How to generate the hype??

[linker]

The hype around Million Dollar Home Page was huge... How do you get that kind of intrest in a site? How do you get press releases and whatnot out to the right people?

I have an idea that is along the same lines as the Million dollar thing... But it would not fly unless there was hype, any ideas??

Thanks!

 

[Simsi]

PRnewswire is a service i once used - seemed good. However, the Milliondollar guy got his first $1k from friends and family then employed a PR agent to do the work. There are many companies who specialise in this: preparing the release and getting it to the right people. Of course it will only get the publicity if it is newsworthy, but if it is, then this is the way to go.

Also bear in mind that these companies have contacts and these contacts know they can trust these companies to deliver newsworthy material. Doing it yourself would be way harder and in some sectors just impossible - or at least, expensive IE: bribes .

 

[maroulis]

if you search there's a thread which mentions the fees of the PR guy.. the rumour is $7K per month for duration of site's existence (i.e. 5 years)

 

[linker]

So you are saying that CNN won't run a story about my website? hehe ...

That kind of press is coslty for sure... Amazing that "Starving Student" could afford it...

 

[TUFKATH]

7k a month? A guy can live off of that!

 

[Simsi]

if you search there's a thread which mentions the fees of the PR guy.. the rumour is $7K per month for duration of site's existence (i.e. 5 years)

Interesting. May be right..i read this from the BBC:

"Alex spent £50 on buying the domain name (milliondollarhomepage.com) and a basic web-hosting package. He designed the site himself but it began as a blank page. His friends and family paid the first $1,000 dollars, which he spent on a press release. That small publicity gave his site more traffic, which in turn persuaded more advertisers to have faith. "

 

[TUFKATH]

Interesting. May be right..i read this from the BBC:

"Alex spent £50 on buying the domain name (milliondollarhomepage.com) and a basic web-hosting package. He designed the site himself but it began as a blank page. His friends and family paid the first $1,000 dollars, which he spent on a press release. That small publicity gave his site more traffic, which in turn persuaded more advertisers to have faith. "

Nice contribution Simsi. I've never heard of you before today but I want to smother you in rep because every post I've seen you post today has been helpful and with great attitude. Keep up the awesome attitude dude!

 

[Simsi]

Nice contribution Simsi. I've never heard of you before today but I want to smother you in rep because every post I've seen you post today has been helpful and with great attitude. Keep up the awesome attitude dude!

LOL...thanks matey - but I'm just bored today, honest

 

[gazzip]

Hi, If your idea is along the same lines as the Million dollar thing - ie pixels/advertising it may struggle - the million dollar homepage was unique and brilliant in it's simplicity and that's what was so interesting about IMO, there are now so many similar sites now - here's one that does'nt appear to be causing any excitement and it's for a far better cause IMO -

http://www.pixelsagainstpoverty.org/

Not many takers there ! :td:

 

[jamesau]

$7k is just a massive rumour. If we look at this completely realistically, he is 1 year older than me, and not an experienced businessman, he would simply not have the funds or experience to market at that price. I'm close to 100% this is just one of the rare cases of how a great idea can go a long way.

I didn't find out about this from a press release, I found it from my friends and forums.

 

[Simsi]

$7k is just a massive rumour. If we look at this completely realistically, he is 1 year older than me, and not an experienced businessman, he would simply not have the funds or experience to market at that price. I'm close to 100% this is just one of the rare cases of how a great idea can go a long way.

I didn't find out about this from a press release, I found it from my friends and forums.

True. But as any salesman will tell you, you still need to attract the advertisers and sell them a concept, in the early days at least. I dont believe he paid $7k pcm for a PR rep myself either, but i'd suggest there is someone involved in a business capacity, much the same way as sportsmen have agents.

 

[linker]

Hi, If your idea is along the same lines as the Million dollar thing - ie pixels/advertising it may struggle - the million dollar homepage was unique and brilliant in it's simplicity and that's what was so interesting about IMO, there are now so many similar sites now - here's one that does'nt appear to be causing any excitement and it's for a far better cause IMO -

I agree completely, but a "variation" of the idea could be successful, IF the hype can be generated... That is a big IF...

 

[ApocComputing]

hype is generated by getting word out about ur site, and having promos etc. something the user can look forward to.

 

[Sarcle.com]

See Link... Link

Or sleep with a journalist.