Business Models – The Twitter/Google Theory

Ryan    Uncategorized     Startup, Twitter, Yammer

So I read a recent article today posted in online regarding Popularity vs. Income in regards to business plans/models and user popularity. Being the business minded person that I am, on any other day besides today, or maybe any day this week for that matter, I would contend that having a sound business plan, and an idea of how to fulfill growth, is key. Wrong day though.

I’ve always respected the Google way. That is, hone in on a potential market. ‘Search’ Get a client base. ‘Millions upon millions of searchers’ And then create a targeted online advertising structure that flows seamlessly with the regular organic search results.

I may be biased since I have experience working with both Organic Search Optimization as well as Pay Per Click advertising, but come on… it’s sortof a no brainer.

In the NY Times article, the two web services, Twitter and Yammer are looked at in terms of their market base, client/user subscription numbers, as well as each of thier plans for creating profit. On one hand, Twitter has become the ‘thing’ in today’s social blogosphere. Miniblogging or status updating is kinda what it is turning into. No ads, and it’s free. Yammer on the other hand, is aimed more towards the business market. It charges a fee, and does pretty much the same thing Twitter does.  Is there an obvious winner between these two companies and what they have to offer?

For me, and in my own personal endeavors, I’m tempted to believe that creating niche, or creating the thing that people NEED, is more important than creating a straight up business plan before you even go out. Once you find the audience, the people, the kids, the teens, or whatever that love your service/website, then there will always be ways to figure out how to make some money. In this day and age, value is placed more heavily on usership than profitability. Twitter is a great example of this. So is Google, Pandora, MySpace, Facebook, and millions of other ideas out there.

Still the idea that you need to be able generate enough income to be able to sustain yourself in a whole nother idea. If you aren’t doing anything, whats the point. Creating at least a plan on how you’ll be able to pay your hosting fees, and everything else, is important as well. Growth… that’ll come. Being true to an idea that takes time to build off of… go for it now.

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I think in my own entrepreneurial plans, this argument is hugely important, as I have many many ideas, but only a few will be able to turn a profit, and as with most startups, that could take some time.

Bear with me, and like I said, if it was any other day, or any other week… I might’ve said something else.

RyanJin.me

Ryan    Uncategorized     RyanJin.me

If you’ve been visiting this blog, which I’m almost certain you haven’t, I’m sorry I keep changing the theme, layout and everything else. Eventually, I’ll have something up and working that looks good in all browsers, all resolutions, and so forth. I just don’t want to rush into it and find out that the pages look like crap on MacBooks or whatever.

I’ll try and have a good style up by the end of this weekend. In the meantime, enjoy. Thanks!

Back to School – A Mental Struggle

Ryan    Uncategorized     Entrepreneur, SEOformyWebsite.com

I’m at a loss once again. But it’s different this time. I’m happy at my job; it’s going great and frankly, I’m really excited about all the opportunities. I guess what I’m getting discouraged about, are my long term goals. I’ve written before how I’ve always wanted to do this, or I wanted to do that… well, why can’t I just get by butt in gear and work towards something. This was even haunting me in college.

I do have to say that I want to get away from lying to myself though. I’ve talked about starting my own online marketing business… I do not think that’s going to happen. One, I really can’t get motivated in what I’m doing from a personal level, and two, the competition is just so so fierce out there. Take my good friend Doug. His, SEOformyWebsite.com site optimization business is just taking off. I know he’s pretty passionate about what he does, but also, he’s pretty good at what he does as well. For me, Finding that passion/skills thing is hard. While I may be passionate about one thing, chances are, my skill set isn’t cut out to make something of it on my own.

Phoenix offers me a lot of good opportunities to get myself out there though. I think once I really get settled in to my job, I’ll be able to dive deeper and figure out what it is, that I’m supposed to do. I’ve always had my entrepreneurial goals, and right now, they’re sitting on that back burner. Getting another degree, or maybe trying to work my way through an MBA at (Employer Reference Removed) will help me find a way to bring those ideas back into light. It’ll be then when I can begin to really work for myself, and work towards something I know I’m going to love. But until that time, the best thing I can do, is work out in my head, a plan for success for me, and for any kind of future business I might try to grab onto. Figuring out what will work and what will keep me motivated for a long time will be tough, I’m not gunna lie to you.

I’m motivated now though. More so than ever, and I’m not just talking. My happiness is at stake.

First Week of Work

Ryan    Uncategorized     Music, Thanksgiving

With my first week of work at (Employer Reference Removed), I have to honestly say I’m pretty happy. Long gone are my tech agency days. Now, I have clear cut goals, personal goals, and tasks that aren’t necessarily quota based. With that being said, I think this is the best job I’ve had so far… then again, it’s only been a week.

Andrea has gone home for Canadian Thanksgiving, which is pretty depressing. Yeah, I know I was by myself in Seattle while she was here by herself, but it’s a little different. Well it feels a little different to me at least. No matter, the weekend is over with and I’ve got a full week of work ahead of me. That will hopefully make my time go by faster. We’ll see though I suppose.

Oh, if you want to see something I did in my spare time, check out…

It’s nothing special or anything, plus I really didn’t fix all the glitchy spots, but it’s something. Make a comment or rate it if you have the time. I’m thinking of making some original music sometime in the near future. That way, I can call it my own. Wouldn’t that be great.. hehe. If anything does come up, be sure to check it out as well. In the mean time, check out this incredibly cool song.

Bye for now. Gotta to get to sleep so that I can work in the morning. Sorry this was a lame entry, and I know I was supposed to put up some pictures of the new place, but I think Andrea has my camera. Next time hopefully.

Update from Phoenix

Ryan    Uncategorized     Phoenix

Good morning everyone!

Even though I have really nothing to share, explain, or protest, I wanted to make a shout out to all my friends and family back home. I know none of you read this, so whats the use, but I need to fill up some space right?

Any ways, work begins Monday, and I’m actually really looking forward to it. The position I’m taking, I’m really really excited about, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to make a mark for myself throughout the process. I suppose Monday will be a good introduction to the culture, the environment, and everything else that I’ll need to get accustomed to for the next few years of my life. If you do want to know where I’m going to be located, check out (Employer Reference Removed) now! They’ve got online bachelors and masters programs, as well as a campus here in Phoenix. And tennis courts!

Also realized that my new apartment has a gym.. well a few machines and some free weights but it’s all free.. and there’s a pool just outside. Maybe I’ll take up the getting healthy hobby. I think that’s something I really need to do.

Hey I promise to add pictures of our new place next time. Even though we’re still kinda in the process of moving.