 6 days left in the month). Our goal by the end of 2013 is $5-7 million in sales.

    This is an "info product" publishing company for a specific market. Pure "internet marketing". The gross profitability of the company hovers at around 46%.

    Why would anyone want to limit themselves to $100K in GROSS SALES for a WHOLE YEAR?

    The point to all of this being... SET YOUR SIGHTS MUCH MUCH MUCH HIGHER.
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    • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
      Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

      Why would anyone want to limit themselves to $100K in GROSS SALES for a WHOLE YEAR?

      The point to all of this being... SET YOUR SIGHTS MUCH MUCH MUCH HIGHER.
      I completely agree with this.
      I remember listening to a smart man say 83 people paying $97/month would be over $100,000 a year. I thought that sounded great. But then I thought about dealing will 83 people. I would rather charge $5k, have 20 quality clients, and make a million! So, that is what I do and what I charge now. I provide a lot more, but.... I like my numbers more!
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    • Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

      Let me give you a contrast.

      Our partnership just acquired a new company last month. They had done $800K in revenue over the past 10 months of operation.

      In September, the first whole month of acquisition, we did $180K in sales (and we have 6 days left in the month). Our goal by the end of 2013 is $5-7 million in sales.

      This is an "info product" publishing company for a specific market. Pure "internet marketing". The gross profitability of the company hovers at around 46%.

      Why would anyone want to limit themselves to $100K in GROSS SALES for a WHOLE YEAR?

      The point to all of this being... SET YOUR SIGHTS MUCH MUCH MUCH HIGHER.

      Yes yes yes

      I have hig expectations for my endeavors..... Lofty goals with milestones.

      Thanks for your encouragement..... I'm a firm believer in "success leaves clues", I'm trying to model after the succesful ones, and learn from other peoples mistakes.

      a good solid foundation and the ability to execute a strategic plan can take your business from $100k to $1million, it's all about mindset

      It takes no more effort to earn $1million than it does to earn $100k.
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  • Profile picture of the author cnwoods303
    Good luck. Degrees can be very benificial and also amount to nothing. I hate to sit on the fence but its all about the person not about the paper. Keep the motivation strong and stay dedicated.
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    • Originally Posted by cnwoods303 View Post

      Good luck. Degrees can be very benificial and also amount to nothing. I hate to sit on the fence but its all about the person not about the paper. Keep the motivation strong and stay dedicated.
      Very true..... That's why the Name comes first before ANY designation

      Name, MBA, PhD etc etc

      All about the person

      But generally speaking only... A person with a Graduate Degree, specifically MBA, will earn more over a lifetime than a person with little or no education.

      Add passion and determination + a lifetime commitment to the entrepreneurial journey


      And if you think careers and entrepreneurship don't mix..... You are DEAD wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author cash89
    Sorry but I agree with others on here, your degree is as valuable as the paper it was printed on. Like "he who is without names said" you need to brush up on your skills. 4 years of cold calling, sending emails and and knocking on doors would have prepared you better than your fancy pants college edumaction. Spend more time doing that than analyzing your plans. "if you want to make god laugh, tell him about your plans" - woody allen
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    • Originally Posted by cash89 View Post

      Sorry but I agree with others on here, your degree is as valuable as the paper it was printed on. Like "he who is without names said" you need to brush up on your skills. 4 years of cold calling, sending emails and and knocking on doors would have prepared you better than your fancy pants college edumaction. Spend more time doing that than analyzing your plans. "if you want to make god laugh, tell him about your plans" - woody allen
      Thanks for your input

      I'm disappointed that the only thing you got from this thread was that I'm probably more qualified, more experienced, more educated, and more successful than you. But, that's only my assumption (probably pretty accurate)... Until you show me otherwise, but honestly what do we have to prove to eachother?

      I will continue on with my plan because I know where I'm going and what it will take to get there.
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      • *****UPDATE*****

        Sold 3/clients....

        Of 25 prospects, targeted specifically (my plan). using social media and email. Contracts pending..... Little bit a cheater though because 2 were warm from some community speaking appearances I did months ago. about online marketing/social media

        #1 Downtown bar, basic website with mobile.... $200, $50 month, 1yr, check in hand

        #2 Organic Farm & Greenhouse, very big operation, getting FULL Marketinc Solutions services......$1,000, $150month, 1yr.... Contract emailed. (verbal agreement)

        #3 Urban Clothing Company - Chicago,Il under $100k in annual sales, getting FULL Marketinc Solutions services.... $1,000, $150month, 1yr... 5% ad spend.


        still have 125 super-targeted businesses left....before I fully execute THE PLAN ABOVE.

        goal of 25 NEW CLIENTS to syncronize smooth operations, prepare for scaling up and the high volume of new projects to balance.
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      • Profile picture of the author cash89
        Originally Posted by Marketinc Solutions View Post

        Thanks for your input

        I'm disappointed that the only thing you got from this thread was that I'm probably more qualified, more experienced, more educated, and more successful than you. But, that's only my assumption (probably pretty accurate)... Until you show me otherwise, but honestly what do we have to prove to eachother?

