Turn on ye ole Javascript to add ratings in this low-budg app.

Link to this page
← All panel ideas
Title:

Unsexy & Profitable: Making $$ Without Hype

Your vote:
Yes No
Organizer:
Matthew Chasen, uShip.com
Description:
In a world of hype wars, where many popular yet revenue-challenged startups battle for headline supremacy, a handful of under-the-radar Internet businesses have done the unthinkable: they've become profitable. Hear how your business can turn more profits than heads from this handful of Internet veterans.
Questions
Answered:
  1. How did you find the inspiration for your business concept or idea?
  2. How do you turn a light bulb idea into a business plan and company?
  3. At what point do you know you have a business model that can turn a profit?
  4. Is it more important to get lots of members or get members that you know will pay?
  5. What sacrifices did you make as a company to become profitable?
  6. Is it absolutely necessary to become profitable as an Internet company?
  7. What’s the point of becoming profitable – don’t you just want to be acquired?
  8. Do turning heads and turning a profit have to be mutually exclusive?
  9. How has your company growth helped/hurt your goal of turning profitable?
  10. How do you become profitable if no one knows about you?
Level:
Intermediate
Category:
Business / Entrepreneurial / Monetization, Case Study, Economic Concerns, Funding / VC
Type:
Panel
Event:
Interactive 2010
Lea Alcantara
on 17/8/09
I think this is a definite must-have for a festival such as this. Questions about profit are VERY frequent during the past SXSWs I've attended. I'd like to know the answer(s).
Dick Sheridan
on 17/8/09
I have seen way to many start ups that burn through the investment with no clear idea how to get to profitability. This session is a must.
Christopher Kennedy
on 17/8/09
I'm definitely throwing my vote in for this. I really want to hear more about turning a profit, as the question pops up so often especially with some of our clients who think popularity = profit.
Nick Hermandorfer
on 17/8/09
Very interested in learning how an internet company could successfully make the transition from start-up to profitable company. Considering the current economic climate, the founders of uShip seem uniquely qualified to answer these questions. I vote yes.
Julien GENESTOUX
on 17/8/09
Interesting! and yes, the sexy and unprofitable is just the tip of the web-iceberg!
Mickey Millsap
on 17/8/09
Too often companies try to build up their brand and member base before figuring out how to make a business out of it. This panel will be great for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to build sustainable long term businesses using the web. Having alot of hype and 'eye-balls'is great, but I will take paying customers and a solid business model every time.
Jeff Chambers
on 17/8/09
Sex appeal is out, cash is king!
Chris Treadaway
on 18/8/09
Looks like a great panel, Matt -- and very timely given the present environment.
Paul Huggins
on 19/8/09
Looking forward to this panel; especially after hearing the recent NPR story featuring UShip's recent success in this challenging environment, it seems that Matt / Uship is a good fit for this topic.
Jeremy Bencken
on 20/8/09
Can a profitable niche not be sexy???
Dean Jutilla
on 3/9/09
Any other profitable start-ups come to mind while we're on the subject?
Eric Falcao
on 19/10/09
Zynga sort of comes to mind, although they are quite sexy these days due to the rumored 100M+ run rate. I mention them because they haven't driven revenues through hype but instead by focusing on good games and growing their market through facebook. Not to mention having revenue built into their products early on.
blu ray ripper
on 13/11/09
So looking forward to this..
Link to this page
← All panel ideas
Developed for SXSW by Lindsey Simon