60 Second Ideas

60 Second Ideas Podcast - How to Make Money from Funny News Stories

powered by ODEO

Like the multitude of Pluto T-shirt and Bumper Stickers that popped up virtually overnight last fall, when Pluto was downgraded to a dwarf planet last, Sarah Lefton, founder of Jewish Fashion Conspiracy   She set up a website and sent out press releases to major media outlets and low and behold Sarah's funny T-Shirt got picked up by CNN and Fox News - exploding her sales at $24.00 per t-shirt.  She also added a little political activism and more humor to the equation. "And 20% of proceeds will benefit the California Democratic Party, which as you may have noticed, could use the help," the Sacramento Girlie Men Web site read. The website is no longer active because topical protects have a short shelf life.

Capitalizing on topical feelings, trends, fads, or slogans like Sacramento Girlie Men or Pluto that can evoke emotion in a humorous and tasteful fashion is an excellent way to earn some quick cash – just remember that fun products like this will fad fast as the subject fades from the headlines.

I am a great admirer of Walt Disney who knew that if he could get people to smile, a Magic Moment for that person had been created. Sarah Lefton through her Jewish Fashion Conspiracy business and her other short term sites like Sacramento Girlie Men makes people smile. If you have an existing small business think of what you can do to add a happy twist to make your customers smile. If you are just ready to launch your company or in the process of formulating and refining your business idea do the same thing and you will be ahead of the game.

The bottom line: Magic Moments equals Profits.

In our next 60 Second Ideas Episode, you will hear from the San Fransicio Funny Girl, Sarah Lefton herself. As Always, You can hear it all and subscribe to this podcast at 60secondideas.com and of course through Itunes.

Download 60 Second Ideas Podcast - How to Make Money from Funny News Stories

60 Second Ideas - Congratulations Boise State!

Congratulations to my favorite home town College Football Team, The Boise State Broncos for defeating the legendary Oklahoma Sooners in what is being called the Game of the Century at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale Arizona on New Years Day. Quite an accomplishment for the team and first year Head Coach, Chris Petersen, one of only two coaches since 1900 have won 12 games in his first season.

When BSU Quarterback Jared Zabransky threw an interception with just over a minute to play.  Everyone thought the game was over and Oklahoma would win. The Broncos came roaring back and tied the game with a perfectly executed hook-and-lateral to tie the game. Boise State went on to win in overtime with a gutsy two point conversion Statue of Liberty play with Zabransky faking a throw and handing the ball to star running back Ian Johnson.

Ian Johnson pulled another stunner when the game was over, proposing to his cheerleader girlfriend, Chrissy Popadics on national TV after scoring the winning 2-point conversion, giving Bronco fans and the nation something else to cheer about. Congratulations to Ian and Chrissy too!

What a difference 60 Seconds can make!

Indeed, that is really the Point of The 60 Second Ideas Blog. Our mission is to try to make a difference by inspiring you with short and to the point amazing ideas that you can tweak, borrow, pilfer or simply motivate you come up with your own profitable small business  or home based business ideas and most importantly take action.

Go Broncos!

60 Second Ideas - Top 10 Small Business Blogs

It’s that time again. Time for the 60 Second Ideas top 10 small business blogs for the second quarter of 2006. As we did with our first Top 10, “We spanned the blogosphere looking for small business related blogs that offer more than just the tired repetition of the usual ideas. The result is 4 new small business blogs worth your time and 6 from last quarter’s top 10 that still make the grade. Here we go.

Solo Business Marketing – Written by Shirley George Frazier, Solo Business Marketing is loaded with practical advice for the solo small business or home based business owner. Recent posts include Using Solutions to Get More Sales , Make a Decision, Any Decision and one we have been preaching for months now, Press Releases Elevate Your Visibility.

Verusnova  – Produced by Mike Martone, and engineer and IT guy, Verusnova focuses on technology for small business with the goal of providing information and advice for non – technical small and home business owners operate more effectively and efficiently. Recent posts include Important Reminders Just Got Easier, Free Business Start Up Tools, and 8 Lists That I Like.