        I will continue on with my plan because I know where I'm going and what it will take to get there.
        I don't see how you could assume that from my post. Reread it again, I think you misunderstood the point I was trying to get across to you. I have nothing to prove to you or anyone else on this forum, the only people I need to prove anything to are my clients. I'll spell it out so it's easier for you to understand this time because I was actually trying to be constructive but it went way over your head.

        • Stop planning and thinking so much and start doing. All of your questions will be answered in time if you continue taking action.
        • Don't worry so much about your website. Worry about speaking to prospects. All of the important info you want to get across can be addressed in a well written email.
        • Once again, your degree means nothing, especially if you are going into business for yourself. If you want to go work for a fortune 500 company it'll get your foot in the door (depending on what school it's from). Speaking to a small business owner however it will not. They want to see results, not degrees.
        • I am not knocking your education. All I am saying is that you will find that experience and knowledge you gain while taking action will be more valuable than anything you learned in school.
        • Finally, show more respect on the forum. For the most part we are all here to help. You may have misinterpreted my sense of humor, I did not insult you in any way. You never know who is at the end of the computer. May be someone who has spent time on rough streets and doesn't take kindly disrespect. A person like that may be willing to look you up and pay you a visit next time they are visiting their GD friends in IL to see if you would show that disrespect in person.
        Best of luck!
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        • Originally Posted by cash89 View Post

          I don't see how you could assume that from my post. Reread it again, I think you misunderstood the point I was trying to get across to you. I have nothing to prove to you or anyone else on this forum, the only people I need to prove anything to are my clients. I'll spell it out so it's easier for you to understand this time because I was actually trying to be constructive but it went way over your head.

          • Stop planning and thinking so much and start doing. All of your questions will be answered in time if you continue taking action.
          • Don't worry so much about your website. Worry about speaking to prospects. All of the important info you want to get across can be addressed in a well written email.
          • Once again, your degree means nothing, especially if you are going into business for yourself. If you want to go work for a fortune 500 company it'll get your foot in the door (depending on what school it's from). Speaking to a small business owner however it will not. They want to see results, not degrees.
          • I am not knocking your education. All I am saying is that you will find that experience and knowledge you gain while taking action will be more valuable than anything you learned in school.
          • Finally, show more respect on the forum. For the most part we are all here to help. You may have misinterpreted my sense of humor, I did not insult you in any way. You never know who is at the end of the computer. May be someone who has spent time on rough streets and doesn't take kindly disrespect. A person like that may be willing to look you up and pay you a visit next time they are visiting their GD friends in IL to see if you would show that disrespect in person.
          Best of luck!
          Springfield, IL #2 most dangerous city in US, per capita....

          Bring it....

          But anyway, back to reality and not forum gangsta'ness.

          I dont take offense to anything you say or any other comment/post. But, we dont know "eachother" so I would use your recommendations, rather than give them. Please continue to follow my progress and read my comments on threads - I show nothing but respect. If someone is going to type 1 constructive word on my thread, they deserve my respect&time......

          Its all good, lets shake hands and part friends.....
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    I read the OP and skimmed the rest of the thread. Looks like some of my point have been hit on.

    1. $100/k year is nothing for a business. Your after tax pay would be way less than what I make in my JOB (guess not really Just Over Broke in my case). You mention a team so it wouldn't be all in your pocket. We all need a point to start but aim higher as others have said.

    2. Agree with nameless (no shock here) that this feels like a WSO prelaunch. I expect a WSO launch between Aug 2013 and Feb 2014 based on how you set this up. Either way I wish you luck in your business but that is honestly how it comes off with the title.

    3. Nameless pointed out you have competition already offering what you mention here. How will you gain business? Also like so many here you seem to be missing a piece of the puzzle. With a local app or website who is your true customer? You will be making money from the businesses but your true customer is the end users. And to sell to businesses you will need a good amount of active users each month. So how do you plan to gain them? And what will these marketing costs do to your revenue? This is another reason to aim a lot higher with this model.

