I've Got An Idea!!!

[futuresoptions]

Hey Guys,

I have a concept for a website that I think would do verrrry well,
I just don't have the funds or the technical knowledge to pull it off. I believe it deserves to be created, but I don't know what to do to try and sell the concept or who to sell it to........ Any suggestions.......

[on-ramp]

does it involve selling sex on-line?

[futuresoptions]

No not at all sorry.....

[sketchers356]

Offline?

[futuresoptions]

No, but thanks....

[sketchers356]

Sorry, but your description is pretty useless. "I have an idea with the internet but don't know what to do" entirely sums your post.

[futuresoptions]

If you are not willing to help why even post reply....

[Dottore]

Write a business plan and shop it around. Lot's of money out there looking for a home...

[trekkor]

Find investors.

Hire geeks.


KT

[Don Plumley]

Are you willing to risk your house over this idea? That's the acid test for a great idea. Something so compelling and with so much upside that you can't imagine not putting every minute of your life into it. Otherwise it is an opportunistic idea in search of timing and funding.

If it's an exceptional idea, you can play the patent game - pony up the funds to patent the concept and then shop it or wait for someone to use it and the be a predatory patent owner.

Based upon limited information it seems the best thing you can do is write a reasonable business plan that explains the concept and how it makes money. Find someone with the technical skills that believes in the idea as much as you so you don't end up writing big checks to fund a developer. Bootstrap it.

Or, (and better if you've built a prototype) approach angel investors to fund the concept. I'm guessing angel investors for you is your family, friends, credit cards and sweat equity.

Or you can find people that specialize in helping you to raise money. It's expensive in the sense that they'll want a reasonable piece of funds raised.

BTW, this is what is great about America. We have a the support infrastructure and culture that encourages people (entrepreneurs and investors) to take risks. You can file an LLC with minimal dollars and paperwork - try to form a business entity in France. And you can fail and try again without stigma. That's why we launch things like Google and eBay.

[Chuck Moreland]

You're obviously being protective of your idea. This is a common mistake first timers make. They think the IDEA will make the company. Trust me, it won't. If it's a good idea, there are at least 6 other companies working on something similar already (I don't even need to know your idea).

Yes, you need a good idea. But your good idea plus $1.90 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. It's all about execution and your ability to marshal the right people and resources to get it done.

The old adage; genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration really applies here.

If you are serious about making this happen, tell people your idea. Tell everyone you meet. You need help. You never know who might be able to help. You are far more likely to get help from an unexpected source than you are to have someone steal your idea.

[Don Plumley]

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
You're obviously being protective of your idea. This is a common mistake first timers make. They think the IDEA will make the company. Trust me, it won't. If it's a good idea, there are at least 6 other companies working on something similar already (I don't even need to know your idea).

Yes, you need a good idea. But your good idea plus $1.90 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. It's all about execution and your ability to marshal the right people and resources to get it done.

The old adage; genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration really applies here.

If you are serious about making this happen, tell people your idea. Tell everyone you meet. You need help. You never know who might be able to help. You are far more likely to get help from an unexpected source than you are to have someone steal your idea.

+1

[futuresoptions]

RGR. understood, This thing is such a no brainer, and it really hasn't been done yet..... Sort of if I came to you 15 yrs ago and said hey I have an idea for a online auction site, or if I said I think I have a way to start something called an online search engine. You know what I mean. Well, I will try to start implementing this idea. I feel that it would easily be a billion dollar a year venture. Yes I would be willing to loose my house over this..... If it would give me enough capital to see this to a final conclusion. However, my house would probably buy the servers, but not the programming etc....

[on-ramp]

I can help you. PM me.

[futuresoptions]

Just to add a little note I have worked in a corporate atmosphere for the last 9yrs, where credit is one thing that I have never received for any ideas that have been implemented or taken from me. I just hate to have the same thing happen here with this. My overall golden "wish" is basically what Don hit on, get with a guy or group of guys that would believe in the concept as much as I do...(I think that was how Microsoft and Google started out no?....) Just hard to trust in people these days....or at least "New" people. I will shop this idea around, I will probably need to have legal paperwork drawn up to protect myself. I agree Ideas don't matter much, but I think that this one is on the verge of making history if I find a way to get it rolling.

[Don Plumley]

You don't need to buy servers. From Amazon ECC to any number of hosting providers, you can rent this until you decide you "have" to own the hardware.

Real investors (i.e. VC's) won't sign NDA's. They have no reason to as their business is to give money to people to make ideas work. Plus they've found there are few truly "unique" ideas.

Spend 30 minutes and write up a quick financial projection - revenue model, startup costs, breakeven analysis. Then double the costs and triple the timeline for revenue. That's the step from idea to business.

Good luck.

[on-ramp]

if you can lift it up from the boot-straps, screw the investors. Investors will just own your company, and one day they will fire you for "under-performance." It's all about the power and control.

[futuresoptions]

Guys, I am Savvy enough to purchase software, configure it to my personal tastes, and run an online auction or storefront. The software for my Idea does not exist. I have no way to sit down and figure out a financial projection, when I do not have the technical knowledge to know how much programming it would take to complete the software. I can tell you that I have researched renting server time both shared and dedicated. The cost is resonable considering, but I feel the most expensive item will be the programming and maintenance on the software. I would say that the possible profits that could be expected from this concept would be as much as Ebay or Amazon would make in a year and probably more (and no I am not being funny.....just a poor guy that never had any real breaks, but would like one......)

[kstar]

Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats.

Howard Aiken

------------------------
Simply, if an idea is really great, most people will think you're crazy; if they don't, then maybe you should worry.

Best,

Kurt

[nostatic]

I'm an idea guy. It's what I get paid for. I've found that many ideas have serious flaws that only come to light when they are hashed out with other smart people.

If you can't hire the programmers (or even if you can), you should be able to storyboard and/or wireframe the concept and capabilities. If you can't do that, you're toast. Visualization is everything.

You might want to find a good branding firm and go over it with them. They have to be really good though, and know what questions to ask.