Which Came First, The Marketing Or the Product?
After having our little startup live for 2 weeks, many questions have popped up about whether we are doing things the right way and if we are headed down the right path. The major issue we have is marketing.
We decided to jump in with a live beta without a marketing plan. Was this a smart decision? Right now the answer is “We Don’t Know”. We saw a need for the site we were designing, and wanted to get it out there as soon as possible. But very rarely can you rely on the “build it and they will come” mantra. Maybe some PR is needed? We know this. But we have been able to get a feel on how users will use the service during the last 2 weeks, which will go a long way in helping us define some of the goals in a marketing plan.
We also have begun writing notes for a business plan. The major question we have is, “How the heck are we going to monetize this thing without spamming our users?” Are we in this for the money? Honestly? No and yes. Short term, we want to create a great and useful product. My wife and some of her fellow bloggers were frustrated with the social bookmarking sites out there because there really wasn’t one that was family-based. We are trying to fill that void by creating a place where mommy and daddy bloggers can quickly find and share stories from everyday life. But if this takes off, the bills will rack up, whether it is server and development costs, or just the amount of time and effort we put into it.
Like Chad Randall, I hate Google Adsense. It’s just not for me, although I know it has it’s place. Yes, we have some on our site right now. It’s a placeholder. We’ve gotten one click. I’ll be happy to donate the few cents we earned. I honestly don’t think it’s fair to have adsense ads next to content that other people have written, especially when they may have their own adsense ads on their own site with the original post. We would hope that you click through the the full article, then check out their own ads. But again, with success come bills, so we are looking at revenue-generating alternatives.
So are we blindly going down the right path? Time will tell, I guess. What do you think?
Thursday, April 12th, 2007
April 20th, 2007 at 6:48 am
I think over time, Babblz will be the perfect place for direct ad spaces and through the sale of these direct ads, you will make you money. But these things take time…
In the meantime, I love the site and plan on contributing to its growth.
April 30th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I hear what you’re saying, sister (er – brother)! It’s a constant balancing act… wanting to get your product out there, but not wanting to bombard people with useless shiznit. We’re in the same boat!
I think Babblz is great… we’ve learned that time is our best friend… gotta just wait it out and get the word out there.
Good luck and keep it up!
May 2nd, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Thanks for the support guys. Things never move as quick as you want them to, but I’m not convinced that in our case, that’s not a bad thing…
July 20th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
I came across to your site from Babblz. Reading a couple of your posts on Fresh Yields I realized that your wife runs Babblz. I came across Babblz for the first time today and I love it. I am so impressed with it. I have been quite frustrated using digg and del.icio.us because I could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family, parenting and educational sites like I run. Anyway, I am enjoying reading your blog… you now have a new fan and Babblz is now my favorite Social Networking site for my Preschool Educational sites. You may tell your wife that if you would like.
Keep up your great husband/wife team-work… It shows.
Shana Albert (TheNanny612), Owner
http://www.abchomepreschool.com/
http://www.abchomepreschool.com/PreschoolEducationBlog
February 12th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Wow – I am really impressed with Babblz. I had not heard of it before and it is a great social site. Thanks for putting this out there for us.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
no kidding, haven’t heard of them before either. must be new or something.
March 17th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
4. Start a home business selling your services. Anything that is being done on the Internet can be done by you for pay. Virtual assistants are becoming in demand, website design is still very popular, setting up blogs for people is a hot business right now, writing website and blog content continues to be a great way to make money on the Internet, and so on we go. Earn money providing a service!
June 19th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
A marketing plan is always a smart idea. The nice thing about an online biz is that it doesn’t take a big start up cost
July 9th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
The product came first, trust me!!
September 6th, 2008 at 12:12 am
I appreciate that your web site creating a higher value in providing updated information through your web site.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I like the idea of creating blogs for mommies and daddies to share everyday life stories. Good luck with that! Now I’m going to go check out Babblz!