    3b. Does anyone know anyone who uses a "local directory" app on their phone? I have never met one person who does this in real life. Not sure if this means there is an untapped market locally or rather it means this simply doesn't work vs national directories like Google Places and Urbanspoon. I personally could never see myself using a local app vs. those. It would have to be really amazing to draw me in. That said how will you make your product amazing. I live just a few hours away. Will you make me want to use your app when I am next in springfield?

    Overall good luck and we will see where this goes for you.
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    • Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      I read the OP and skimmed the rest of the thread. Looks like some of my point have been hit on.

      1. $100/k year is nothing for a business. Your after tax pay would be way less than what I make in my JOB (guess not really Just Over Broke in my case). You mention a team so it wouldn't be all in your pocket. We all need a point to start but aim higher as others have said.

      2. Agree with nameless (no shock here) that this feels like a WSO prelaunch. I expect a WSO launch between Aug 2013 and Feb 2014 based on how you set this up. Either way I wish you luck in your business but that is honestly how it comes off with the title.

      3. Nameless pointed out you have competition already offering what you mention here. How will you gain business? Also like so many here you seem to be missing a piece of the puzzle. With a local app or website who is your true customer? You will be making money from the businesses but your true customer is the end users. And to sell to businesses you will need a good amount of active users each month. So how do you plan to gain them? And what will these marketing costs do to your revenue? This is another reason to aim a lot higher with this model.

      3b. Does anyone know anyone who uses a "local directory" app on their phone? I have never met one person who does this in real life. Not sure if this means there is an untapped market locally or rather it means this simply doesn't work vs national directories like Google Places and Urbanspoon. I personally could never see myself using a local app vs. those. It would have to be really amazing to draw me in. That said how will you make your product amazing. I live just a few hours away. Will you make me want to use your app when I am next in springfield?

      Overall good luck and we will see where this goes for you.
      Great, thanks Aaron. You commented on my other post and you make great points on all your threads. So your comments are greatly appreciated.

      $100k in general revenues, would net me the necessary capital to quit my full time job, and pursue this full time..... and that # is a general goal for this forum only.... My business plan and personal financial plan/goals have milestones and scale up periods (really the short term goal is $10,000-$15,000 profits, QUIT FULL TIME)...... With future cash flows looking promising of course.

      I'm burning my bridges and boats at that point.....FULL STEAM AHEAD.


      My "Team" consists of myself and 2 others who are paid on production. They also have their own sources of income, knowing their portion is small and based on production. (they have hopes of growth and bigger$$$, ownership shares, etc)....my "Team" also consists of my preferred network of vendors who are able to work with me outsource portions of projects (an internal outsource team that doesn't need recognition anywhere), as well as a full service print shop at my disposal.



      YOUR #3 point is very very important. That I don't want disclose until after success

      The "local directory" does NOT get used.... I agree..... I'm 26, date a bartender, born & raised, and social.... I'm confident in my abilities to market a new local product to my target customers.

      This is not necessarily a "tourist" website/mobile app. Springfield, Sang.County residents.


      Aaron,

      Do you believe my method makes sense? Using something like this, as well as the traditional prospecting methods, to gain high qualified leads for years to come... To me, I think this is a GREAT strategy to maximize ALL my efforts, and maximize relationship building.

      My biggest succes point would be the Website/App, its success will determine success of this strategy, but it will not make or break the business model.

      (granted it has to unique with users/downloads, members)

      NO WSO OFFER IN WORKS hahahaha.....but honestly I am building "succes stories" along the way. Why wouldn't you? Don't worry...... That's years down the road.
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      • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
        Originally Posted by Marketinc Solutions View Post

        Aaron,

        Do you believe my method makes sense? Using something like this, as well as the traditional prospecting methods, to gain high qualified leads for years to come... To me, I think this is a GREAT strategy to maximize ALL my efforts, and maximize relationship building.

        My biggest succes point would be the Website/App, its success will determine success of this strategy, but it will not make or break the business model.

        (granted it has to unique with users/downloads, members)

        NO WSO OFFER IN WORKS hahahaha.....but honestly I am building "succes stories" along the way. Why wouldn't you? Don't worry...... That's years down the road.
        I actually agree that any method that gets you multiple clients for a price they can't say no to is great. The key to building relationships is getting the relationship started. So the local app will work in that sense.

        The main concern with the local app/website is the fact that to get businesses you need users and to get users you need great content aka businesses. So you need to break down what is needed.

