13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Is this a pot of gold or dog poo?

by slatron25
11 replies
This is kinda an offshoot of Mike McAleer thread Make money with Domain Name Directories but a different approach. I didn't want to hi-jack that thread so I'm starting this one.

I could have named this thread "the antithesis of craigslist". This is a for profit and it is specifically for local business to advertise online. Since I already have a locally focused website this process may be a little easier for me.

So here we go. I'm setting up a classifieds site for local business to post ads at a small price. I'm talking $2 - $3 each/month. How could a local business refuse? I can put up banner ads on the main site and drive traffic to it. Oddly enough, the people who visit the main site are banner clicking happy just not "fill in you email for this CPA offer" happy.

I plan to seed the site with emails to those posting on craigslist and allow them to post their first ad for free and then start charging the small fee. After that I can hit the streets or the phone letting local businesses know about the site. Also, there is a featured ads module for the plugin I am using so that would be some additional income.

My usp when approaching a business offline is a very inexpensive way to get their message out there while eventually upselling them on more services to help their business.

This all kinda plays into the "leverage what you got" idea and give enough other people what they want and you'll get what you need. (I think I just butchered that last one). What do you think.
#dog #gold #poo #pot
  • Profile picture of the author Will Perkins
    Originally Posted by slatron25 View Post

    This is kinda an offshoot of Mike McAleer thread Make money with Domain Name Directories but a different approach. I didn't want to hi-jack that thread so I'm starting this one.

    I could have named this thread "the antithesis of craigslist". This is a for profit and it is specifically for local business to advertise online. Since I already have a locally focused website this process may be a little easier for me.

    So here we go. I'm setting up a classifieds site for local business to post ads at a small price. I'm talking $2 - $3 each/month. How could a local business refuse? I can put up banner ads on the main site and drive traffic to it. Oddly enough, the people who visit the main site are banner clicking happy just not "fill in you email for this CPA offer" happy.

    I plan to seed the site with emails to those posting on craigslist and allow them to post their first ad for free and then start charging the small fee. After that I can hit the streets or the phone letting local businesses know about the site. Also, there is a featured ads module for the plugin I am using so that would be some additional income.

    My usp when approaching a business offline is a very inexpensive way to get their message out there while eventually upselling them on more services to help their business.

    This all kinda plays into the "leverage what you got" idea and give enough other people what they want and you'll get what you need. (I think I just butchered that last one). What do you think.
    Good idea, but your room for some serious profit is rather small. Even if you had 100 businesses sign up, that's $200.00 - $300.00 a month, which is pocket change.

    I'd consider charging maybe $7.00 - $10.00, at least that way you'll make closer to $1,000.00 a month.

    Decent idea though, sort of around the same model as a directory just for ads.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3551393].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
      Originally Posted by Will Perkins View Post

      Good idea, but your room for some serious profit is rather small. Even if you had 100 businesses sign up, that's $200.00 - $300.00 a month, which is pocket change.
      The business owners I deal with definitely don't consider $200 to $300 as pocket change. And some of them own and operate million dollar enterprises.

      Getting 100 businesses to sign up for anything is not a simple as you make it appear here. It takes some major campaigns and sweat equity to accomplish this even for a free offer.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3554747].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
    It is a good idea indeed. It might be a good idea to start off in the local area and slowly expand your horizons with enough traffic and results.
    Signature
    I offer CPA coaching and investment opportunities for those SERIOUSLY interested in making money directly or indirectly with affiliate marketing. PM me for details.


    Read More about CPA/Affiliate Marketing on my Blog
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3552322].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author angelc
      Wow, brilliant idea to start up with. I am new to offline marketing and I believe this is a good start. Don't you think $2 is a little less? Make it a little higher so its not just a break even, gain a little profit too.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3552504].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bgg87
    the market seems very saturated - I think you will have trouble even getting the attention of the potential advertisers/local bus owners. I always tell my clients (I do marketing & sales consulting) to find out from your target market what their problems/hot buttons are - and then provide a solution. NEVER assume you know what they want or need....do local business owners want or need another online ad posting service? I'm sure only if there is traffic and subsequently Good Leads!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3553170].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author slatron25
    Yea, I was thinking $2 might be a little too inexpensive. It won't take much to test out, I have hosting already and it will just be a subdomain.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3554155].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
    Me playing Devil's advocate...

    How do you plan on generating the traffic to support your ad costs?

    Also, the traffic you do generate must be specifically local. Since the classified ads will be your flagship service, they will need to deliver results to the advertiser. If they don't, it's doubtful they will look to you for additional assistance.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3554729].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    Nice thought but local classified sites have been done to death. Despite its issues CL is still the go to site for classified ads. Also, the work you outline to get the word out is a lot for a few hundred bucks a month. Use that same effort and find a few clients who will pay you a few hundred a month each for local advertising work instead of a few bucks. Same effort, 100 times the return.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3555133].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasonthewebmaster
    Banned
    Originally Posted by slatron25 View Post

    This is kinda an offshoot of Mike McAleer thread Make money with Domain Name Directories but a different approach. I didn't want to hi-jack that thread so I'm starting this one.

    I could have named this thread "the antithesis of craigslist". This is a for profit and it is specifically for local business to advertise online. Since I already have a locally focused website this process may be a little easier for me.

    So here we go. I'm setting up a classifieds site for local business to post ads at a small price. I'm talking $2 - $3 each/month. How could a local business refuse? I can put up banner ads on the main site and drive traffic to it. Oddly enough, the people who visit the main site are banner clicking happy just not "fill in you email for this CPA offer" happy.

    I plan to seed the site with emails to those posting on craigslist and allow them to post their first ad for free and then start charging the small fee. After that I can hit the streets or the phone letting local businesses know about the site. Also, there is a featured ads module for the plugin I am using so that would be some additional income.

    My usp when approaching a business offline is a very inexpensive way to get their message out there while eventually upselling them on more services to help their business.

    This all kinda plays into the "leverage what you got" idea and give enough other people what they want and you'll get what you need. (I think I just butchered that last one). What do you think.

    It's going to be a tough sell unless you can prove that the site gets traffic!

    Why would they pay when they can advertise for free elsewhere and KNOW that their ad will be seen?

    What will make your site different? How will you get traffic to the site? Without buyers, it's a waste of their time and they will know it.


    Sorry, I am not trying to discourage you, just convince you that you NEED to have a USP - Unique Selling Proposition!

    If you can do that, you will have a pretty good shot.

    Try thinking "local" and that will be what is unique to these business owners.

    If you can network locally and find ways to get LOCAL traffic to the site, then you have a good shot.

    Good luck friend and I truly hope you succeed!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3555198].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author krzysiek
      Idea is good, but you do need to try and get some type of traffic to the site for them. What about getting someone to make you a nice video you can upload to YouTube, then SEO this video for various local cities and related searches. Videos tend to go up a bit easier than websites. (direct link to your directory site in description)

      Just a thought.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3555630].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author slatron25
    No worried about discouragement Jason. I put this out there for the input. Part of the problem is the chicken and the egg. Which came first the posters or the traffic? I can get some some local traffic there, now whether turns into customers for the business, I don't know.

    Some very valid points put forward here.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3555965].message }}

Trending Topics