Starting a business to quit my job - A thread inspired by lemons884

[Makavelimob]

Hello all,

A little background on me -Last year a graduated from college, held a job at a small start up company (which I got canned from), now I currently sell insurance and I am pretty damn good at it.

The problem: I hate insurance and I want to do be doing better things with my life. It didn't take me long to realize that I will never been satisfied until I am my own boss or at least got more time to do what I want to do. I'm done with people telling me that this is the way I should live my life for the next 35 years until I retire. I want to prove them wrong.

The solution: Create a few web applications - Make money off of it. I spent a lot of time talking about it and not acting. Then I read "The Four Hour Work Week" -- sifted through the 95% bullshit and took the 5% that actually applied to me and ran with it. Great read though. Since then I have created the first set of web applications @ Twetto - Tools to Increase your Twitter Potential! (feel free to check it out - Shameless I know) It started as a far more elaborate idea, then boiled down to some simple yet effective Twitter marketing tools.

The Goal: Make enough money by the Summer to work part time with the insurance (So i can keep the benefits) and use the 20 hours a week to work on my dream projects also live life to the fullest.


Currently: Development is done, The app still needs to be whitelisted by twitter which will happen in a week or so after a few more tests.

Have done some light marketing. about 30 visits yesterday from dropping bit.ly links through out twitter (using my product of course). Decent volume, but not the quality I was hoping for. The links were not targetted at all (using already established twitter accts for different niche)

Marketing in the near future:

1) Press Release (PR Web $200)
2) Dropping targetted twitter links (Free)
3) Sending emails to some of the better twitter app sites (twi5.com)


I would appreciate some ideas from you guys




I plan on updating this thread as much as I can, I look forward to seeing what you guys think

[Makavelimob]

Also, Im a noob to this. Really, any advice, even classic WF'er bashing is encouraged

[DTAlexONE]

If the tool that you are talking about is the same one in your signature, then it is a pretty cool idea. However, I'm going to be blunt about this. Before you start marketing the product, make it a bit more marketable. Something about the look of your site and logo is bland, no offense. Many people overlook the image part of the business and go right into marketing. Remember, the more legitimate and trust worthy your brand looks, the better off you'll be, IMO.

Edit: Make it look more Web 2.0.

[Makavelimob]

thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I agree site is alittle plain. I was going for a cleaner look, alot of my other web sites I tried too much and it became a mess. So with this, I tried function over looks.

I will think of ways to spice it up for the next release

[-Matt-]

Originally Posted by DTAlexONE

Edit: Make it look more Web 2.0.

This.

It does matter.

[Makavelimob]

what suggestions would you have to make it look more web 2.0..


New logo would be needed ( even though I do like the one I whipped up in 5 minutes)

What other features would you like to see on there?

[Makavelimob]

Tuesday: 27 Visitors, Bounce Rate was 20% lower and time on site was about 20 seconds higher. Mostly US traffic.

Got a few visits off this thread -- nice.

Got a few more users as well -- Should be more.. I mean its free.


Currently: brainstorming some ideas to make the site look more web 2.0
Mostly the logo right now... I will probably hire someone here to do it

Goals for the next 2 weeks: Crack 50-60 visits a day + Steady user increase + 1st Sale

[DTAlexONE]

I'm a graphic designer. If you need a logo done, pm me.

[EZ-Kash]

The service still seams a little bugy, errors on signup, errors on keyword entry for search, Are you sure your ready for primetime?

[Makavelimob]

im unaware of issues with sign up, could you please pm me the bug? Also keyword is working just with a few errors.. you have to wait roughly 40 secs in between follows and red errors occur for various things. currently thats numero uno on things to fix. Thanks for letting me know

[PirateDave]

Nice plan

[Makavelimob]

Thanks dave i agree.

For wednesday = 43 Visits resulting in a few more members and some emails about the service. Still no bites. Avg time on site should be a lot higher. About 9 visits or so from my wickedfire redirect. Except all 9 of those visits were bounces. Bummer.

Bounce rate is back up to where it was before, it should be a lot lower, it is currently hovering 70%. Getting more targetted traffic will help this Im sure.

Perhaps ill post some screenshots on here tomorrow to add a little life to this thread.

[emp]

Hi there.

The reason you might not get anyone to buy anything is because THEY CAN'T!!

Sorry, but I clicked around on your site and there is NOWHERE that I can buy anything?
Not on the start page (BAD), not on any other page.

And no, making people register so they can see you are offering a premium package for money is not a good idea.

I did not register and did not see any BUY ME NOW link. Nor a link explaining that there IS a premium package, if there is one.