October 1st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Well, I don’t know for sure in your circumstance, but I think that logically the product should come before the marketing!
October 15th, 2008 at 1:59 am
I’m finding Adsense has given diminishing returns over the years. Now it’s hardly worth it. You’re wise to eschew Adsense for something else. First you need traffic (the “product”) to sell to advertisers though. The product surely comes first – create fantastic content, market your site – and build up the traffic.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Cool post. Thanks for the information.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Since the last update to this blog, adsense has been pretty slumped lately. Google even email everyone saying that they’re making some changes to adsense to make sure it keeps going on. Let’s see how things go…
November 18th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Agree with Gewdton – Adsense is paying peanuts now. Ads on the search pages are what makes the real money for Google. Their content network is failing advertisers who are switching away from it (you can do this in your AdWords account). People who are searching don’t mind seeing ads, but people who browse sites don’t really want those ads there.
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:44 am
Regarding how to monetise a website, how about services like LinkXL and InLinks? Advertisers can place links “inline” in content on publisher’s websites. They get SEO benefit as well as click-through traffic. Publishers are paid monthly.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:29 am
It’s quite obvious that product came first then the trend of marketing started.
November 29th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I think that the reviews will be around for a long time. Bloggers are looking for ways to monetize their blogs.
March 14th, 2009 at 4:22 am
now days internet marketing is so popular that everyone loves to click and get there favorite products. i do not find any joy in online shopping though it has its own advantage.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:45 am
To my knowledge product will be first in industry then marketing started to develop the business media.
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
Obviously product came first. Scenario can be, i developed a product now i am thinking how to sell it. I thought i should spread the word to sell it and thus i started marketing. That was so simple
May 12th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Babblz was great – Looking forward to Babblz 2.0. Good luck guys.
May 13th, 2009 at 4:50 am
I think it’s rather than a bit of thought as to whether the product is marketable and what form any future marketing campaign might take is important at the start of any product development project.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:33 am
In my opinion it is the product which comes first. As the proverb goes, good wine needs no bush.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I have been quite frustrated using digg and del.icio.us because I could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family, parenting and educational sites like I run. Anyway, I am enjoying reading your blog… you now have a new fan and Babblz is now my favorite Social Networking site for my Preschool Educational sites.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I came across Babblz for the first time today and I love it. I am so impressed with it. I have been quite frustrated using digg and del.icio.us because I could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family,
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Now it’s hardly worth it. You’re wise to eschew Adsense for something else. First you need traffic (the “productâ€) to sell to advertisers though. The product surely comes first – create fantastic content, market your site
May 25th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I came across to your site from Babblz. Reading a couple of your posts on Fresh Yields I realized that your wife runs Babblz. I came across Babblz for the first time today and I love it. I am so impressed with it. I have been quite frustrated using digg and del.icio.us because I could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family, parenting and educational sites like I run. Anyway, I am enjoying reading your blog… you now have a new fan and Babblz is now my favorite Social Networking site for my Preschool Educational sites. You may tell your wife that if you would like.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:37 am
To me, it is marketing. I saw some product which is horrible but still, a lot of people bought it
June 8th, 2009 at 5:04 am
Dude, I think Google Adsense is a good thing, it gives the holder of good websites a opportunty to earn money.
Meanwhile, I really dislike the guy whom duplicates others`
June 8th, 2009 at 5:05 am
Dude, I think Google Adsense is a good thing, it gives the holder of good websites a opportunity to earn money.
Meanwhile, I really dislike the guy whom duplicates others’things!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:58 am
As people needed to earn something they made a market and they started selling anything. Hence for me market came first and then product. Exactly speaking the IDEA of market came first.
July 7th, 2009 at 4:36 am
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July 9th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Such a good article, very clever and you can start thinking about the problem, I am not very good with marketing and I just read all of these opinions here.:)
July 14th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Nice article ! i think both are use full and depended of each other.
