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I Really Want to See This Idea

by TheBigBee
17 replies
Here's an idea I want to see executed and if / when I do, I hope it's by a Warrior for sure!

If it's not around in 2-3 years... I'll personally find and fund a startup with the $25k to get it done.

Here's the story...

"There should be a simple web service where as a business owner I am able to purchase a square on a 9 x 12 post card. I get to the site either through an invite from another business owner, a post made to my FB page, a FB ad, a sample came in the mail, etc.

I purchase my square and X number of other people purchase a square as well. The site helps me create the type of offer I want, based on my business type and provides some really neat templates. It's super easy for me. It also makes sure to minimize how much I may compete with my competitors by making sure there is a nice diversity of business types. Once I set up my square, I pay - receive my telephone tracking number by e-mail and I'm done. A couple of days later, I get e-mail proof that my squares went out on some post cards locally. A couple of weeks later, I notice a change in my sales... They went up!"

You all get the point by now. Best part is - the post office is hurting for cash. Build it, ship it, prove it works, hire a bad a$$ VP of business development, and the post office might end up your primary customer acquisition channel. At that point, exit for $50M plus within 5 years.
#idea
  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    I got 2 more "Big" projects ahead of this, but im on it!

    Originally Posted by TheBigBee View Post

    Here's an idea I want to see executed and if / when I do, I hope it's by a Warrior for sure!

    If it's not around in 2-3 years... I'll personally find and fund a startup with the $25k to get it done.

    Here's the story...

    "There should be a simple web service where as a business owner I am able to purchase a square on a 9 x 12 post card. I get to the site either through an invite from another business owner, a post made to my FB page, a FB ad, a sample came in the mail, etc.

    I purchase my square and X number of other people purchase a square as well. The site helps me create the type of offer I want, based on my business type and provides some really neat templates. It's super easy for me. It also makes sure to minimize how much I may compete with my competitors by making sure there is a nice diversity of business types. Once I set up my square, I pay - receive my telephone tracking number by e-mail and I'm done. A couple of days later, I get e-mail proof that my squares went out on some post cards locally. A couple of weeks later, I notice a change in my sales... They went up!"

    You all get the point by now. Best part is - the post office is hurting for cash. Build it, ship it, prove it works, hire a bad a$$ VP of business development, and the post office might end up your primary customer acquisition channel. At that point, exit for $50M plus within 5 years.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Grossman
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
      Originally Posted by Dan Grossman View Post

      I think this already exists.
      You had the chance to stop right there and say...

      "I think this already exists. Sort of like how Craigslist already existing for anyone listing their spare space in their home. But then, AirBNB came along and created 'magic' and all but destroyed Craiglist. They are now worth $10 billion. So, if something comes along that creates that kind of magic (magic starts with value) - then yeah, they have a shot of beating the Craigslists (everything you mentioned) of this space."

      Perhaps it may be helpful for you to step back, think, and ask some challenging and precise questions. I'm happy to answer them. That'll lend itself to something constructive. Let's create magic. I'm a willing participant.

      #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    Okay, am i missing something here or has this idea pretty much been beaten to death already on the forum? Bob Ross is the originator.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
      Originally Posted by Matt Lee View Post

      Okay, am i missing something here or has this idea pretty much been beaten to death already on the forum? Bob Ross is the originator.
      YES!! THAT'S THE POINT! Take something that is done manually, automate it, install a viral loop, and scale! For the record, I did approach him directly months ago about this. Even offered to help him get it done.
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      • Profile picture of the author timpears
        Originally Posted by TheBigBee View Post

        YES!! THAT'S THE POINT! Take something that is done manually, automate it, install a viral loop, and scale! For the record, I did approach him directly months ago about this. Even offered to help him get it done.
        Jake (Bob Ross) has been doing this for years, and training others to do it too. I was there at the inception. I don't know where you were. You missed a good roll out. You got to go out and sell this, clients don't fall off the tree into your cash draw.
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        Tim Pears

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  • Profile picture of the author baxterblue
    I totally get it and I think it's a great idea / service!

    1) Login
    2) Select size of advert
    3) Pay for advert
    4) Upload graphic

    What a great solution for recurring clients and what a time saver on labor! I would like to think that anyone doing the Bob Ross EDDM system would license and use this service from you too.
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    • Profile picture of the author umc
      Great idea Mr. Bee! Make it easy for those selling the 9x12and for those wanting to get their piece of one.
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  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    Yep Big Bee emailed me about this a long time ago, it's a great idea.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
      Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

      Yep Big Bee emailed me about this a long time ago, it's a great idea.
      With partial self motivation. Affiliate revenue for folks on my list I can't monetize. I swear on the souls of my children. Anyone who ships this has instant distribution (with me).
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      • Profile picture of the author MRomeo09
        The problem is that model doesn't work. I've done consulting work for some Val-pak reprentatives. This is a product that almost everyone knows, and yet most of their sales come from face to face, belly to belly selling. It's not generally inbound selling, it's almost all outbound selling and outreach.

