How can you become a star without money?

Chapter 33 Everything that happens is for my benefit.

The essence of attracting investment is just making empty promises.

Although Wang Yao doesn't have the same global reach as Accountant Jia with just a single PowerPoint presentation, he still has some knowledge of it.

"Here's the thing, boss," Wang Yao said with a smile. "I'm taking out a loan to establish a high-tech e-commerce company. The two e-commerce projects I have now are just to prove that I have the ability to generate continuous profits for the new company."

"An internet high-tech e-commerce company?" Upon hearing this combination of words, Wang Fan's eyes lit up. "Are you also going to create an e-commerce platform company like Taobao and JD.com?"

Shanghai's lack of emphasis on e-commerce does not mean they look down on the industry.

On the contrary, they value the internet and e-commerce quite a bit, mainly because the two largest and most promising e-commerce companies in China are not located in Shanghai, but in Lin'an and Beijing.

Although Shanghai is positioned as a financial center, the only local internet companies that can be considered successful are Ctrip and Shanda, which doesn't really have much prestige.

Although they don't seem to care on the surface, they are secretly working hard to cultivate a few respectable internet companies.

"Similarly, but my idea is to use content and services to drive product sales, which is somewhat different from the product-driven logic of ordinary e-commerce platforms," ​​Wang Yao explained.

"Oh? That sounds interesting. How is it different?" Wang Fan became interested.

Investors love things that are different from the crowd because they can surprise people; creative ideas and style are very important.

"Because I currently work for a modeling agency and also run my own online store, I've found that when I hire models to shoot product photos, the effect of models on the product is actually very small. What really determines whether a user places an order is the price and their needs."

In the past two years, many internet celebrities have emerged on public social media platforms such as Weibo, such as Sister Furong and Sister Feng. Observing their comments, I found that these internet celebrities' remarks are actually guiding to their fans.

Just like celebrity endorsements, fans will transfer their trust in the celebrity to a product and then make a purchase. I define a celebrity's influence as a kind of content, and this content can be created and packaged, like those online influencers.

"The essence of selling goods is sales. If I use the logic of cultivating excellent salespeople to cultivate online influencers, and then let them use content to guide consumers, perhaps I can stimulate more consumption," Wang Yao explained.

Wang Fan and the others frowned, seemingly understanding but not quite. "So, your company trains internet celebrities and then has them sell products. What's the difference between that and directly hiring salespeople to sell products online?"

"You've hit the nail on the head." Wang Yao smiled. "Different identities have different influence on consumers. For example, if Principal Hu and I were both selling you this tea, would you buy mine or Principal Hu's?"

Wang Fan looked at the teacup and squinted. "It must have been bought from Principal Hu, because I'm quite familiar with her, and I know she knows about tea."

"That's right, sales techniques are just techniques; familiarity and trust are the real key. And when an influencer's influence reaches a certain scale..."
It could even give rise to a brand, and this brand inherently possesses influence over consumers. I call it the "familiarity economy model," Wang Yao said with a smile.

"The 'familiarity economy' model? That's an interesting term; I've never heard of it before." Wang Fan pondered the term, finding it increasingly intriguing.

"That's interesting. Looking at it this way, the idea is indeed very novel. I've never seen anything like it before. Is it your own creation?"

“We’ve drawn on some international examples, such as Google’s YouTube influencer development program, which they launched the year before last. Last year, it started to show results, and the influence of influencers has already affected car sales,” Wang Yao said with a smile.

“That’s right, YouTube does have a lot we can learn from, but it sounds like packaging an internet celebrity will take a long time,” Wang Fan said hesitantly.

“Boss, look at her.” Wang Yao waved to Ni Ni.

Ni Ni, who had only been brought along to watch the fun, was startled when she was suddenly called out, but she obediently walked to Wang Yao's side.

Everyone loves beauty, and the appearance of a young and pretty girl added a lot of charm to the office.

"Leaders, what was your first impression of her?" Wang Yao asked with a smile.

The group of older men looked at each other, not daring to speak.

"Young, beautiful, and fashionable," Wang Fan finally said with a smile.

"That's right, because she's a fashion stylist herself. If you need to buy clothes for your daughter or wife but don't know what type, then you can visit my website..."
I saw she posted a lot of pictures about women's clothing, with detailed descriptions of what clothes are suitable for different ages, professions, personalities, and occasions, from outerwear to innerwear, and even lingerie.
If you find a suitable gift, simply click on the comments below the post to be redirected to the payment page. After selecting the size, you can wait for delivery. If the recipient is satisfied with your gift, wouldn't your trust in them increase significantly?
However, without such a medium, if you wanted to buy clothes for your family, you would have to think about it yourself, and you might not buy them at all, right? This is what we call stimulating and guiding consumption.

So my company doesn't package internet celebrities, but rather their content and creativity, stimulating more and more stable consumption. Therefore, when my boss asks me how long the incubation period is, I can only say that it's actually not long.
"Because stylists like Ni Ni can produce several or even a dozen pieces of content a day, with so many, there's bound to be one that resonates with you," Wang Yao explained calmly.

