I need help with an idea!

**Nylivinglarge** · 08-26-2007 06:56 AM

Hi,
This forum helped encourage me to come up with an idea. However, the thing is I need help expanding the idea. You see, I am 17 years old at the moment. I graduated from high school and will be attending a college this fall. I remember someone on this forum said something about finding a problem and come up with a solution for it...so I thought...

I just went through college application process recently last year. I was lucky and got into my first choice of school due to the fact that I prepared myself for it ever since I was a freshmen in high school. Now, the problem occurred when I realized that most of my friends and classmates have no idea about how college applications work. I ended helping most of them get into their top choices of school in the last minute. It was like a tutoring job. Then it hit me that I can make some kind of business out of this because there are so many kids out there who are desperate but lack resources.

But until today, I didn't have the courage to make anything happen. I just printed five fliers out and I'm planning to post them somewhere. My goal is to help guide other clueless students through their college application process. My hour rate that says on the poster is "ONE DOLLAR or FREE if you cannot afford it." (I swear I really put that on) It probably sounds stupid since I should be trying to earn money rather than doing it for free. However, I want to help people first before thinking of gaining money from them...I don't know how to explain it explicitly. My target audience is of course high school students and their parents. I am confident in my ability to get other students to get into colleges they want to get into.

I may be young, but don't let my age fool you. I really want this idea to become something greater. Writing an e-book and creating a website often cross my mind. I just lack the knowledge and the time to make it work. So...any ideas? What I need is a mentor...or mentors! If something good can happen, I'll make sure you guys get something from it. Sorry for this long post. Any suggestion or criticism would be really appreciated.

Thank you.

**schumi** · 08-26-2007 09:25 AM

yes,you seem to be a youngster with ambition from you said,but for most of website is free
at the beginning,so i have to think over that for your plan......

**criniit** · 08-26-2007 10:57 AM

Hey man,

That is a great idea! I have never heard of anyone providing this service, congrats you found your niche

I would be glad to help you market or give adivce or whatever you need. Shoot me an email at stevie.brodsky@gmail.com

Have a good one.

**Viraj** · 08-26-2007 12:09 PM

I can't really comment on the idea but I wouldn't set your rates so low.

If you're really determined to help people succeed and you know that you can do a really good job, charge accordingly.

$1/hr is nothing! You need to give value to yourself, even if it's still early days. Now, I'm not saying to charge exorbitantly, but $1 is way too low if you ask me.

Good luck!

**LGSShaun** · 08-26-2007 05:56 PM

I think that's a great idea and no one is too young to start their own business. Also, while some, like the person above me, may say you price is too low, I think it's a great marketing tool for you to bring in customers and get started in your business. Once you start to get a following you can raise your prices. Here are just a few ideas off the top of my head.........

1. I think your flier idea around the school is a great idea. You might also talk to some high school counselors such as your last one and see if you can team with them in helping their students with applications.

2. A website would definitely be great. Have a tips section with common tips and tricks on filling out the applications. You could even do tutorial videos online.

3. If you have a little working capital, put in a little money to sponsor senior proms so you can get a little brand recognition going.

4. For your first advertisement, come post on my site under the Forney ISD and business sections. ..... http://www.forneyandbeyond.com/forum/index.php I'm WFShaun on there so if you have any questions just let me know.

**Finandom** · 08-26-2007 06:21 PM

I just feel like you are thinking too much. Since you want to sell your know how in ebook format, why not sit down and really write the book out? Since you are the one who know the application process clearly, I think you don't need any mentor to help you write the book out. Just open your word processing software, sit down and type. Once you finish, then only look for the marketing mentor who can teach and guide you to market your book.

Don't stop taking action because you don't have a mentor. It really takes time to search one. So at this moment, just do whatever you can do and know how to do - write down your know how in a book.

**Nylivinglarge** · 08-27-2007 12:31 PM

Thanks for those people who gave me great advices! Right now I'm still printing the fliers out. About how much money would it cost me to advertise a website? Do you think it's better to get a free website for now? I'm really excited to get this going but I know it will take a lot of time.

Regarding the price, I'm really bad at pricing. I don't want it to be too high that I can't compete with other people who are doing the same thing. Then again, if it's too low and I end up losing profit, I have no point of starting a business. I guess right now I'll be on a promotion mode to drive customers in. After that, maybe my customers will recommend me to other people that they know.

It'll take a while for me to start putting up my fliers around the community. I'm also using criagslist. The thing is, on craigslist it says $15 per hour but I also said that the first day is free. Should I change it now? The point is I'm trying to try advertise on craigslist with higher price and see what kind of reaction I would get. What do you think?