ProBlogger – Darren Rowse is the guy behind ProBlogger. A 34 year old offers a virtual gold mine of tips, tricks and advice on producing an effective blog for your business. If you don’t already know it, a blog can benefit your business in too many ways to count, but it must be done right and there is a lot to learn to blog right. ProBlogger will teach you everything you need to know and then some. Recent posts include Creating Interest In Your Posts – Persuasive Blogging, Car Salesmen, Preachers and the Art of Persuasion, and The Five Challenges of Communication.

The Long Tail – Written by Chris Anderson, an editor at Wired Magazine, The Long Tail Blog discusses themes around Anderson’s book, which argues that the Internet offers infinite inventory creating opportunity for niche markets that are not likely to ever become blockbusters. While the blog focuses on the music and entertainment industries, there are lessons for small and home based business owners here. Recent posts include What Do People Really Want In Music, A Billion Dollar Question.

The blogs below round out our Top 10 Small Business Blogs and were also included in our 1st Quarter Top 10.

The Entrepreneurial Mind - written by the Director of Belmont University's Center for Entrepreneurship, Jeff Cornwall, this blog looks at everything from how current political issues affect small business mixed in with solid advice for any entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs Journey  - produced by Yaro Starak, an interesting young entrepreneur from Australia. The blog posts useful articles aimed at starting and running an Internet business, interviews with other entrepreneurs and podcasts.

Marketing Experiments Blog - The Blog of Dr. Flint McGlaughlin and his research team at marketingexperiments.com, provides detailed information and research with real life case examples of what really works in the world of Internet Marketing.

Flyte Blog - What Works Online - Rich Brooks who builds and markets websites offers practical tips and techniques in the world of online marketing. Mixed with humorous posts on a variety of topics.

Duct Tape Marketing - John Jantsch gets a lot of rave reviews for his Duct Tape Marketing Blog and we agree. What makes this blog really unique though, is he has pulled together some the best blogs for small and home based business under his Duct Tape umbrella.

60 Second Ideas Blog – Produced by Michael Brooks and Michael Donahue, this unique video format blog produces two shows per week to inspire small business owners, home based business owners, and budding entrepreneurs with proven ideas that be tweaked, copied, borrowed or pilfered to make more money.

Congratulations to all of our Top 10 Small Business Blogs. Take a look at these blogs and let us know what you think. Also, if you have a blog that we should consider for our 60 Second Ideas 3rd Quarter Top 10 Small Business Blogs, let us know. Email us at topblog@60secondideas.com.

QuickTime/ITunes Download: Download 60 Second Ideas Top 10 Small Business Blogs.mp4

Pluto Downgraded to Dwarf Planet, Disney Responds - What We Can Learn

Disney had some fun with the news this week that the planet Pluto (and namesake of one of Disney's most beloved characters) was not a real planet at all - just a dwarf planet.

Here's The Disney Press Release...
-----------------------------------------

24 August 2006

    Despite Planetary Downgrade, Pluto Is Still Disney’s ‘Dog Star’

    BURBANK, CALIF (Thursday, August 24, 2006) – In reaction to news today that Pluto was demoted to the status of “dwarf planet,” the Seven Dwarfs issued their own short statement:

    “Although we think it's DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made  some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney's Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at.”

    As Mickey Mouse’s faithful companion, Pluto made his debut in 1930 – the same year that scientists discovered what they believed was a ninth planet.

    Said a white-gloved, yellow-shoed source close to Disney’s top dog, “I think the whole thing is goofy. Pluto has never been interested in astronomy before, other than maybe an occasional howl at the moon.”

---End---

-----------------------------------------

Not that Disney needs more publicity, but this press release will likely be picked up by media from around the world.

Why?

- It's newsworthy - the Pluto Downgrade was announced just this week.
- It's Fun - It makes people smile and the media is always looking for feel good stories in spite of what it looks like sometimes.

Disney watched for something in the news, and took the opportunity to make it a fun press release   that related to their business. That is very smart. As small business owners or home based business owners we can learn from Disney and do the same thing.

By the way, if you are not using press releases as a part of your marketing strategy, you are missing one of the most effective low or no cost ways of promoting your business. The Internet has made it a whole new ball game. To learn how to get a top Google News Ranking every time you issue a press release and achieve hundreds to thousands of incoming links to your website, take a look at our special report ebook, The Power Press Marketing Strategy.

