From Product to Profit Going From Conception to Profit @MarcBenzak @DesktopServer

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Does your business plan look like this?

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Answer: • Dad of two/Foster dad of six • Husband of One • Amateur (at best) photographer • Blogger at twotofive.us • Business Owner • Operations Manager, ServerPress, LLC • Nerd Question: I know I’m in a room with you. But who are you, exactly?

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Question Why should I listen to you?

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Answer Because I’ve screwed up A LOT

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Before we start. . . Ask yourself these questions: • Is your product or service needed/wanted? • How did you determine this? • Friends/Family? • Gut feeling? • Scratching your own itch? • Market Research? • Do you have the resources needed to produce the product? • Money • Time • Knowledge (or access to it) • Support from those who matter (Family/Friends) Phase 1

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Before You Take a Road Trip You Need to Map it Out (Phase 2)

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Marketing & Branding What’s the difference? • Marketing is about your message or what you have to offer • Branding is about who you are and what you do • You own your marketing • Your consumers and community own your brand

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Branding Professional/Company Branding What do you want people to think about when they think of your company? • What’s your specialty? • Low-Cost? (volume, volume, volume) • High-end? • Custom? • Accessible? • Fast?

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Branding Personal Branding What do you want people to think about when they think of YOU as a person? • Are you professional? • Are you knowledgeable? • Are you sociable? • Do you have integrity? • Are you generous? • Are you snooty? • Are you active in your community?

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Marketing • Who/What is your market? • How are you going to attack that market? • What is your marketing message? • Does your branding fit within your marketing? • What kind of support are you going to offer?

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer ROAD TRIP!

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Traveling the Road Rules of the Road • Get a good bank/banker • Get a good accountant and/or book keeper • Get a good attorney • Have a Marketing Plan • Deliver on your promises • Communicate with your clients (ESPECIALLY if you cannot deliver on your promises)

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Road Guidelines

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Stay close to the speed limit (Hint: It’s not infinity)

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Focus on the road ahead Do one thing at a time (and do it well)

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Check your location often Brutally assess your progress

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Just because you *CAN* do something doesn’t mean you *SHOULD* do it

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Be aware of your surroundings • Stay up to speed on current technologies • Be aware of emerging technologies • Be aware of changing markets • Consider how these might affect you • Communicate with other experts in your field

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Be prepared for detours But work toward getting back to the main road

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Only look back Through the rear-view mirror

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Very few good decisions are made out of fear

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer You’ve Arrived! Phase 3 (Profit) Now What?

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Things to consider Do you have an exit strategy? • Do this the rest of your life? • Sell or merge? • Expand your offerings? • Close up shop? • Go work for someone else?

@MarcBenzak @DesktopServer Marc lives in Milwaukee Wisconsin where he works with ServerPress, LLC, a company obsessed with saving time and improving the quality of life for their customers. He likes to spend as much free time as possible hanging out with his family and has been accused of goofing off from time to time. Twitter: @MarcBenzak Professional: http://www.serverpress.com Personal blog: http://twotofive.us Email: marc@serverpress.com WordPress: http://profiles.wordpress.org/marcbenzak https://speakerdeck.com/javaboy42/so-you-want-to-be-a-freelancer