Tinkerdroid is the first real project that I have begun with the aim of generating a new revenue stream.  As you may imagine, launching a project like this requires a considerable amount of time, resources and know-how. Of the many challenges that I’ve been faced with undertaking this new project, online marketing is where I find myself struggling with the most, but I am making efforts to learning more about it and getting the word out there.

The site was launched into a beta in mid-July. On July 29th, a press release was published announcing both the launch of the site and a contest in an effort to attract visitors. In retrospect, two press releases should have been published as to maximise the exposure. The first press release covering the launch of the beta and the second press release with details about the contest.

I have undergone a couple of minor marketing campaigns to attract visitors, but they were not effective and, to be very honest, not very well thought out – I’m learning, I’m allowed to do that! The campaigns have included a twitter account, and posting on some Android related communities, which made me feel like a dirty spammer. A filthy, dirty spammer… and this is exactly why I have decided to take a step back, analyze the situation and make a proper marketing strategy (possibly following some of NetSetter’s articles).

With that said, I plan to chronicle my adventures in this new business venture in the form of lessons learned that so that I can look back and others may get some use out of it as well. Here are some topics I plan on covering:

There is no right or left there is only up and down.
Bob Dylan

The exclusive interview with David McWane of Big D and the Kids Table continues where part 1 left off.

• Teva Life Agent Grant

A look into the adventurous Life Agent grant program that Teva began earlier this year and will continue sponsoring Life Agents through the remainder of the year.

• Vagabond Cheat Sheet: South Africa

This month’s Vagabond Cheat Sheet shows us that there is more to the nation of South Africa than just the 2010 World Cup. A snapshot that goes beyond the vuvuzelas.

There is nothing like the World Cup to get you some attention. And as hosts of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa is certainly getting a lot of attention. There is certainly more to South Africa than the World Cup. Twenty years after the apartheid era, South Africa is still dealing with the consequences. In this month’s Vagabond Cheat Sheet, we peel back a layer and see what is underneath all the vuvuzelas.

Geography and Economy

Geography: South Africa is… well, the southernmost country in the African continent.
Capital: Pretoria (betcha didn’t know that!)
Language(s): 5% or more of the population speak one of these: IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, English, Setswana, Sesotho
Population: 49,109,107 (28.6% under the age of 15)
Population in Poverty: 24,554,554 (50%)
Religion: None 15.1%, Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36% (Christians make up over 75%)
Currency: South African Rand
Exchange Rates:

• US Dollar: 0.1305
• Euro: 0.1069
• British Pound: 0.0865

International Affairs and Tourism

Colonized by: Netherlands / England
Independence: From UK in 1931
Genocide: None reported by UN
Recent Armed Conflicts: Various peacekeeping operations in Africa
Tourism Information: Safaris, Vineyards, Beaches, Hiking
Visa: Not needed for most countries (US$72 otherwise)
Internet: Accessible and available in urban locations. Limited in rural areas.

International Organizations

UNICEF: UNICEF has made a great investment in treating children with AIDS and numerous programs to prevent the spread of AIDS.
UNESCO: South Africa is home to seven of the UNESCO World Heritage sites: The Cradle of Humankind, Robben Island, Cape Floral Region, Isimangaliso Wetland Park, Mapungubwe Kingdom, Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and Vredefort Dome
International Red Cross / Crescent: The South African Red Cross Society works to aid victims of disasters, provide AIDS education among other programs.
Habitat for Humanity: 2600 houses built since 1996.
CARE: Projects to improve communities and AIDS Prevention
Doctors without Borders: Programs to provide HIV / TB Treatment
Oxfam: HIV / AIDS prevention programs, providing food for drought areas, child protection and gender equality
MercyCorps: No current projects

References:

• UNICEF
• UNESCO World Heritage List
• CIA World Fact-book
• Habitat for Humanity
• CARE
• South African Red Cross Society
• Doctor’s Without Borders
• Oxfam
• MercyCorps
• Wikipedia
• South Africa Tourism Website
• WikiTravel
• South African Department of Home Affairs

In the 21st century, if you are not making art with the intention of it being copied, you are not making contemporary art.
- Cory Doctorow

seanmcgrath

I almost sprayed a coat of hot coffee all over my monitor when the words came up “Your Dream. Our Money. Earn it.” emphasized by the fact that the number “10,000” never looked quite so good. The marketing think-tank at Teva (pronounced “teh-vah”), makers of sandals and shoes made popular by adventure seekers of all types, really had something going. Their new promotion, a contest coined “Teva Life Agents”, is promising $10,000 not one but various new “Life Agents” that are willing to share the stories of their corporately funded adventure through blog posts, photos and videos.

The contest began on January 21st with quite a bang and was made official with a press release and a new website. This was followed up by a launch party in Salt Lake City promoted by Chali 2Na, the former front man of the alternative hip-hop band Jurassic 5. The hard-to-pronounce-rapper was not the only celebrity there. Teva has selected five celebrity Life Agents to jumpstart the program. Clearly, Teva is putting in a great deal of effort into promoting the new marketing campaign by pushing a lot of momentum into the launch.

The current round-up of Life Agents that have been hand selected by Teva include film makers Wade Davis and Jason Goldwatch, Mountain Biker Jeff Lenosky, Kayaker John Grace and Kick Kennedy, granddaughter of the late senator from Massachusetts, Robert F. Kennedy. Kick Kennedy has starred in an adventure IMAX film sponsored by Teva. Life Agent and filmmaker Rush Sturges won first place prize in the 13th Annual Rosenheim Kayaking Film Festival in Germany. These hand selected Life Agents will make up the panel of judges that will deem new adventurers worthy of the $10,000.