Note: Monday, we release our 60 Second Ideas 2nd Quarter 2006 Top 10 Small Business Blogs Video Post.

60 Second Ideas - Baby Boomers in Business

In February of 2006 we did a 60 Second Ideas video entitled Boomer Basics talking about the opportunities and pitfalls of marketing to baby boomers.

Did you know, however, that boomers and even seniors are not only buying products and services important to them, but starting their own businesses in big numbers too? For the past 10 years - adults ages 55 to 64 have been the group most likely to start a new business according to a a study released in May by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Indeed, Harlan Sanders started Kentucky Fried Chicken at 65; Lee Iacocca is introducing a line of electric-powered bicycles at 75. Dr. Robert Ross is a commodities broker, founder of Ross University School of Medicine, and the Ross School of Veterinary Medicine, still in the limelight at 87. Just goes to show you are never to old to reach for the stars and achieve your dreams.

Note: We are taking a week or two off from our regular weekly 60 Second Idea Videos to get ready to release our 3rd Quarter Top 10 Small Business Blogs. The 60 Second Ideas Top 10 small Business Blogs is one of our most popular features. If you have a suggestion for a top 10 small business blog that we should consider, please email us at topblog@60secondideas.com.

60 Second Ideas - Top 10 Small Business Blogs

(Place cursor over video screen to display pop up control and play video)

Blogs are all the rage these days and there is a lot out there for small and home based business owners, but it is not always easy to find the best small business blogs amidst all the clutter. It’s not hard to waste a lot of time looking for the good stuff. So we set out to discover the most useful blogs for small business owners. The result is our Top 10 Small Business Blogs for the first quarter of 2006.  Our Top 10 list is in no particular order.

Escape Velocity  Owner Flemming Funch has original posts and links to excellent articles about home-based Internet business, website traffic building, success and motivation. Recent posts include Highest Paying Google AdWords, The Surprising Truth About Ugly Websites, and The Entrepreneurial Game. Definitely worth your time to browse around a bit.

The Entrepreneurial Mind - written by the Director of Belmont University's Center for Entrepreneurship, Jeff Cornwall, this is not a stuffy academic journal by any means. This blog looks at everything from how current political issues affect small business mixed in with solid advice for any entrepreneur. Recent Posts include Good Advice, Bad Statistics, Entre-Boomers, and Go Patriots! - a terrific article on how George Mason and it's unlikely run in the NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament is the result of smart entrepreneurial thinking.

Entrepreneurs Journey  - produced by Yaro Starak, an interesting young entrepreneur from Australia. The blog posts useful articles aimed at starting and running an Internet business, interviews with other entrepreneurs and podcasts. Recent posts include What Is The 80/20 Rule And Why It Will Change Your Life, How I Have Made Money Online, The Top 8 Search Engine Optimization Techniques.

Marketing Experiments Blog - The Blog of Dr. Flint McGlaughlin and his research team at marketingexperiments.com, this is far and away the best website and blog for providing detailed information and research with real life case examples of what really works in the world of Internet Marketing. This blog is an absolute must read. Recent posts include How People Look at Web Pages, What to Include on Your Home Page, and Blogging – A Natural Starting Place for Transparent Marketing.

Flyte: Web Marketing Strategies for Small Business - Rich Brooks who builds and markets websites offers practical tips and techniques in the world of online marketing. Mixed with humorous posts on a variety of topics from Al Jezeera interviewing Donald Rumsfeld to How to write a Crank Letter, this blog has an upbeat feel. Recent Small Business Advice posts include Online Lead Generation, and How to Get More Business From Your Current Clients, and Work-Life Balance for the Entrepreneur. Very well done blog.

Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams - Businessinfoguide.com's Stephanie Chandler blog is loaded with hands on practical advice, tips, and resources to help grow your business whether your business is online or a local service or store. Stephanie's well written blog also includes excellent information for authors. Recent posts include Strategic Alliances: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Get Your Product to Market on Any Budget, and 20 Great Ways to Market Your Business Locally.

PowerHomeBiz Small & Home Business Blog  - Power Home Biz Co-Founder Isabel Isidro posts solid down to earth advice for home business entrepreneurs. A unique feature of this blog is she answers questions from visitors to the powerhomebiz.com website. Recent posts include How to Monetize a Content-Based Website, Learning from the American Inventor, and 7 Steps for Improving Your Email Marketing.

