Business Idea

[Senington]

I am possibly going to set up a businesss that is subscription based, mainly targeted at men.

Have you ever forgot your girlfriend or wife's birthday or your anniversary date? Do you always struggle on what to buy them? Do you just not have the time? Are there other important dates that you need to remember?

My service will offer the answer to those problems. It will be a subscription based service, that you can enter dates and details of particular dates that you need to remember.

For example, an anniversary for your wife on 22/3. 2 weeks before this date, you will get an email reminding you, 1 week before the date you will receive a text message, 3 days before this date you will receive a phone call if you have not already replied to the previous methods.

In the correspondence, I will be offering gift and card services.

Any ideas or thoughts?
Constructive criticism please.

 

[DevelopingPotentialUK]

Good idea....my thoughts would be to make it cheap...I don't know what the price point for this could max out as realistically, but I don't think it would be much - perhaps £1.00 for up to and every ten reminders?

 

[cjd]

By constructive I assume you mean useful, not just tell me what I want to hear.

So, it's a waste of time and money, sorry - it's been attempted many times before and any decent calendar software does the emailing/reminder bit for free.

 

[eutrans]

I am possibly going to set up a businesss that is subscription based, mainly targeted at men.

Have you ever forgot your girlfriend or wife's birthday or your anniversary date? Do you always struggle on what to buy them? Do you just not have the time? Are there other important dates that you need to remember?

My service will offer the answer to those problems. It will be a subscription based service, that you can enter dates and details of particular dates that you need to remember.

For example, an anniversary for your wife on 22/3. 2 weeks before this date, you will get an email reminding you, 1 week before the date you will receive a text message, 3 days before this date you will receive a phone call if you have not already replied to the previous methods.

In the correspondence, I will be offering gift and card services.

Any ideas or thoughts?
Constructive criticism please.

I think somebody overcome this problem a few years ago with a bit more of a primitive invention or 2.

Commonly known as a diary or a calender.

 

[Graemem]

Anyone who would go to the trouble of finding you then entering all of their dates would probably just find/create a calendar first.

I'm not sure if Moonpig does it, but they could easily take orders from a year ago and send out reminders to buy another present, any card/gift site could - I don't think it would work...

You could perhaps make a Facebook app that would take the birthdays of your friends, or your family/relationship (which it will know) and remind you in advance by email/Facebook message or something. Facebook only really alerts you on the day/day before, so it might work there.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

Have you ever forgot your girlfriend or wife's birthday NO
or your anniversary date? NO
Do you always struggle on what to buy them? NO
Do you just not have the time? NO
Are there other important dates that you need to remember? NO/quote]

I don't have a problem remembering dates, I get enough reminders from the missus. I never have a problem buying her something either. I usually just go into a place, tell the young girl working there to pick out something she would like and pay for it and leave.

Not very romantic I know but I've had no complaints.

 

[Senington]

I think somebody overcome this problem a few years ago with a bit more of a primitive invention or 2.

Commonly known as a diary or a calender.

Like I said. Constructive criticism please.

Thanks for the input everyone so far.

Does anyone know of any examples of it being done before?

Pricing at £1 for 10 notifications sounds very little, obviously I need to do some more research, but I was thinking £10 a year for 5 dates. And a premium level account that would include cards sent automatically to whoever has a birthday/event etc.

 

[MikeJ]

http://mashable.com/2007/11/04/30-reminder-services/

There's 30 of them.

 

[blackout]

I use google calendar

 

[peetles]

i dont think men could be bothered with that sort of thing. i know i couldnt. keep blasting out the ideas though mehewd

 

[arcon5]

Have you ever forgot your girlfriend or wife's birthday or your anniversary date? Last time I had a birthday card arrive to a family member on time.. well, I can't remember. Girlfriend doens't let me.
Do you always struggle on what to buy them? Yes
Do you just not have the time? Working everyday combined with constantly forgetting
Are there other important dates that you need to remember? No

Personally I think if you can get the pricing structure right and some USPs its an excellent idea!