Guess what I did not do?
::emp::

[PhillipMarlow]

Agree with all of the other suggestions. If you have even the slightest ppc budget, start pushing paid traffic for a bit and then optimize for conversion keywords.

[Makavelimob]

Emp- Thanks for the feedback , I agree .. I didn't even realize that. Thats something i will definently be adding soon, probably another button next to the Register button. Im a noob to this, thanks for setting my ass straight.

Phil- Got one of those $75 adwords coupons, will probably exhaust that pretty fast. I'm using it to test my keywords and campaigns out. Hopefully try to optimize them as much as I can with that before I spend some real monies.


These suggestions are great keep them coming.

[DTAlexONE]

You could always have either John Chow or ShoeMoney talk about it in their blog, paid of course. As much as this forum likes to make fun of them, these guys know how to sell a product to their readers. It all depends on how much money you're willing to invest as well. You can always send ShoeMoney a t-shirt for free shirt Friday (or whatever it's called) and you'll get plenty of exposure through there. Remember, the audience you're selling to are other internet marketers promoting their own products/services, that's their audience. I can definitely see them making good use of Twetto.

[Makavelimob]

Maybe ill try to make a funny shirt. Something that says "What the fuck is twetto.com" Either way, i am going to be taking peoples advice to spruce up the site and adding a sales page before login. Hopefully this will work out well

[Makavelimob]

After weekend update: Currently in the process of Web 2.0 'ing my site. New Logo, new buttons, and a chart explain the free and paid plans. Hopefully this will increase sales.

-Im hoping this will decrease the bounce rate (Still rounding 70%) -- Alot of twitter traffic im pulling sucks balls. Trying to get it in the 30-40% range in the future.

-Traffic has been kicking ass and have gotten some new users - I know it doesn't mean shit but my alexa rank is now around 600k, which is nice. Out of all my sites, that is the best i've ever had it. Setting up PPC w/ adwords this week.

Sales - Still goose egg... hoping this will change soon with the changes


Content addition would be key to lowering bounce rate, increase traffic and sales... do you have any suggestions of what way I could utilize that? I already have a blog and I plan to add articles. I dont know if I should have a long ass sales page or what. Suggestions would be great. Thanks!

[DTAlexONE]

What kind of audience have you been marketing your product to? IMO, it's mostly businesses with a Twitter that would most probably utilize this product, not your average Joe Schmo with a Twitter account. I could be wrong though.

[Red_Virus]

The most important thing is you need a convincing video (as that is the first thing the user will click when he lands on your site), get some professional help on the video.

[Makavelimob]

Red- i agree. thats going to be changed shortly. Know anybody?

[Makavelimob]

alex - i was marketing to joe schmos until yesterday. Now i have been marketing to the social media crowd on twitter. Ill let you know any improvements

[rebecca]

Hello Mak,

My company jumped ship and folded as yours did before you sold insurance. I'm a noob here as well and wanted to ask what kind of insurance you're selling - health or life or both?

My goal is also is to be self-employed with a few good web apps and call my own shots. I appreciate any input about what you're currently doing in the insurance world so I can get my ass back in gear and achieve my goal of web apps and marketing.

thanks!

[emp]

Still can't leave money at your site.

::emp::

[S M W]

i'd say get a better video made. it looks blurry on my laptop and the mic sounds scratchy.

if it were my site i'd do a professional voiceover.

btw, can this app handle multiple twitter accts?

[Makavelimob]

emp - working on a chart that shows free and premium plans , then w a link to register , should i get a buy now in there so they dont have to register for free acct?

[Makavelimob]

Smw - im looking into getting a good sales video done, i know i sound like a dickweed on it. The free version handles 3 accts, paid handles 12.

[Magic Hat]

Check out http://www.mashable.com and try to reach out to their authors/bloggers. They are all Twitter fiends, and will blog about new and interesting Twitter tools. You can also try sponsoring a post. They get TONS of traffic and would be a great place to advertise. Try DMing some of their bloggers about your products. (However, be conscious that most of these people might look down on automated tools)


edit: Checking out your website, you need a few things:

1) Agree with some of the others, the website needs to be spiced up a bit.
2) You offer a Twitter product; where is YOUR brand's Twitter feed? I see the button to your Twitter, but you should have a Twitter feed on the site.
3) Screenshots of the product in action and results
4) Testimonials- get a few of us here at WF to review
5) Incorporate blog into main site; add to main nav bar

[Magic Hat]

I have also used these guys for webcasts, they charge like $200/video, but they are pretty professional Webcast City - Let us Webcast your message

[Makavelimob]

Originally Posted by rebecca

Hello Mak,

My company jumped ship and folded as yours did before you sold insurance. I'm a noob here as well and wanted to ask what kind of insurance you're selling - health or life or both?

