Post: #301

Philosophical recovery & Mr Tickles:


Many thanks for the replies and the enlightening info!

ATM I am using a paypal button as I found it the fastest and least tangling option.

After reading your replies I realize doing the coding is - in my particular case- not only a waste of time but a potential major arse pain.

I work in the streets with a "Perceived Value Price" ("PVP") MO, which in my experience, for a small time wandering artist is one of the best possible arrangements.
I was hoping I could implement the same system/deal online.
But coding is something I can't even begin to learn properly in my current circumstances so I will stick to my strengths (meat space salesmanship and illustration )

Post: #302

(10-06-2016 03:56 PM)El_Gostro Wrote:  Philosophical recovery & Mr Tickles:


Many thanks for the replies and the enlightening info!

ATM I am using a paypal button as I found it the fastest and least tangling option.

After reading your replies I realize doing the coding is - in my particular case- not only a waste of time but a potential major arse pain.

I work in the streets with a "Perceived Value Price" ("PVP") MO, which in my experience, for a small time wandering artist is one of the best possible arrangements.
I was hoping I could implement the same system/deal online.
But coding is something I can't even begin to learn properly in my current circumstances so I will stick to my strengths (meat space salesmanship and illustration )

It is possible to do such things by integrating things like Stripe, IF you have a wordpress site. If you don't, then it gets more complicated. It's plug-in management, which is very possible to do. No coding, but using the WP management console to install the app.

Post: #303

(10-06-2016 07:55 PM)philosophical_recovery Wrote:  It is possible to do such things by integrating things like Stripe, IF you have a wordpress site. If you don't, then it gets more complicated. It's plug-in management, which is very possible to do. No coding, but using the WP management console to install the app.

Hmm,I use a PHP site,that is also no longer updated but obscenely easy and simple to use...will have to research if I can make it happen

----

Also on related news to my "entrepreneurship",a heads up for people working Arts & entertainment in public ways in Spain.
Took me almost 3 months to get a permit for exposing shit on the street,not to mention a previous wild bureaucratic goose chase

Post: #304

Case in point about knowing what you're doing in regard to servers:

I was playing around with AWS (Amazon Web Services, which is a bunch of integrated tools to do all sorts of things). This is mainly because it's an easy way to nearly freely store my static webpage (I pay 50 cents a month for domain name routing through them, the hosting has been nothing).

I was setting up some small web servers and seeing what I could do. Was able to log in and install stuff. "Cool" I thought. However, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how they were charging. Skeptical, I was smart enough to set an alarm so that if my service suddenly started costing above a very small threshold, I would get emails to all of my accounts.

Got hit by that email this morning, a few days later. I had run up a few cents over my limit.

Turns out I was smart enough to set the alarm, but not smart enough to know that I needed to turn the servers off after I was done fooling with them. Good thing I set the alarm...

Post: #305

Sales has become a fascinating study of stereotypes for me:
Much to my own despair, it has led me to rock the 90's cartoon artsy kid of the class look lately - what with selling art and all. Add tacky matching background music and get killer sales.


It was worse today when a young couple bought some stuff from us and my bird said:
"The girl was drooling and the boy was taking mental notes to be like you"
Ego petting aside(very satisfying must admit) that made me feel like I'm giving a terrible example to the younger generations...

Post: #306

(10-12-2016 02:40 PM)El_Gostro Wrote:  It was worse today when a young couple bought some stuff from us and my bird said:
"The girl was drooling and the boy was taking mental notes to be like you"
Ego petting aside(very satisfying must admit) that made me feel like I'm giving a terrible example to the younger generations...

Do you mean 'bird' as in British English for girl or chick? I have this great book from the 70's called "Birds of Britain" that is full of hot models. You would think that it was a book of songbirds ;-)

Post: #307

gmoneysauce Wrote:Do you mean 'bird' as in British English for girl or chick? I have this great book from the 70's called "Birds of Britain" that is full of hot models. You would think that it was a book of songbirds ;-)

That I do!
My brother always hung out with brits and the expression stuck to me after repeated long conversations on the phone, didn't help that I started hanging out with brits myself eventually ...

