We're 10 days away from going live, but here's my philosophy and the reason I've decided to do undertake this concept. I really think you guys will enjoy it.
A few things happened, somewhat all at once for me that resulted in the idea. At the height of my streak picking ECU games, I would post a thread and within hours, the thread would have over 10k views. I found that people enjoyed my writeups, inside information, news articles, links to video streams, or anything else I could provide them to enjoy the game. I think at one point going into the VT game, that one single pick thread have over 45k views. It was incredible the support I was given up until that point here at Covers.
One day, some shmuck tout approached me and asked if I'd join his team (names will not be provided). I never thought of selling my picks before and I didn't like the idea of it. I turned him down (along with 4 or 5 other services) and told them I couldn't turn my back on all of these people who were enjoying the writeups. I knew that eventually, everyone reverts to the mean, ends up picking 50% if they're lucky, and the attention goes away. I wanted to parlay that support into something sustainable. Something to really be proud of, I just didn't quite know how I was going to do it yet.
As I was watching one guys stream of the ECU vs Charleston basketball game earlier this season, this guy was asking people to donate during his live tv stream. I knew he'd gone through some trouble setting the feed up and providing the game for me to watch since I couldn't get it here on local TV. I figured, what the hell, I'll give the guy a dollar. It reminded me of all the times I'd taken a trip to the airport and some clown pulls my bags out of my trunk and stood there with his hand out wanting 2 bucks for basically helping me with nothing. Ridiculous. Or the times I'd given the pizza guy 2 dollars for walking my pizza up to my doorstep, or any slew of other times I've given people a tip for helping me out for basically being lazy.
I thought about all of the incredible knowledge in our various capping communities and how I'd never been given a medium for tipping various contributors for the insight they provided me. Those guys never asked for anything. They never did, and still don't, expect anything in return...except for support from their community. Those guys...the ones who really put in the effort and helped me decide on games, did 1,000 times more for me than the clown at the airport.
At that point, I decided to create that avenue for other members like me, who thought that throwing someone 50 cents or a quarter for their thoughts was the least I could do for their troubles. Afterall, those guys were winning me money. I wanted to give back, if only a few cents. The idea was born.
My philosophy is that there are others out there who would do the same if given a slick, streamlined method for doing it. That's what I'm creating. If just half of those 45k viewers tipped me 50 cents...just for one game...think of the possibilities? I never wanted to charge anyone for anything, but if they want to give something back...sure, feel free!
We're going to bridge the gap between Joe shmoes like me and people who call themselves "professionals" who sell picks well in advance whether their picks win or lose. We're going to give people the option if they choose to give back, not force them to pay for things up front.
It will be interesting to see if it flies. I know I'm excited about the possibilities, I hope you guys are too. If you have any ideas or thoughts that we can bake into the concept, please let me know here. This is for you guys, after all.
It's coming soon, we're only a few days out. Welcome aboard the LuDawgs train. Toot-toot. ;)
Lu