Duct Tape Marketing - John Jantsch gets a lot of rave reviews for his Duct Tape Marketing Blog and we agree. What makes Jantsch really unique though, is he has pulled together some the best blogs for small and home based business under his Duct Tape umbrella. We especially like Mark Beck's Internet Marketing Unleashed and Georgia Patrick's Customers Count.

Small Business Today - Businessknowhow.com founder Janet Attard's blog posts comments on news, trends, and information to help you run your small business more effectively. Brief and to the point, this blog has a wealth of information and will not waste your time, Recent posts include Banner Clickthroughs, Help Customers Find You, and Marketing Strategy: Give Old Products a New Twist.

60 Second Ideas Blog – Produced by Michael Brooks and Michael Donahue...that's us...this unique video format blog produces two shows per week to inspire small business owners, home based business owners, and budding entrepreneurs with proven ideas that be tweaked, copied, borrowed or pilfered to make more money.

Congratulations to all of our 2006 Top 10 Small Biz Blogs. If you have or know of a blog you would like us to consider for our Top 10 Blogs for the Second Quarter of 2006, please write us at topblog@60secondideas.com

QuickTime/Itunes Download: Download Top Small Business Blogs.mp4

60 Second Ideas - Top 10 Reasons to Work from Home

(Place cursor over video screen to display pop up control and play video)

This weekend we have something just for fun to keep you smiling.  In the style of David Letterman’s Top 10 lists,
Here is our Top 10 Reasons to Work From Home.

Top 10 Reasons to Work From Home

10. Can Work Naked
  9. Won’t Violate My Probation for Road Rage
  8. Hear “Get A Real Job” at Parties
  7. Start Kid’s College Fund by not Spending $5.00 a Day at Starbucks
  6. Call My Old Office Colleagues to Laugh
  5. Will Never be Late for Work Again
  4. No Spending a Month’s Salary on Gas – Tell Saudi Arabia to “Stick It”
  3. Can Tell My Trump Wannabe Boss “He’s Fired”
  2. What Happens in Vegas is Deductible
  1. Did I Say, Can Work Naked?

Have a good weekend everybody, Tune in next week when on a more practical note as we release our First Annual 60 Second Ideas Top 10 Small Business Blogs for 2006.

QuickTime/ITunes: Download Top 10 Reasons to Work from Home.mp4

60 Second Ideas - Golf Made Gorgeous

(Place cursor over video screen to display pop up control and play video)

The Masters Golf Tournament this past weekend is steeped in tradition with images of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and the Augusta National Golf Club. Today’s 60 Second Idea, Golf Made Gorgeous will have more than a few traditionalists raising eye brows.

Sexy is not usually a term associated with golf, but a company in Great Britain is changing all that and could even make the stoic guards in front of Buckingham Palace smile.  Eye Candy Caddies provides gorgeous yet trained caddies for your golf outings. For about $260, A beautiful young woman will act as your loyal caddie for 18 holes. All the way encouraging you when necessary and never laughing at a bad shot, plus she will have a drink with you afterwards. The companies 100 caddies are trained in golf etiquette and no funny stuff here, all must follow a strict code of conduct.

Eye Candy Caddies is huge with corporate golf events and what client would not be impressed with pretty caddie by his side when you are trying the close that big deal.

Put businessmen and their clients together with gorgeous caddies where ever you are and you could be seeing green in a very good way. 

These caddies would really spice things up at the Masters. Golf enthusiasts start your engines. This idea could work in virtually any local community. Note to guys – check with your girlfriend or wife first…otherwise this idea could be hazardous to your health.

Today's Show Links
http://eyecandycaddies.com/

QuickTime/ITunes: Download 60 Second Idea Golf Made Gorgeous.mp4

60 Second Ideas - Water Cooler Money

(Place cursor over video screen to display pop up control and play video)

We have done 60 second ideas on carvertising and bikevertising, but what the heck is coolertising and how can it make you money?

That's right...now we have coolertising.