My goal is also is to be self-employed with a few good web apps and call my own shots. I appreciate any input about what you're currently doing in the insurance world so I can get my ass back in gear and achieve my goal of web apps and marketing.

thanks!

Rebecca,
I sell medicare supplements. My commission sucks but I also have salary as well which also... sucks. Pretty much everything about it sucks except my benefits. My benefits are pretty kick ass but I work for one of the larger insurance companies. I am only 24 and don't really have to worry about too much so I am looking for ways to get out of the typical post college life. Really best advice I can give you (even tho I have yet to succeed) is just go for it. My whole driving force has been thinking of whats the worst that can happen. Really if I fail at this venture, I can work my shitty ass job. So more or less, I wouldn't be losing anything. I suggest reading the book I posted in the first post, its full of shit but has enough in it to perhaps give you some motivation in what you want to do.

[Makavelimob]

Magic Hat,


Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. I have thought about a few things concerning this and heres what I am going to do.

1) For spicing up the site: I have contact Alex(from this thread) to help me with a new logo, pricing chart(which helps with what Emp was getting at), and new buttons.

2) For twitter feed: you mean a section of my site that will automatically show any updates from my twitter? Do you have any examples of this that I could check out?

3) Screenshots would be a nice touch. Perhaps a strip of quality screen shots under the video. That would also be free and easy to put in

4) Testimonials: Hmm, after having a friend of mine help with the payment processing, I am unsure if I could offer any free trials without a whole bunch of hooplah (Believe me I would if i could). I could check this out for you guys. I would post these above the fold with Twitter account and quote.

Anyone down for giving a testimonial of a free account for a +rep ?


5) The blog is on the top of the page at all times , even while logged in. I could add the link to it into the accounts page


The biggest concern would be the video. I don't have $200 budget to spend on the video. I am going to check out Buy sell and trade and see what I can find. There are a lot of talented people on WF so no reason why I can't get it done here.

As for Mashable, I go to the blog a lot to check out whats new in Social media. I could send some twitter messages around and see what gets back to me. I dont want to receive any bad press from any twitter bitches out there who cry about twitter automation. I still plan on releasing a press release from PR Web and seeing what sticks to the blogs.

[emp]

Originally Posted by Makavelimob

emp - working on a chart that shows free and premium plans , then w a link to register , should i get a buy now in there so they dont have to register for free acct?

Are you too dense?
YES!!

Also put a BIIIIG ASS BUY NOW button on the FRONT PAGE!

Sorry, but this is leading no where.
If you want people to buy, give them the fucking opportunity to do so at every possible turn, sentence, page, video, chart and blog post.

::emp::

[Makavelimob]

being worked on, taking your advice and yes I am dense

[Lord B]

And white you are at it, read How to Get Rich by Felix Dennis.

[Magic Hat]

Originally Posted by Makavelimob

1) For spicing up the site: I have contact Alex(from this thread) to help me with a new logo, pricing chart(which helps with what Emp was getting at), and new buttons.

Sounds good to me. Check out these sites for some cheap GFX:
21 Web Button Ultimate Collection (Part 2) - Graphics - GraphicRiver

Badges and Sale Tags for Online Shop - Graphics - GraphicRiver

Originally Posted by Makavelimob

2) For twitter feed: you mean a section of my site that will automatically show any updates from my twitter? Do you have any examples of this that I could check out?

Twitter Profile Widget: Twitter / Profile Widget

Originally Posted by Makavelimob

4) Testimonials: Hmm, after having a friend of mine help with the payment processing, I am unsure if I could offer any free trials without a whole bunch of hooplah (Believe me I would if i could). I could check this out for you guys. I would post these above the fold with Twitter account and quote.

Anyone down for giving a testimonial of a free account for a +rep ?

If you PM me or post in this thread what I need to do, I will check it out for you.

Originally Posted by Makavelimob

5) The blog is on the top of the page at all times , even while logged in. I could add the link to it into the accounts page

For SEO purposes, I would host the blog on your domain/server. Your call, but it definitely helps.

Originally Posted by Makavelimob

The biggest concern would be the video. I don't have $200 budget to spend on the video. I am going to check out Buy sell and trade and see what I can find. There are a lot of talented people on WF so no reason why I can't get it done here.

The very least you could do is use a program like ScreenToaster - Online screen recorder. Capture screencasts instantly. to record your program in action. You can speak over as you are demonstrating the software. This is a free web-based tool for creating webcasts.

Originally Posted by Makavelimob

As for Mashable, I go to the blog a lot to check out whats new in Social media. I could send some twitter messages around and see what gets back to me. I dont want to receive any bad press from any twitter bitches out there who cry about twitter automation. I still plan on releasing a press release from PR Web and seeing what sticks to the blogs.