        1. You need to create a content rich & easy to use website/app.
        2. You need to build brand awareness of the app (this will require media buys)
        3. Once you have a user base you need to get businesses to buy into it with ads and other forms of premium listings.

        I tend to list businesses on an A to Z.
        A level businesses are ones that can be bootstrapped with no cash or at least under $100.
        Z level would be trying to compete with Walmart or Apple. aka it would require the kind of capital that might never be recovered.

        Most people should be starting A, B, or C businesses which are those that will take $1,000 or less to get going. Once you have one or more successful businesses you can tackle higher levels. Especially if you have build businesses (where others work for you) vs. a job. Building a job is the biggest mistake that business owners make.

        The second biggest mistake is being addicted to income. This is why an owner keeps working. They like making $200k (or whatever) per year vs. making $100k and replacing themselves. But smart people know that the more people you have working for you the more you grow and the more you grow the biggest the "passive" (it's never really passive) income becomes.

        I bring all this up because in my mind the app is what I call a F level business. One that will take up to $10,000 in start up cash. The F level has another meaning as well as I that people tend to fail in this level. because they under estimate it. They think it will be a C level when it needs more cash. The F level is full of people who try to bootstrap a business that needs investment. So I would suggest building up a "war chest" of $10k before you attempt to launch it. If the business model is sound that should give you the budget needed to build a minimal level of brand awareness.

        Some here may think that $10k is a lot but in the real world it isn't. For example my eBay advertising budget is $70k/yr and that is just for the eBay fees. That doesn't include my pay to run it or any of the other online marketing my employer does.

        So my advice for you would be to use services like web design to build a job (free your time from your current job) and to build the war chest needed. Than attack this new business/division to dominate. Once it has good user traffic sell premium listings and other ads to companies to push it to profit.

        You could find a way to bootstrap this app but a lot of your potential clients will wonder why they should advertise with you if you only have a 100 active users. If you put a lot of effort (personal since you have no budget) into the app you can soft launch and hope for word of mouth viral growth in users. But to get any real growth that way your app would have to be amazing from day one and you would have to hope to reach group influencers who will spread your app to their group with your ultimate goal to be to get several local celebs talking about. Morning radio hosts are your target here due to their power as market influencers.

        Influencer marketing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

        So to sum it up. I would modify plans based on available capital. If you already have a war chest you can choose to use it for this. Or you could use the war chest to fund quitting your job now to build a business faster.
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        • Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

          I actually agree that any method that gets you multiple clients for a price they can't say no to is great. The key to building relationships is getting the relationship started. So the local app will work in that sense.

          The main concern with the local app/website is the fact that to get businesses you need users and to get users you need great content aka businesses. So you need to break down what is needed.

          1. You need to create a content rich & easy to use website/app.
          2. You need to build brand awareness of the app (this will require media buys)
          3. Once you have a user base you need to get businesses to buy into it with ads and other forms of premium listings.

          I tend to list businesses on an A to Z.
          A level businesses are ones that can be bootstrapped with no cash or at least under $100.
          Z level would be trying to compete with Walmart or Apple. aka it would require the kind of capital that might never be recovered.

          Most people should be starting A, B, or C businesses which are those that will take $1,000 or less to get going. Once you have one or more successful businesses you can tackle higher levels. Especially if you have build businesses (where others work for you) vs. a job. Building a job is the biggest mistake that business owners make.

          The second biggest mistake is being addicted to income. This is why an owner keeps working. They like making $200k (or whatever) per year vs. making $100k and replacing themselves. But smart people know that the more people you have working for you the more you grow and the more you grow the biggest the "passive" (it's never really passive) income becomes.

          I bring all this up because in my mind the app is what I call a F level business. One that will take up to $10,000 in start up cash. The F level has another meaning as well as I that people tend to fail in this level. because they under estimate it. They think it will be a C level when it needs more cash. The F level is full of people who try to bootstrap a business that needs investment. So I would suggest building up a "war chest" of $10k before you attempt to launch it. If the business model is sound that should give you the budget needed to build a minimal level of brand awareness.

          Some here may think that $10k is a lot but in the real world it isn't. For example my eBay advertising budget is $70k/yr and that is just for the eBay fees. That doesn't include my pay to run it or any of the other online marketing my employer does.

          So my advice for you would be to use services like web design to build a job (free your time from your current job) and to build the war chest needed. Than attack this new business/division to dominate. Once it has good user traffic sell premium listings and other ads to companies to push it to profit.

