I think that I am officially on an unorthodox strategy kick! The idea for today’s post comes from the mind of Tommy Vallier. Tommy is looking to obtain a new iMac but he seems to be a little low on funds at the moment. The solution… to make the internet “an offer [it] can’t refuse”. In exchange for the new iMac Tommy will wear the company T-Shirt of whoever buy’s his new computer, for one year. I have simplified the details of this transaction and for the full scoop I suggest you check out Mr. Vallier’s site. I would especially suggest that you check out the question “How will we know you’re wearing it?” on the questions page of his site.

Here is why this is an awesome idea… you may be saying to yourself “that’s a horrible deal, I would never go for that.” And if you have such a view, it’s a very understandable position. But it seems that Vallier understands that the internet is an awfully big place. Let’s say that his conversion rate is 1 in 10,000 people. If he were selling an ebook, that would be awful conversion rate. But he’s not selling an ebook!

With what looks like very little marketing overhead and the viral power of the blogosphere, this proposition should get itself in front of the eyeballs of 10,000 people, easy. You might be tempted to think that there is going to be a lot of follow up work for Vallier after reading his questions page. The answer to that question is an emphatic YES and NO!

If Vallier decides to use social networking sites and blog extensively about the experience then yes on one hand that might entail a lot of work, on the other hand it should be well worthwhile for Mr. Vallier since not only does his sponsor have the potential of gaining lot’s of exposure, but Mr. Vallier himself stands to gain ton’s of exposure.

This story is a great example of the kind of symbiotic marketing that Web 2.0 is becoming known for. Vallier could potentially spin this little idea into a huge opportunity or string of opportunities. As I suggested in my last post, study those who are marketing themselves online that are doing things a little differently, it may well lead you to your own million dollar idea!

Tags: iMac, Apple, Internet Marketing, Viral Marketing, Web 2.0 , T-Shirt

If you want to get rich you should seriously consider studying unconventional business models. Simply put, if everyone is doing it, it is probably not that profitable. By studying those in our field that are not following the crowd we can begin to gain inspiration for our own revolutionary ideas.

I realize some people may not want a “revolutionary idea” because such ideas carry with them a large deal of risk. However as marketing expert Seth Godin puts it in his wildly popular book Purple Cow, “Being safe is risky.” Taking risks whether they be in marketing or designing a business model can result in facial ticks, nervous tremors, sweaty palms and occasionally angina. These risks will not make your life more convenient in any way shape or form, but as we like to say here at Feedback Secrets, “convenience is expensive”.

So since we are a site that is interested in internet marketing, one of the best ways for us to get un-convenient is to study those in our industry who are using unorthodox business models of their own. The inspiration for this post comes from fellow internet marketer Michael Conquest. Michael informed me of a technique for making money with eBay that I had not heard of previously.

The technique revolves around making money as an eBay affiliate. The eBay affiliate network was previously maintained by a site called Commission Junction, however over the last few months eBay has been in the process of switching to its own in-house affiliate network. eBay’s new network is now online and working and you can find it here.

Obviously there’s more than one way to drive traffic as an eBay affiliate, but the method which was suggested to me was to search Craigslist.com for people looking to buy specific items. After compiling a list of potential buyers you could email them with the link to an eBay auction for the item they were looking for in hopes of collecting the affiliate commission. Of course you could also use this method to promote your own eBay auctions.

I am not suggesting that this method is a path to riches, or even that you should try such a method. What I am saying is that this is an excellent example of “thinking outside the box” when it comes to an eBay based business model. That is to say, when people think, “how could I make money on eBay” this strategy is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.

Seek out wacky and unorthodox businesses models and study them, the practice may well lead the creation of your own million dollar idea. For more information on Michael Conquest you can check out his site, ConquestEmpires.com.

Tags: eBay, Internet Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, eBay Affiliate Program, Craigslist, Unorthodox eBay