I was watching a video today about a product that is totally outside the box. Don’t you love it when you walk into a store or see something on the internet that just makes you say “Wow… isn’t that cool?”
The reason I’m not sharing “what” the product IS – is because the product isn’t relevant – it’s the “Wow… isn’t that cool” that is relevant.
What are you doing to create “cool” products?
Copy, Copy, Copy – The Same Old Stuff
Before you “finish” creating your product – think about WHAT you have created that gives it a new twist.
In our current product creation method “compiled public domain content” – how can we get creative?
When you go hunting on eBay for similar products – you can see that almost all the products are basically the same.
* The better sellers have great graphics, great looking “templates” and complete sales copy.
* They might also include a bonus.
* They might offer the content “printed” instead of on CD/DVD.
* They might have enhanced the original public domain content in some way.
* They might have compiled huge libraries or they might have just one book offered.
Blah – Blah – Blah…
Where Is The Benefit?
We offer this CD in a “cheap” envelope – on the premise of “going Green and saving the planet” – Is Not A Benefit.
We offer this book in an easy to use comb bound fashion so it’s easy to use – Somewhat a benefit to the user.
We offer this book (or part of a book) in a digital fashion (Kindle for Amazon sellers) is great for those that want instant access, but not a Real Benefit.
They might have included a piece of software that makes viewing the content easier. Not sure that is a benefit.
They might have included a piece of software that helps the customer edit the images (image compilations) easier. This seems to be a Nice Benefit according to the feedback.
What Does The Customer Desperately Want/Need?
You “could” create products that are similar to all the other public domain content sellers… and then compete with the other sellers on price. Not a fun position to be in…
Really… you can’t get very “original” with this type of product – right? I don’t believe that for a second.
And if you do create something “original” (I don’t mean rewrite the content – I mean original compilation) – your competition is going to copy you and you are in the same competitive boat.
It could be that you just need to “position” the product differently – to gather in new (different) customers. Maybe you should be creating a product that will solve a problem – or help them learn more about something they are already passionate about.
What really matters is the end is this: What Is The Customer Willing To Pay For Your Product. If you are going to create $5.99 (or even $9.99 – $12.99) products – are you going to reach your income goal? Maybe – if you sell a boat load. It’s all a numbers “game”. More sales at a lower dollar price can equal the same income as fewer sales at a higher dollar.
If you create a product that has the “That Is So Cool” factor – you might be able to generate “more sales of a higher dollar product”.
You can create products that fill a need and/or want. You can also create products that customers didn’t know they needed/wanted until they saw yours.
You probably shouldn’t create a product that is so far off the “mark” that your customers won’t know they need/want it. It’s a fine line.
Creating a product no one has heard of before is NOT what this public domain compiled product idea is about. It would be fantastic to create something innovative and completely unheard of… but that does take the “easy” button out of the equation. Different subject entirely and not one I wish to dive into.
My thoughts are to create something that the customers can grasp without having to “think” and yet is just different enough to fill their desires.
You Are Creating A Product That The Customer Can Hold In Their Hands
Really… isn’t that the most interesting thought? Sort of like selling a book you authored or a coffee cup you designed… these products are real! Not a digital download of something.
You are NOT creating something that is a “here today – gone tomorrow” product. This product should have “Lasting” value. It should also be something that the customer is hesitant to let their friends borrow because they will only allow it to be “Ripped From Their Cold Dead Hands”.
You ARE Going To Make Mistakes
Mistakes are part of the learning process. We can create products all day – every day – for years… and yet some of them will just Bomb.
Your first product may be an instant hit… if it is – you need to track “Why” and continue to feed that portion of your business.
Your first product may never sell… Ever. If you let that stop you… you will never succeed.
This is one of those mantra’s that is constantly in running in my head :
“I have a business – I must make products to sell – I Will Never Give Up”
In amongst the “I must make products to sell” – is also the how, what, who and where “portion”…
- Who is the “perfect” customer for this product?
- How is this product going to be created and delivered?
- What is the “Best – Most Creative” product I can deliver?
- Where is the best place to sell this type of product?
and
- Why – should have an added reason (other than just “make money”) – If you think about why someone needs/wants your product… you will produce a better product. When you are creating your product – get the “make money” out of your head… instead visualize the user. Give them a spectacular experience and you will be rewarded.
The beauty of these compiled public domain products – its that you can change and adjust everything.
Until a product is actually created and available for sale – You Won’t Know If It Will Sell.
You Need To Guess
Yep… you need to guess at the answer to a question – every time you create a product.
The question is “Will Someone Want This Product?“. That requires that you to create the product and test it. Don’t take the advice of anyone else that hasn’t put money on the table. Until someone opens the wallet and sends you money – You Will Still Be Guessing!
Of course – we all want to make “educated guesses”. But it’s still a guess… every time you create a product.
The ONLY validation that you will ever get (the one that’s important) regarding a product idea is when a customer pays for it.
Nope – Not Giving You Ideas For What To Do Different
I’m sure you were expecting that I would share a boat load of ideas.
Nope. Sorry… I’ve already shared a boat load of ideas on this blog. A Big Huge Boat Load… and I don’t see many implementing.
You need to dig deep yourself to figure out what will make your products special.
If you don’t know a thing about Public Domain – or how to find it… but you think that you might want to create a business using it – check out my popular Public Domain Treasure Hunters Survival Kit.
