Wyland Galleries Hawaii: Although I had never heard of this venture, I discovered the company online through a simple search. According to an article published in Nation’s Business (US Chamber of Commerce), the success of the business is attributed to “timing.” It’s hard to believe, but Wyland Galleries was started during the recession of the late 1980s. The founder, Bill Wyland, comments that “He began in exactly the ‘wrong’ market. Times were bad. Other galleries were stopping their marketing and advertising.” He goes on to explain that, “There’s no better time to do business. Today, you couldn’t get the lease rents that I got.” Low rental rates, along with cheaper costs of goods and building supplies allowed Wyland to open a number of galleries in a relatively short timeframe. The business now includes a hotel and record label.

The F.C. Ziegler Co.: Now this is unique – a religious goods supplier that was started during the Great Depression, and has survived to this very day (by the grace of…never mind). The company was recently honored with restoring a 1938 chalice used by Pope Benedict XVI during a recent trip to the United States. The key to their success? One can only guess, but I would say that when things are gloomy, people often seek solitude in their faith.

Amazon and eBay: This post would not be complete without bringing up the dot-com bubble of the early 2000s. Only a few viable businesses would survive the fallout, including Amazon and eBay. These granddaddies of the Web look poised for the long haul.

So there are quite a few businesses going belly up – which is really bad for the economy. Regardless, I am completely convinced there is money to be made, so long as a concept and business model fits the current and future needs of its intended audiences.

What do you think? Is there money to be made as the dollar sinks and debts rise?

In your own words, what is Viddiction and where does it fit into the marketplace? What makes it unique? Target markets?

AK: Viddiction is a video sharing social network designed to be a place where people, not large companies or TV networks, can meet and share ideas, thoughts and opinions through moving images and sound. It is different because it is built around a profit sharing scheme. Right now it’s in the form of popularity point contests, but later I will actually share ad revenue with users in proportion with their contribution to traffic. My target market is universal, as I think that anybody can and should use whatever electronic means possible to communicate with the world. For the purposes of profit sharing, however, I am targeting the 14-29 American user market (there are numerous legal implications whenever you give money away).

What inspired you to launch the site and how have you funded its start-up?

AK: I was moved to start the site when I realized that YouTube owes every penny of its $1.5 billion sales price to the content that its users create and upload. They share money too, but not that much, and in doing so, they are failing to credit their most important employees (because as content providers, that is essentially what their users are). Now, of course, YouTube provides publicity and even fame to some, but if you look closely this number is small and is more and more dominated by big name users and legal entities instead of your regular Joe or Jane. I got the funding by making a well-timed investment last year.

What have been the greatest challenges?

AK: The greatest challenge is getting people to know the name and trust the system. Certain brands, like Google and Yahoo are forever burned into the public psyche. They are household names and are recognized everywhere. Getting to that point isn’t just hard; it’s a matter of luck and timing. If Viddiction reaches the status of a recognizable brand, my goal will have been achieved.

Do you consider yourself an entrepreneur?

AK: I do not know what I need to be to be considered entrepreneurial. I like business, get a thrill from the idea, the inspiration and enjoy a little risk. I have another endeavor moving forward in parallel to this [Viddiction].

What advice can you give other entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses?

AK: My only suggestion is don’t be afraid of taking a well thought-out risk. Don’t be afraid to move on your ideas and never, ever, ever listen to the naysayers. People will discourage you at every turn. People who themselves bend under their fear and insecurity will try to force you to commiserate by giving up on your own dreams. Do not fall into this trap. Be careful but remember that small business is the only way that this nation, or any nation, will succeed in the long run. Independent people with their livelihoods staked on their ideas and sweat are the driving force behind any healthy economy, not giant sterile corporations. Also remember that so many of the big companies we know and love today started out as the idea of one or two people – people that were once small, scared and anonymous that went on to make a difference to millions, and, not to mention, grow rich in the process. If you have an idea that you feel needs to be born, make sure it is. The future rides on people like you. And who knows…maybe one day you’ll employ some of those very naysayers that once tried to stop you from realizing your dreams.

I’ve used Viddiction.com and really enjoy how user-friendly, interactive and entertaining the site is. My teens have even made the switch from YouTube to this emerging video sharing site, because they “like how easy it is to upload and watch videos.”

Interested? Well hop on, upload your most compelling (or humorous or completely wacky) video and sign-up for Viddiction’s regular monthly Popularity Point competition. Prizes range from $50 to $500, with twenty people receiving $50.

Dream. Create. Transmit. Viddiction.

Social networking Web sites (i.e. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.) offer various ways for you to interact with others such as message boards, instant messaging, forums, blogs and so on. To get started, you need to identify those sites that best meet your needs and help you reach your intended audiences. For example, if you are selling online music downloads targeting the teen market – consider MySpace. But if you’re trying to connect with other small business owners, LinkedIn and Facebook would offer you more opportunities to reach entrepreneurs. Make sure to do your research. Wikipedia has a great list of social networking Web sites here.

Once you have pinpointed the best sites, your next step is to create a winning profile or bio page. Here is where you can tell a little bit about yourself and your business. One giant no-no… Never utilize a social network as an advertising or marketing platform – and for the love of Pete, don’t spam these sites! Start advertising your products or services on a forum thread or message board, and you’ll not only tick off community participants, but you’ll most likely get kicked off the site. Remember that you’re there to build one-on-one relationships with people, to gain market insight and to hopefully drive quality traffic to your site through minimal efforts (and without sounding like a salesperson).