AquaCell Media places ads on their free water coolers in 1,400 retail locations, including chains CVS and Kmart. Advertisers include Dove and CBS Television to create buzz about shows like "Out of Practice" and "Courting Alex."

Is there an opportunity for the small guys and gals here? You bet. Think local. Start with a cooler or two and obtain a couple of local advertisers. What local business would turn down a free water cooler and how many local companies would not want to get their message in front of plenty of thirsty locals?

Run with this idea and you just might be drinking some cool cash.

With all of the clutter of traditional advertising consumers and advertisers will appreciate creative ways to engage each other and coolertising is an intriguing way to do just that.

Today's Show Links
http://www.aquacell.com/
60 Second Ideas - Cycling for Dollars

QuickTime/Itunes: Download 60 Second Idea Water Cooler Cash.mp4

60 Second Ideas - Hope and Remembrance

(Place cursor over video screen to display pop up control and play video)

Today’s idea, Hope and Remembrance is not a new movie but is an excellent example of how tragedy can often turn into something awesome.

After the loss of her sister in law’s father and unable to find a gift that expressed her feelings, Renee Woods sketched a teardrop shaped pendant with a forget-me-not flower embedded in the design. She then had the pendant manufactured and penned a verse to go along with it.  A few months later, The Comfort Company was born. Today, this mother of 4 young daughters is providing hope, comfort and remembrance for those who are grieving through a variety of unique products as a living tribute to their loved ones.

Creating a product or products around a community in need or want of something is the epitome of niche marketing. Do that and you are on the right track or should I say money track.

Renee Woods is filling an unmet need by lifting the spirits of those that are grieving. Showing us all that new ideas are all around. All you have to do it look, listen, think, and act.

Today's Show Links:
http://www.thecomfortcompany.net

QuickTime/ITunes Show Download Link:
Download 60secondideahopeandrem03242006.mp4

60 Second Ideas - How to get a Top 10 Google News Search Engine Ranking for Little Money or Even Free

Just Released!
From the Producers of 60 Second Ideas

For Immediate Release

From the desk of:
M Brooks & Michael Donahue

Re: A Special Message for Viewers  and Fans of 60 Second Ideas on Internet Marketing and SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

We have discovered a Powerful Marketing Strategy that can Get You A Top 10 Google News Search Engine Ranking and bring Thousand of Incoming Links to Your Web Site effortlessly for little money or even FREE... and we would like to share it with You.

We are not going to promise that you can or will make $10,000 a month with our special report.

We are not going to make outlandish promises (like most SEO Web Site Promotion programs) and tell you that with this e-book, you will make a zillion dollars with your Web Site like so many others insist on telling you.

No hype, no long copy loaded with questionable testimonials, over inflated, under delivered free bonuses and ridiculous claims suggesting instant success or that you can get rich quick with your online business.

We are not going to insult your intelligence that way or waste your time.

We are going to give you just the facts, short and sweet and let you decide whether you believe this very inexpensive e-book can be helpful to you. Watch our 4 Minute Online Video above or click here to learn more about The Power Press Website Marketing Strategy.

60 Second Ideas - Turn Your Neighborhood Into A Fashion Statement

Download 60secondideaneighborhoodfashionstatementinwindowsmediaformat 

 

Today's Show Links:
http://www.neighborhoodies.com/

  We like simple ideas that can instantly be turned into a potentially lucrative local business or even a worldwide enterprise. Check out Brooklyn-based Neighborhoodies, capitalizing on the dual trends of customization and community by selling cool, hi quality hooded sweatshirts emblazoned with hand sewn names of one's very own, very narrowly defined neighborhood. Big cities have always been about neighborhoods or even specific streets, so a Brooklyn Heights t-shirt says more than 'I Love NY'!

Launched just over three years ago, the company now boasts more than 35 employees, features in major publications like Newsweek and USA TODAY, and even real-world stores in Manhattan's South Street Seaport and in Los Angeles. They've also added T-shirts, undies, kids' wear, mail bags and even creative pet wear.     Neighborhoodies takes the always popular college sweatshirt to a whole new level. 

  

Which brings us to the very exciting opportunities that this small business idea has to offer entrepreneurs: there are literally thousands and thousands of city neighborhoods around the world, and strongly identifying with your 'hood' is by no means exclusively a New York thing.

