Ask HN: Can this work?

#1

Post by peasquared » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 4:08 AM UTC

Hey everyone,

  I've been learning Rails the last few months, and

my main project to learn with has been something called Isement. It's a marketplace for buying and selling physical ad space on people's property.

In other words, advertising in certain areas of a yard, a rooftop, an office wall, a semi trailer, on long haul bike gear, etc etc. Users place their space up for sale, and then other users who want to advertise can search by area for available spaces where they can place their ad.

I realize that some people despise ads, so obviously this won't be liked by all, but I have actually gotten mostly positive feedback on this so far, and I have decided I would really give this a go. I know getting "good idea" feedback is nice and all, but when it comes down to it, I need to find users who will actually use this.

I have a few people lined up to help beta test so far, but I still am looking to get as much feedback as I can on this idea.

What are your thoughts?

If you were launching something like this, or any marketplace really, how would you go about it? What would be your first few steps?

The lovely chicken and egg problem will certainly be an issue, but I'm thinking I will try and work the hardest on finding people who have spaces available first, give them perks for helping to launch, and then work on finding people who want to advertise.

Thanks everyone, and I really hope I can get some feedback. Even if it's all bad!

(Oh, I do have a landing page setup at http://isement.com if anyone wants to critique that as well.)

Re: Ask HN: Can this work?

#2

Post by thegrif » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 4:37 AM UTC

This will likely be against local zoning laws in residential areas. Usually they have very specific rules about what can and cannot be displayed on residential property.

Even if there are no rules on record for the municipality, nothing stops a motion being passed that would outlaw advertisements being sold on residential properties after the fact.

Assuming you can get around the above, I would solve the cold start problem by first focusing on a single geographic market. Small, local businesses are more likely to purchase this type of alternative/non-traditional advertising - and they'll want to be able to market in their specific towns.

I would also make sure that you provide some sort of science in terms of how the advertisements are targeted. Agencies will look for that. For example, an agency ad trafficker is going to want to market in neighborhoods with mean household incomes in line with their target audience.

Re: Ask HN: Can this work?

#3

Post by duncan_bayne » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 5:32 AM UTC

Business hat:

This sounds like a profitable idea, but will likely be subject to odd local zoning regulations. Expect a fight from people opposed to advertising in general, and from incumbents who will throw anything they can at you. Get legal advice early, and be prepared for a bit of nastiness.

Personal hat:

Please God no, the world does not need more advertising. Make it STOP! I used to carry a TV-begone, now I use an app on my Galaxy Note, and I still can't stop the constant bombardment with ads; these days they're even on screens at the local service station while I'm fueling my bike. You are making the world a worse place by creating this service, and that makes you a bad person.

You might prefer me when I'm wearing my business hat :)

Re: Ask HN: Can this work?

#4

Post by peasquared » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 11:25 PM UTC

thegrif wrote: post #2

This will likely be against local zoning laws in residential areas. Usually they have very specific rules about what can and cannot be displayed on residential property. Even if there are no rules on record for the municipality, nothing stops a motion being passed that would outlaw advertisements being sold on residential properties after the fact. Assuming you can get around the above, I would solve the cold start p…

Ahhh, thank you! Great point about the mean household incomes.

Re: Ask HN: Can this work?

#5

Post by peasquared » Wed, Aug 20, 2014, 11:26 PM UTC

duncan_bayne wrote: post #3

Business hat: This sounds like a profitable idea, but will likely be subject to odd local zoning regulations. Expect a fight from people opposed to advertising in general, and from incumbents who will throw anything they can at you. Get legal advice early, and be prepared for a bit of nastiness. Personal hat: Please God no, the world does not need more advertising. Make it STOP! I used to carry a TV-begone, now I use…

Hahaha, I hear you loud and clear. Thanks for your input!