Pimp the Scooter

Mar 10, 2009 by Dan Taylor

Posted under: Social Media

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Ah, the wonderful world of Twitter and Social Media alive and well, and yet again affirming my faith in the method. I happened to catch a tweet this morning pimpthescooter.com. Having been a big fan of MTV’s Pimp My Ride (back in the day, ya’ll…the new stuff – not so much), I thought, hmmm…who’s doing what to a scooter?

Well, low and behold, pimpthescooter.com has pretty much nothing to do with MTV, Xibit, or dropping the ride a few extra inches. What it DOES have is an awesome social media powered concept by Big Jon Evans. The story breaks down like so: Jon Evans is a small business owner in Greenville, SC. Due to a series of unfortunate events, Evans finds himself without modus transportatus (homeboy no longer has a car). In his search for a solution to the ‘Crap, how do I get around?’ question, Jon found a perfectly acceptable spring/summer solution: a scooter!

Ok, so a guy with out a car in Greenville, SC wants to buy a scooter. So what?

Now here’s where things get interesting. Instead of plucking down the $1500 and driving his new scooter off the lot, Evans is conduction a social media experiment. Conceived with an obvious nod to the Million Dollar Homepage, Evans is selling off 150 1 x 1 squares for $10 each, where contributors get their picture plastered on the scooter, and a mention on Jon’s wall of gratitude. Businesses can also get their logo on Jon’s hot ride with a 2 x 2 sticker for $50. Thus far, he’s raised $530 or 35% of his goal. With 21 days remaining, my money is on Jon successfully completing the experiment, and driving away a happy camper.

But why should I pay for some guy’s scooter?

Besides the obvious benefit of ‘hey, that’s cool…I want to be a part of it’, Jon is using a ChipIn widget, making donations incredibly easy for anyone with a paypal account, and doing his part to reduce his carbon footprint. Still not enough? This just in: Jon will be auctioning off the scooter at summer’s end (September) with all procedes going to a charity of his choosing.

Maybe we could let the contributors choose the charity via a poll on pimpthescooter.com Jon?

Anyway you look at it, a great idea and great execution on Jon’s part. So let’s get homie some wheels, and do it all for a good cause at the end of the day. Visit pimpthescooter.com and get your picture reserved right next to mine. And yes…you can choose any picture you want.

Tags: happy camper, jon evans, MTV, new scooter, paypal account, pimp my ride, series of unfortunate events, small business owner, tweet, Twitter, xibit

citizen

I imagine the flac big John got for so blatantly soliciting a hand out made him rethink a charitable angle. When he first announced this “social media experiment’ charity was not mentioned in the least….unless you consider Big John a charity.
citizen

I imagine the flac big John got for so blatantly soliciting a hand out made him rethink a charitable angle. When he first announced this “social media experiment’ charity was not mentioned in the least….unless you consider Big John a charity.
http://www.pimpthescooter.com/ Big Jon

Citizen, thanks for your positive attitude and support. I bet living life with such a positive attitude is an awesome thing. I understand that not everyone can have a great idea like this come along and that you are a bit jealous. However, If I can do anything to help you think outside the box and come up with a great idea please let me know. You’ll be the first one to get a ride. Let me know.

Regards,

Big Jon (no H buddy)
http://www.pimpthescooter.com Big Jon

Citizen, thanks for your positive attitude and support. I bet living life with such a positive attitude is an awesome thing. I understand that not everyone can have a great idea like this come along and that you are a bit jealous. However, If I can do anything to help you think outside the box and come up with a great idea please let me know. You’ll be the first one to get a ride. Let me know.

Regards,

Big Jon (no H buddy)
citizen

Less to the greedy – more to the needy!

If you had started this “social media experiment” with charity in mind, JON, I would have no complaint. All I saw was someone with his hand out. If I wanted a scooter I’d buy one. If I didn’t have the money (I don’t) I’d work for it. I was taught to pull my own weight, not expect my friends and family (or complete strangers) to foot the bill.

I do live with a positive attitude, but not towards slackers.
citizen

Less to the greedy – more to the needy!

If you had started this “social media experiment” with charity in mind, JON, I would have no complaint. All I saw was someone with his hand out. If I wanted a scooter I’d buy one. If I didn’t have the money (I don’t) I’d work for it. I was taught to pull my own weight, not expect my friends and family (or complete strangers) to foot the bill.