Post: #308

Sometimes I'm ready to shit-can my own company.
Just today a customer called who buys a hard-to-make product. He only buys ever other year. Last year I tried to get his parent company to buy in quantity for their other branches. Their head office blew me off and didn't even bother to take my calls. I told the customer today I didn't appreciate the way his home office treated me, but would take care of him this time.

Post: #309

Had a pleasant surprise today with returning customers whose patronage saved an otherwise slow sales day.
A couple whose kids are on a similar line to mine with the art hustle, they were delighted that our operations in this town had upgraded since last we spoke.
Although I will eventually move out once more I have been delighted in discovering how en trenching one self in a certain area for a longer period of time and building good PR with the neighbors can boost the Performance of any operation.

Post: #310

(09-19-2016 04:36 PM)Ringo Wrote:  Has anyone ever looked into investing in a sensory deprivation/float/isolation tank business?

There's a ton of models but from what I'm seeing they can pay themselves with ~500 sessions. Relatively low maintenance, not much else is needed in terms of structural investment on the venue and (apparently) good returns. With the right training one could run the whole business alone until it picks up.

I've contemplated starting one of these businesses ever since I started floating about five years ago. Unfortunately the market is pretty saturated where I currently live, but I can see a float business doing well in the right area (read: lots of people with disposable income who are into alternative healing/therapy methods).

As far as the facilities themselves, at the bare minimum you would need a private float room that housed the tank and it's assorted plumbing, a bathroom, and a shower. You could even run a business like this out of your home if you had the space and felt comfortable with letting a bunch of potential weirdos come to your house (which I do not recommend for obvious reasons, although I have floated at such an establishment).

So yes, it is an easy business to run, and you can couple it with other complimentary services like massage, acupuncture, Reiki, or any other new age shit you can think of. The challenge with a float business is that it would be an unnecessary luxury or novelty experience for most people, and many people will only do it once or twice just to try it. You can obviously offer package deals that entice clients with a better price per session, but it might be tough to find a steady stream of clients to, ahem, stay afloat.

Post: #311

^ What do you guys think the startup would be on something like this? What do the tanks run?

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #312

Bit of a disconnected question:
I'm soon gonna print a new run of magnets and postcards and I might be able to slip in some extras for myself.
Was wondering if anyone wanted some non-pc motives (check my doodle thread) as I wouldnt be able to have them on display for my regular audience.

Post: #313

(10-18-2016 02:07 PM)ColSpanker Wrote:  Sometimes I'm ready to shit-can my own company.
Just today a customer called who buys a hard-to-make product. He only buys ever other year. Last year I tried to get his parent company to buy in quantity for their other branches. Their head office blew me off and didn't even bother to take my calls. I told the customer today I didn't appreciate the way his home office treated me, but would take care of him this time.

This is something every person who is "about to quit my shitty job, open my own business, and BE MY OWN BOSS!!!" should read. It's not easy running your own biz.

Either way, the shills who promote "freedom from your cubicle" hate when I call them out on this.

Post: #314

(10-26-2016 05:47 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 02:07 PM)ColSpanker Wrote:  Sometimes I'm ready to shit-can my own company.
Just today a customer called who buys a hard-to-make product. He only buys ever other year. Last year I tried to get his parent company to buy in quantity for their other branches. Their head office blew me off and didn't even bother to take my calls. I told the customer today I didn't appreciate the way his home office treated me, but would take care of him this time.

This is something every person who is "about to quit my shitty job, open my own business, and BE MY OWN BOSS!!!" should read. It's not easy running your own biz.

Either way, the shills who promote "freedom from your cubicle" hate when I call them out on this.

Like the saying goes, 90% of everything is crap.

90% of jobs are shit, so are 90% of businesses. I don't mean anybody in this thread specifically, just in general.

It's all about trying different things and finding your niche either in career or own business or both.

I tried a couple of business/side hustle ideas, didn't make any money on either of them, so I'm sticking to my job which is not ideal but provides a steady paycheck. If it becomes unbearable, I'll start hustling more and hopefully find something that works.