I'm thinking something like this:
- Sends you a text a week before and charged you for the text. You can also select how much time to notify you before the event.
- You enter some basic bits of info about each event and can have a birthday card for example selected and automatically sent out.
- Gift ideas sent to your inbox 10 day then 7 days before with a 'quick buy' option and have it sent to them gift wrapped automatically.


But I wouldn't subscribe and pay monthly or anything silly.

Payment wise maybe you can setit up so the customer texts your system confirmation and is charged like that (premium number). Or, I hate to say it... paypal... simply because you don't need to enter all your CC details, making it quicker and easier.


If you can get the gift card selection and small gifts to select right then it could be good.


The only problem is the marketing. THere is probably something out there similar, but I won't waste my time searching for something to see if its what i'm looking for so be in the consumers face. It has to be easy, quick, simple because its not something you want to waste hours sorting out.
Maybe some offline software that connects to your web server?

 

[michaelmc]

Like above don't see this generating huge turnover if I was you I would make it free try to make money by tying in with retailers similar to affiliate marketing to get commission on click throughs by suggesting perfume, flowers, etc

 

[Gavin Jones]

Hi there, as the other posts have already touched upon the problems you may have if going ahead with the development of this idea; I would offer an alternative approach to this if possible. Whilst there are plenty of reminder apps, and indeed the good old fashioned diary - how about a service that offers an action to be available in time for that date along with an automated delivery process.

For example; let's say I have programmed in a range of important calendar dates including birthday, anniversaries, christenings etc, wouldn't it be handy to be able to, in January, set up cards and/or presents to be sent out automatically on those dates in the year, ensuring that you would not be able to forget those events no matter how busy you happen to be.

Essentially it would be integrating a subscription based service which diarises important events and integrates it with a moonpig.com/amazon.com style shop for cards and presents. Of course, it would need to send you a reminder before the event anyway to ensure that the card/present you chose all those months ago is still relevant, but that would take you no more than a glance to the inbox and you know that the crayon set for your young niece will be on its way in time for her birthday without any additional input from you.

All the best for your ideas,

Gavin Jones

 

[oldeagleeye]

At the cheap end of the market. You can set a reminder on any mobile phone these days. Gmail has a lot of diary features and again is free. Best and most common solution. A good secretary.

Anything else in between is a no-brainer for the simple reason that you would have to spend far more on promoting the web site than you would ever get in income

 

[arcon5]

Maybe integrate some way with a gift company and card company like moonpig?

So bringing many services in one (reminders, sending of cards, buying gifts). Make the service free and make commission on sales? Or add your own lines and use it as a method of ecommerce.

 

[Senington]

http://mashable.com/2007/11/04/30-reminder-services/

There's 30 of them.

Thank you for that list, I'm going through them now to see if I can offer anything that they don't

Any other advice and criticism welcome!

 

[Esk247]

why would i want reminding about our anniversary? when the missus asks where her present is..hint hint..nudge nudge..i just stare at her blankly for a few minutes until she gives up on waiting and gets back to making tea. Win Win.

I think it has been done quite a lot before. You could do something similar but you'd have to put a lot more in to advertising it than a normal business that produces a product as service based businesses can be harder to sell unless people REALLY need the service you are selling.

 

[Senington]

have made a working prototype with a free website builder for now to test it.
http://www.freewebstore.org/Date-Reminder/
Obviously it is a work in progress, but I would love to hear more comments and feedback.

 

[Consistency]

I think there is far too much emphasis on birthdays. There is so much upset at this time of the year for people on this "special day". It would be better if the day be not celebrated. There is much offence when someone forgets and it really need not be like this.

If I want to get someone something or say something nice, then I do so and it means so much more because it is not expected, it is conditional on me wanting to get something when I think of them rather than the dictation of a date.

As a business idea though, I think you might have an idea there. It can perhaps avoid a few marriage problems as one can still forget when their mind is full of other things.

 

[patientlady]

The service would have to be free and just hope that they purchase the pressies/gifts that you have on offer. My IPhone will do all you suggest and more.
I am sure this has been done as seen on TV. Sorry i cannot think of the co. who tried it.
I thought of this myself some years ago in the days of filofax pre net, but never bothered as I felt I would not reach enough people to make any good money. The same goes for today really unless you have plenty of money to promote the web site...

