What It's About
Postcards for your enemies, and you know, your frenemies.
Business Model
Skills Required
Complexity
Profit Potential
Words of Wisdom
Kelly had some really great advice: when you find an idea you like—"Don't say, 'I wish I'd thought of that!' Rather, ask yourself, 'How can I put my own spin on that?' It can seem like every good business idea is already taken, but learning about existing, profitable side hustles can be the most valuable brainstorming tool."
Fun Fact
When postcards were first invented, many people saw them as an unacceptable invasion of privacy. Over time, they become much more acceptable—though not usually for the kinds of things that Revenge By Mail features!
Notes from Chris
Episode 563
Kelly M. is a bartender, yoga teacher, and mobile notary in San Diego, California. She’s always had a few different things going on, but until this year she’s never had a side hustle in the form of an online business. Her new project, Revenge By Mail, came about when she heard about a guy who offers shipments of glitter to someone you don’t like or just want to play a joke on. It was such a simple (and low-cost) product. Kelly thought it was brilliant, but she didn’t think it was something she would pay for as a consumer. She would, however, pay money to harmlessly embarrass her “frenemies.” So she took the glitter idea and made it her own. The concept of Revenge by Mail isn’t really about taking revenge on someone. It’s more about playing a prank or joke on someone. Kelly used her rudimentary design skills to create a series of fake promotional postcards. They came from made-up companies and congratulated the recipient in an embarrassing way. For example:
- —From BargainBrides.com: “Congratulations on your mail-order bride, Jim!”
- —From the My Little Pony Friendship Club: “Welcome to our newest member!”
- —From XXL Male Enhancement: “Congratulations, you’ve reached Gold level status. Your package is on the way!”
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Revenge By Mail: Don't get mad—get even! Send your frenemies one of Kelly's quirky and embarassing postcards
- Reddit | Funny Subreddit: The subreddit that Kelly posted a picture of her postcard in that lead to an increase in traffic and sales
- Shopify: Kelly used Shopify to set up her site for Revenge By Mail, and they're offering a 21-day trial and exclusive discount for all Side Hustle School listeners!
- Vistaprint: The platform that Kelly uses to print out all of her postcards
SEE ALSO:
- Internet Trolls Eat Their Words in This Comedic Cake Hustle: After seeing a mean comment on Dolly Parton’s Facebook page, a woman bakes up a hilarious and ironic side hustle
- Designer Turns Bad Parking Into $25,000 Per Year: Ever been annoyed at someone who double-parks? This Los Angeles designer turned his frustration into a novelty gift item with growing sales
- Alcohol Fueled Idea Sells Over 1,500 Shirts in Less Than a Year: After a night at the bar, three friends come up with an idea to add huge pockets to the front of t-shirts
Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work! Yours in the revolution,
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