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Good or bad biz idea? Tell me the truth.

 
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shayla2004

posts: 50

Jul 22, 2007 12:20 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Revamp your community relations presence

I want to bridge the gap between organizations and education. Students need money for college, and organizations need a stronger community relations presence. I want to help organizations develop scholarship programs and market them to their communities.

For example, I am teaching a scholarship workshop in August to 200 high school students. It would be nice to give the students actual scholarships to apply for. Organizations could be connected to those students, their parents, and the Foundation I am working with.

Also, is this a good or bad biz idea?

Thanks!

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S. Price
info@iambuzzworthy.com
http://iambuzzworthy.com
Every Business Deserves Attention!
stonesledge

posts: 1093

Jul 22, 2007 2:44 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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It is a positive idea. Do you have a plan? Conections to companies who will sponsor or match dollars? For profit? Non Profit? Any idea can be interesting and good but you have to fill a need, have a business model to implement it, support and proper cash flow to manage and grow it. If this is something YOU are passionate about, then start planning.

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals
shayla2004

posts: 50

Jul 22, 2007 5:02 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Thanks. I will plan and then pursue.



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S. Price
info@iambuzzworthy.com
http://iambuzzworthy.com
Every Business Deserves Attention!
CraigL

posts: 9051

Jul 23, 2007 2:17 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I just heard a public service commercial for the Illinois scholarship something or other. They have a coordinated system whereby students can find scholarships. Are you competing with something like this? How is your idea different? What in particular are you offering, and how will you make money doing it?
shayla2004

posts: 50

Jul 23, 2007 8:00 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I think everyone has the wrong idea of what I`m exactly doing. So, let me explain.

I will be charging businesses a consulting fee to help them with building a philanthropic PR campaign. The campaign will be centered on developing a scholarship program and marketing it to the the community. Businesses are always looking for ways to market their products without marketing their products. By developing scholarship program, businesses build community relations and draw attention to their businesses.

My target is mainly small businesses or businesses with bad community relations due to some scandal. With college costs rising, I feel scholarships would be a great way to show the community you care and introduce your products/services.

In addition, I want to charge businesses advertising fees when I speak to high school students (which may be their target audience). For instance, I am speaking to 200 students in less than 2 weeks. A business could have their logo displayed or product samples available.

I have experience in the scholarship arena and feel confident enough with the marketing/PR side. Check me out at: www.careervoices.com

Thanks!


-------------------------

S. Price
info@iambuzzworthy.com
http://iambuzzworthy.com
Every Business Deserves Attention!
stonesledge

posts: 1093

Jul 23, 2007 10:32 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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That explains it better. You seem to have a real grasp on what you are doing. I think it is a smart idea , that you can do well with. Like a matchmaker for business charity and advertising revenue to boot! I like it!

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals
CraigL

posts: 9051

Jul 23, 2007 4:24 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Ah Hah! Well that`s a fish of a different color! :-D

This sounds like a really good idea! Do you have some sort of background or experience related to building scholarship programs?

I think you`d want to start by setting some parameters: Build a "profile" of your typical (or optimal) client company. How much are their annual revenues, how many employees do they have, what`s their product, and what`s their future look like.

When you have a profile, you`ll better be able to differentiate those corporations who *might* have an interest in building a scholarship program. (Remember, you`re also competing against their desire to simply build an intern program.)

Secondly, I think you`ll need to develop a "benefits" oriented sales approach. Why should a corporation "bother" to set up a scholarship?

One reason I can think of is the increasing inability of those corporations to find skilled people leaving the school system.

To answer the question, I think it`s a great idea! It`ll be a huge project, but if you can manage the details, I think you`ll have a business that could grow to a national organization.
CraigL2007-7-23 16:25:35
shayla2004

posts: 50

Jul 23, 2007 8:08 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Thank you so much for this great advice!

Do you know any companies who may be interested?

Thanks again!


-------------------------

S. Price
info@iambuzzworthy.com
http://iambuzzworthy.com
Every Business Deserves Attention!
stonesledge

posts: 1093

Jul 23, 2007 9:23 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I met someone here at sun. He has a company that helps kids get financing for school. I set him up with a marketing whiz named Linda, who also works for me. She is great. I think though that this gentleman would love to bounce off clients with you. He is super nice and down to earth, he is in Ohio. If you are interested i would be willing to set up an introduction via email. let me know, i think you could benefit from eachother. You are going for the same goal but in different ways. Pm me, if you would like me to set you up with him.

 

Erin



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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals
jwatkins

posts: 145

Jul 24, 2007 1:31 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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This is a fantastic idea. If I were a business owner and you approached me to fund a scholarship, what is the "me" factor? How will I benefit besides feeling good about myself? Answer that question and you have a winner!

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Get Out of Debt
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