July 15th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Product comes first – it’s the thing you market. Marketing with a weak product is called “hype” and it’s not a good long-term strategy.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:54 am
I thing both are interlinked with each other without product marketing will not help you.
July 30th, 2009 at 2:29 am
i think i go on product coz you cant market without any product
August 9th, 2009 at 2:10 am
With our experience, the product always come out first before the marketing.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:34 am
Product first and then marketing. Besides you cannot market without any product.
August 26th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I am so impressed with it. I have been quite frustrated using digg and del.icio.us because I could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family, Babblz was great.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:59 am
Reading a couple of your posts on Fresh Yields I realized that your wife runs Babblz. I came across Babblz for the first time today and I love it. I am so impressed with it. I have been quite frustrated using digg and del.icio.us because I could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family,
September 4th, 2009 at 4:00 am
could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family, parenting and educational sites like I run. Anyway, I am enjoying reading your blog… you now have a new fan and Babblz is now my favorite Social Networking site for my Preschool Educational sites. You may tell your wife that if you wou
September 4th, 2009 at 4:02 am
I am so impressed with it. I have been quite frustrated using digg and del.icio.us because I could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family, parenting and educational sites like I run.
September 8th, 2009 at 5:10 am
i think google adsense is so useful,because my website depend on it,about one thousand dollars per day
September 9th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I love your site.
Love design!!! I just came across your blog and wanted to say that I?ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. Sign: ndsam
September 16th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Things never move as quick as you want them to, but I’m not convinced that in our case, that’s not a bad thing
September 24th, 2009 at 1:51 am
Awesome post! That was a good read
September 24th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
As a parent I would love to see more blogs about parents, giving tips, speaking about everyday life with their kids and everyday aspect of raising kids. Good luck in your field..
October 6th, 2009 at 3:07 am
The product for sure, but on the other side there have always been people that have tried to sell lies
October 12th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I think the question as like to which came first,eggs or hen?
October 15th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Market is depends on product and product is depends on market. As per my knowledge product will be first then marketing is start develop that product.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:47 am
I am really impressed with Babblz. I had not heard of it before and it is a great social site. Thanks for putting this out there for us.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:32 am
I have gone through Babblz, really impressed. Google Adsense is the best way of earn money through online.
Just as some said with out product there is no market. So, product first then market.
October 19th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Thanks for sharing nice post, i totally agree what u have written in your post and finally i can say that u guys are just amazing.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
have gone through Babblz, really impressed. Google Adsense is the best way of earn money through online.
Just as some said with out product there is no market. So, product first then market.
October 21st, 2009 at 1:15 pm
The product for sure, but on the other side there have always been people that have tried to sell lies
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 am
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November 12th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I never knew we could search like that it’s interesting and something I might look into when I find some free time!
Works great for other bloggers and myself!
November 20th, 2009 at 7:28 am
At my point of view, the product came first then marketing started.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Obviously, first product next market start developed.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:53 am
I feel that before entering into the market we should have good marketing plan to go with. I heard about babblz recently from one of my friends. I completely agree with what you have mentioned in the blog post here. I like the idea of creating a place where mommy and daddy bloggers can quickly find and share stories from everyday life. I am looking forward to see to it.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:27 am
Babblz is simply superb!! Marketing plan is really important. One flow that we have to always remember is strategy–>Plan—>design—>Execute—>Output—->maintenance.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:29 am
According to me Marketing plan is really very important before product. A nice marketing plan, a nice execution and last the product. If we follow the flow which Nu heat has given then we can get succeed.
November 25th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
The market for sure… Without knowing the market results how can we design the product like Nu heat and endocrinologist said first comes a nice marketing strategy then the product.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Sometimes I think it depends…there could be a market that doesn’t know what it needs yet. That’s how new products come about doesn’t it?