          You could find a way to bootstrap this app but a lot of your potential clients will wonder why they should advertise with you if you only have a 100 active users. If you put a lot of effort (personal since you have no budget) into the app you can soft launch and hope for word of mouth viral growth in users. But to get any real growth that way your app would have to be amazing from day one and you would have to hope to reach group influencers who will spread your app to their group with your ultimate goal to be to get several local celebs talking about. Morning radio hosts are your target here due to their power as market influencers.

          Influencer marketing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

          So to sum it up. I would modify plans based on available capital. If you already have a war chest you can choose to use it for this. Or you could use the war chest to fund quitting your job now to build a business faster.
          I read this, and I'm going to re-read it a few more times and bullet point your recommendations...... Because these are a lot of the same conversations I've had with myself and with my partners. Great talking points.

          You sparked solutions, as I read. That's why I appreciate the recommendations. Hearing the problem, reading your solutions, and having options.

          Please check back on this thread whenever you have some free time..... I want to continue this....... Just don't have time right now.

          I rank these opportunities&threats.... If its something I've already had a concern for, and it has been also been second' by my team, and now been brought up by these posts, then they need to be addressed immediately before moving forward with any more time and resources.
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  • Profile picture of the author cash89
    Don't worry I know that, been there before, thanks for the stats tho. Being from a tough city doesn't make you a tough guy.

    No gangsta'ness here, i'm past that, that's why i'm a member of this forum.

    There's no reason to take offense to anything I said because I said nothing offensive to you. Exactly we don't know "eachother" so what's the point in being a dick? and I do follow all those recommendations I posted, I take action, listen to my prospects & don't disrespect anyone here.

    It is all good, can't shake hands over the internet tho, just show mutual respect with our words.
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    • Originally Posted by cash89 View Post

      Don't worry I know that, been there before, thanks for the stats tho. Being from a tough city doesn't make you a tough guy.

      No gangsta'ness here, i'm past that, that's why i'm a member of this forum.

      There's no reason to take offense to anything I said because I said nothing offensive to you. Exactly we don't know "eachother" so what's the point in being a dick? and I do follow all those recommendations I posted, I take action, listen to my prospects & don't disrespect anyone here.

      It is all good, can't shake hands over the internet tho, just show mutual respect with our words.
      Ok.... you may have time to forum battle, I don't. End of convo. Back to business.

      Take care.
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  • Profile picture of the author DennisM
    Well, I do like the fact you have a PLAN. That's more than 80% of IMers here on the forum, that's for sure.

    The biggest opportunity in "offline" is social media management. You piggyback off of known entities such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Groupon up here in Chicago is now getting into this space with their "secret sauce" model as noted here in the Chicago Sun Times (NO Aff link):

    Groupon Works targets small businesses with its "Secret Sauce"

    There's so much to offer a small business it's overwhelming for them. Show them how to manage what's in front of them.

    PS: I have to say the title of your post here completely misleading. When I clicked I made the assumption you were ALREADY doing $100K but what you posted what you'll do going forward - a plan.
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    • Originally Posted by DennisM View Post

      Well, I do like the fact you have a PLAN. That's more than 80% of IMers here on the forum, that's for sure.

      The biggest opportunity in "offline" is social media management. You piggyback off of known entities such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Groupon up here in Chicago is now getting into this space with their "secret sauce" model as noted here in the Chicago Sun Times (NO Aff link):

      Groupon Works targets small businesses with its "Secret Sauce"

      There's so much to offer a small business it's overwhelming for them. Show them how to manage what's in front of them.

      PS: I have to say the title of your post here completely misleading. When I clicked I made the assumption you were ALREADY doing $100K but what you posted what you'll do going forward - a plan.
      Thanks for the post..... Goals, Objectives, Plan, Action, Results/Analysis.... In that order.

      I'm currently acting on my plan, sorry for the trickery (I only wanted viewers, but wanted to make it clear to not waste anytime reading further)

      Great link.... I read it. Thanks. I sometimes think "What would I do or what strategy would I lead?" when analyzing these well known brands & companies.

      I agree with a lot of the common themes of that article and my threads recommendations. One of those being focusing in on a few select services and doing them well.

      I know I can't be the best at everything for everyone, that's not my intentions. But be comfortable enough with my business model to offer all products and services locally first and grow. Develop relationships and add value to my clients by working with them to attain their goals and objectives, then offering services.....

      My lead generation methods vary like I said, and the initial value added propositions vary by target market (mostly these value added services are inexpensive for the business, easy for my team to do with little time or effort, and can immediately add value to the business)..... Than continue to build that value added+ relationship and Upsell Upsell.

      this strategy has been successful so far, but I'll need a lot more data to cofirm a best method.
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