 

[seanheather]

I am possibly going to set up a businesss that is subscription based, mainly targeted at men.

Have you ever forgot your girlfriend or wife's birthday or your anniversary date? Do you always struggle on what to buy them? Do you just not have the time? Are there other important dates that you need to remember?

My service will offer the answer to those problems. It will be a subscription based service, that you can enter dates and details of particular dates that you need to remember.

For example, an anniversary for your wife on 22/3. 2 weeks before this date, you will get an email reminding you, 1 week before the date you will receive a text message, 3 days before this date you will receive a phone call if you have not already replied to the previous methods.

In the correspondence, I will be offering gift and card services.

Any ideas or thoughts?
Constructive criticism please.

I have this neat little app on my iPhone called ''tell me later'' and it does exactly that. I put in what i need reminding on, set the time and a date and I get a notification, it can be recurring as well if i want it to be. All this for just a one off cost of 59p.

Most people have smart phones now and I am sure something similar is available on all platforms at minimal costs. I hate to put a downer on it, but why would I subscribe to your website, even for £1 a month when for 59p one off i can get this app, which is with me all day everday making it a hell of a lot more precise in terms of being reminded about stuff.

Just a thought.

 

[oldeagleeye]

I have this neat little app on my iPhone called ''tell me later'' and it does exactly that. I put in what i need reminding on, set the time and a date and I get a notification, it can be recurring as well if i want it to be. All this for just a one off cost of 59p.

Most people have smart phones now and I am sure something similar is available on all platforms at minimal costs. I hate to put a downer on it, but why would I subscribe to your website, even for £1 a month when for 59p one off i can get this app, which is with me all day everday making it a hell of a lot more precise in terms of being reminded about stuff.

Just a thought.

I bought a pretty cheap smartphone from Tesco about a year ago and my 10 year old grand-daughter had a whale of a time one Sun morning entering all the family birthday and other important dates and each ones has a cute avatar which pops up a week before - then 3 days until cancelled.

Gmail offering a similar facility and can even seen an E-Card which is becoming increasing popular and now accounts for aover 60% of all birthday cards.

You really should do your research OP. You 5 years min too late. You have no USPs and your web site will be lost in cyberspace.

In short your wasting your time. In fact you would have more chance of selling 10p light bulbs to the MOD for £22. each that making a penny on this.

Whoops. Your 10 years behind the times on that one. The shilte just hit the fan on that one.

Rob

 

[blackout]

have made a working prototype with a free website builder for now to test it.
freewebstore org/Date-Reminder
Obviously it is a work in progress, but I would love to hear more comments and feedback.

how do freewebstore make their money ? do they take a cut off all the paypal payments, etc ?

 

[Senington]

That seems to be the only problem, I have a working prototype, but its a free website at the moment. Prices seem high just to test the water. Hoping to make a few sales, then I'll set up a proper website with paid hosting and a paid domain.

 

[oldeagleeye]

A £15 quid a year hosted web site TOO much to test the water.

Methinks that you don't exactly have a reputation with your mates for being the first up to the bar.

Seriously. As a business model this idea wouldn't even compete with smoke signals it is so outdated. It has no USPs in a world of business that demands them.

As cheap as chips as it is there are far better options out there - many of which are free. Others offer incredible value.

I mentioned before the best solution of all of course is the Private Secretary or P.A. That is usually a full time post and costs a lot of money.

What I didn't say however is that there are 1,000s of Virtual P.As. Their charge just £1 quid a phone call.

As I said before OP. Your little freebie web site lost in cyberspace wouldn't earn didly squate.

I suggest you ask Spock to open up another channel to a more viable business proposition if I were you OP.

A social networking sites for Gaddafi's friends perhaps. Certainly be more profitable than looking for students that want a reminder to send Clegg a birthday card.

 

[Senington]

I bought a pretty cheap smartphone from Tesco about a year ago and my 10 year old grand-daughter had a whale of a time one Sun morning entering all the family birthday and other important dates and each ones has a cute avatar which pops up a week before - then 3 days until cancelled.