November 26th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I admit that proper marketing plan must be prepared before entering in to any field to market and advertise their products.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Hmm… Even I too admit that proper marketing plan need to be done before entering into the product. I completely agree with the security systems.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:29 am
I completely agree with my fellow commentators that Marketing plan is must before implementing anything on product.
November 28th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
The product comes first and last. Think like that, and the marketing’s easy
November 30th, 2009 at 5:15 am
I disclose that Babblz has lot of inclination these days. I love to spend time on babblz
December 1st, 2009 at 4:28 am
Marketing has become major thing these days. It is must to have marketing plan to proceed further.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:58 am
I not only love to spend the time on babblz but also enjoy some great music.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Obviously product. When one needs some thing that he does not have he starts marketing his thing to grab the product that he need and does not have. In olden days marketing started with sharing the products mutually.
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Well I disagree with you apras Marketing is always first you have to design your product following a Marketing strategy otherwise you would not know who is your market and how to reach them. I believe you are confusing marketing with advertising. Advertising have to be created with the product at same the time
January 4th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
This is the confusion we never solve that which one came first, a hen or an egg. Ahhh
January 16th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Undoubtedly product is the first to come then only marketingcab be done.
No point of discussion here
January 26th, 2010 at 6:40 am
How can you market a thing if product do not exist.
So product is first thing to come.
February 19th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
I think that for most of us, we would need to have some plan at some point. For me it’s the other way around, you should get marketing ideas first and then launch the product. But that is normal in our industry.
Good luck!
February 20th, 2010 at 6:31 am
great blog.Thanks a lot for sharing information about marketing.I think your article contributes a lot in this respect.It will must help the business men a lot.
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:07 am
Well..next time think things through carefully first I guess.
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:16 am
There are lots of ad publishers online and AdSense is just one of them. Many people hate it, but still people use it because it’s easy to manage and has a great following.
Even then, you have other choices. It’s up to you.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:48 am
What a great piece of information…This is exactly what I’m searching for. Really nice post, and by the way, nice blog. Thanks for sharing your thought with us.Keep it up.Keep blogging.
March 9th, 2010 at 5:48 am
That’s a very good post.It’s very well written.I am interested very much in the subject matter of your blog.Thank you so much for sharing this information.keep blogging.Looking to reading your next post.
March 16th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I think marketing in the new world came first.
But back in the day it was all about product. My girl friend is the perfect example she is always looking for the next big thing. Which she finds through advertisements. Sad to say but that’s just the way it works.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
The product came first before there is marketing but there’s no product if there’s no market. This is like a chicken-and-egg problem.
March 19th, 2010 at 9:31 am
information was great – Looking forward to Babblz 2.0. Good luck guys.
March 27th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Whoever came first, it’s nice to know that we have things to do as a living. Without the product and marketing stuff, I would be out of business for years and I have nothing to feed my family.
March 30th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I didnt see your new post for long time. Are still blogging?
Well, i just like your old post about web, internet, marketing and the stuff from here.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
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March 31st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Hi, My real comment was sent to spam by Akismet. I would be honored if you would rescue it. Dr. Ann
March 31st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Once my real comment is rescued from spam, why not come on over to our scholarship sponsor, ToysPeriod for a backlink. They are a Do Follow site that has been targeted by Akismet. It’s unfair because they never spam anyone. However, life sometimes is unfair. Dr. Ann
April 4th, 2010 at 6:42 am
For me a good product don’t need any further marketing because a good product can market its self and that is the advantage of a good product. These reminds me of the saying in SEO that a good quality content will always be in top.
April 6th, 2010 at 1:33 am
Nice work on your blogs. It’s incredible. This is the most reliable thing of thing we’ve ever used.
April 6th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Interesting topic.i think both are use full and depended of each other.You did a great job here.Thanks a lot…
April 28th, 2010 at 2:48 am
I came across Babblz for the first time today and I love it. I am so impressed with it. I have been quite frustrated using digg and del.icio.us because I could tell that they were based more on Technical sites and not so much family, parenting and educational sites like I run. Anyway,
May 7th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
??? ????? ????? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????
