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JacobTeal · Jul 26, 2011

Hey everyone, my name is Jacob Teal, and I am a 15 year old from Manchester.

You probably know that recently UK university tuition fees have sky rocketed, so I have come up with an idea to help raise funds.

The concept is that businesses buy a word from the homepage which then becomes a link to their site. To find out more, and see what's in it for you, see the About Us page at "whatarethosewordsworth.com/about.htm"

You can also see the homepage here: "whatarethosewordsworth.com"

Have a look, and let me know what you think!

Any queries, please email me at: jacob_teal(at)live(d0t)co(d0t)uk

theaffiliate · Jul 26, 2011

Oh dear, another spin off Million Dollar Homepage...

It's the exact same concept. If I was you, I'd come up with something more original.

What's the point in doing this for so little? Even if you sell all 150 words, at the current rate it won't cover you for a single year at university once the fees increase.

JohnnyCash · Jul 26, 2011

JacobTeal said:
Hey everyone, my name is Jacob Teal, and I am a 15 year old from Manchester.

You probably know that recently UK university tuition fees have sky rocketed, so I have come up with an idea to help raise funds.

The concept is that businesses buy a word from the homepage which then becomes a link to their site. To find out more, and see what's in it for you, see the About Us page at "whatarethosewordsworth.com/about.htm"

You can also see the homepage here: "whatarethosewordsworth.com"

Have a look, and let me know what you think!

Any queries, please email me at: jacob_teal(at)live(d0t)co(d0t)uk

I'm holding back what I really want to say on this sorry topic since you're only a kid and don't know better... all I will say is don't waste your time on this. If you're banking on this money to go to Uni, get down McDonalds and ask them for a part time job - this idea you have (or should I say stolen) is going nowhere fast!

Minuteman Press · Jul 26, 2011

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it!

articlejack · Jul 26, 2011

Maybe a young entrepreneur in our midst

But yes, get a part time job for now until you have a better idea

If you want to make a little money online, why not learn about Google places or something like that and offer it to local business?

All the best to you

Codefixer · Jul 26, 2011

Sadly this'll not make you enough to have made it worth while.
The Big Word Project was done a few years ago with a similar idea to yours, you can see a counter on their site of how many sales they achieved and they got some coverage in web magazines.

Might not pay for your college fees but the next idea might, keep on trying

JacobTeal · Jul 27, 2011

All of these replies seem very negative, and not to be rude but I can counter all of them.

First of all, I'm 15, and so not old enough to get a part-time job (the legal age is 16). I already run 3 paper rounds, and do gardening work in my local area, so there is not much more I could do physically when it comes to going out and earning.

Secondly, the project has already been worth my while, as I set up the website last Wednesday, and have already sold £90 worth of words. This might not seem like much to you, but for a 15 year old on summer holiday with too much spare time it couldn't get much better.

Thirdly, I know that this is not a completely original idea, and my website does say that I got the inspiration from the Million Dollar Homepage. I don't know about you but in my opinion being an entrepreneur is not only coming up with ideas, but seeing what works and going for it yourself. If every idea was original, there would be almost no businesses as there would only be one in each industry.

Finally, to the person who said that this idea was "stolen", I suggest that you read the section of the Million Dollar Homepage that says he welcomes people who create their own variation of his idea.

Once again. I do not mean to sound rude, but I refuse to sit back and let people try to put me down. I apologise to those commenters who genuinely meant well and offered "constructive" criticism, but I feel the idea works just fine thank you.

Jacob Teal

JohnnyCash · Jul 27, 2011

JacobTeal said:
Secondly, the project has already been worth my while, as I set up the website last Wednesday, and have already sold £90 worth of words.

How many of those people did you know, or have some connection to, on Tuesday?

I do think all the people telling you the idea sucks are doing you a favour. Its going absolutely nowhere, we can all see that. The quicker you realise that the quicker you can invest your time in something that actually stands a chance of making you any real money...

It's good to see you trying something, but the something you've picked is a stinker. I build a good few websites too before I made one that made any money, so don't give up when this one fails.

OldWelshGuy · Jul 27, 2011

JacobTeal said:
All of these replies seem very negative, and not to be rude but I can counter all of them.

