Its Friday, and though I do not work a regular job, I do enjoy the weekends. I tend to change routines, lots of yard stuff, and what not. Friday also marks another week for me, not Monday or Sunday. And looking at my week, I like that I live for a living.
Because I own my life, entirely, I put time into things that I care about, and as an Information Developer, I also put time into things that could pay very well, if properly brought to market. The “properly” part is the hard part. I’ve learned that whatever else I do that adds value to others, so much so that I get paid for it, there is an additional, logistical requisite to business success.
Without value, there is no cause to commerce. When I buy things, spend what little money I have on stuff, it is because of all the things I “could” buy, these particular things provide the most value. There are lots of things that sell well, that I’d never buy. There are things abandoned, that I would buy, and don’t have to, because other people do not find value in them.
The lesson is that value is determined by the buyer, not the seller. And buying is limited to the buying power of those who do find value in what I offer. So value is the first thing needed by a viable business. But wait, there’s more needed than just that. Lots more.
Likability and trust. I choose not to buy stuff from people I do not like, nor support. Like Target, a very strong supporter of abortion. I do not like them; I do not shop there. (Actually, I did buy flea control from them once, online.) I’ve been in their store, and they’re nice and all, looks like good stuff at fair prices, but because they are evil, I’d rather do without than have contact with them.
Microsoft too, isn’t likable or trustworthy. I’m a GNU/Linux guy for a long time now. And I had been using Microsoft products since before they had an operating system. Microsoft Basic was the shit. I only use them now, to play video games. Their garbage is not conducive to work, in my experience, nor do they have the programs I use, so I’m very happy with GNU/Linux.
davidweeks.us is not a business, but a cause, my cause, and I intend to post things that need posting, that are very upsetting to lots of people, which would be bad for business, were this a business. If you do support what I do, feel free to give me money though, I can use it! 🙂
Awareness is as important to business as value. Much of what doesn’t happen, fails to happen for want of knowing what to do. Not knowing about a product of particular value means it does not exist. So publicity, marketing, letting people know is also requisite to a viable business.
Accessibility is the last requisite to a viable business. You’ve got value to the customer, they know about you, they want to trade their money for your good/service, so how does that occur? Depending on the good/service, this is complicated or stupid easy. Selling property is complicated, selling nick-knacks is stupid easy. Common to both though is the ability to get paid and deliver goods/services.
Market, we’re talking about market. For sometime now, markets are migrating to Internet communications. And for good reasons. If a customer is Internet savvy, they can shop the world and purchase online, just about anything. Delivery is still the same, but discovery and purchase are online. This isn’t new, mail order catalogs have done this for a very long time, but with the Internet, communications are two-way, instantaneous, and largely free. That’s why the Internet is so well adopted—it provides value.
So a viable business requires:
- the production of value (people pay money for it),
- likability and trust,
- awareness
- and accessibility.
Which is why I say that davidweeks.us isn’t a business. Even when delivering value, which I do, there’s no charge for it. Much of what I do here isn’t about being likable, but it is about being trustworthy. Few people know about it, which is on me to promote, but it is accessible. So long as you are Internet savvy.
These are why I say I am living for a living. And living to serve a cause, America. Join me.
I’m serious about supporting me too, though I will keep publishing either way. If you find value in my work, I am glad. I ask that you share it, and if you want to reciprocate, we’ll find a way!
What do you care about, that you spend money for it?
Thanks for the visit. Please share this if you like. See you next time!
Clarity, unity, organization, action. Let’s not fail where it counts.
Be American. Stay American!
David Weeks, Information Developer, Tampa, Florida.