How Ben Robertson Grew ColorBliss to $2K MRR in Just 7 Months
Who is Ben Robertson?๐
Ben Robertson, the founder of Color Bliss, started the company in October 2023 after leaving his job as a customer success leader for software developer tooling companies. Based in Travelers Rest, SC, Ben uses his diverse skills in marketing, sales, and product development to create innovative digital experiences, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and family life.
What problem does Color Bliss solve?๐
Color Bliss solves the problem of finding unique, custom coloring pages by allowing users to generate personalized designs, particularly when specific requests can't be easily met through traditional resources, offering a creative outlet and fulfilling niche demands.
How did Ben come up with the idea for Color Bliss?๐
One sleepless night, Ben found himself awake in the early hours after his kids had gotten him up. Instead of tossing and turning, he decided to dive into some keyword research for ideas he had been mulling over. As a father of young children who loved coloring but often requested impossible-to-find themes, Ben noticed a gap for customizable, themed coloring pages.
Using his newfound knowledge about AI, Ben realized he could generate these unique coloring pages using AI tools. He spent some time crafting prompts and soon found a method that produced engaging and fun content. This experience combined with keyword research confirmed there was a significant audience searching for coloring pages, leading him to view this as a potential business opportunity.
Ben recognized the importance of validating his idea. As the initial coloring pages he created were well-received, Ben saw an unfulfilled demand and quickly acted by setting up a domain and website. Feedback from friends and family who tried the platform helped him refine both the product and its features, setting the foundation for Color Bliss.
How did Ben build the initial version of Color Bliss?๐
Ben Robertson built ColorBliss by leveraging AI tools to generate custom coloring pages. The development process involved using Stability Dreambooth to create prompts and produce images for coloring sheets. Initially, Robertson focused on SEO strategies, using SEMRush to perform keyword research to identify and target keywords with potential high traffic, such as "Shark coloring pages." The first version of the website was launched swiftly within just a few days, which allowed Ben to gain early feedback and iterate the product rapidly. The build phase presented unexpected challenges, such as shifting API providers during a launchโresulting in inappropriate content due to lack of built-in filtersโnecessitating quick problem-solving and adaptation.
How did Ben launch Color Bliss and get initial traction?๐
Social Media Sharing๐
Ben Robertson, the founder of Color Bliss, initially got the word out about his brand by leveraging social media. He shared content on various social platforms to reach a wider audience and attract their attention to the new venture. By posting consistently and engaging with potential customers, he built awareness about Color Bliss' coloring pages, ultimately capturing interest.
Why it worked: Social media platforms provide a cost-effective way of reaching a large audience. By sharing engaging content, Ben was able to connect directly with customers, generating initial interest and sales, especially from those outside his immediate network.
Facebook Ads๐
To accelerate customer acquisition, Ben invested a small sum in Facebook ads. This approach was targeted at parents of preschoolers, aiming to drive visitors to Color Bliss' website and prompt initial sales. The ads helped capture interest from individuals who might not have encountered the brand otherwise.
Why it worked: Facebook ads allowed for precise targeting of specific demographics, like parents of young children, who are more likely to be interested in coloring pages. This gave Color Bliss a boost in traffic and visibility, leading to the first sale from someone outside of Benโs known circle.
Product Hunt Launch๐
Ben launched Color Bliss on Product Hunt to tap into the platformโs active community, which is well-known for supporting new tech and creative products. This launch day activity garnered attention and helped in driving significant traffic to the site.
Why it worked: Product Hunt is a hub for early adopters and innovators, providing Ben with an opportunity to showcase his new product to an audience eager for new, creative solutions. The use of this platform helped Color Bliss gain the initial traction needed to reach broader markets.
Metrics: - Color Bliss received 225 users from Product Hunt on the launch day.
Initial Email Outreach๐
Ben executed an email outreach campaign, sharing information about Color Bliss with friends, family, and acquaintances. This personal touch not only raised awareness but also encouraged these initial contacts to spread the word to their networks.
