I own and run an informative website on my City of residence, and have always had a massive amount of business ideas. I don't know where to go next. I am yet to earn a penny.

MancBear · 2012-05-21T14:16:38.436982+00:00

I just started a city guide for my town too, across the pond. I wanted to do something to benefit my community and I wanted to gain some karma to benefit my businesses. I did this same type of project as you; however, I tackled the idea in two very different ways than you ...

I bought a web platform that I could customize (http://www.SJportal.ca) because I do not have the technical capability to develop the site from scratch
I already have several successful vertical operations (a B2B print brokerage, a small business centre and a process service franchise) which may benefit from exposure on the site.

I want to monetize the city guide; however, it is very hard to grow traffic organically and quickly. I have a back end banner advertising system that allows me to charge for banner spaces throughout the website; however, it is hard to charge for limited exposure (a "chicken and egg" issue). I would suggest that you may need to find a way to pay the bills while you build out your site and it's relevant traffic.

PS: There are a lot of these types of "city sites" popping up, we both may add local interest and benefit from a link exchange. Much of the local population have roots in the UK.

ElTerreeblay · 2012-05-21T13:58:43.037088+00:00

Why not volunteer to do some relevant work for charities you believe in while you develop your skills? This will allow you to have a portfolio of sites to show off, down the road.

iemmawriter · 2012-05-21T13:13:59.533414+00:00

You make excellent points. Also consider that ...

Rural living allows one to farm, make alcohol w/ a still, grow pot, make bio-fuel, develop a barter economy, etc.
Urban living forces dependence on ruling class economy, logistics, mechanism of supply & demand and "others" (aka the 1% of the 1%) deciding what is or is not put on shelves inside stores.

hard_to_explain · 2012-05-21T12:20:11.951407+00:00

Why do you chalk so much up to the battle of "Good vs. Evil"? The blinds of tradition and religion have held back humanity for way too long already.

dccable · 2012-05-20T21:50:08.333302+00:00

I write a blog (http://inkandpaperguy.wordpress.com), primarily aimed at my teenaged children, to document the fleecing of a very large group of citizens in "the West" which has been spreading around the globe like a virus. I am ashamed of the ignorance of the baby boomer generation. Muppets to the banksters, blue pill consumers to the pharmaceutical industry and a vote to the political machine ... self absorbed and ignorant.

workworkwort · 1 day

I have heard that the comedy community shed a collective tear when his reign of hilarity and stupidity ended. The man was an endless source for their comedy routines. I had hoped BHO was going to change the country's direction; however, things are worse in many ways.

georedd · 1 day

Muppet bait.

somethingintheclouds · 2 days

This entire topic and sub-reddit is dangerous for many to be consuming. I think it's important to have a close friend or two that you can honestly and openly discuss these topics and issues with. This can keep one grounded and more optimistic about eventual, long term outcomes.

klmd · 2 days

To be fair, blue or red really does not matter. Conditions are progressively getting worse. I see politicians as purple (a mix of both colours) because both parties are compliant with the shadow government's instructions.

klmd · 2 days

Shit, I used to think that GWB was dangerous.

mirrorshadez · 2 days

That is an entirely different question ... I have to think about that. Although, I agree that North Korea is fucked up.

evil_atheist · 2 days

If you did have a visit from either, and you told people, the local authorities would lock your ass up pronto. The indoctrinated and the tithers of society have a firm belief in absolutes.

evil_atheist · 2 days

I am agnostic. At times, quantum physics have been the only thing keeping me from crossing the line to "athiest". I am also agnostic about the matrix ... I read an article a few years ago that proposed that we may be a "sym" program on a college kids science project from the future.

I think wisdom is partly giving up on "absolutes" because life is a grey area without clearly defined edges.

mirrorshadez · 2 days

If I was in a plane accident and had to starve to death or consume the crash victims ... fire up the BBQ, daddy's eatin' the other white meat that's not kosher!

fyrie · 2 days

Don't fret, you could get run over by a bus today!

FYI: You are now a member in good standing of the snooty, "holier than thou" ex-smokers club. All joking aside, congratulations.

subvertc · 2 days

Quebec is often viewed as "difficult" by much of the rest of Canada; however, I gain respect for Quebecers when I see that they simply "take no shit". I wish more of the my supplicant and compliant Atlantica neighbours would grow a pair - we have a bad case of mass indoctrination down here.

dx30 · 2 days

I would spend your time finding a new venue (unless your father can negotiate a new lease). Without a suitable building, there is no need for growth.

Also, already mentioned; however, what landlord throws a reliable, paying tenant under the bus? I own a small business centre ... so, I am qualified to tell you that this commodity is human gold. I suspect there is a sub-plot in this part of the story.

nononoluciferians · 2 days

I read earlier that Kenya was a part of the British Commonwealth until 1964, that would make BHO a British citizen.

alexsc12 · 3 days

I have used profits from my first successful venture to finance two other businesses. In my mid 40's, I am just now in the position where I can begin looking at creating a legacy beyond my own family's benefit.

I have a small business centre and want to offer a business home/ incubator for a new venture; however, I am unsure of where to do this search or how to perform the vetting process.

IAMAPirate · 3 days

Survey is done. Good concept ... FB is more painful as each week goes by. I never realized how fucked up my family and acquaintances were until Zuckerburg's Frankenstein.

TheHomeOffice · 3 days

Isn't this what the professional coaching industry does? I would doubt many entrepreneurs would stay on track with this group commitment when they are in "start up" mode. Those are crazy, fly by the seat of your pants days.

benhasakid · 3 days

Addictions seem to have very high rates in the native community (on and off reserve). I understand that much of this in modern day is due to the shitty way churches and the Canadian government treated your grandparents and great grandparents.

I have also heard that Europeans have built up a tolerance to alcohol and that this lack of long term, multi- generational exposure to alcohol has not been kind to the Native North American. Does this soundbite about alcohol sound viable or not? And perhaps as important, please tell me why?

inkandpaperguy · 5 days

I know what you mean about "layout and design". Unfortunately, I have little control over the site's look beyond colour scheme (I chose green because Saint John is heavily populated with families of Irish immigrants).

I bought the web platform a while ago (see http://www.citycreate.com/) and got too busy to work on it. I do think a service like this can help an area's entrepreneurs and those who utilize it.

inkandpaperguy · 5 days

Hey, that's a good point. I may be able to buy a better domain and redirect.

inkandpaperguy

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