Twitter, WordPress, and Other Centers of The Universe

Thesis, Twitter, eBay, PayPal, and WordPress as centers of the universe

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Creating the Next Big Thing is highly overrated.

Take Twitter for example. Those fellows get tons of love for creating their glorious Big Thing. But they also catch heaps of poop for Twitter’s instability as they struggle with 3-figure growth percentages.

Making Money Via a Free Service

The ironic bit is while Twitter is free and can be unstable, it’s a rock-steady revenue stream for some small businesses. Forget folks who only use Twitter to find and connect to customers. I’m talking about businesses that earn money through services and products that support and enhance Twitter.

There are hundreds (thousands?) of businesses in Twitter’s orbit and some are making money with their Twitter-related stuff. Here’s a handful of ideas—

  • Customized Twitter background design services
    like the stellar work at TwitterImage for $100+
  • Expansion of the Twitter service
    like scheduled tweets with TweetLater’s $30/mth Pro account
  • Video Tutorials
    like the video tutorials at Twitter Money Tree for $67 (haven’t tried, but it looks credible)
  • Live workshops and classes
    like @risingstarideas offers to Columbia, MD area businesses
  • Desktop Twitter clients
    like Tweetie, offered by atebits at $20 for the ad-free version

What’s (Not) New

Looking at that list, I bet you can think of other Twitter-supporting business ideas. But don’t bother thinking of new kinds of services and products, just take something you already know and apply it to the Twitterverse.

For example, coaching and consulting are as old as the hills, but a hand-holding service for businesses new to Twitter could do well. Same for advanced marketing tactics for existing Twitter users. Or a personalized feed critique with concrete suggestions on how to improve the quality of a twitter-stream.

And despite all the free Twitter newbie resources available online, there’s a Twitter for Dummies book coming out. I know, right? There are a zillion blog posts on the topic—entire websites even—but many people prefer offline reading so there’s always room for a book.

With that in mind, why not a manual (PDF or hardcopy) for free Twitter clients, like Twhirl and Seesmic Desktop? Maybe detailed video tutorials? They’re great applications, but they don’t have Help buttons or support.

That would be rather clever, actually…earning revenue from a free desktop program that ties into a free service. Hmmm….

Other Centers of the Universe

Of course, it would suck to hitch your business wagon to the wrong star. For example, WTG if you’ve built a business in WordPress’ orbit. WordPress has a large, growing communitiy of needy users that other blogging platforms don’t—and they buy themes, plugins, courseware, books, installation services, and design services.

But every online business isn’t as deserving. Maybe their community is too small, too dead, or too cheap. To get a feel for online businesses that can support other businesses, think on:

  • eBay: product listing services, books and manuals, photo hosting
  • PayPal: shopping cart products, integration services

And be sure to consider supporting businesses that have their own supporting businesses. For example, DIYThemes is in Wordpress’ orbit with their Thesis WordPress theme and their product has its own slew of designers and customization experts.

Business Idea Jumpstart

Are you looking for a new business idea? Or maybe you’d like to add a new service to your existing business? Don’t start with something new. Instead:

  1. Take a look at what’s out there,
  2. Pick something that’s well-established with a large, active user community,
  3. Use the skills you already have to—

Teach it (online or off)
Design for it
Customize it
Install it
Support it
Write about it
Analyze it
Improve it

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Et tu? There are soooo many more examples of businesses and the businesses they beget. Who did I miss?

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24 Responses to Twitter, WordPress, and Other Centers of The Universe
  1. Laurie Foley
    May 25, 2009 | 10:56 am

    I love this post! And your blog. Makes my mouth water every time it hits my inbox.

    Recent blog post from Laurie Foley: The Secret to Finding Your Egg

  2. Hoaec
    May 26, 2009 | 1:18 am

    Great point. I hadn’t really thought much about how people make bank off of those free services. It’s totally true though. Many business will pay for consulting in those areas.

  3. DIY
    May 26, 2009 | 7:11 am

    I still cannot get my head around Twitter. Why do people do it? I understand celebrates, because people enjoy following them. Why would I want to Twitter? I don’t think people would be interested in my life..lol.

    Maybe I am missing a trick here.

  4. Turqoise Hat
    May 27, 2009 | 8:15 am

    I love twitter, such a great boost for my business.

  5. Susan
    May 27, 2009 | 11:10 am

    You are so right! So many people are using the internet and its free services to make a profit. I tried my hand in some marketing but it didn’t work out for me. I envy those who can make it work and actually turn a profit. Regards

  6. Alfred
    May 27, 2009 | 2:37 pm

    I can already see Twitter going the way of Myspace. What was once a good blogging tool is becoming abused by corporations. All I ever see on there are friend requests from spamming businesses. It’ll probably be pretty dead within a year.

