Business and Art (by sarah)
To a certain extent I feel that my business stuff with the website building etc... is not going to well - I came up with the plan pre-flood and was working on then and back then it was a needed service and would have probalby taken off but now isn't then and things have changed.
Basically I missed the boat but am still vaguelly paddling in a lifeboat, there is a chance still that things could take off and I hope they do. So far this year I've earn't a grand total of £350 and $300 for the company - this is just not enough and I am sad.
Also £100 of that is not yet paid and the $300 we are having issues getting it from google.
On the plus through sending out business stuff to do with making websites and the cross over of science and art etc... I have had people ask about computer case modes - this is making your own case for the computer.
Now I am not going to flit from one project to another so the webstuff is still on but I do alot of creative crafty stuff anyway so I thought I might have ago at making a nice case for one of our computers. Then I will have something I can show people on the off chance of getting some custom for it - randomly there is more interest being shown in this potential project than in what I'm actually trying to establish as a business.
I am feeling a bit low that my blogs are earning more money through adds than my ability to make nice websites is. So then I start to think maybe I should use my art for business more but then I reign myself in fearing stretching myself even further than I already am.
I also have a business questonaire I shall post soon - if people could possibly fill it in and send it back that would be great.
Also what do people think about having personalised computer cases and the such like? I'm currently looking at it as a fun project but Al seems to think there is some proper potential there.
Mon 9th Mar 2009 12:52 pm 
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By Olly, Tue 10th Mar 2009 @ 1:09 pm
The personalised case thing does seem like a good idea, not saying I would buy one, but I think a lot of people would. However - consider your market carefully - anyone that buys a stand alone empty case is going to be a geek, personalised pre-built machines might have more of a consumer base. Just a thought.
By sarah, Tue 10th Mar 2009 @ 1:13 pm
I was thinking of offering to build the pooter for them as well if they wanted (for extra). But that is a point thanks Olly.
By Rob, Tue 10th Mar 2009 @ 9:43 pm
The problem with the web-site plan is that it is the first thing anybody techie who gets made redundant thinks of doing (not to mention compsci students who can't find jobs). This means you have crazy levels of competition from unemployed geeks. It is very hard to differentiate yourself.
Modding cases requires a high standard of artistic ability and that immediately cuts out 99% of the potential competition.
Another thing to consider is relative cost. If I am spending 700+ UKP on a computer I am probably going to find it psychologically easier to spend a lot more making it look nice than I am on a 20 UKP website. 100 UKP extra on a computer doesn't feel like much but 100 UKP extra on a website feels like a lot. It shouldn't, but it does.
By Kordian Witek, Thu 12th Mar 2009 @ 2:27 am
Hey, have you thought of this: http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/adsense/42980-how-i-make-15k-month-adsense.html#
By Sarah, Wed 18th Mar 2009 @ 12:45 pm
Yeah I'm starting to think the gaming community are the people to target - they love swanky pooter cases anyway and spend alot to get what they want performance wise.