First of all, I'm 15, and so not old enough to get a part-time job (the legal age is 16). I already run 3 paper rounds, and do gardening work in my local area, so there is not much more I could do physically when it comes to going out and earning.

Secondly, the project has already been worth my while, as I set up the website last Wednesday, and have already sold £90 worth of words. This might not seem like much to you, but for a 15 year old on summer holiday with too much spare time it couldn't get much better.

Thirdly, I know that this is not a completely original idea, and my website does say that I got the inspiration from the Million Dollar Homepage. I don't know about you but in my opinion being an entrepreneur is not only coming up with ideas, but seeing what works and going for it yourself. If every idea was original, there would be almost no businesses as there would only be one in each industry.

Finally, to the person who said that this idea was "stolen", I suggest that you read the section of the Million Dollar Homepage that says he welcomes people who create their own variation of his idea.

Once again. I do not mean to sound rude, but I refuse to sit back and let people try to put me down. I apologise to those commenters who genuinely meant well and offered "constructive" criticism, but I feel the idea works just fine thank you.

Jacob Teal

I am going to look at the bit in bold. Like you I started young. Now step back and think what you have written. You CAN get more work but YOU physically can't t do it. SO, 'sub-contract. I kid you not, I did this with my paper round and it worked well

Your word idea is Ok, but think of a different spin, aimed at a specific target market.

Oh and well done for stepping out and standing your ground in a very mature and professional way. I think you will go far in buisness.

Jul 28, 2011

JacobTeal said:
All of these replies seem very negative, and not to be rude but I can counter all of them.

First of all, I'm 15, and so not old enough to get a part-time job (the legal age is 16). I already run 3 paper rounds, and do gardening work in my local area, so there is not much more I could do physically when it comes to going out and earning.

Secondly, the project has already been worth my while, as I set up the website last Wednesday, and have already sold £90 worth of words. This might not seem like much to you, but for a 15 year old on summer holiday with too much spare time it couldn't get much better.

Thirdly, I know that this is not a completely original idea, and my website does say that I got the inspiration from the Million Dollar Homepage. I don't know about you but in my opinion being an entrepreneur is not only coming up with ideas, but seeing what works and going for it yourself. If every idea was original, there would be almost no businesses as there would only be one in each industry.

Finally, to the person who said that this idea was "stolen", I suggest that you read the section of the Million Dollar Homepage that says he welcomes people who create their own variation of his idea.

Once again. I do not mean to sound rude, but I refuse to sit back and let people try to put me down. I apologise to those commenters who genuinely meant well and offered "constructive" criticism, but I feel the idea works just fine thank you.

Jacob Teal

If you are realy 15 Jacob then very well written.

As said 90 quid is a lot to a 15 year old and maybe you will sell all your words be it to friends and family or whatever.

Its a first step,I think if I were you I would keep watching the business forums and asking questions eventually you may well crack the money earning problem.

Earl

MASSEY · Jul 28, 2011

Why is your age important to this thread Jacob? your idea sucks balls, you would be told that no matter how old you are. Infact your outburst has just proved how you need to go back to school and start learning and get some common sense.

theaffiliate · Jul 28, 2011

JacobTeal said:
First of all, I'm 15, and so not old enough to get a part-time job (the legal age is 16). I already run 3 paper rounds, and do gardening work in my local area, so there is not much more I could do physically when it comes to going out and earning.

Do your research, you could have got a part time job when you were 14 (or even at 13, but there are more restrictions for that). And, if you want to throw the silly buzz-word 'entrepreneur' into your reply as you did (not in the quote above), then you should never think that you can't be doing any more. There is ALWAYS more you can do.

As others have said, well written for a 15 year old but it's totally irrelevant how old you are. Business is business, and if your idea sucks then I'm afraid it will however old you are. None of that is meant to sound harsh, it's all true.

Also, I assume you're registered with HMRC? If not, get it done and be responsible for your earnings.

JacobTeal · Jul 28, 2011

To all the people who have said that my age is not important to the business idea, of course I know this, and if you look properly you will see that I stated my age in response to someone saying that I should get a job at McDonalds. I was merely pointing out that this is impossible, as the minimum legal age for this and many other part-time jobs is 16.

