Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello!

Last year, myself and a close friends started a video contest site called Next Webstar (nextwebstar.com). We received good publicity and had pretty good traffic at the start. After a few months of being in business we saw several other similar sites pop-up that offered a similar service.

Currently, the site is in a standstill until we figure out were we want the site to go. Both my partner and myself have ideas, but we have not taken the steps toward them. The mission of the current site is to help talented people get discovered with contests. We have thought about changing the model of the site and get rid of contests and have the site work more like a blog. We feel that the domain itself has value, but we are not sure of our ability to "actually" help people get discovered. We`ve also thought about looking for an investor, since both my partner and myself have been running this site as our second job. We are seeking a third person/party, possibly an investor that can contribute to the idea and help take the site to the next level. Neither of us have dealt with investors so we`ve not been to aggressive shopping the site around.

Any ideas on how to take our site to the next level? Do you think someone would invest in our idea. We currently have a working proof of concept at nextwebstar.com.

Thanks,
Doug

What was your overall intent when you started this business? You say it was to "help talented people get discovered." Okay...so?

A business plan usually incorporates a view of competition as the business becomes more visible and enters the marketplace. So what did your plan include AFTER the startup phase?

If I`m reading you right, you didn`t have a plan beyond putting up a Web site. If that`s the case, then it`s time to get serious about developing a business plan and model.

• What determines a "talented person?"
• How, and by whom will they be discovered?
• When they`re discovered, how will you, the site owners know?
• What will you make in return for this help?
• How will you bill, and how will you collect?
• What specifically will you do to help get these people discovered?
• How will you differentiate from an existing booking agency or management organization?

These are a few questions that might help start a brainstorm session as to the next level. :-)

I think the concept as it exists is just fine ... do you need to help anyone get discovered? Really its just in the entertainment category like tickle or brainfall or youtube. I say go for it as is, market the hell out of it.