Tuesday, September 13, 2005

10 Ways To Get New Product Ideas


  1. Solve an existing problem for people. There are
    thousands of problems in the world. Create a product
    that can provide a solution to one of those problems.
  2. Find out what's the current hot trend. You can find
    out what the new trends are by watching T.V, reading
    magazines and surfing the net. Just create a product
    that's related to the current hot trend.
  3. Improve a product that is already on the market.
    You see products at home, in ads, at stores etc. Just
    take a product that's already out there and improve it.
  4. Create a new niche for a current product. You can
    set yourself apart from your competition by creating a
    niche. Your product could be faster, bigger, smaller,
    or quicker than you competitor's product.
  5. Add on to an existing product. You could package
    your current product with other related products. For
    example, you could package a football with a team
    jersey and football cards.
  6. Reincarnate an older product. Maybe you have a
    book that's out of print and is no longer being sold.
    You could change the title, design a new front cover,
    and bring some of the old content up to date.
  7. Ask your current customers. You could contact
    some of your existing customers by phone or e-mail
    and ask them what kind of new products they would
    like to see on the market.
  8. Combine two or more products together to create
    a new one. For example, you could take a brief case
    and add a thermos compartment inside to keep a
    drink hot or cold.
  9. Survey the people who visit your web site. You
    could post a survey or questionnaire on your web site.
    Ask visitors what kind of products they would like to
    see on the market.
  10. You could create a new market for your existing
    product. For example, if you're selling plastic bottles
    to a pop company, you could turn around and sell
    those bottles to a fruit drink company.

Recommended Reading:Create Your Own Info Products

Monday, September 05, 2005

Blanket Buddies for Katrina Victims

A great idea from my friend Allie:

Like so many, I have been at a loss as to how to help those left homeless and so devastated by Hurricane Katrina. I've given money to the Red Cross, but basically I've felt totally useless. I've scoured the internet for alternative ways of helping to no avail.

Then it occurred to me that I have the ability to create a project myself. And "The Blanket Buddies Project" was launched. My committment is to organize the creation, collection and distribution of at least 1000 cozy handmade NO SEW fleece blankets for the children of this disaster. They only take a few hours to make, require no talent and are soft and oh so cozy. One can't help but feel security and comfort when wrapped up in one. They ooze love.

Will you help?

My thrown together homepage has information on how to make them.

Do you have others you can pass this on to?
Do you know places we can post a message?
Do you have contacts in groups like, sewing circles, church groups, school groups, ect, that you can contact and/or rally?