  7. Ninah
    May 28, 2009 | 2:59 am

    Your title really caught my attention. :)

    I was wondering though if it’s worth hitching your wagon to Twitter. Isn’t Twitter always in the middle of some mess or hot debate? Wordpress seems like a more stable center of the universe

    Recent blog post from Ninah: Five Tips to Buying Contact Lenses Online

  8. EagleTac
    May 28, 2009 | 8:43 pm

    Interesting point of view and I definitely agree with some of the comments about it heading towards myspace. I’ve been using twitter, but I still don’t really think I get what it’s about…

  9. Chris Anthony | Lost in Translation
    May 29, 2009 | 9:24 am

    Alfred, the same could be said for blogs, IM, email, the postal service, sides of buildings…

    Just because there’s spam and advertising in a medium doesn’t mean the medium isn’t worthwhile. Don’t ring the death knell before Twitter’s actually dead!

    Ninah, the absolute greatest thing about an online strategy is that hitching your wagon doesn’t have to be a one-time, single-star affair. You can hitch your wagon to as many stars as you want – or hitch up as many wagons as you can handle. :)

    Crystal, great post. :)

  10. Clyde
    May 29, 2009 | 1:01 pm

    What about iphone apps? Is that a waste of time or is it gonna be a lock out soon? Remember when myspace apps blew up?

  11. David
    May 29, 2009 | 8:24 pm

    Thanks for the links related to Twitter services. I currently use the FREE version of Tweet Later and love it.

  12. Chris
    May 31, 2009 | 11:00 pm

    Good simple ideas to starting a business. That lists keeps it simple and obtainable for everyone.

    Recent blog post from Chris: Cheap Las Vegas Weddings – Save Money on Your Wedding

  13. Mike
    June 1, 2009 | 2:53 pm

    “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. This applies to the internet and using stable platforms with a large number of users. Ebay is the main source of our customers and this platform allows us to reach a wide customer base.

  14. Dave
    June 1, 2009 | 3:57 pm

    Great article. I had a custom background created from twitart.com and am super happy I did it, even though many people connect via the API.

    Recent blog post from Quicken Loans: Detroit’s abandoned buildings video shows how desperately businesses are needed in downtown Detroit

  15. Boris@ Niche SEO
    June 1, 2009 | 4:34 pm

    I find it very interesting that so many people are trying to make money on Twitter when they guy who created doesn’t make money. They don’t even have a business model in place yet. Maybe he is going to sell it to Google like he did Blogger… Maybe that’s the business plan!

    Recent blog post from Boris@ Niche SEO: Do Follow Comment Luv Keyword Luv Top Commenter Added

  16. Brad
    June 7, 2009 | 8:55 am

    Another center of the universe where many are making some good cash: iphone apps! apps are big business for many entrepreneurs who charge little to nothing for their downloads.

    Recent blog post from Brad: Jacksonville Homes For Sale – Price Slashing

  17. Malcolm Evans
    June 7, 2009 | 9:59 am

    Love it! Half advice, half irony – where the marketplae becomes the marketplace without reference to a real market! Ride the wave while is lasts – just be careful that, unlike sustainable corporate culture you get off before it all goes horribly calm and you hitch a new ride on the next big thing!

  18. Jared | Nintendo Kingdom
    June 12, 2009 | 12:16 pm

    It’s amazing how much money people can make off of the simplest ideas. I mean, seriously, it doesn’t take a genius to come up with the idea of twitter or facebook or things like that. It just takes people who are willing to actually put simple ideas into practice and put some effort into them.

    Recent blog post from Jared | Nintendo Kingdom: Wii Sports Resort to Show Off Wii MotionPlus

  19. Saddle Back
    June 12, 2009 | 4:46 pm

    Actually, Jared I think putting simple ideas into practice and putting effort into them is genius. My friends always act like they could have come with this stuff so easily. My answer to them is always “But you didn’t come up with it. Did you?” And also, I bet the money comes from the push more than the idea which is plenty deserving.

  20. Hanna @ Secret Cash
    June 19, 2009 | 10:21 am

    I vote for simplicity — it’s clean and it’s neat and it’s uncluttered. I only wish that many more aspects of like were a little less complex and I do believe that the world would be a better (and easier) place to live in. So, simplicity deserves all the credit that it get and then some.

    Recent blog post from Hanna @ Secret Cash: Earnings Disclaimer

  21. Brian
    June 21, 2009 | 9:23 am

    Some great tips here. Indeed, there’s a lot of money to be made from the relationships you build on twitter.

  22. Adam Railing
    June 23, 2009 | 8:59 am

    Maybe he is going to sell it to Google like he did Blogger…

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