For example here in Boise, Idaho, we are not exactly a big city, but someone could easily create sweatshirts like Boise Bencher, Eagleite, or Meridian Maiden....the possibilities are endless for virtually every city, big or small.

   Now it’s everyone’s turn to make their neighborhood the next big thing. It seems that every neighborhood worth its coolshould havea t-shirt or sweatshirt to match. Why not bring hip and cool to neighborhoods in your town? You can easily turn neighborhoods in your community into a fashion statement. In short, this idea is wide open to capture your own local market or even to quickly grab a portion of a national or worldwide market. See also 60 Second Ideas - Gimme a 'T' - Online.

Links
http://neighborhoodies.com

60 Second Ideas - Digital I Do

Today's Show Links:
http://www.702wedding.com/liveweddings/index.asp?CHAPEL=1
http://feedyoursoul.biz

Thousands of couples run to Las Vegas to get hitched every year by Elvis or whomever just to escape all the hassle of putting together the event, but how about asking a million or so close friends to share the magical moment in the city of lights with you?

No need for a travel agent, just an Internet connection. Many Las Vegas Chapels now offer live webcam broadcasts of weddings, so friends, family and embarrassing Uncle Joe can be there, well without really being there.

Remember, Mya Jacobson's cookie company (http://feedyoursoul.biz)? Mya could easily set up a live webcam where egger customers could watch the mouthwatering cookies being made and making them even more egger to order.

Digital technology is hitting the 70 billion bridal industry in other creative ways as well.

Dane and Nancy Bryant met through the Internet so it was likely destiny that the couple launched a business linking technology and matrimony. For their wedding, Dane, a web designer by trade, created CD wedding invitations for their guests. The CD’s included photos of the couple, a 2 minute video of the couple asking the guests to attend, and directions to the ceremony and reception.

Some of their guests liked the unique Invitation CD’s so much, that they offered to sell them for the couple if they ever decided to go into business with the idea.  They did, and Elegant Invites (http://www.elegantinvites.net) was born. The Bryants are producing a 6 figure income with 10 to 15 new clients per month, paying between $400 and $600 for the basic Elegant Invites CD package. Not to shabby.

With off the self software now readily available and affordable, this idea could easily be tweaked and duplicated with your own creative talents. 

60 Second Ideas - Make An E-Fortune As a Feeder Company

Download 60secondideafeederbusinesses03082006.wmv

Today's Show Links
http://dating-profile.com

What do a drop-off shop for online auctions, a photographer specializing in flattering snaps for dating sites, and creative writers have in common? They're all part of an ongoing surge in Feeder Businesses; small, sometimes tiny, new businesses and services that feed off of much larger companies like eBay or Match.com.

Feeder Businesses create a win-win situation: they make it easier for consumers and businesses to use a key service that, thanks to its popularity, reach and depth, has become so sophisticated that getting the most out of the service requires help from specialists.

Feeder businesses have been around forever, but the trend is picking up speed due to the growth of online companies and the dotcom crash becoming a distant memory. Innovative new products and services are popping up faster than ever before! Now, even the most specialized of specialized Feeder Businesses will now find a sizable local or global consumer audience.

Ponder these examples of some of the latest Feeder Businesses out there, and get inspired to dream up some new businesses of your own:

Take Online Dating and consider this data, from a Match.com survey: "The first mistake people make with online dating is rushing through their profile. And it shows. In a survey of more than 5,000 online dating members asking about the most common profile mistakes, 51% complained about profiles with poor spelling or grammar, 23% complained about singles referencing their ex's in profiles and 23% complained about the photos posted with profiles."

Enter Feeder Businesses like http://dating-profile.com which edits customers' ads to attract more potential dates. Dating-profile.com is the brainchild of John Gandhi and based on his own personal experiences (and mistakes!) in the world of online dating. John says most ads need a "tweak", that people do not write their ads very well, write irrelevant or useless things, or worse - leave out the important stuff. Believing he could help people vastly improve their response rates, he founded dating-profile.com. According to John, a good profile should be well-balanced in the information; include some specifics to generate interest, and be genuine to avoid disappointment, after the first real date and many people need help to do it right. John will review your profile for $39 or write it for you for $79.

