The reading level for this article is All Levels
Here are some questions to get your thoughts and cash flow
moving that will also keep your product creating aligned and
focused.
Find your gold mine in your surroundings by looking at any
promotional literature you have created, audio or video
tapes you have produced, press releases or articles about or
by you, your product catalog or list and even your business
card.
1. What is the one single important subject from your
experience or knowledge that you want to tell the world
about? If you have a list or create a list, which one
speaks to you the loudest?
2. What are you most frequently surprised about that people
ask about in your subject area? Track all the questions
people are asking — they are telling you what they are
willing to buy. It is usually something so common sense to
you that it escapes your radar. Be observant for a month
and you will be amazed on what pops up.
3. When you created your list or selected the single
important subject, look to narrow down this topic into
segments. Can these segments be a product or service on
their own? Most of the time it can be.
4. How will you spread the word — what will be your
marketing tool for this subject/segment? Think how buyers
want to hear about it (not what’s in your comfort level —
that is if you want it to be easy as possible — however it
doesn’t have to be). Can this become a profit center for
you? If yes, how? What are your ideas and thoughts?
5. What is the top thing you want people to know about this
subject/segment? Is it a new skill, perspective, attitude,
expanding general knowledge, wisdom — what?
6. Does the information need to be presented in logical
order or randomly?
7. What do you want people to do or not to do, change or
move during or afterwards with this? How will this benefit
them?
8. Who besides this market can benefit from this? Are
there any other specific markets that this would apply to?
Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, who?
9. Is there any specific words or language for this
topic/subject/segment? If not specific, what words appear
more frequently than others? Create a list of keywords that
you might search on the Internet if you were looking for
information on this.
10. Think back to a time when you first learned about this
topic/subject/segment. Did you keep any notes or journal
entries? Did you receive an aha moment when you learned a
principle or key about this? Yes, then write about the
story/aha moment.
11. Do some research on the Internet and Amazon. What
other information is available on this? How old is this
information? Create a file in your word processing software
and call it “[your topic/subject] research.” Do the
research in small chunks or big ones. Don’t read until you
have collected 10-20 pages. Set a time limit on the
research and/or number of pages of research notes. Don’t
forget to track the URL source. Keep cutting and pasting
the information in as you progress.
12. What do people need to know about you? Why do you want
to tell this or teach it? Do you have any credentials, if
not, that’s okay to, however, what is your experience on
this topic? More times than not, life training is worth a
lot more than credentials.
13. Do you have any other information that connects or
compliments this topic/segment? Another article, booklet,
audiotape — anything — go-ahead pull it out and gather it
all together.
14. Have you heard any short anecdotes on this topic? If
so, what were they, who was the source? Can you interview
them to hear it again? Give them the credit; it makes you
more attractive on the topic?
15. Does your information need visual assistance? Graphics,
pictures, charts, models. Anything come to mind as a
possibility? Draft out every idea so they can grow. Use the
research you are doing to spark your creativity. If someone
presents it in words, can you do it in a model or drawing?
16. Are there any ebooks on the topic? What about special
reports? Paid or free? If purchased, does it compliment
your topic or how can you create a different angle and use
it to compliment? Can you create an affiliate with their
product? Do you want to use it as a marketing lead-in or as
a bonus?
Boy, that was tough thinking about all this and answering
these questions. Yes, I agree. Yet, as I know you well see
while reading them, how important they are to your success.
Now, the tough time comes, you need to sit down and
answering them. Not just once, however, on a regular basis.
Like minimum once a year.
Take the time, it’s the best time you will ever spend
working “on” your business. Best wishes on your journey. If
you need guidance, let me know.
(c) Copyright, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.