Post: #315

(10-18-2016 02:07 PM)ColSpanker Wrote:  Sometimes I'm ready to shit-can my own company.
Just today a customer called who buys a hard-to-make product. He only buys ever other year. Last year I tried to get his parent company to buy in quantity for their other branches. Their head office blew me off and didn't even bother to take my calls. I told the customer today I didn't appreciate the way his home office treated me, but would take care of him this time.

An update: the customer was so desperate to get the product (it seems I am the only one in the known universe who sells it) that he agreed to take it without the special packaging. My profit margins sky-rocketed.
Which just goes to show there can be a silver cloud.
Now if I could just find the money to pay off my raw material supplier....

Post: #316

(10-25-2016 10:41 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  ^ What do you guys think the startup would be on something like this? What do the tanks run?

It's been awhile since I crunched the numbers on this, but from what I remember you can get into a basic Samadhi tank for roughly 15k, give or take a couple grand. Maybe even less if you find a used one in good condition, although you want to make sure that whatever you get has a commercial grade plumbing and filtration system. Personally I'm not a huge fan of that tank style, but better ones can run 20k or more.

Other than the tank, you need a bunch of epsom salt (800-1000lbs just to start...would probably cost about a grand if you buy in bulk), the rent for the facility itself, any money for renovations that you might need or want to do, and then a bunch of misc items like towels, toiletries, complimentary ear plugs, software for scheduling/accounting, and some basic furnishings and decorations to create a spa-like atmosphere.

Really your only major upfront expenses are the tank, salt, furnishings, and rent deposit…assuming you don't need to do any serious plumbing/reno work on the space itself.

Post: #317

(10-28-2016 08:33 AM)ColSpanker Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 02:07 PM)ColSpanker Wrote:  Sometimes I'm ready to shit-can my own company.
Just today a customer called who buys a hard-to-make product. He only buys ever other year. Last year I tried to get his parent company to buy in quantity for their other branches. Their head office blew me off and didn't even bother to take my calls. I told the customer today I didn't appreciate the way his home office treated me, but would take care of him this time.

An update: the customer was so desperate to get the product (it seems I am the only one in the known universe who sells it) that he agreed to take it without the special packaging. My profit margins sky-rocketed.
Which just goes to show there can be a silver cloud.
Now if I could just find the money to pay off my raw material supplier....

I can't count the number of times I wanted to shit can my company then something cool happens.

Post: #318

I can't find anything specific on this, and it doesn't feel like it deserves its own thread, so here goes:

Can anybody explain how to post ads to Craigslist in a lot of markets? This isn't for me, I have a friend who's working with a company that wants to advertise nationwide and they claim this is the hardest part. From what I've seen, I agree, CL makes posting ads a major pain. Doing a bit of googling, it looks like all the places that do this are offshore shops - I imagine they have a little bit of automation and a lot of cheap labor just going out, posting ads, checking for flagged ads, etc.

Specific questions:
1) Is there anything fully automated out there, or is it going to require human intervention (MTurk or something)?
2) Out of these services, which ones are reputable? To me they all look sketch, definitely English is a foreign language, and even the testimonials look sketch. Seriously, is it so hard to come up with a believable fake name? Or are there really are a lot of internet marketers with weird ass names out there?
3) Any ballpark on costs for this stuff?

TIA. You can PM me if you don't want to post specific links.

Post: #319

Interesting post by grugq. How would you guys step up to evaluate the feasibility of this business opportunity?

https://grugq.tumblr.com/post/1533770712...tfish-drug

Quote:This is really something that should’ve been solved by the market. Creating a persona is hard work. The pictures are the most annoying to deal with. Maybe these days it is possible to solve using Fiverr. Paying someone to snap pictures of ordinary life and have a unique image set that validates the existence of a persona is a tractable problem. It’s a business opportunity, really. Building a persona and selling them, along with maintenance, is definitely the sort of thing some ppl would pay for.
In Russia they sell identity kits for carders so they can cash out properly. There is probably an opportunity to create a more complete persona. I’d expect someone to step up and give it a go.

