Beta Testing Artisan Eco

[allforone]

This weekend I am beta testing my content.

The company is called ArtisanEco. ArtisanEco is a new design concept for the layman, taking various elements of design styles from all over the world, then wrapping that around these products. I will be telling people how to implement low cost green technology alternatives. Each seminar will cost 199.00 and at the end you will be given a workbook that contains worksheets and log-in information to my site(not built yet). I have arrangements already with 10 manufacturers for a discount and a cut of the sale.

I have used everyone of them and they work. More importantly though, I did not spend tens of thousands of dollars on solar panels and insulation. I spent about 500 dollars, over 18 months. It occurred to me that people may want to know this stuff and so, I am figuring out a way to monetize what I know.

My first vertical is real estate agents. They attend my seminar on Wednesday evening. Then they, recommend my seminar to their clients(the agents all like this idea) to help sell there homes. My research points to the fact that, green homes sell at a premium, so in a down market you will lose less. Each of the products sells between 9.00 to 600.00 depending on your budget. So Then, they sit back down with their agent and come up with a plan for them, based on their budget.

I have searched and searched for something like mine and only found one. The only thing we have in common is, the site look/feel and the community builder aspect of the website.

Eventually, I would like to get 3 seminars a week going with no more than 20 people.

Question: How do I design this, so that it can run without me and maximize the cheese?

I am leaning toward MLM, so people can make money and leave me alone most of the time.


1. I am thinking of taping them all. To license to HGTV or some other portal like AOL or Yahoo.

2. Or maybe, make an ebook with access to videos and contractors

3. Should I go with an MLM model and Create a bunch of Eco-consultants in every city.

4. or maybe a blend of all three.


:D Obviously, I have left out what the design elements are and what the products are. MY competitive edge security.

[Sven]

Sorry dude, do not tell, get empty replies...

So far stuff seems too complicated. If you can not explain it, it is not a product. And I am an ideal ignorant customer, I understand less 'cause I'm not native in English....

[allforone]

Sorry dude, do not tell, get empty replies...

So far stuff seems too complicated. If you can not explain it, it is not a product. And I am an ideal ignorant customer, I understand less 'cause I'm not native in English....

Last year I bought some CFL's light bulbs that cost me 236.00 dollars for the whole house. However, while researching lighting and the effects of light on the brain. Below are the listed chronic disorders and their corresponding drug.

Clinical Depression = Zoloft
Seasonal Affective Disorder =Wellbutrin XL
Bi-Polar Disorder = Ziprexa
PMS = Prozac
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder = Xanax
Prenatal/Postpartum Depression = Zoloft
Insomnia = Ambien
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome = Cymbalta

All of these drugs can be treated with light. However, only a certain type of light. A ghanja grower confirmed this for me. So, I have an arrangement with the manufacturer to sell the light bulbs which are a special type of CFL.

To many people leave a house showing with out any WOW factor. Mainly, because the are not emotionally moved by your home. People buy emotionally, then rationalize that with facts. The Facts is " This home features all CFL bulbs of the highest quality, lowering your electric bill."
Fact: Your hormonal levels begin to normalize as soon as you are exposed to light in a certain wavelength, in other words, you feel better immediately. So, you see they will say " I have a good feeling about that house " why, because they have energy saving lighting. This product of 1 of 10 in a product solution. Having regular CFL's is not enough to build value, not enough to stay away from price, not enough to emotionally AFFECT a prospective buyer.

My conversation with the attendees gets more in depth but, that is a brief overview of one.

All of these products are non-inventory and so, I have that automated the web part on paper.

But the structure of the delivery and the sales method is what gets me. As I stated in my original post. Which would be more effective?

[allforone]

I Finished beta testing this thing by october of last year. I had some focus groups from property owners and homeowners. The response was great, but then the economy went all to hell. My money dried up, so I had to put it on the shelf then go back to work for the man. This was and still is a great idea for a website. However my focus has changed. This idea could add to but not change the world. My current Muse is something that has me and others really excited. I will start a new thread on it. So for now artisan-eco is put to bed.

[AlexMoen]

I think it sounds like you've got a good idea set up, and it seems it's already pretty much rolling. The challenge, I think, will be setting this up and then switching to being hands-off in handling the business affairs.

I'd personally go the MLM route for your particular business- it'll take more work up front, but the pay off is potentially awesome (I also don't see how else you can ever viably be able to step away from this business model without sacrificing something huge). My advice would be to not necessarily jump right into MLM, but do it on your own. Then, once you've finalized the business model and best practices then expand (it'll be hell and fall apart if you try to inflate a business that has even a tiny issue). I think the idea of recording your seminars is great as well, since the cost is minimal and if it catches on you can reach a much wider audience.

[allforone]

Yes, you're right. I put it to bed because I did not have the expertise to make it all happen and the SHTF with the economy. Which caught me with my pants down. I knew it was going to happen and was prepared, however Plan B,C,D,E all went to hell, Literally I had that many backup plans for the fallout.

If I find partners I may revisit the idea again, I still own the logo and domain. I have not put the energy out there yet. If I do they will come. So as of now I know this:
1. There is a need and I got it.
2. I know the best way to sell it.
3. My pricing is good, but not great.

When I start back up, I will need.
1. automation setup with manufacturers
2. Sales training
3. Sales model
4. Branding and Marketing

Also, I might add in the consumers mind these products are discretionary and not durable. So, Green technology is pretty low in the hierarchy of needs. That is another reason I am sitting on it. With the rising cost of everything most property owners do not see it as a necessity. The more sophisticated ones do, which seems like more than 10 properties kind of person, maybe!:confused: