I’ve decided to talk for a minute about a project that I am currently developing. I don’t plan on letting the cat out of the bag so to speak rather give a taste as to what else I am involved in. This project is a reinterpretation of an existing “game.” Our plan is to tie this game into some of the larger social media websites. It should be interesting. You can be sure I’ll keep you updated as we move along.
How about that for optimism. No, not optimism, assurance. How about that for assurance. Anyway, my current time is filled by these projects. There are also a few others that aren’t quite ready for release (even though this blog gets an average of .07 hits a day) so they’ll remain off the list as it stands.
Pitch
We strive to differ from traditional record labels in our embracing of the digital age and how that can affect existing musical paradigms. From top to bottom we strive to re-imagine concepts from revenue to distribution, from product to service. We are interested in the collective rather then the individual. With this mindset it is our goal to bring music to the masses, not masses to the music. We believe there is substantial potential for the consumption of music across the ever transforming digital landscape. We don’t believe that the industry as it exists is taking advantage of it.
History
This project grew out of frustration with the status quo of the music industry. In late November of 2007 Kiirstin started the myspace and opened a gmail account. Since then we’ve added two partners, began to develop Hip Like [blank], create relationships with New Jersey and New York based bands, all while polishing our business “plan.”
Future
We strive to continue to be lean and adjust to the future of the industry. In a more specific way we plan to continue to develop Hip Like [blank] and use what we learn as a model for working with other bands. Additionally we intend to continue to develop our online presence (both our website and social network reach) as a hub of sorts for underground music.
Pitch
My portfolio. This place to go to understand who I am as a designer and why you should hire me.
History
From day one this has been my portfolio. Originally for web and graphic design it morphed over time in various unfinished states to include all types of creativity I have dabbled.
Future
It’s been a long decade but I’ve finally begun to understand how I would like to brand myself. In the coming weeks the design will be finalized and content added. From that point its expanding my reach through social media, word of mouth, etc. I don’t plan on doing any hard marketing. The goal is to let work come to me. I don’t mean that in a pretentious way rather if work comes I will make time to do it, if work doesn’t come I have other projects to work out that will take my time.
This list will be added to in the future. Most likely in additional posts rather then editing this one. Stay tuned as the few things I have the oven are pretty exciting.
They say transparency is important to success. I say they because I am not sure who said it. But I am sure someone did. Do you have any ideas? I am considering these projects failures if they fit the following two criteria. One, they are inactive, and two, they didn’t, at least, break even. Well, that said, here goes.
Pitch
Online storefront for local bakeries and ice cream shops.
History
This project was conceptualized in 1997 between my father and I. Essentially EasyCakes.com was to exist as a web presence for local ice cream shops and bakeries. People could go to the website and order the cake. Simple enough. There were additional plans to integrate parties, party planning and other like products and services but it never got that far off the ground.
Downfall
I was young, 14 years old. At that point I loved the idea but didn’t in anyway understand how to actualize it. My dad helped as much as he had time for but didn’t believe enough in it to take the project on himself. He provided me with most of the tools I needed to get started but I just didn’t follow through.
Future
This one’s dead in the water. We let the domain name go long ago. Some squatting company owns it now. Besides I just don’t have the interest in it.
Pitch
An online shopping mall.
History
This was my first foray into affiliate marketing of any sort. I started putting this together in the summer of 2003. I had just found out someone I knew from High School was earning a 6 figure income. Intrigued, I did some basic research and jumped right in.
Downfall
See the pitch. It failed because trying to copy Amazon is absurd. In addition to that I went back to school and forgot all about it.
Future
No go here either. I still like the domain name so I’ll keep it.
Pitch
An online forum and resource for architecture students.
Downfall
Conceptualized in winter 03-04 this project had potential. It was intended to be collaboration between 2 friends and I. This one never even go to the stage of purchasing a domain name.
Future
Not happening. I have no interest in it, even though I do think it is still an interesting concept. A social network for a very specific group of students. But, then again, who needs another facebook clone right?
Pitch
An online forum, resource, social network, news aggregator, store etc for Nascar/racing fans..
History
After I graduated college my friend convinced me to go to Nascar race with him. Not being a fan I had no idea what I was in for. What I found was one of the most dedicated fan bases I’ve ever seen. Every fan had a shirt, hat, flag, beer cooler thing, chair, seat cushion, cooler, underwear, trading card, visor, and anything else you can think. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the day, fell asleep during the race itself, and left seeing dollar signs.
Downfall
Lack of focus. I got involved with other projects and just didn’t put in the requisite time.
Future
I still want to get this one going but I won’t happen until I have surplus income. I have it penciled in around 1-1.5 years, we’ll see if I can stick to that.
Pitch
A blog with most of its content coming from the dealings with my cat.
History
I explained the idea of RacingFreedom.com to my girlfriend. She asked if we could develop a like project for her to run as well.
Downfall
Lack of interest. We both had high hopes for this one and took some initial forays into social network marketing, but in the end didn’t have the interest to see it through for the long run.
Future
I don’t really see anything happening here, unless she wants to fully revive it.
Pitch
A blog centering around much of the media absurdity that surrounded the 2008 presidential election.
History
I had grown fed up with the major media reporting of the election. So naturally we decided to parody it.
Downfall
I am not sure this one really had a downfall. The election ended and we shut the site down without it making any profit. I guess it served its purpose.
Future
This one could rear its ugly head again. It all depends on what I feel during the next election season.
This blog has sort of existed in various forms over the last 6 years. I say sort of because in its early stages it was more of a sandbox for my early forays into dynamic websites and how to design and program for them. Over the following few years it drifted in and out of my consciousness as I was inspired between, and a few times during, semesters at design school. In the past two years as I’ve transitioned from recent college graduate to the professional world I’ve been able to adjust my focus and concentrate on multiple projects that weren’t receiving their due. These projects include forays into internet marketing, photography, music, design (architecture, graphic, etc), and even some art. I’ll speak about these things in greater in the coming weeks.
For now, I hope I’ve set the stage as to the history of this blog. As for how that directly affects the present, well, thats quite clear. My current intentions are to allow a certain level of transparency into my professional pursuits. This includes accounts all of my current, past and future projects. Sensitive information aside, I plan to write on this blog with full disclosure. Effectively acting as a sounding board, repository and open forum. It will be a great way for me, and others, to measure my success and learn from my own failures while along the way getting a peak into things I enjoy.
I understand that people are not inherently interested in me. This blog is surely not intended to be a vanity project rather a resource for those involved, or interested, in the content of my life and projects. My hope is that through this level of transparency I can continue to build a network of like minded people. At that point, to be cliche, the sky is the limit.
Thanks for reading.