Imaginative and entrepreneurial writers can easily get in the game here. Start-up costs are low and all you need is a website, a few Google ads, and a catchy way with words.

Photographers out there should take a look at http://singleshots.com which does photo sessions in New York from $225.

And then there is Almighty Ebay: selling on eBay these days is quite an endeavor (feedback ratings, product descriptions, price strategies, PayPal accounts!), Many who like the idea of selling on ebay but not the time commitment are turning to companies like AuctionDrop, i-SoldIt, AuctionWagon, and Quikdrop.com which allow consumers and businesses to drop off items they want to auction. These services evaluate the goods, take professional photographs, and prepare an attractive, detailed listing on eBay. They'll then track the auction, answer questions from prospective buyers, and process payment when the auction closes. Once an item has been sold, they'll ship it to the winner, and send their customer a check minus the company's commission, which ranges from 20 to 40% of the final selling price. Items that don't sell are returned.

These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. The Creative Online Revolution is developing and growing with supersonic speed and an equally big increase in accompanying Feeder Businesses. Could you or your clients 'feed off' successful new businesses in an unexpected way? Give it some thought and you could have your own e-Fortune.

60 Second Ideas - Feed Your Soul

 

Download 60secondideafeedyoursoul.wmv

Today's Show Links:
http://feedyoursoul.biz

Working as a trader on the American Stock Exchange, while attending law school in the evenings, She began to realize her life was not her own. She turned 30 and found herself searching for a sense of fulfillment like so many others that are drawn to start their own businesses. What could she do that would capture her essence, what would make her feel alive? What would feed her soul?

How about a cookie company...No she is not Debbie Fields, she is Hoboken, New Jersey's Mya Jacobson. But, what could Mya do differently to stand out other than make extraordinary cookies. Well, she started her company with three core ideas

Truly delicious fattening cookies, as cookies were intended to be!

Inspirational words, because the right words can change someone’s world

A means to give to those with less, because it can make a difference.

 

Ms. Jacobson is not only feeding your stomach, but feeding your soul and hers at the same time by living her dream. Indeed that is the name of her company, "Feed Your Soul" You can find it at http://feedyoursoul.biz. Overhead is low, because for now, Mya sells her scrumptous cookies wholesale and over the Internet only.

 

Making and selling cookies is not new. Cookie companies are, well a dime a dozen. The point is this, your idea does not have to be new, elaborate, or earth shattering. It should be something that feeds your own soul, however. Mya Jacobson loves to make cookies, has an interest in how terrific quotes and philosophies of great thinkers can change lives, and a strong desire to give back to those less fortunate. The result is Feed Your Soul - a company with a not so new product combined with a highly innovative and creative twist.

 

What do you love....what feeds your soul? As Mya shows us, it really can be something as simple as making delicious cookies. Then brainstorm ideas that will give your product or service something extra special, different, or fun.

 

Do this, and you will be smelling the sweet aroma of success.

Links:
http://feedyoursoul.biz

60 Second Ideas - Be A Bag

Links
http://beabag.com 

What do you get when you combine the sizzling trend of personalization with vanity, exclusivity and style?....one very profitable venture indeed.

Be a Bag was born in 2001 as a 3 month charitable promotion by well known British Handbag Designer, Anya Hindmarch with a portion of profits going to Breast Cancer Research.Links
http://beabag.com

The 'Be a Bag' campaign offered customers the opportunity to have their own photographs transposed onto one of Hindmarch's stylish and rather pricey handbags for the first time. For the launch of the campaign, 100 celebrities were invited to provide a favorite photograph, each of which was then turned into a personalized bag.

The idea was an immediate and sensational success with customers and the media worldwide. Hindmarch extended the concept to be a permanent part of her business. Be a Bag now offers 12 unique styles and is bagging a ton of cash.

In her own words, Anya says "whatever cherished image you wish to Be a Bag, you can expect a gorgeous, memorable and above all, fun accessory. Be a Bag is offered in Hindmarch's stores and of course on the Internet.

 

Be a Bag should provide crafty entrepreneurs and fashion designers with plenty of inspiration.

As Andy Warhol predicted with "15 minutes of fame", hundreds of millions of individuals are craving having a character in a novel named after them, or adorning their car with personalized license plates, consumers want their names and images out there, not to mention that of their family members.