Gmail offering a similar facility and can even seen an E-Card which is becoming increasing popular and now accounts for aover 60% of all birthday cards.

You really should do your research OP. You 5 years min too late. You have no USPs and your web site will be lost in cyberspace.

In short your wasting your time. In fact you would have more chance of selling 10p light bulbs to the MOD for £22. each that making a penny on this.

Whoops. Your 10 years behind the times on that one. The shilte just hit the fan on that one.

Rob

A £15 quid a year hosted web site TOO much to test the water.

Methinks that you don't exactly have a reputation with your mates for being the first up to the bar.

Seriously. As a business model this idea wouldn't even compete with smoke signals it is so outdated. It has no USPs in a world of business that demands them.

As cheap as chips as it is there are far better options out there - many of which are free. Others offer incredible value.

I mentioned before the best solution of all of course is the Private Secretary or P.A. That is usually a full time post and costs a lot of money.

What I didn't say however is that there are 1,000s of Virtual P.As. Their charge just £1 quid a phone call.

As I said before OP. Your little freebie web site lost in cyberspace wouldn't earn didly squate.

I suggest you ask Spock to open up another channel to a more viable business proposition if I were you OP.

A social networking sites for Gaddafi's friends perhaps. Certainly be more profitable than looking for students that want a reminder to send Clegg a birthday card.

Thank you for the entertaining comments!

I honestly could not find the mass of reminder services that offered what I could offer. But thank you guys for finding them for me. Saved me a lot of time and trouble!

 

[bulb]

Besides, many people don't even celebrate their birthday any more...

Therefore, I think you need an even more original idea

 

[Mike W]

I know a reminder service is old hat, as has been pointed out by so many here, but I'd disagree on the 'no usp'.

All the services available are primarily email or pop-up prompts. What the OP was suggesting was email, text then call. The latter, in itself, quite novel.

The thing that could bring a strong usp, however, is the integration of the a gift acquiring service. ie. Don't just remind them of the date but prompt them each time to buy, making it simple and easy to do so via your service.

I'd go further.... encourage them with each reminder to do something special, like taking her out to a restaurant/hotel ....but you do the booking! You could suggest places and bookings could be made via your facility.

All that and you now have a niche in the marketplace and a strong USP.

Make it free to join and make your money through purchases/bookings etc.

Just a few thoughts...

 

Your key problem will be the price point. As many have pointed out at the bottom level you are competing with various diary applicationns, Moonpig etc and at a higher level there are many concierge services often offered for free in premier products such as gold cards, club membership etc.

You need to find a mid-market USP to make this worthwhile.

 

[seo888]

Hi Op,

I would not let the negative responses put you off setting up your own business. However, I would use the feedback you get and take it away and use that information to tweak your idea.

Internet is only going to get bigger and collecting people's data can be very valuable to some people. I would definitely let people subscribe for free to whatever you are selling then make the money when they buy through affiliation or Google Adsense like someone mentioned earlier. If you have the finances then you also set up a delivery service of gifts but it would be a lot more work.

Build yourself a website, I would recommend learning SEO as well so you come high in search engines for your area.

Do NOT let anyone put you off doing your own business but make sure it is well planned and profitable by doing your homework with preferably low risk. Keep working on your idea but tweak it to get it right. Make a business plan to project earnings, expenses etc and your goals.

 

[WeeJack]

Make it a free app and then monetize your resulting list mate.

Best of luck - I'd have it on my phone.

Cheers

Pat

 

[aimiez_30]

Its a good idea. Just make the price competitive so that you will not left behind.

 

[bossagain]

Its really a good idea to start such a service. You can also give them new ideas about how to organise a birthday party or any occasional party. It will be of great use for many people.

 

[jimmy0911]

is it me or is it strange how alot of 'NEW' members are saying what a great idea this is, when it is clearly 10 years behind times...

 

[patientlady]

is it me or is it strange how alot of 'NEW' members are saying what a great idea this is, when it is clearly 10 years behind times...

not everyone