Are there really any good marketing jobs on the internet?

I need leads on how to sell a commercial internet site.

• I'm a business software programmer by trade. Recently, two colleagues and I had a great idea for a commercial internet site. The good news is that we built it (in our spare time, since all three of us have daytime jobs), and we're quite happy with the results. The bad news is that, even though we have a couple hundred members, it's the sort of site where we really need a large influx of users for it to really be useful (think of eBay as an example). The problem is that none of us know the first thing about marketing, nor do we have the capital or time to really go down that road. So, the way we see it, we have two options: 1) Quit our jobs and try to get venture capital so we can hire the right people and do this full-time. 2) Sell what we've built to a company that has the resources in place to market it properly. We really believe in the idea, and have gone so far as to apply for a patent for it. But even though we've considered #1, the reality is that we all have families so we don't feel comfortable with taking such a risk. So we're left with #2. Specifically, we think Microsoft (yes, evil Microsoft) would be interested in what we have to offer, since we fill a space they haven't covered in their line of products yet. The problem, of course, is that we have no clue how to go about contacting them, and we certainly don't want to come across as one of the myriad gold-digging requests they must receive every day. So, to summarize the question into actual queries: 1) Does Microsoft have a professional request-for-acquisition process, and if so, how do we get to it? 2) If Microsoft doesn't publicize this sort of thing, are there other forums we can pursue? We've come across a couple but we don't know which are fluff and which are for real. Any help you can give us would be fantastic.

• Answer:

  Hello - I've identified and spoken with a specific representative in the Corporate Development department of Microsoft, the area that deals in business acquisitions. Her name is Laura Cameron, and she may be contacted at 425-882-8080. Speak her name at the prompt, and you will be transferred directly to her office. Mention to her that you are interested in proposing a potential acquisition opportunity to Microsoft. She will give you either her direct fax number or email address, through which you can submit your proposal. The proposal is guaranteed to be reviewed and evaluated by the Opportunity Management Center, from whom you will hear back -- either way -- on Microsoft's decision concerning your proposal. Your fax or e-mail should include the name of your company, contact information, and any details you feel would be necessary to make a proper assessment of the opportunity. If you have any questions, or run into any difficulties with this process, please ask before rating this answer, and I will be available to address any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you, jbf777 Researcher Google Answers Search strategy: - Executive listing: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/default.mspx?group=A-D - Contact made to offices at Microsoft