Just think of all the moms out there who love to put their child's photos and names in all sorts of things. All you have to do to validate this trend is go into any mall and observe all the kiosks selling items such as personalized children's books, mug, t-shirts and the like. This is where customization meets vanity to form a highly personal one of a kind product - catering to the obsession of ordinary citizens wanting ‘something’ lasting about them or their loved ones in print, audio or imagery. As Be a Bag demonstrates their is plenty of room for new ideas from creative entrepreneurs to capitalize on the personalization trend.

Here's an idea - how about personalized lunch boxes? Have mom's send in photos of their children with Shamu, Mickey Mouse or whatever and transfer the images to lunch boxes. Not only will little Johnny never bring home the wrong lunch box again, but years later, mom can embarrass him by showing the old personalized lunch box to his new wife.

60 Second Ideas - Give Away Your Products to Make More Money

Today's Show Links
http://cloudstar.com

In 1999, newlyweds Jennifer Melton and Brennan Johnson could not find food for their newly adopted allergy-prone pound puppy, Samantha. After unsuccessfully trying many commercially available treats, Melton began making Samantha's treats at home. She called them Buddy Biscuits. Melton then began baking more treats for animal shelter bake sales. The response from consumers led to San Luis Obispo, CA based Cloud Star (http://cloudstar.com) which now makes and markets all sorts of natural pet products.

Shortly after the company's launch, the couple began donating some of their products to the 20 neediest animal shelters in their area. The phone began ringing off the hook with people wondering why they saw Cloud Star products in shelters and not stores. Then retailers started calling too. That is when Melton and Johnson decided their policy was also good marketing strategy. They added 30 more shelters to their donation list. After the increase in donations, pet shops and health food stores began devoting more shelf space to the home-grown brand and Cloud Star's annual sales increased 50% to $4.5 million in 2003 and the increased shelf space is providing the company with an opportunity for product expansion.

CloudStar's success shows that giving some of your products or services to a worthy cause or charity where they can be seen or sampled by consumers or clients simply makes good sense in more ways than one.

In another approach take the new Dutch fashion label, 50/50, which highlights the plight of the homeless with a great new small business idea by designing ready-to-wear pieces from cast-offs from The Salvation Army. We wrote about this innovative company in the Third Mind USA's September 1, 2004 Issue of MarketSpark Small Business Idea Newsletter.

The label's designer shares the profits with The Salvation Army 50/50 - hence the name. The Salvation Army provides 50/50 with the blankets, curtains and dungarees and 50/50 turns them into skirts, pants and belts that eventually show up on store racks.

Indeed, 50/50 is now sold alongside well-known international brands in Amsterdam's most popular department store, with prices ranging from $40 for a pair of gloves to over $100 for a coat. Each item comes with a flyer outlining the Salvation Army's message: people need each other and nobody should be excluded from society. The hip vintage look appeals to young people with a healthy social awareness.

The concept is working so well, The Salvation Army is considering expanding its collection into other areas, like furniture.

Also from Holand, Dakloos.nl raises funds to eradicate homelessness in The Netherlands and around the world. The website is a full fledged accommodation booking site, with 5500 hotels world-wide. Customers get low Internet rates, while Dakloos, the Dutch word for homeless, donates 3% of revenues to the homeless in Amsterdam. In the company's own words: "You will spend your night in a good hotel, while helping a homeless person to spend a night off the street, without any extra costs or trouble."

CloudStar, 50/50 and Dakloos should get any entrepreneurs mind's buzzing. Why not find a way to donate some of your products to a worthy cause to gain exposure from potential customers and potentially a ton of positive publicity to boot, like CloudStar. Or partner with a charitable organization and split the profits like 50/50. Or you can simply donate a portion of your profits to a good cause as does Dakloos. There's enough here to inspire any small or home based business to creatively generate some intriguing ideas. Something similar to 50/50 would be excellent as a small business idea for women with an interest in fashion.

So are you passionate about a particular cause? Spend some time thinking about how you can use the examples above to make things better for others with your own products or services. You'll make a world of difference and make more money too.

Links
http://cloudstar.com
http://5050-fashion.com
http://dakloos.nl