SMSVOLT is a free sms service project I developed in my spare time. If you have not seen the site already it is at www.smsvolt.com. It would be localized using sub-domains such as ng.smsvolt.com for Nigeria gh.smsvolt.com for Ghana and cm.smsvolt.com for Cameroon.

I have done the research to test the viability of SMS based marketing in WEST AFRICA, or at-least in Nigeria, and I was amazed by the results. Over a period of 4 weeks, the system had sent SMS to about 12,000 unique people and sent out about 19,229 SMS messages. Now the question lies on how this could generate revenues.

This model would be supported by advertisement as a signature to the free SMS SENT OUT.

How does this work?
Well its simple, the system allows the sending of messages in 120 characters, which allows Text Ads 40 – 200 characters advertisement embedded. What this means is advertisers can opt to advertise as a signature or an additional message sent out to the recipient.

Penetration Model
I intend to build widgets for blogs and websites so that people visiting other blogs and websites can be able to send out messages to the system using the free services. I also intend to have a mobile version of the site together with a commercial discounted bulk SMS services, discounted by the signature ads.

Looking for partners.

I invested in the initial advertisement and test campaign budget together with the development of the platform that would enable this model, and would continue to support the model with all the software and feature enhancement necessary to penetrate the market.
I need 3 partners that would be able to run this as a business in Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria and I would support the concept through my web software and services etc.

The Partners would have to share the cost of the initial SMS Campaign and marketing cost, and also would be responsible for whatever it takes to acquire the customer base necessary to make this project a reality.

I am willing to take 40% stake, so the partnership would be on a 60:40 ratio for each country, which I think is quiet a fair ratio considering the roles the partners would be playing.

What I need in a Partner?

1. Initiative – The partner should be able to acquire and support sales and payment logistics on his own without my help.

2. Honesty – The partner should be honest and straightforward about how he intends to market and acquire customers.

3. Business Experience – The partner should have done business in the past, or currently and would have time to do this effectively and sincerely with the necessary commitments required to make it a successful partnership.

4. Performance – I need a hard working partner, as the partnership agreement would be dissolved if the partner does not perform.

Do you need a more in-depth detail on this business proposal? Shoot me an email or comment here and I would get in touch with you.