Once you’ve set up your profile, including uploading a pic (very important), you’re ready to start building your network and getting out into the community. Start by searching for people you know. This is how viral marketing works. You tell someone, they tell someone and the message keeps spreading like a virus. Don’t forget to take part in the core activities of the site and continue to do so – whether that is answering questions on a Social Knowledge Web site like WikiAnswers (best Q&A site on the net!) or commenting on stories that have been submitted by other members of Social Bookmarking sites such as Reddit or Digg; act like a member of the community, not a marketer.

New social networks pop up daily, so you’ll have to keep an eye to the street and an ear to the Web – something like that – to stay one step ahead. Just remember not to sound or act like a salesperson, participate in what others are doing and give your fellow community participants props when they are deserved. Follow these simple guidelines and pretty soon everyone will have your virus!

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_steps_to_owning_your_own_insurance_agency

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_risk_involved_in_business_debt

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_effective_is_MySpace_as_a_small_business_marketing_tool

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_liquidity_important_to_small_businesses

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_start_a_vehicle_salvage_yard

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_it_cost_to_open_a_new_tanning_salon

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_can_you_buy_a_slush_cart_shaped_like_an_orange

Okay… the last one is a little bit out there. But an entrepreneur somewhere would sure appreciate an answer.

Alternative Power: Help homeowners get off the grid (at least somewhat) by selling and installing small wind turbines. Small turbines retail for around $3,000 to $5,000 with installation costs averaging $1,500 to $2,000. According to the American Wind Energy Association, these smaller units are suitable for about 15 million homes and 1 million businesses in America with an acre or more of property.

Shuttle Service: More and more people are looking to save on fuel costs, which is why shuttle services are a timely business opportunity. Consider partnering with local businesses, as part of a larger publicized public relations campaign on going green. Although shuttle services are usually extremely profitable, the greatest barrier to entry is obtaining an operator’s license, which is required in most states.

How-to Book: If you’ve always been thrifty with money and know how to save a buck or two, consider writing down your tips in the form of a how-to book. To engage your reader, opt on making it entertaining, yet educational. And certainly look into the self-publishing route.

Basic Home Energy Audits: Help consumers learn how to save money and help the environment by performing first-line home energy audits. If you think this might be the business for you, it is wise to look into becoming a certified Home Energy Rater through the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) at http://www.resnet.us/default.htm.

Markets now consist of like-minded individuals engaged in communication, shared interests and promoting the ‘me’ factor.  It’s about bio pages, personalized networks and RSS feeds.  Forget the days of corporate, in-your-face tactics…interruptive marketing is dead.  In order to succeed in this new environment, you need to get personal.  I like to call it human-to-human marketing.  You want to build a brand?  Then you need to take part in the communities that you are targeting by commenting on blogs, posting to people’s message boards, adding information to wikis and so on.  Create podcasts, Vlogs and widgets.  The more human you are the more effective you’ll be. 

Human-to-human marketing – we’ve evolved.

LinkedIn? You NEED to be. Today.

www.linkedin.com

1. Always use the subject line; make sure that it is clear, contains proper spelling and grammar and includes a few words detailing what the e-mail is all about. 
2. Include a salutation…for those of you not familiar with this term, it’s the welcome line or greeting of a traditional message and something that is seemingly missing from today’s e-mails.
3. Use complete sentences that are made up of properly spelled words and correct grammar.
4. Don’t use IM or text messaging short cuts.  This is rude and childish.  Write out your words!
5. Be polite and sensible.  Don’t use offensive language or harsh phrasing that could be misinterpreted as you being an…well, a jerk. 
6. Always use the magic words…please, thank you and you’re welcome.  Yet more missing pieces of the communication puzzle. 
7. KISS – it goes beyond marketing and planning.  Keep It Simple, Stupid.  And I mean that in the nicest possible way.
8. Include relevant contact information such as your phone number, mailing address or Web site URL.  Forego the SSN.  Or passwords for that matter.  This is risky business.
9. Sign off using a proper closing such as ‘Regards’, ‘Sincerely’, ‘With Appreciation’…something and make sure to include your name.
10. For the love of pete, say what you mean and mean what you say.  You’re only as good as your word.
11. Spell check your final message.
12. Check and check again to make sure that you’re sending your e-mail to the correct recipient(s).  Don’t bore grandma with a note about this month’s widget order.  And don’t shock your supplier with a love note  meant for your significant other. 

For more on writing effective e-mails, please check out these links:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/636/01/

http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/documents/email/

http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/EmailCommunication.htm

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/02/the_effective_e.html

• A unique swimwear line - consider something different – like suits with personalization.
• An all-natural or organic insect repellent or sunblock – or cooling body spray mists.
• Come up with a new pool or beach game – think water horseshoes or aquatic stack’em (who can build the tallest floating tower?).
• Invent an environmentally friendly shoe insert that keeps your feet cool (and dry) all day while stuck in the office.

Today, it occurred to me that I often talk about WikiAnswers (www.wiki.answers.com) and the how-to of using this Social Knowledge Web site – where you can share what you know and ask about what you don’t – but I rarely talk about the benefits of answering questions from an entrepreneurial perspective. If you’re a business owner, you can establish yourself as an expert by answering questions and advertising or telling a little bit about yourself on your bio (which receive HIGH rankings on Google). This is perfectly acceptable and highly encouraged. What you cannot do is advertise in the answers or post generic links or else the team of multi-talented Supervisors will stop you at the door (they’ll block you for spam). That may sound harsh, but this is one site that is aiming for quality.

What’s nice is that people respect and will look towards those who seem knowledgeable about particular service or product (and they will click through to your bio) – without shoving it down their throats (in the form of spam). WikiAnswers even has message boards where you can communicate with contributors. So what are you waiting for? Go register on WikiAnswers, set up your bio and start answering some questions in areas that you are familiar with. Welcome to a new era in marketing!