After hearing this, everyone subconsciously nodded in agreement.

When he looked at Ni Ni again, his eyes held a hint of approval.

"I understand now. This explains what it means for content and services to drive consumers."

Moreover, compared to platforms like Taobao, I have a higher regard for platforms that offer both content and services. Xiao Wang, your idea perfectly matches the style of Shanghai.” Wang Fan patted Wang Yao on the shoulder with satisfaction.

This idea sounds sophisticated and fits Shanghai's high-end and classy image.

"Our country is in a period of rapid development, and the global economy is also on the rise. Some foreign economists have analyzed that less than one-tenth of the consumer market has been developed, so the market still has great potential."

Moreover, in the current consumer electronics market, bad money drives out good, and the counterfeit goods scandal on Taobao hasn't subsided yet. I hope to create a platform that guarantees quality and quantity and wholeheartedly serves consumers.” Wang Yao said solemnly and seriously.

"Well said! Ensuring quality and quantity, and serving consumers wholeheartedly—young people should have drive and integrity. I admire young people with dreams the most."

"Well, it's getting late, so we'll end the inspection here. I'll get back to you in three business days at most."

"Thank you for your attention, leaders." Wang Yao stood up, shook hands with everyone, and then saw them off with Hu Mei.

"Xiao Yao, you did a great job today, especially with your idea for the new company. It impressed me, and I think it will be approved," Hu Mei said with a smile.

"I hope so, but thank you for your support, Principal Hu." Wang Yao smiled.

"Let's not talk about these things since we're family. I have something to do tonight, so I'll take my leave now. Come over for dinner next time," Hu Mei said with a smile.

"Okay." Wang Yao watched Hu Mei drive away and return to the warehouse.

"Brother, are we really going to start a business and open a company?" Zhou Cong asked excitedly in a low voice.

Online stores do make money, but I always feel they're not quite as good as running a company.

This is due to the vanity of many young people.

“President Yao, I think your idea definitely has potential. Can you include me in the project? I’m willing to invest all my earnings!” Ni Ni said, blinking her charming eyes.

What Wang Yao described is the initial formula for future UGC-based internet companies, such as Mogujie, Meilishuo, and even Xiaohongshu, all of which use this logic. However, for startups, creative logic is not the most important thing; timing and location are more important.

The Chinese internet is not even fully developed in the Web 2.0 era yet, and there is simply not enough infrastructure and users to support this UGC model.

Just like Mogujie and Meilishuo, which were established earlier, why were they all crushed by Xiaohongshu in the end?
It all boils down to one sentence.

While individual effort is important, the course of history determines success or failure.

"Let me teach you two a lesson: everything else is fake, only money is real. Right now, our most important thing is to make money, the kind of money we can see every day." Wang Yao revealed a subtle smile.

“Mr. Yao, your smile is a little too greedy.” Ni Ni wrinkled her nose.

"Send the orders out. We've sold over 3000 more." Wang Yao glanced at the online store's data.

"Wow! It won't break 10,000 today, will it?" Ni Ni exclaimed excitedly.

"It's just the beginning," Wang Yao smiled.

Today is Saturday, and the episode of "Happy Camp" featuring Qu Shou aired tonight. As expected, Qu Shou gained a lot of female fans on Weibo because of the poem that Wang Yao adapted.

At this time, Weibo was still in its early stages and had not yet become the cesspool of the entertainment industry as it would later become. Most of the broadcasters were literary and artistic youths, and the users were also mainly literary and artistic youths.

Otherwise, Yao Chen's series of bizarre actions wouldn't have garnered such widespread attention.

Qu Shouyi's fan base grew from over 2 to over 4 overnight, demonstrating the influence of "Happy Camp".

However, Qu Shou's mindset was different from before when faced with the surge in attention. The increased attention caused her anxiety because the police investigation into her boyfriend had not yet yielded results.

Looking at the 99+ messages, she felt it was more like a pre-apocalyptic celebration.

Just when she was feeling suffocated by anxiety, she received a message from Wang Yao.

"When things get out of control, we must learn to let go."

Remember, everything that happens will benefit me.

True strength is not about confrontation, but about allowing everything to happen.

We must accept that we misjudged people, that our efforts went unrewarded, that our sincerity may not reach everyone, that loved ones may distance themselves from us and betray us, and that life and death, and inexplicable malice, are all part of this world.
Accept all disappointments, allow things to go against your wishes, allow everything to happen, and then bravely become a better version of yourself.

Qu Shou is an artistic young woman, and this set of inspirational quotes had a very good healing effect on her. Her originally anxious mood was immediately calmed down, as if she had gained some kind of power.

"Mr. Wang, will we succeed?" After much hesitation, Qu Shou still chose to send the message to Wang Yao.

Qu Shou waited for a long time, and just as she was beginning to regret sending such a hesitant inquiry at President Hu's moment, Wang Yao replied.

"There is never a right choice; we must make the choice right."

(End of this chapter)