May 11th, 2010 at 2:14 am
The best air purifiers are the ones using hepa filters but they are quite expensive.-`,
May 11th, 2010 at 8:21 am
The best air purifiers are the ones using hepa filters but they are quite expensive.–*
May 16th, 2010 at 5:20 am
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May 21st, 2010 at 10:01 am
Babblz was ok – Looking forward to Babblz 3.0. Good luck guys.
May 23rd, 2010 at 11:29 am
i think what comes firt is the marketing, you can have a very nice product but if you dont advertise it peopple wont know about it!
May 24th, 2010 at 12:33 am
What a great blog! Thanks a lot for sharing this informative and innovative information about marketing.
May 24th, 2010 at 1:30 am
I think the best air purifiers are the ones using hepa filters
May 31st, 2010 at 12:31 pm
It is the product that comes in first and marketing next. This is really a great blog. Thank you for sharing it.
June 2nd, 2010 at 4:48 am
I think that logically the product should come first before the marketing!!!
June 15th, 2010 at 4:55 am
I came across Babblz for the first time today and I love it. I am so impressed with it. Nice work on your blogs. It’s incredible. This is the most reliable thing of thing we’ve ever used. Thanks for sharing with us dear.
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:35 am
natural cosmetics are hypoallergenic too and doesnt have nasty side effects..,~
June 24th, 2010 at 7:29 am
I am attending University in the Fall but im confused. I have been accepted into Commerce at my university and i was planning on majoring in Marketing. However i am not sure if I am picturing what Marketing really is.
July 1st, 2010 at 2:35 pm
I think that logically the product should come first before the marketing!!!
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:09 am
Very very informative post.
The need of growth in search engine ranking and the need of SEO
The Search Engine Optimization is the basic need for any website to rise in page ranking and for the better growth and development of your site to gain better profits.
July 10th, 2010 at 1:20 am
what is the best brands of air purifiers these days?:*:
July 11th, 2010 at 12:58 am
i think product is one aspect of the marketing
we can see it from 4ps
which is product is one part of marketing mix
July 14th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
As a parent I would love to see more blogs about parents, giving tips, speaking about everyday life with their kids and everyday aspect of raising kids. Good luck in your field..
July 21st, 2010 at 8:59 am
The essential of seo is very important,you have described a better points to understand ..and the products is the main key of any marketing you have clearly explained what marketing is ?
July 26th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
natural cosmetic is always the best thing that you can use on your face and body. .’*
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I wanted ot thank you for the headline in this article…I actually used it in a class I teach today and it had mystudents perplexed for a while. Genious!
August 4th, 2010 at 3:07 am
Hi everyone! I think both are important and equal in the characteristics. Really a nice article especially the caption.
August 4th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Its an great experience to visit Babblz..interesting topic are there.According to me the first come out is product and they decide how to give complete details to the public than comes the marketing.
August 5th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Thank you very much for that extraordinarily first class editorial! Very creative and innovative one. Keep blogging.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
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August 28th, 2010 at 8:17 am
good stuff. The product has to come first or how could you possibily market it.
September 1st, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Excellent blog! I actually love how it’s easy on my eyes and also the data are well written. I am wondering how I may be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which really should do the trick! Have a nice day!
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:41 am
I appreciate that your web site creating a higher value in providing updated information through your web site.Very creative and innovative blog.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:30 am
Site is completely new to me, never heard about such site before. Thanks for sharing.
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Hi!!! I think both are important and equal in the characteristics.This is really a great blog. Thank you for sharing it. Keep blogging.
September 6th, 2010 at 3:54 am
Of course the quality of product is must and side by side marketing is also must. Both are two side of single coin we cannot give more priority to any one. Both are equally important.