Thank you to all those of you who have offered advice, but I will be continuing with this idea. Two of the words I have sold were to people I knew before I started the site, and these were to cover the cost of hosting and domain registration. The other purchases I have secured by directly emailing business using their websites and the Yellow Pages.

Finally "MASSEY", you do not make a strong case for yourself when you imply that I am immature whilst using phrases like "sucks balls" in your post. I think it is you that should go back to school and learn some vocabulary.

I am not purposefully creating an argument, but I think some of these comments are a little overly negative.

The Boy Holty · Jul 28, 2011

Go for it mate and don't let the negativity put you off. You clearly have a lot of drive and ambition and even if your current idea doesn't pay off, you won't have lost much but you will have gained some good experience.

Ask yourself what people like Alan Sugar or Richard Branson would have done at age fifteen. They'd have listened to the advice but then trusted their own instincts, and look at them now.

Paul Kelly ICHYB · Jul 28, 2011

"UK university tuition fees have sky rocketed"

They have, but don't you pay for them after you leave Uni, when you get a reasonably paying job?

The Boy Holty · Jul 28, 2011

I really can't see why this lad's takking such a hammering about this. Even if the idea falls flat on its face (which it isn't doing as its already paid for itself and is making him money), then he's only lost the cost of setting up a small website.

My only negatives are about the look of the site itself. It looks cheap. I think sites with a plain coloured background look terrible and this one is no different. I quite like the idea of the Wordsworth theme, but that obviously limits you to the amount of sponsorship you're going to get. I worked out that you're looking at a maximum of about £3000 which won't get you through university, though it might pay for your beer in the first year.

Having said that, if it is successful then you can always extend it to be more like the million dollar home page in terms of format. There's nothing wrong with repeating the successes of others as long as you do it well and don't infringe on any copyright or plagarise anyone's work. The internet's full of people copying other's work anyway.

I've bought a word for a tenner out of idle curiosity, and I wish you the best of luck. To hell with these naysayers!

JacobTeal · Jul 28, 2011

Thank you very much "The Boy Holty". I'm glad that someone sees this in the way I do. As you said the project has already paid for itself so going forward I only stand to gain.

When designing the website I tried to go for a "homemade" look, as I thought that if it was too over-developed the focus would be taken away from the simple idea. I wrote the entire website purely in HTML and CSS, without using a template or advanced web design software. Also, I thought that if it looked too well made no-one would believe that I am actually 15.

Yes you're right the maximum I could make is around £3000, but I have a few years yet before Uni, and plenty of time to start and finish other projects. I already have ideas for another website and a blog in mind.

Thank you for buying a link, and for your positivity in this thread.

SEO Lady · Jul 28, 2011

Jacob,

I wish I could express myself in the written word that well when I was 15.

I'm 40 now and still having trouble

Why not try your hand at Adsense with a small website and promote it?

JacobTeal · Jul 28, 2011

Thank you "1WeekSEO". I have always been able to express myself well in words, I guess it just comes to me naturally

And yes that was the idea behind the website I mentioned in my last post, to make money through Google Adsense and other programs such as Chikita.

Thank you for your positivity.

Curious · Jul 28, 2011

Have you looked at affiliate marketing Jacob? I'm with the group that says that what you've done is great for a 15 year old but it isn't going to gain traction or make you a lot of money it's out outdated model and idea. Why not spend your time making a little network of affiliate sites, you'll learn loads whilst making the sites about what works and what doesn't and if you create some sites that work you've got yourself a nice little passive income to fund your learning and playing on the net?

Props on learning html and css to write the site though thats a great start, you're already ahead of online marketers who can't use them (you'll be amazed how often you need to mod a template or page).

marketingquotes · Jul 28, 2011

All I can say is I am impressed Jacob; like others with your outlook and ways of expression, but also your tenacity.

Indeed there are some harsh responses, but looking at Dragons Den, they can be harsh also. Sometimes it is a case of taking your idea (which is a good one) and tweaking it to something that will work better.

Advice from most of these guys is that this idea will not work, take this on board and move on - but I am sure you will be successful based on your attitude.

