Oct 16 2007
I’m an Ideas Person
I spent a bit of time yesterday checking out some blogs I haven’t read in awhile and I came across a post over at Self Made Minds (which is an excellent blog and should be read by one and all) about what sorts of people are attempting to make money online.
He basically breaks it down into four main types of people:
- The Ideas Person
- The Backend Coder or Programmer
- The Marketer
- The Opportunist
I would definitely say I’m an Ideas Person. I’m rarely short of ideas… although whether or not they’re good ones is up for debate! Having lots of ideas is great for the little sites but it can be really frustrating when I want to do something a bit more complicated. Without any background in programming I can’t implement most of my grander schemes without someone else’s help. This does give the option of outsourcing but not understanding how my own site works would be a bit annoying, I’m sure. So far I’ve kept things on my sites pretty simple because of this lack of behind the scenes knowledge. But then again it’s a lot easier to buy a programmer’s time than it is to buy a good idea.
Despite my lack of programming knowledge I’m still hopeful that, given enough time, I’ll be able to teach myself some of the backend type stuff. I’ll never be able to whip up amazing applications or hugely interactive websites no matter how many books I read or how long I stare blankly at my computer screen. It would be nice to learn enough though for it to make enough sense to me so that I’m less afraid to tinker with things. Programmer types are lucky because, even if their websites flop, they can still sell their services and work from anywhere for a good wage.
I’m no master marketer but I’m sure if I made a concerted effort to market my sites I’d do ok but never come up with anything great. It really is an eye opener when I come across a site that is obviously well marketed. I think this is something that can be learned with time, a bit of trial and error and by watching the masters at work but it still takes a certain instinct that I’m not sure I have.
I think the opportunist is an interesting one. I’ve always begrudged those people who buy stacks of domains and then park them only to sell them on later. I don’t have the foresight to be able to come up with the next big thing and am happy working hard on my sites without keeping on top of the next major money making manoeuvre. I sort of see this group as the ones doing dodgy deals in the back alleys but fair play to anyone who can pull it off.
The post has made me wonder how many of the success stories out there come from people who are the complete package and how many have to bring other people on board to compliment their own skills. I think that knowing where your weaknesses lie and when to ask for help is important.
So… which one are you? Are there any programmers out there who want to team up and take over the world with me?
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I've been travelling since January 2008 living off earnings from the web. Follow me as I bum around Asia and beyond, getting up to mischief and working online as I go. 
It’s funny that you posted this because I was thinking about this very thing the other day. I wish I was the whole package, but I realize that it’s not the most effective solution.
I am a professional programmer with a few ideas too, but it’s challenging for me to get them off the ground. Shoot me an e-mail if you want to talk more.
It’s funny that you write about programmers, because I’m definitely on the other end. Am a programmer and can figure out the technical aspects of websites and all, but come ask me about cool ideas or designs and I tend to draw a blank…
That is an interesting list. It could probably include writers as well. I mean, there are plenty of sites that look like crap but have such good content that no one cares.
I am a programmer (electrical engineer actually) but just started doing web development a few months ago. It has been a fun learning experience and led to several ideas.
47
I’m an Ideas Person as well, Kirsty. As you suggest, the key is to network and find people who complement your skill set well. Competent, honest coders/programmers are like good mechanics and doctors - i.e. damn hard to find. And once you find a good one, don’t ever let them go!
I’ve just teamed up with two others who are interested in earning a living online. I recommend it to get things going.
I think that by pooling brains, bouncing ideas and learning from each other the outcome will be greater than the sum of our individual talents.
I personally identify myself as ideas person, the programming bit is skill needed to publish those ideas and the marketing and opportunist bits skills needed to make a living of those ideas.
In the offline world when I was starting off in property investing one of the key things is that you have to develop a good team - in that area you basically can’t be a lawyer, accountant, mortgage broker all yourself so you have to develop a team that you can work with and who understand your approach. I think web entrepreneurship is similar - understand your strengths and then hire the bits that are missing. If you can’t code hire a coder, if you can’t write hire a writer. I’m not brillant at the technical stuff but I don’t mind learning it so that I haven’t paid for - but design I am crap at so I was very pleased to use someone else’s WP theme on my sites!
I think teaming up with people is the way forward to bigger things for sure but it’s a big step into a partnership. I wonder if it’s better to work as a team or just to hire people along the way. I think if I met someone with skills that complimented my own and who was just as passionate as me about whatever topic then that would be a good fit. The key is the passion though… you’d have to share a vision, I think.
47 I agree… writers and designers could be a category of their own. The creative types. I love this aspect of web publishing the most.
I read that post over at smm & i think the categorie of designer should be added even though like the programmer they are in a bad palce if thats all they can do. As to teaming up with others I’m sure it can work
but i prefer to think more along the lines of go out $& make a few bucks with your strengths then pay for your weaknesses call it bartering if you want.
Indeed…partnership is a slippery slope I avoid if I can help it. When I want things answered, it’s even a test to my husband’s patience. It’s difficult to find a partner that could synchronize with one’s working style and passion. It could possibly double the stress factor…or maybe, it’s just me! If it really gets tooooo much for my little ‘me’, maybe it’s not for me. It’s the trouble of having too many ideas, I guess.