I do live with a positive attitude, but not towards slackers.
http://www.pimpthescooter.com/ Big Jon

Citizen, you make a good point. Thanks for your insight and thoughts on the project. If there is ever anything i can do for you don’t hesitate to let me know. If you would like to talk about it more, I would love to. Find me on Facebook or Twitter and we can continue the conversation there. Have a great afternoon!
http://www.pimpthescooter.com Big Jon

Citizen, you make a good point. Thanks for your insight and thoughts on the project. If there is ever anything i can do for you don’t hesitate to let me know. If you would like to talk about it more, I would love to. Find me on Facebook or Twitter and we can continue the conversation there. Have a great afternoon!
RojAvon

Well, I’m gonna be honest. I know Jon and I like Jon. But frankly, I wouldn’t give money to this.

I know Jon well enough to know that he is indeed doing this more as a social experiment than some kind of greedy money grab…but I also know that he is resourceful enough to pay for his own scooter.

It’s interesting to watch…but I’m not sending a guy with enough intelligence and ability to get a job to pay for his own scooter any money.
RojAvon

Well, I’m gonna be honest. I know Jon and I like Jon. But frankly, I wouldn’t give money to this.

I know Jon well enough to know that he is indeed doing this more as a social experiment than some kind of greedy money grab…but I also know that he is resourceful enough to pay for his own scooter.

It’s interesting to watch…but I’m not sending a guy with enough intelligence and ability to get a job to pay for his own scooter any money.
THEFANTICLE

citizen,
bless your heart.

love,
THEFANTICLE
THEFANTICLE

citizen,
bless your heart.

love,
THEFANTICLE
Sadler

Interesting idea. I the experiment works. Maybe the next one could be for a nice snowmobile!
Sadler

Interesting idea. I the experiment works. Maybe the next one could be for a nice snowmobile!
Rex

Wow, Citizen. Really? Let me ask, what is the point of your first comment? Was it to be hurtful or to be negative? I guess Im just not sure what makes you think you have the right to be the person that makes others feel like crap. It seems like Jon is just putting on a fun project and I for one and proud to be a part of it. Also, what’s with not telling who you are? Bless your heart….
Rex

Wow, Citizen. Really? Let me ask, what is the point of your first comment? Was it to be hurtful or to be negative? I guess Im just not sure what makes you think you have the right to be the person that makes others feel like crap. It seems like Jon is just putting on a fun project and I for one and proud to be a part of it. Also, what’s with not telling who you are? Bless your heart….
BigCountry

Hey BigJon, your idea was innovative and creative without being over the top. Instead of looking for a handout, you took the tools you had left, put together an idea, followed it through and everyone (well, most citizens) sees the capitalistic value put to work for yourself. It was an inexpensive test and business owners with common sense would applaud!
By the way, I heard you landed a huge deal today because of your creativeness. Oh look, your idea’s are already paying off. It’s guys like you with your enthusiasm and positive outlook that makes the rest of us jealous.

Straight Ahead!
BigCountry

Hey BigJon, your idea was innovative and creative without being over the top. Instead of looking for a handout, you took the tools you had left, put together an idea, followed it through and everyone (well, most citizens) sees the capitalistic value put to work for yourself. It was an inexpensive test and business owners with common sense would applaud!
By the way, I heard you landed a huge deal today because of your creativeness. Oh look, your idea’s are already paying off. It’s guys like you with your enthusiasm and positive outlook that makes the rest of us jealous.

Straight Ahead!
citizen

Rex-
We disagree. What you see is a fun project and what i see is greed. My point was that this project did not involve charity until well after the solicitation of funds began. Even with the donation to a charity, that only comes at the end of the Summer. What this means to me is that the intention of the project was for a guy to get a scooter at no cost to him.

If Jon wanted to use social media for an experiment why not choose an altruistic cause rather than a selfish one. I was amazed how quickly and successfully Twestival came together, and that was a cause i could get behind.
citizen

Rex-
We disagree. What you see is a fun project and what i see is greed. My point was that this project did not involve charity until well after the solicitation of funds began. Even with the donation to a charity, that only comes at the end of the Summer. What this means to me is that the intention of the project was for a guy to get a scooter at no cost to him.