Regards,

Marketing Quotes Support

rishisab · Jul 28, 2011

You are right, you need more than just an idea to make it big online..

But try to induce something unique in it.. may be add a few more features to it, which would make it impressive and better than the original..

My point is.. why going for the original, when you can beat it..

And all these guys are here to help you. Just take some time out to induce new features in it, think about it.

Good luck

JacobTeal · Jul 28, 2011

"Curious", I have done a little bit of affiliate marketing on my blog "teenfictioncentre.blogspot.com" but I never really put much weight behind it. I have considered creating a few websites devoted to it, and that may be one of my next projects. Thank you for the advice!

And "marketingquotes", thank you for your kind words. I'm glad my fierceness in defending my project wasn't misconstrued as stubbornness or immaturity.

"rishisab", I agree with what you are saying, but the thing is I am really not trying to "make it big" with this project. This is my first proper online money-making idea, and in my opinion it is already going excellently. However I appreciate your advice and will think about other features that I could add. Finally, it did not seem like some of the people who have replied to this thread were trying to help, with some people only offering negativity. I thank you for your constructive advice.

aidan1980 · Jul 28, 2011

really hate seeing all the negative crap on here. his idea might not work, so what, he's having a go so fair plays. keep churning out the ideas, keep learning and you never know, this time next year Rodney........

JohnnyCash · Jul 28, 2011

thebookiesoffers said:
really hate seeing all the negative crap on here. his idea might not work, so what, he's having a go so fair plays. keep churning out the ideas, keep learning and you never know, this time next year Rodney........

Well if everyone just says "great idea" its not really any help to the OP...

People might not like to see a "your idea sucks balls" post but imo its been the most sensible one so far.

Lets be honest, if he put in the post he was 42 years old and wanted to build this site he'd be getting ripped to shreds by dozens of people in an 8 page long thread so far.

trebor8 · Jul 28, 2011

JacobTeal

Don't get too bogged down by the negativity, in business you need to learn to take the knocks, keep on thinking (and positively), take on-board OWG advice, see if you can come up with a different slant to it.

Maybe, team up with a young website designer and start your own site/forum geared towards aspiring like minded young people, - could be a springboard to greater things

Scott-Copywriter · Jul 28, 2011

Well, being honest, it isn't going to work in any meaningful way. The Million Dollar Home Page only received so much media attention because it was the very first one. There is no way to replicate that, no matter how many different gimmicks people try out.

However, you're only 15, and it's difficult to find productive things to do at that age during the summer holidays, so I say go for it. Why not? It's something to play around with and it will help you learn more about web development and marketing. Plus, £90 is a lot of money for a 15 year old, so it's a decent chunk of pocket money which you can use to enjoy the summer.

JohnnyCash said:
Lets be honest, if he put in the post he was 42 years old and wanted to build this site he'd be getting ripped to shreds by dozens of people in an 8 page long thread so far.

Yes, but you have to be subjective. A 42 year old man should be making an income to live independently and support any family he has. This idea would therefore be utterly pointless. However, he's only 15, and it's a little project to occupy himself with during the summer which will teach some important lessons about business. There's no harm whatsoever.

Jul 28, 2011

JacobTeal said:
And "marketingquotes", thank you for your kind words. I'm glad my fierceness in defending my project wasn't misconstrued as stubbornness or immaturity.

Jacob may help if you explain on the site that one has to hover to see the links.

Next project should be The Karma sutra.

Earl

JohnnyCash · Jul 28, 2011

Scott-CopyandDesign said:
However, he's only 15, and it's a little project to occupy himself with during the summer which will teach some important lessons about business. There's no harm whatsoever.

Sure, there is no harm in it. I just think there would be better lessons to be learned about business if the project that was attempted had a legitimate chance of succeeding on its own... what can you really learn from something when your only customers are people who you knew already, people who felt sorry for you, or people who are basically donating you money rather than buying a product service they want?

What is being attempted here is no more than an online begging bowl or going and asking your uncle for a fiver... its not a legit business attempt.

