There are but a few critical pieces needed to create a successful start-up business today. In this example, you'll see that it doesn't take much and that it all stems from a simple GREAT idea that you can expand on and yet still have fun at the same time.
Here's five important pieces of the puzzle for a successful start-up business.
#1 - You'll need a niche, a group, or a target of people or prospects that need your product, tool, or service.
#2 - You need to be economically competitive, a price people won't think twice about, they are sold on the product.
#3 - You'll need to be able to tap into their emotional buying processes and signals using text, audio, and visual.
#4 - A great yet simple page on the web to access a globe of potential prospects and customers.
#5 - The use of people and social media in a strategic way to make sure your "viral marketing' is done by others.
These are the five components that are underlying nearly every buying decision made by consumers today.
In the example below, you'll see how this one start-up company "The Dollar Shave Club" uses the combination of the five ingredients above to tap into nearly every human being on the earth. That is if you shave of course.
"This video was uploaded to Youtube just 3 days ago and already has 2,037,428 views"
The 5 Tip Break-down Mike found a niche group and prospects, (we all have to shave) he has an unbeatable and unbelievable price, he used inexpensive video media to tap into the emotional side of the brains' buying signals... humor, the website is simple, quick, and effective, and the use of social media FREE marketing that has gone viral is evident.
(Not to mention I'm writing this post along with the other thousands who are or will be doing the same thing)
It's genius, and anyone can do it!
If at first you don't succeed, try try again. A popular cliche we've all heard and know but that was before we had today's technology, free media, and the Internet. Today, with the right tools and knowledge, you can succeed right out the gate! And Yes, I am now a member of the Dollar Shave Club, thanks Mike! :)
Brad I was just thinking about you and here you are with another super post ..I will pass this on to my son
HelpfulHannah
This is a super great video. I can't believe how many hits it has had in just a couple of days.
Too funny. At first I thought it was a goof, but it's legit. So the big question is....did you sign up?
Wow, is it really legit? the vide is terrific, very dynamic, I am not really surprised that so many people have ssn it in 4 days... Or I am surprised?
Can it translate into real dollars?
Great write up... applies to not only real estate, but most industries. Quite the video, too.
Gretchen
You should share if you have started a business using these concepts - although they work for real estate too. Thanks for the list - I like it and have bookmarked your post.
Brad,
Even in a tough market - many are thriving. Not all, but there are opportunities. Fun video!
All the best, Michelle
OK, Brad, I'm definitely going to check this out for the men in my family. Just told Frank about it but he wants to know more. He would cut his costs at least in half with Dollar Shave Club!
Sharon
Brad, that DollarShaveClub is everywhere! It's a fun commercial, and a great product at a great price.
Absolutely amazing. I like the way you outlined the points and then gave an example of how they can be implemented.
WOW!!!!!! Did they even show us a razor blade...ha Well done. I booked marked another one of your great posts Brad..Miss you, thanks for dropping by with another feature post.
Cheers
Hi Brad ... Great Commercial !!
Works for me ...
Hey Brad,
Hilarious and interesting. 2mil + views in 3 days, unbelievable.
Btw, I was in your neck of the woods a few weeks ago, loved it!
Congrats on the feature! Thanks for sharing the video and the tips. What a great idea. Have a wonderful week.
Interesting thoughts, Brad. I guess I am still a little bit of a doubting Thomas, and would like to see the correlation between views and business derived, but I do hear the message.
Hey, Brad...I enjoyed the video so much I had to watch it twice.
Hey Brad! Nice to see you on the featured blogs! And great list! :)
Hi Brad ~ LOVED this video, what a fun angle this company has ... bet they will be very successful!
Brad, thanks for the tips. this post has been bookmarked for future reference, Good Job!
Wow Brad, what a wonderful example. I completely agree w/ your success priniciples. They did a great job.
Hi Brad,
Good post.
The video was brilliant. I watched it all the way through, which I would not normally do
Thanks
Phil
Great video, Brad. This guy definitely has a huge market and a product that most of us guys think about at a couple times a week. Too funny.
Great list, entertaining video and a success story for sure. Nice to see someone having fun with success! Thanks for sharing!
Brad...
But does short term success go hand in hand with longevity or is this a one shot deal?
Brad, this almost sounds too good to be true. Good marketing piece though.
Brad, I agree with the others, well done, great post and you got another feature so I know everyone agrees!
Hannah - they work for men and women too.