**jasaunders** · 08-27-2007 01:00 PM

This business has existed for many many years. There are already a large number of college consultants. Maybe not where you are located, or maybe you just aren't familiar with them, but this is already a very large industry. Often times, private college consultants are current or former college counselors from high schools.

**criniit** · 08-27-2007 03:43 PM

Hey i sent you an email back with some marketing strategies for you.

**Nylivinglarge** · 08-27-2007 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by jasaunders

This business has existed for many many years. There are already a large number of college consultants. Maybe not where you are located, or maybe you just aren't familiar with them, but this is already a very large industry. Often times, private college consultants are current or former college counselors from high schools.

Hey, thanks for bringing that up. I am well aware at the fact that there are many college consultants and that the industry is quite big. But for many public schools, students do not get full attention the way that they should from college counselors. Being around a professionals, students often feel intimidated. I want it to become a place where it is accessible for everyone in every class. Rich kids and smart kids who know how to get ahead of other students have the money to hire professionals. I want to do this for kids who do not have enough money for such privileges.

I think by doing this for little money (like $1/hour) I can get more clients. Then maybe I can sell a product...perhaps an e-book?...that is optional for them. Maybe make a website for it. I'm trying to study how to create such website and to find a product. I don't mind having to complete with other businessmen or businesswomen with similar ideas because I'll try my best to start something. lol I'm only a newbie after all.

**jasaunders** · 08-28-2007 06:42 AM

Your idea of doing it for $1/hr is a very bad one. People link the price of the service with the quality of the service and by this standard it would seem that your service is horrible. You would be better off having your service free if you would really like to help those that are underpriveleged. I don't see how charging $1 would do anything.

There are already hundreds of resources out there for people to get help with choosing a school, finding out information about grants, scholarships, student aid, completing the application process and much more. I don't see why anyone would take the time to read an e-book from someone with little knowledge of the field (relative to other experts) when they can spend the same time browsing very informative and accurate websites that provide more information than you would be able to and these websites are mostly free.

If you really want to do this to help out those less fortunate than you, then you can consider doing it for free. If you want this to be a business, than you have to find a different angle. If you want to compete against existing college consultants (which charge a lot of money), then you will have to overcome the fact that they have a lot more knowledge and experience than you do. You can try your niche as they would be more comfortable with you and you would charge less, but I don't know if that alone will convince people to use your services.

**GoBIGJosh** · 08-28-2007 08:34 AM

I agree with the $1 an hour being a bad call. If you got every kid in your graduating class for an hour, you're only what $150 for the better?

Consider building a case study or two of people you helped get into the college of their choice, thats always helpful to a cause.

**tsbales** · 08-28-2007 10:50 AM

I have to agree with those above that $1 is a bit low. This however may make sense as an introductory offer (i.e. limited time) so that you can accurately gauge how much time it will take to work with your clients.

Once you have a few successes under your belt, as for testimonials from your clients (students and parents). These will be invaluable to you as you try to grow your business. Print them up on your flier and then you really can start charging the prices that your services demand!

**jasaunders** · 08-28-2007 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by tsbales

I have to agree with those above that $1 is a bit low. This however may make sense as an introductory offer (i.e. limited time) so that you can accurately gauge how much time it will take to work with your clients.

Once you have a few successes under your belt, as for testimonials from your clients (students and parents). These will be invaluable to you as you try to grow your business. Print them up on your flier and then you really can start charging the prices that your services demand!

So why charge $1 ? Why not do it for free to obtain your testimonials. Makes no sense why you would charge anything at all.

**Paint and Air Sportz** · 08-28-2007 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by jasaunders

Your idea of doing it for $1/hr is a very bad one. People link the price of the service with the quality of the service and by this standard it would seem that your service is horrible. You would be better off having your service free if you would really like to help those that are underpriveleged. I don't see how charging $1 would do anything.

There are already hundreds of resources out there for people to get help with choosing a school, finding out information about grants, scholarships, student aid, completing the application process and much more. I don't see why anyone would take the time to read an e-book from someone with little knowledge of the field (relative to other experts) when they can spend the same time browsing very informative and accurate websites that provide more information than you would be able to and these websites are mostly free.

If you really want to do this to help out those less fortunate than you, then you can consider doing it for free. If you want this to be a business, than you have to find a different angle. If you want to compete against existing college consultants (which charge a lot of money), then you will have to overcome the fact that they have a lot more knowledge and experience than you do. You can try your niche as they would be more comfortable with you and you would charge less, but I don't know if that alone will convince people to use your services.

And one people spend $80,000+ they can afford to pay you well if you do a good job.