I don't think an idea is likely to get far either when you're treating your market like they have the intelligence of a toddler... I'd stay and explain more but I need to "go and make history" by being the first Scottish person to eat a 12 inch Subway with no mayo on the 28th of July in Prague...

Scott-Copywriter · Jul 28, 2011

JohnnyCash said:
Sure, there is no harm in it. I just think there would be better lessons to be learned about business if the project that was attempted had a legitimate chance of succeeding on its own... what can you really learn from something when your only customers are people who you knew already, people who felt sorry for you, or people who are basically donating you money rather than buying a product service they want?

What is being attempted here is no more than an online begging bowl or going and asking your uncle for a fiver... its not a legit business attempt.

I don't think an idea is likely to get far either when you're treating your market like they have the intelligence of a toddler... I'd stay and explain more but I need to "go and make history" by being the first Scottish person to eat a 12 inch Subway with no mayo on the 28th of July in Prague...

Some things can be said over and over again to people, but they don't truly sink in until they experience it themselves.

A business project for a young person, whether it's destined for success or not, provides some valuable lessons. If someone starts up a business which fails, then they have learned what they shouldn't do, which is often as important as knowing what works.

JacobTeal · Jul 28, 2011

This will be my last post in this thread; as much as I have enjoyed the discussion, I am no longer gaining anything from it.

Before I go I'd like to say thank you to the people who originally posted the negative comments, as without you the thread probably wouldn't have got any attention, and I wouldn't have managed to do what I came to do and sell a link (thank you to The Boy Holty for buying one!)

I guess it's true what they say, "all publicity is good publicity"!

Thank you and goodnight

JohnnyCash · Jul 28, 2011

The Boy Holty has already shown he doesn't have a clue what he's doing with his seo posts today... one fool sold something to another so if you're happy with that as a success, thats cool

All the time spent here and you've sold one link - if you get any better at this you might even be earning the equivelant of minimum wage...

JacobTeal · Jul 28, 2011

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to go back on what I said just to reply to that.

I've spent at the very most 20 minutes on here today, and the word was sold for £10. You have a very twisted idea of things if you think that minimum wage is £30 an hour.

And also, what grounds do you have to call me a fool?

JohnnyCash · Jul 28, 2011

JacobTeal said:
And also, what grounds do you have to call me a fool?

Because you've got an inflated view of self worth with this turd of a project. You are prancing around like you've invented the next Facebook... when in reality all you've done is ripped off a 10 year old idea. You're also treating your potential customers like they're brain dead.

Like I said, the only thing that saved everyone apart from me and Massey from telling you truth from the opening post, is the fact that you're a child.

JacobTeal · Jul 28, 2011

I'm sorry if it seemed that way.

Forgive me for being pleased with a project that has earned me £100 in the first week of my summer holiday.

This is my last post.

trebor8 · Jul 28, 2011

Good luck!!

aidan1980 · Jul 28, 2011

JacobTeal said:
I'm sorry if it seemed that way.

Forgive me for being pleased with a project that has earned me £100 in the first week of my summer holiday.

This is my last post.

dont listen mate, keep trying your things. whatever you do someone will always try and knock you. like oldwelshguy always says, the hardest pound to earn is your first one and you've done that!
if you have the desire and drive to try things mate keep going, like i said in my other post just keep learning and you can go far if you want to.

MASSEY · Jul 29, 2011

Yes that's it everybody encourage the lad to play around on his play thing rather than revise for his exams after the holidays .

I do hope Jacob does not seriously think that his effort put into this project was in anyway worthwhile (other than family and one internet stranger feeling sorry for him), or would earn money in the "real world". If i was to of explained such a "project" to my parents they would of just given me some money and told me to shut up.

Because there is encouragement and then there is false hope.

cmcp · Jul 29, 2011

Jacob, don't like your idea but admire your patience and determination.

If you can apply that enthusiasm to all that you do in life you'll go far. Especially the patience.

If you've learned one thing from this thread, it's that some people are just born \/\/ankers.

All the best, enjoy your holiday!

MASSEY · Jul 29, 2011

cmcp said:
If you've learned one thing from this thread, it's that some people are just born \/\/ankers.

Now you're being a bit hard on yourself there, you have your moments but you mean well.

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