Post: #320

Anyone have advice / experience with wholesaling?

I know a guy in Ontario who has offered me a bunch of products (brand name, new in the box, directly from manufacturer). Usually in bunches of 100s (500-1000 at a time, on pallets) but also a few stragglers of 30-150 items.

The products aren't great, but I see others selling them on Ebay/Kijiji/locally in liquidation shops. And the price I can buy them for is lower.

I know if I can sell anything at all, my connection will offer me better products at better prices. He's test running me on the stuff that is clogging up his warehouse right now. Also he is old school and refuses to use computers/email/internet.

I contacted every re-seller and liquidator in the area, and while I got some interest, no one ended up placing any orders. About 40% of the people responded and did some back and forth with me. A handful said to email them whenever I get in new stuff.

So the initial legwork is done.

I'm trying to avoid selling one at a time. I'd prefer to just arbitrage from the bulk buyer (who has an in with major companies like Black & Decker) to the re-sellers. I mark shit up by X cents per item and send it on its way.

Any thoughts?

Post: #321

I've asked before but I could use a refresher, what literature or readings would you reccomend on web marketing?

I pulled the plug on fb as I realized it's a scheme where fb gets the clicks, and the potential customer/contact gets his "I'm helping! " badge by liking the fb page and proceeds to never bother again with it.

I've also considered using a QR code in my cards but in my experience in Europe at least most people don't scan them and a web adress is more "proper"...

Post: #322

(11-12-2016 06:38 PM)Off The Reservation Wrote:  

(10-28-2016 08:33 AM)ColSpanker Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 02:07 PM)ColSpanker Wrote:  Sometimes I'm ready to shit-can my own company.
Just today a customer called who buys a hard-to-make product. He only buys ever other year. Last year I tried to get his parent company to buy in quantity for their other branches. Their head office blew me off and didn't even bother to take my calls. I told the customer today I didn't appreciate the way his home office treated me, but would take care of him this time.

An update: the customer was so desperate to get the product (it seems I am the only one in the known universe who sells it) that he agreed to take it without the special packaging. My profit margins sky-rocketed.
Which just goes to show there can be a silver cloud.
Now if I could just find the money to pay off my raw material supplier....

I can't count the number of times I wanted to shit can my company then something cool happens.

Persistence is a virtue.

I'm going through it all again trying to expand. Calling and emailing but poor responses. With that said, one of my guys is on a 5 week project operating a new machine- this work came from calling and emailing that I did this time last year, with another similar project in the pipeline after that.

Gotta keep on keeping on.

I'm re-reading 'Think and grow rich' at the moment. God that book is good.

Post: #323

Biz has been slow on November so doing fiverr until the weather (literally,its raining every two hours!) improves
The kind of perverted shit I get commissioned sometimes is sickening,even my art mercenary nature sometimes cringes at the idea that people subcontract me for private fap imagery.
I guess the trick is finding a way to cut middle men like fiverr and bring clients to contact me directly for work, I know how to do this more or less in the meatspace but online I admit its another game I do not quite yet properly understand.

edit&addendum

Got mine and bird's stuff for sale at a newly opened gift shop/gallery,yay!

Post: #324

Is anyone on this thread doing affiliate marketing successfully?

Post: #325

I was watching Grant Cardone the other day (great guy by the way, high energy), and he was talking about lowering your tax burden.

"Everyone of you should be in MLM. Every person watching this broadcast should be a network marketer and have bought something Visalus, Market America, Amway, Primerica...you need to make the investment in a network marketing group so that you can earn the write-offs that come with it...I've never made any money in network marketing, but they've never cost me anything either...just the tax write-offs! The two things that I benefitted from network marketing are the tax-write offs and the people that i've met. The people are freakin' awesome cause they're all gathering to do the hustle."

Starts at 9:45

http://grantcardonetv.com/video/cardonez...t-million/

Questions

1. Is this possible, and is it worth it?
2. This means I'll have to itemize my taxes...will that help me even though the vast majority of my income is career salary?
3. Which MLM company would be best to get into?

I'm seriously considering this. If even just to get some products to give to people and network with some true hustlers.