Business Decisions

 

 

Business Decisions

 

  • The team:
    • Aaron Schmidt – Graphic designer, running buddy, co-creator of the BB concept.
    • Jim Hill- Entrepreneur, running buddy, co-creator of the BB concept
    • Mike Hancock – Entrepreneur, experienced web developer
    • Cooper Flippo – Owner of the BB costume
    • Landon Key – Experienced Web Entrepreneur
  • Host provider was chosen
    • BlueHost
      • At $8.95/mo the price was reasonable
      • Many tools that developers could use
      • Tools that non-developers (like us) could use
      • cPanel front end because it is a de facto standard and the manipulation of the interface can be automated
      • Plenty of bandwidth and disk storage
      • eCommerce features and tools
      • Database options for dealing with lists of customers, etc.
      • Ability to handle offline web development tools like Microsoft FrontPage
  • What to create the website in?
    • On recommendation from BlueHost and since we had no web development experience, we picked Page Wizard.
      • Difficult to work with. Not particularly powerful
    • On recommendation from Landon Key, we decided to try WordPress.
      • Unsure where to start. Received help from Mike Hancock.  Revamped the site.
  • Website launch strategy
    • Tease the public
    • Needs to be anonymous
    • Create Buzz!
  • External Marketing Efforts
    • Posters
      • Inexpensive. Printed and posted 40 posters over a two month period.
    • Word of Mouth
      • Tell everyone.
    • Stunts
      • We need a BB for sightings
        • Looked into buying a Bigfoot suit. Was lucky enough to meet Cooper Flippo who wanted to get involved and would buy the suit to add to his own collection.
        • First sighting was at the Statue to Statue race April 18th, 2009.
      • Give-a-ways
        • T-shirts
          • Basic design is ready
        • BB shaving cream
          • Label design is ready
        • BB Action Figures
          • Three were purchased to be used for “BB Around Town Pictures”
        • BB magnets and stickers
          • Design is ready
  • Internet Marketing Efforts
    • Joined FaceBook
      • Need a FaceBook application created.
      • Several developers are interested. No follow through as of yet.
    • Joined MySpace
    • Joined Twitter
    • Joined Digg
    • Joined Reddit
    • Joined Postworthy
    • Joined Geocaching.com
      • Placed a cache and submitted to be published
      • Refused due to proximity to another cache
  • Misc.
    • Business Cards and flyers are needed
    • Turn around time between idea and realization is to slow.
    • The site needs to be self generating. Little interaction by the staff per week.
  • Lessons Learned
    • Find the right skill sets – You can’t do it all yourself
    • Learn from others
    • It doesn’t have to be perfect
    • Timing is important.