Any press is good press, especially when it can potentially reach a few million eyeballs. Just hope your server can handle the traffic

[Makavelimob]

Lord - i'll check it out, just read some reviews on amazon.. probly pick it up later today


Magic- Thanks for the links. I will check out screen toaster -- my brother has done professional voice overs, I will try to get him to do that for the brother discount of (free). Twitter widget will be able to work as well. good stuff.

[AllBizNiz]

Dude, if you're looking at books, you should also check out Cashvertising. There is TONS of helpful info in that book.

[DTAlexONE]

Originally Posted by AllBizNiz

Dude, if you're looking at books, you should also check out Cashvertising. There is TONS of helpful info in that book.

Looks like a good book. Have you read it yourself?

[Makavelimob]

After talking to my friend who helps with my payment processing, we will be updating that at the end of the month/beginning of the new year. So when user is registering they have the option for the premium version and free version. New graphics are being worked on. So until then, I will work on building some links, working on screencasts/screenshots and get the site sales optimized.


Anyone want to give a testimonial for a +rep? Just head over to the site register, try it out and give me a sentence or two about the product w/ your twitter account or website name. I'll throw those into the sales pitch

[leadsupplier]

just wondering .. how did you make the software .. did you do it yourself or hire someone to do it? i'm looking to do something similar

[emp]

God I hate this.

Newbs turning up for advice, getting a metric shitton of it for free and then not pulling through.

::emp::

[Makavelimob]

lead - i came up with ideas , hired a coder to make it happen. Ive known the guy a while he hooked me up with a deal. But be careful while hiring. Emp - I love the shit ton of advice im getting. Its in the process of getting added - new graphics are almost done and im putting a new sales page that lets users buy NOW! . In two weeks itll be done bc thats when my coder can fix up the payment process.

[kaisdavis]

Maybe ill try to make a funny shirt. Something that says "What the fuck is twetto.com"

Funny idea, but it would just be burning money. Think about the audience you reach with your actions and the market for your product. Is Joe Schmoe on the street likely to buy your product? Probably not. So why reach out to him?

Would college kids with an interest in social media? Maybe. Businesses? Maybe.

Identify a few (2-4) markets that would be the ideal purchaser for the product - who can you envision giving you money. Then slice that down. Drill down until you can tell me 'well I think [barbershops] would purchase this. Then go to 10 [barbershops] and see if they want to buy. Just be showing your product and your sales page to potential customers, you will get a lot more feedback. If a customer (not a forum of IMs) is turned off by something, change it.

Payment page / buy now blah blah

What's the goal of your site? Immediate sales? Building a contact list? Getting user feedback by offering your product for free to build a better Product 2.0 that you charge for?

Look at how 37 signals lays out their pricing page. I'm not saying 'hey, copy their layout, der her,' but I'm saying when a customer is interested in registering / buying / signing up for your product, looking at information, or doing ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING on your site, they should have the opportunity to IMMEDIATELY on that page purchase the product.

Don't want on your coder. Register a paypal account and slap together a 'hey, buy now' button. Have the button link to paypal for the time being so you can see how many people are interested in buying.

[Makavelimob]

Kaisdavis- Great post. Thanks - I have a few twitter accounts with over 1,000 followers (about tv shows). When the website first launched, I tried to market to them to see what type of following I would receive. A few bites but nothing much, bounce rate was really high. I figured that would be the case. Since then, I have been targetting towards the social media crowd via twitter, blog commenting, forums (only really this thread) ... my bounce rate has dropped about 10% and have increase users by about 20 in the last few days. I do plan on marketing this towards social media users, bloggers, small businesses etc.

Goal of the website: A combo of everything stated. Sales do not have to be immediate. The main goal would be to develop a strong user base of free and premium users. Monetize the free user base while receiving money for the premium users. Every few months or so add some new tools and create better software as time goes on. Pretty much create a kick ass twitter management site.

Sales page - in the process of being created. Actually with using basecamp as a model for it even. With addition to a nice chart of the plans there will be a buy now button, screenshots and testimonials. New screencast on main page is in the works.

As for wanting on my coder- Its alittle more complicated then setting up the buy now button... when a user registers for free and then upgrades, their account will automatically switch over to premium. With the buy now, it needs to be configured that their account will automatically go to the premium account. I am sure I could figure it out but as of now my time is pretty limited to weekends. Fortunately, my job is letting up alittle bit in january so I will have more time to get a better idea of how the payments work on the backend.

[Makavelimob]

Hey anyone who has used Twettos tools want to provide a testimonial for our sales page? Just PM me .. thanks!