Why it worked: Personal recommendations and word-of-mouth can be highly effective, especially in the early stages of a business. This approach helped Color Bliss foster a community of initial supporters who were personally connected to or referred by someone they trust.
What was the growth strategy for Color Bliss and how did they scale?๐
SEO๐
ColorBliss significantly leveraged SEO to drive organic traffic to their site. From the outset, Ben Robertson focused on keyword research to identify terms related to coloring pages that had the potential for high traffic with relatively low competition. Terms like "shark coloring pages" and "Spiderman coloring pages" were targeted, which eventually helped attract significant visitors seeking unique coloring options. The structured content and optimization of these pages facilitated better search engine crawling and indexing.
Why it worked: This approach worked because it tapped into an existing demand for niche coloring page content, which many parents and educators search for online. The strategic targeting of low-competition keywords allowed ColorBliss to rank effectively, capturing organic traffic without needing substantial ad spend.
Facebook Ads๐
Ben Robertson ran Facebook ad campaigns aimed at parents of preschoolers. These ads were designed to showcase the unique aspects of ColorBliss, like the ability to create custom coloring sheets. The ads contributed to initial sales and were pivotal in gathering user feedback on pricing and product features.
Why it worked: Facebook's targeting capabilities meant that ads could be displayed precisely to the demographic most likely to be interested in coloring pages. This precise targeting helped ColorBliss gain meaningful traction by reaching the right audience efficiently and driving initial sales.
Product Hunt Launch๐
ColorBliss launched on Product Hunt, which resulted in a notable traffic increase, bringing 225 users on launch day. This platform provided exposure to a tech-savvy audience interested in new and innovative products, creating a buzz that led to backlinks and potential customers exploring the site.
Why it worked: Product Hunt is known for attracting early adopters who are eager to try out new products, which aligned well with the nascent stage of ColorBliss. The platform's community-driven nature allowed ColorBliss to reach an audience that appreciates creative and innovative digital tools, thus driving both traffic and credibility.
Email Outreach and Influencer Partnerships๐
Ben Robertson also engaged in email outreach and partnered with influencers, particularly within parenting and educational spaces, to showcase ColorBliss. These influencers reviewed the product and shared it with their audiences, resulting in organic traffic growth and valuable user feedback for features and pricing improvements.
Why it worked: Influencers brought ColorBliss to a wider audience organically, leveraging their trusted voices to vouch for the product's quality and fun. This method effectively built word-of-mouth momentum, providing the dual advantage of credibility and reach.
What's the pricing strategy for Color Bliss?๐
Color Bliss monetizes by selling coloring page generation credits at $9 for 20 credits, with some free credits provided, and offers additional features in higher-priced plans.
What were the biggest lessons learned from building Color Bliss?๐
- Iterate and Adapt: Ben Robertson emphasizes the importance of iteration in product development. Start with a "good enough" version and refine based on customer feedback. This strategy avoids wasted efforts on features that may not resonate with users.
- Customer Feedback is Key: Engaging with customers for feedback and incorporating their suggestions helps build a product that meets their needs. Ben fostered open communication with customers, leading to meaningful product improvements.
- Experiment with Pricing: ColorBliss saw a positive change by experimenting with pricing strategies. Ben adjusted prices to find the right balance that increased conversions, highlighting the importance of flexible pricing models.
- Leverage Organic Search: Ben leveraged SEO and keyword research to drive traffic. By targeting popular search terms related to coloring pages, ColorBliss expanded its audience reach, showcasing the power of strategic content marketing.
- Balance Work and Life: Entrepreneurship is not just about business success but also personal fulfillment. Ben pursued a lifestyle that emphasized spending less time on work to enjoy more family time, redefining personal success beyond financial metrics.
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More about Color Bliss:๐
Who is the owner of Color Bliss?๐
Ben Robertson is the founder of Color Bliss.
When did Ben Robertson start Color Bliss?๐
2023
What is Ben Robertson's net worth?๐
Ben Robertson's business makes an average of $2K/month.
How much money has Ben Robertson made from Color Bliss?๐
Ben Robertson started the business in 2023, and currently makes an average of $24K/year.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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