Sometimes I think we are all trying TOO hard…
May 7, 2008
I can’t imagine how well this site is doing. Well, I can. I have. I am right now.
Coming off a launch of new software with tons of planning, programming, headaches, sales copy, videos, beta testing, then, finally, launching, someone sent me a site tonight that makes me go hmmmm…
After a heavy work week (it’s only Wednesday, lol) I am perfectly primed to appreciate businesses based on pure simplicity.
And this is one of the simplest I’ve ever seen…
Meet: PooYou!
I don’t imagine the mind map for the planning phase of this business was all that extensive. It’s the civilized, modern day equivalent to lighting a bag of poo on fire on your neighbor’s porch, knocking on the door and running to hide behind the bushes to watch hilarity ensue.
Thought for the day: Keep it simple. The best business ideas of all time have been mostly dead simple ones.
YouTube.com, at least early on, didn’t have too much code behind it and the plan was dead simple. Let people upload and share videos. I’ve spent more time planning and designing complicated publishing systems than it would take to create 50 YouTubes.
It’s the Idea, Stupid!
Whether you are selling poop or pomegranates, best not to get real deep. Most of the emotions humans act on are very close to the surface, which is why surface value sells for such a premium no matter the product.
You don’t need everything in the Brookstone catalog. If you buy anything from it I’d wager you are buying it for the “idea” more than the usefulness or “needfulness” of the product itself.
Who ever needed a fake boulder to hide their keys under in the front yard until one was invented? The idea was what was captivating to buyers. Once they got their fake, plastic boulder in the mail, many probably second guessed their decision.
Who ever felt the need to send someone a bag of poo until someone thought it up, put a 5 page site together with an order form and secured a large supply of worm poop?
Right now I feel that need. Is it because I like the the product so much? It’s freakin’ poop! Or maybe it’s just that it’s a great idea?
How can you make your life as an online business person simpler by stepping back and realizing its the simple things that make all the money. Simple things, but always powered by great ideas.
Tags: great ideas, poo you, send poop
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Humphrey! Thanks for visiting!
Hi Jack,
Couldn’t agree with you more. The problem is we forget. We are impatient. We want instant result. That’s why we get frustrated. Lost and confused…sometimes..
We forget that the oak tree started from a tiny weeny seed. Yes, everything I believe started with an idea, no matter it may seem absurd in the beginning.
Great post and look forward to read more of them.
leefrank
http://cholesterol-digest.com
leefrank’s last blog post..Cholesterol Drug Increases Death Rate by 58 Percent. (Cholesterol Digest)
How true, Jack.
I’ve tried to adhere to the K.I.S.S. approach in almost everything I do ( in life & internet). I agree that there are probably many great ideas that get shelved due to “over-thinking”.
John.
Jack is Right - but that’s not news… Worm poop is!
I am the King of the overcomplicated complexity chaos theory in real life, posing as a business plan. LOL
Today though, I deleted 1000 unread emails in my Inbox - and unsubscribed from nearly every email list (except for ASC, SPL, FTR) - and am on a laser focused quest for simplicity.
But with my last name, poop is not an option,
Rick Butts
Rick Butts’s last blog post..Automatically Create Social Bookmark Accounts
Hi Jack,
I agree with you we all get to a point in our life when we want simplicity. It just makes it so much easier. We want things to happen yesterday and we don’t realize that it takes baby steps to get where we really want to be. I personally think you bring a lot of value to the industry and will continue to promote and buy your products. Hope you have a great weekend.
Thanks,
Charlotte
Jack
OMG, I am laughing so hard after visiting that site!
All the elements of simple, effective marketing…
- entertainment value (such a simple subject matter too)
- simplicity (anyone can use it easily)
- and…who wouldn’t want to send a “poo” to someone that deserves it right? (so they identified a simple target market)
I love it.
Joseph Ratliff
Joseph Ratliff’s last blog post..How To Avoid The Most Critical Mistake When Marketing For Joint Ventures… | The Profitable Business Edge 2™ [del.icio.us]
Hi Jack
I bet that was one heck of a sales letter, that gets you to buy a fake rock.
With a little pulling on the emotions us humans can be led very easily.
Speaking of being led, Utility Poster is a great tool, I believe I’ll get a lot of
great use of it.
It’s starting to rain out, I have to go bring my rock in.
Gary McElwain
Jack,
Simplicity is complication in disguise. At least when introducing a “concept” to the masses.
Maybe “free” is the way to start. Test with free…if you can’t give it away, maybe it’s a good indication that it won’t be a top seller.
However, when you have a super niche product…a good idea may spread slower than anticipated but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. It boils down to how much tenacity and income do you have to weather the storm before the flowers bloom?
Jason Anderson’s last blog post..My New Wordpress Blog Template
Jason,
Do you know how much good worm poop is worth these days? You can’t give that sh*t away!
Just kidding - I got the point.