If Jon wanted to use social media for an experiment why not choose an altruistic cause rather than a selfish one. I was amazed how quickly and successfully Twestival came together, and that was a cause i could get behind.
Rex

Citizen, It is obvious to me that you are always going to be right no matter what people say. You are the only one who has said anything negative here. With that being said, best of luck to you as you seek to expand your small world. Perhaps when you remove that stick from your ass we can have a real conversation.
Rex

Citizen, It is obvious to me that you are always going to be right no matter what people say. You are the only one who has said anything negative here. With that being said, best of luck to you as you seek to expand your small world. Perhaps when you remove that stick from your ass we can have a real conversation.
THEFANTICLE

THEFANTICLE has another brilliant charitable social media experiment! Let’s find Citizen a date. Looks like he needs one!

love,
THEFANTICLE
THEFANTICLE

THEFANTICLE has another brilliant charitable social media experiment! Let’s find Citizen a date. Looks like he needs one!

love,
THEFANTICLE
citizen

Rex- and it’s obvious to me that you have no desire to have a real conversation. I’m sorry that you are upset with me for criticizing your friend’s project. Can we agree to disagree?
citizen

Rex- and it’s obvious to me that you have no desire to have a real conversation. I’m sorry that you are upset with me for criticizing your friend’s project. Can we agree to disagree?
Citizen Kane

Citizen,

No clue who you are. No clue who Jon is. You’re an idiot. He’s a genius.

He’s not letting pride get in the way of his looking to get some mode of transportation. If he began the project with no intention of benefiting a charity, I applaud him for adapting the project to include one.

Who is Jon benefiting? Himself. Businesses who are looking to advertise. A charity. You? You’d probably clean toilets for six months in order to save up for a scooter. Who does that benefit? You and sixty-four toilets.
Citizen Kane

Citizen,

No clue who you are. No clue who Jon is. You’re an idiot. He’s a genius.

He’s not letting pride get in the way of his looking to get some mode of transportation. If he began the project with no intention of benefiting a charity, I applaud him for adapting the project to include one.

Who is Jon benefiting? Himself. Businesses who are looking to advertise. A charity. You? You’d probably clean toilets for six months in order to save up for a scooter. Who does that benefit? You and sixty-four toilets.
Chad

Question Jon: On your site it lists 1×1″ squares at $10 and 2×2″ squares for $50. Can’t we just buy FOUR 1×1″ squares for $40? In that case, can I buy TWO 2×2″ squares for $100 and resell them for $15 per 1×1″ square? I can be a “pimpmyscooter” reseller.

Why don’t I just give you $10 and you give the 1×1″ sticker to charitable organizations?
Chad

Question Jon: On your site it lists 1×1″ squares at $10 and 2×2″ squares for $50. Can’t we just buy FOUR 1×1″ squares for $40? In that case, can I buy TWO 2×2″ squares for $100 and resell them for $15 per 1×1″ square? I can be a “pimpmyscooter” reseller.

Why don’t I just give you $10 and you give the 1×1″ sticker to charitable organizations?
http://www.nuviderm.com/ Rose

I always admire people like Jon. He really has a very fat brain and a mile-high (or more) optimism level! Instead of getting depressed because he just lost his car, he thought of a brilliant marketing idea. I salute you, Jon!
http://www.nuviderm.com/ Rose

I always admire people like Jon. He really has a very fat brain and a mile-high (or more) optimism level! Instead of getting depressed because he just lost his car, he thought of a brilliant marketing idea. I salute you, Jon!
http://www.sonicshack.com/catalog/Polo+Shirts embroidered shirts

Thanks for the Interesting idea. If it works i also try this. I always admire people like Jon. He really has a very fat brain and a mile-high optimism level! Instead of getting depressed because he just lost his car, he thought of a brilliant marketing idea. I really impress………….
http://www.sonicshack.com/catalog/Polo+Shirts embroidered shirts

Thanks for the Interesting idea. If it works i also try this. I always admire people like Jon. He really has a very fat brain and a mile-high optimism level! Instead of getting depressed because he just lost his car, he thought of a brilliant marketing idea. I really impress………….
http://www.clientsiderealtors.com/blog Anna in Houston

Hey Big Jon let me know how it went i might give this a try also
http://www.clientsiderealtors.com/blog Anna in Houston

Hey Big Jon let me know how it went i might give this a try also
http://mopedscootershack.com/ Evie

As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me on this subject. Thank you!
http://mopedscootershack.com Evie

As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me on this subject. Thank you!
http://www.myhomehouston.com/ Susan

If Jon is auctioning the scouter off then can your write off the amount you send in as a charity donation?
http://www.myhomehouston.com/ Susan

If Jon is auctioning the scouter off then can your write off the amount you send in as a charity donation?

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