        Ask yourself Bob, how many of the sales that you've made of your postcards came from referrals that didn't require a "pitch". Advertising generally requires a sales force, there are very few mediums that do not. Even Google has been sending out representatives to sign up business owners for Adwords.

        It's one of those things that sounds cool on paper, because everyone should want this, right? But in reality takes quite a bit of selling ability to make happen.

        Here's an easy test. Take a mostly filled out card around to local businesses, get in front of 10 business owners and tell them they can buy this spot for $500 to go out to 10,000 homeowners in a certain zip code. How many do you think you would sell if that was the bulk of your pitch?

        Look at the people who have succeeded and who have failed with Bob's course on his forum. The ones who have made it, I would argue are already decent at sales, the ones who are not, don't. And of course 90% never even took action.

        And of course that ignores the reality that selling a spot once is hard, but selling it again and again is all about creating an irresistible offer in your spot. How does that get automated, because I know when we played with it, that part was like pulling teeth. The best returns came from the killer deals that I convinced owners to put in, and none of them were easy sells.

        So for me, I just don't see it. You can get the website done offshore in 6 weeks for $10-20k, I'm just not sure the business model works. And that's from being involved in marketing and advertising a long, long time. I think this business by it's nature is better served by the direct sales model.
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        • Profile picture of the author misterme
          Originally Posted by MRomeo09 View Post

          The problem is that model doesn't work.
          Ta da!

          Proving that value is not in an idea, but in its successful execution.
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          • Profile picture of the author savidge4
            I think undertaking this project one needs to look at who is being targeted. Is it the front end business or the middleman sales guy?

            It doesn't take a genius to figure out if you are not selling the spots, they simply wont be sold. but to turn it on its ear and streamline the process for those that ARE selling - that might be worth a go.

            TeeSpring comes to mind.

            My thinking is that "Tools" are not ment to sell, but "Tools" can be used to streamline a process.

            Add in the ability to assist in filling the spots, and maybe even the production, and distribution and its a whole new ball game.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    A more advanced version of this concept is already there at the corporate level not just for post cards but for any kind of advertising. Apparently, the big Madison-avenue type agencies have trading desks not unlike those found in investments now.

    There was an article in the Economist that explained it in more details not long ago.
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  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    You are absolutely right MRomeo09. It is not a good fit for the IM world, where everyone want the buy a course/product and push a few buttons and make millions overnight without any work.

    Making money always takes work or investing in a winner. EG: Wall Street investing type stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author baxterblue
    I just came across this link in another thread. It is "kind of" what your looking for without the social media aspect...

    Coupon Flyer Management Software
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  • Profile picture of the author Kent_Thompson
    I like the concept...sort of like Groupon but for businesses. I was sold on this same idea last year, and so I built a software system to do the things the OP is saying. However, in my experience it isn't done as easily as just having a site where all these local business owners miraculously come and sign up and create their own ads. In reality it just doesn't happen that way. The goal is still to make it as easy as possible, but I agree with the other posters that have said it takes a bit of a sales effort to get it done. In fact, that's really the biggest hurdle...sales. Someone needs to be there manage the business part of it for a certain local area, vs. a complete "kiosk" approach. Even Groupon has to have a lot of sales reps doing the hand-holding. Local businesses are busy and don't want to fiddle around with stuff like that, in my experience. However, once you are established in an area, I do believe it gets easier because you get repeat business and people will call you.

    I'm doing a 3-pronged approach now, where I'm doing a local directory to "break the ice" with local businesses, and the directory also has an email capture form to build up my email list of local buyers, and then on the back-end I can sell flyers or postcard spots, which in turn drives traffic back to my directory so that residents can get "birthday" coupons via email (or SMS).

    I do agree that a software system is an important part of this, (right behind sales), because you don't necessarily need employees, but you have a lot of moving parts. So much of it can be automated. One problem I have heard from people coming to me is that they're just looking for some way to automate a lot of the grunt work.
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  • Profile picture of the author baxterblue
    I Totally Agree. Just because a web platform is available for the clients, that doesn't equate to sales. I do believe it's a great feature and could be a huge time saver if used properly.

    I personally could see it going over pretty well with so many people doing the 9x12 system now.
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