Bright Ideas

This past week I spent considerable time browsing websites targeting entrepreneurs and startup businesses doing research for my Startup ConneXions venture. To be honest, I am underwhelmed at the competition and wonder just how any of them make any money. Only one, Partnerup.com, had a clear strategy. I assume that the others make money through advertising, but to make any significant money ($100,000 gross revenue) with an advertising only strategy you have to have something around 6,500,000 page views per MONTH. That’s 78,000,000 page views per year.  

One site that I visited, Sta.rtup.biz initially seemed interesting. So I registered and setup a profile. In 24 hours I received 21 emails (notifications of comments on my profile) from people “welcoming” me to the site. In reality, they were poorly disguised advertisements for things that I have no interest in and in most cases were shoddily done. Here are a few examples:

1.       Hello there (or “Howdy,” as it would be in Montana),

First, I want to wish you success in your business building venture. I have a no hype, no bull, no “shocking truths,” and no one time offers site that I have produced for people like yourself. It is purely an informational resource site. You can find it at Successville News

I would be happy to check out your business for inclusion at Successville News if you will check out my number one business at Travelencia -- TheLastBestBiz. We are the only company in the world to offer V.I.P Memberships that include $5,000.00 Travel Financing and a Home Business in over 200 Countries Worldwide!

 

2.       Hi There Jerry,

Think and Grow Rich FREE!
Anything Your Mind Can
Conceive and Believe
You Can Achieve!
Click Below & See.
Think and Grow Rich FREE!

Ready For Some Ole School...
Share The Power of Love
and Money of The Love Train
With Your Friends * Ride FREE!
Click & See The XXX On
The Love Train

Peace,
XXX XXXXX
Love Train Conductor

P.S. Can I Work For You FREE On Your Love Train?

 

 

 

3.       Hi, Our warm welcome to Sta.rtUp.Biz. If I could help you place your business ahead of all competition, would you be interested? I have the product that can. For more info and a fantastic business opportunity, click on my picture and go to Video Technology. Thanks for your time, EdTopgun --- Please read my blogs

 

Do these types of untargeted emails really work? I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts?

Daryl Mather of the Consulting Post and I recently collaborated on a blog post about Venture Capital for consulting firms. 

Here is an excerpt: 

"First off, let me say that if you have heard how tough it is to get VC money for a normal start-up, you haven’t seen anything yet. Consultants have special challenges to overcome when pitching to VC and Angle Investors. However, do not despair because it is not impossible when you find the right one"

Click Here to read more...

This blog is about innovation, idea generation and the trials and tribulations of starting a new business. We have lots more ideas than we could ever do anything about so why not share them? Someone else might be able to add something else to the idea or might be perfectly situated to immediately act upon it. We are big believers in open sourcing here at the Appalachian Group and are proud to apply the principles to ideas other than just software products. We hope that you will share back with us.