Jill - everything about this start-up is genus!
Justin - it is legit, and I did. Check out their site.
Jon - I bet his new company makes million$.
Gretchen - this really applies to real estate too.
Joy - my start-up would be done exactly like this.
Michelle - some things will work in any economy.
Sharon - "Shave Time, Shave Money!" lol~
Maria - I think price will make them a success.
Joan - thanks, seemed like the ultimate layout.
Fred - cool, thanks. An unexpected feature too.
Robert - think of how much $$$ you'll save?
Lynda - stop by next time, my treat for lunch.
Angel Realty - anytime I can save works for me.
Chris - yes, profit is the bottom line of any business.
Chris H - I've watched and shared it 10+ times :)
Nyssa - nice to get a feature, it helps Mike too.
Maureen - I bet they are going to be successful too.
Ron - simple principles, effective results & rewards.
Debbie - every aspect of the start-up executed perfectly.
Phil - most wouldn't. Proves that good video works.
Mike - I totally agree, now I'm thinking hmm, are you?
Charlie - anyone can do this with just the right 5.
Richard - the pet rock was short lived, made millions!
Michael - OK to doubt, some will. But for $$, most won't.
Remember, this is not for everyone!! lol~
Brilliant marketing video and I'll think twice when I pick up my pink multi-head razor....
H Brad.... great example for your message. I'm going back now to view again, it is great!
Brad, I enjoyed the video and the lesson that you've shared.
The number of video views (now over 3 Million) is the story behind the immediate appearance of success for this business.
#5 "Viral Marketing" is like lightening, which most people will NEVER experience.
This company has some advantages which most of us do not...
From HuffingtonPost.com about the company founder and video star:
"(Dubin, the star of the video, has some comedic experience, having previously trained with the sketch comedy group Upright Citizens Brigade in New York.)
What's your background?
My background is in digital marketing and brand development. And my co-founder, Mark Levine, has 25 years of product-development experience and great contacts in the manufacturing space who have helped us get set up."
From SocialTech.com:
"Michael Dubin and Mark Levine have just one goal with their new startup: to totally disrupt the razor blade industry. Los Angeles-based Dollar Shave Club said this morning that it has raised $1M in a funding round, led by Kleiner Perkins and Forerunner Ventures, and also including Andreesen Horowitz, Shasta Ventures, and Felicis Ventures, along with angels Shevin Pishevar, Dennis Phelps, and David Hornig. The new startup, which spawned out of the walls of Science Inc., the business incubator and studio headed by former MySpace CEO Mike Jones, offers up a online, subscription service which delivers high quality razors to customers on a monthly basis."
I think your steps are excellent for THIS POST, but I'm looking for the keys that open the door to "Viral Marketing" for REGULAR People, like me. Do YOU have those keys and will you share? Best wishes always.
Richard, you make an excellent observation, demonstrate some great fact finding, and provided an awesome comment, thank you. The only keys I have, at least at the surface level are the ones I shared in this post. These guys obviously did their research and homework in making sure this concept, idea, and company would fly, and they did an exceptional job in my honest yet humble opinion.
The $60K question of the day is now... how do you do this? How do I do this? How does anyone do this?
The answer lies within each of us, we just need to clear the weeds and debris to find the harvest. If these guys can do this with shavers, then there has to be hundreds of other undiscovered ideas that could have the same success. Right?
Hmm... Coffee for $1. or Gasoline for $1. How about Toilet Paper for a nickel and delivered? lol~
Now, I do have a few wheels turning in the attic right now, but I would be shooting myself in the foot if I shared them publicly and prematurely. I'm sure you can appreciate, respect, and understand my friend.
its crazy how much viral and social media has taken off. Great Blog !!!
Hi Brad ... GREAT - Great - great Post .... talk about Viral? Huh??? Thanks so much for sharing this and opening our eyes and minds to the 'KISS' approach to marketing ... keep it simple, shorty (lol) and search deep ... into WHO you want to attract ... what an exciting marketing approach ... and utilization of the FREE media programs that are available to all of us ...
Thanks for making it real - and pushing us to THINK about ALL the APPROACHes we have available.
Marianne
I only have one thing left to say, sign me up!
Niche and Social Media are the keys in today's market. Great points Brad.
Great post and as always you do the neighborhood good with realistic post "news we can use"
It is all about the niche, in today's market, consumers want to work with the specialists that is relevant to what they are interested in.
Eileen - I couldn't agree with you more! :-)