According to the official rules, Teva is looking for the Life Agents to be “the new representative face of the Teva brand”. Applicants are to pitch their dream project ideas to Teva through either a written or video essay and Teva promises a $10,000 grant to those selected to be the new Life Agents to fun their respective projects. Along with the $10,000 grant, Teva Life agents would be supplied with a Flip Camera to document their projects and about $540 of Teva Footwear. Projects must “involve adventure travel” and must be completed within six months of being accepted. The projects must be well documented via blog posts, photos and video and those applying must confirm their ability to access the internet throughout the project. Teva is also imposing six public appearances over the course of one year. Not a bad deal at all, if you ask me. The major downside to this whole deal is that it is only available to US Residents, which is very unfortunate for our non US readers.

There are no restriction on the kind of adventure and claims that “anyone who embodies the Teva lifestyle” is eligible – meaning, you do not have to be a mountain biker or a white-water rafter to give this contest an honest shot. Projects will be judged on the basis of creativity, originality and “best project”. Current video applicants include a mom who wants to take her two children, or “monkies” as she refers to them, on vacation, a filmmaker who would like to summit Mount Everest, mountain bikers, kayakers, snowboarders and a world-traveling couple are just some amongst the many submissions so far.

On April 26th, Teva selected their first Life Agent winner. Randy Pierce will use his $10,000 grant to hike forty-eight of New Hampshire’s highest peak, including Mount Washington, the highest peak in the East Coast. Randy, who lost his sight at age twenty-two, will be accompanied by his guide dog, Quinn.

Teva will continue accepting applications for Life Agents throughout the year. The only thing left to do is to take out the video camera or a pad and paper and start working on your submission. If you do apply, please let us know in the comments and share with us your ideas. So go ahead and tell us: What would you do? Do you think you have what it takes?

freeparking

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
- Vincent van Gogh

You don’t need 90% of what you have. You buy these things to make your life a little bit more enjoyable.  I say, save money for a year and go to India, Thailand, Vietnam, or start with England.
David McWane

We pick up where we left off and continue last week’s interview with David McWane from Big D and the Kids Table.

Vinny: Reading through your websites, I came across some information on the humanitarian effort “A First Step”. What are some of the challenges of setting up an organization such as “A First Step”?

David: Time and capital.  I always liked the lyric, “If you’re bored than your boring”.  People should take advantage of their free time, because as you get older it become less and less.  I’m taking your question down a different road, but I will double back.  To anyone reading this and I know you have heard it before, but turn off the TV, cut down on Facebook and use your productive years to be productive.  Everything from girls and boys, parties and more will come – try and make a difference while you are young and you will be that much more brilliant later.  If you party on Friday, do something that makes a difference on Saturday.  If you work 8 hours a day at your job, work at least half after for your future.  Push yourself.  So back to your question of ‘challenges’ well I would say time and capital.  For us people who are not from fortunate families our climb up is much slower, much steeper.  To be honest the challenges are endless, but aren’t they always.

Vinny: Mark Twain once said that “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness”. What are some of the things you have learned through traveling that you would not have of learned anywhere else?

David: How little we all know.  And that if you don’t educate yourself throughout your life and become bigger than your emotions, then you will most definitely become one of the prejudice, narrow-minded bigots of this world.  Don’t just be an American or French, or an Aussie or this or that…see the world and become a part of everyone.

Vinny: The song titled “New England” from “The Gypsy Hill” album clearly shows that you guys have a love for New England (and so do I). What is your number two place in the world?

David: The rest of the world.

Vinny: The song titled “We can live anywhere” (and its video) from the latest album (I feel) resonates amongst independent travelers. What does this song mean to you?

David: People often have jobs they hate, apartments they hate, friends they hate, lovers they hate and still don’t understand that it is themselves that anchor themselves there.  As easy as it is to drive to the mall and buy a new stereo, it is to jump on a plane and see the world.  Give in to frugal spending.  You don’t need DVDs or coffees from Starbucks everyday; you don’t need 90% of what you have. You buy these things to make your life a little bit more enjoyable.  I say, save money for a year and go to India, Thailand, Vietnam, or start with England.

Vinny: Big D and the Kids Table have been around for a long time and you guys have built up a very dedicated fan-base. Big D and the Kids Table have a varied fan-base consisting of people of all ages. What do you hope to inspire in people with your music?

David: Well for me I hope people can go instantly from a bad mood to a good mood, from dread to hope.  That’s what Iron Maiden, Operation Ivy, Melt-Banana and Yelle do and have done for me.  But from me, I hope for them they never stop learning and never stop traveling until they have seen this world.

Vinny: Follow up: How do you feel, as artists, about the amount of influence you have on your fans?

David: Sometimes I feel nervous and confused, because no one feels like they truly have the answers – or one shouldn’t.  I just do my best to field the questions given me.  My angle is this…I am a dyslexic, lower middle class kid, my future should have been school, college, small jobs, a girlfriend, a wife, a slightly better job, kids and never leaving New England unless I go on an expensive two-week tropical vacation.  Through this band and from reading and reading and reading I have fought very hard for something better.  No I don’t not look at every day as my last, I half think that and I half think of my future.  I have been running from Man for 14 years, I know who I was before and I know who I am now and I just want everyone reading this to take it a goal to become the greatest person you can.  Just remember no one will think it’s a good idea until you return.

Vinny: What are some projects we can look forward to in the future?

David: I  have two new books coming out Running Young: Travels with David McWane & Let the Poets Come and Stop Me.

Vinny: What can we expect to see in the “Travel Diaries” section of your website?

David: You can expect a lot of Flip video and travel diaries from my 10 month solo travel around the World in 2011-2012 I am planning this year.  I am going to see the world and become a better man.  See how easy it is.

Thank you David for taking the time to answer some questions!