I was sent a video of Casey Serin (World’s most hated blogger) talking about his new “Island 2012” project. After painfully sitting through all 32 minutes, I decided I might provide some commentary. I am somewhat familiar with Casey and his “I am Facing Foreclosure” blog. Let me start by saying “Crazy” ideas, even revolutionary ideas, are a dime a dozen. We all have them. It’s the ability to create a plan and execute it that makes it work.
First, some back story on this video, I will save you the time – Casey wants to start blogging about buying a “tropical island paradise” by 2012 and living on it. He wants to sell ad space on his blog, selling 1,000 units, with each ad unit increasing in cost. For example, the first until will be sold for $1, the second for $2, third for $3, and so on recurring each month. With the money he makes, the goal (I think?) is to buy the island.. For himself.
There are so many flaws here, I am not quite sure where to begin, but let’s try.
First – Why would anyone want to fund a dream that does not benefit them? Why would I want to help YOU purchase an island? I guess Casey doesn’t understand the concept of “What’s in it for me?” – He says you’ll get ad space, and he will blog about you – So what? Big deal. I could purchase ad space anywhere, and if it’s for my business, there are thousands of other sites with targeted users who I’d much rather go after.
Second – The idea is so flimsy. He claims that at 1,000 units he can earn $500,000 a month to help fund the island – But then later says if he falls short, he will do other things with the money, other “investments” – What the hell? Talk about a lack of clarity and focus
Third – While rambling on about what he might possibly do with the money, he claims “we” (see fourth item) can fund some sort of “help Africa” program – Why would I want to give money to Casey Serin so he could feed hungry Africans? Maybe if I hadn’t heard of of any of the hundreds of legitimate non-profit organizations dedicated to helping them already
Fourth – Just because you keep saying “we” when talking about this project, doesn’t give me a warm fuzzy that I will be sipping a pina colada on a tropical island with you, or seeing any benefit whatsoever in investing in this dream of yours. We all know by “we”, you mean “I”
Fifth – It’s quite obvious Casey has no clue how to develop an idea. He thinks from the top down, instead of the bottom up – “If we get 1,000 members.. If we get 500 members” – I am sure you’ve heard the guys who say “If we can just get 1% of China’s population to buy our widget, we’ll be billionaires!” – Casey, what is it going to take to get ONE member? ONE visitor? ONE comment on your blog? How many uniques do you need to get per day to get 1 advertiser? You clearly have no idea how to determine the viability of your ideas, which leads me to my final point – If you could learn HOW to determine which of your ideas was actually viable, learn how to develop it, learn how to market it, you might actually find yourself using your time wisely and using it towards a worthwhile, possibly successful venture.
This idea has failed before it’s even been launched. Is it because it’s just a stupid idea? Yeah, probably, but more importantly, lacks any real structure, foundation or rational thought.
Here is the video, if you want to laugh and have 30 minutes to waste.. Island 2012 Live 08/20/09
