Business Idea Brainstorming. I need inspiration!
In preparation for the release of the Market Testing Kit, I’m running a short series for those of you without a business or those of you looking to do business in a new market.
To kick things off we spoke about our tendency to put good business ideas on a pedestal, and how that can stop us getting started in business.
Then we rolled up our sleeves to come up with loads of ideas for your future business.
Today we’re going to elaborate on the brainstorming process. I’ll share some ideas on where you can get inspiration for entrepreneurial ideas.
Struggling to come up with business ideas?
The other day I set you the challenge of coming up with tons of ideas for markets to explore in your soon-to-be brand new business venture.
I suggested that you put aside the critical part of your mind for a while and really got creative.
For some people, this blank page approach may have been somewhat overwhelming.
So if you’re struggling, allow me to present some little strategies to get your creative juices stirring…
1. What are you passionate about?
This is a great place to start – especially if you’re are looking to take your very first leap into the business world.
Do you have any hobbies or interests about which you know an enormous amount?
What magazines do you subscribe to?
What are your favorite websites?
My imaginary friend Nigel is into model railroad in a big way. When he’s not relaxing with a cup of tea, reading Model Railroad Enthusiast magazine, or chatting to fellow enthusiasts on his favorite model railroad forum, Nigel can be found in his attic, building and maintaining his model railroad.
Nigel is a model railway nut!
It makes perfect sense that Nigel should start his business idea brainstorm right here, in the model railroad world.
It’s something he knows a huge amount about. It’s something he is passionate about. It’s something that he speaks confidently and enthusiastically about.
And he already has a great idea who his market is and where they hang out.
So what ideas might Nigel write down?
Well… he’s going to want to get a little more specific than “model railroad stuff”. Perhaps he’d come up with something like the following:
- instructional DVDs on building a model railroad
- rare or vintage railroad parts
- model railroad machinery
- model railroad software
- model railroad plans or layouts
- a model railroad online museum
Not all of the ideas he comes up will be very good, but he shouldn’t be concerned about that right now.
He’s just coming up with ideas and getting them down on paper.
2. Borders is your friend.
I have long maintained that the Borders chain of bookstores is the greatest place in the world for market research and for meeting your future life partner.
Have a walk around and look at all the categories. Travel, history, computing, D.I.Y., gardening, cooking etc… Look at all the different topics and subjects within each section. You have the whole world under one roof here. You should have ideas coming out of your ears!
The For Dummies series can be great inspiration too. Each of these books is written to a large target audience of people who want to learn about something specific. Can you find a specific market within one of these books? Be creative.
Now, before you go and grab that coffee, go and check out the magazine rack. Every subject that people want to spend money to read about is here. And each of these magazines is written to a specific target audience. They’ve already done the market research.
Don’t pay attention to the subjects only. Take a look inside and see what people are selling. Look at the advertisements. Could you sell something similar to this market?
Finally, now you’ve written down a ton of great ideas, you can go for a coffee with that nice lady you met as you both reached for the same copy of Stamp Collecting World.
3. Online Research and Trend Spotting
There are countless great online resources to help you discover what people are interested in and what they’re buying.
Here are just a few…
What are people buying online?
Market Trends
How to websites
4. Springwise.com – New Business Ideas from Around the World
Billed as “your daily fix of entrepreneurial ideas”, Springwise.com is a website full of new business ideas. It’s really rather wonderful.
I inhale their newsletter every week. And, as a future world dominating entrepreneur, I think that you should too.
5. Keyword Suggestion Tools
Free keyword suggestion tools like Wordtracker and the Google AdWords Keyword Tool will return related keywords based on a starting keyword you supply.
What’s a keyword, you ask?
It’s what someone types into a search engine when they’re trying to find something. We call that a keyword, even though it’s usually made up of more than one word. Keyword Phrase would work better really, wouldn’t it?
So if Nigel types “model railroad” as his starting keyword then he’ll see a list of related phrases that people search for, as well as an indication of the number of people that search for that phrase each month.
This is an excellent source of ideas and you can get a quick and easy idea of the potential size of the market.
Unlike me, Nigel probably knows a fair bit about atlas model railroad. It could lead him to come up with a great idea that he had yet to think of.
Any more suggestions?
Put them in the comments. Sharing is caring!
JJ Jalopy.
Comment by Avery
20 September 2009
I’m excited about the market testing kit! When is the launch?
Comment by Steve Chambers
21 September 2009
JJ,
These are some great brainstorming ideas. The trick is to find the balance between your passion and a business that will pay the bills. Your suggestions help.
Steve Chambers
Business to Business Sales Trainer
Comment by Las Vegas Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert
21 September 2009
Hi JJ! great tools for generating business ideas and stimulating our creativity!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert
Comment by Lynn Lane
21 September 2009
JJ,
Some very good ideas to get the juices flowing. Thanks for all the hot links too.
Lynn Lane
Success Strategies For Life
Lynn Lane´s last blog ..Smile & Influence
Comment by Anthony Lemme
21 September 2009
Great stuff as always JJ. Good links as well. I am really looking forward to the test kit!
Anthony Lemme´s last blog ..Food Allergy or Intolerance?
Comment by Lisa McLellan
22 September 2009
Brainstorming is such an easy but effective tool and I never think of using it! Thanks for the reminder.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitters and Nannies
Comment by John Ho
23 September 2009
JJ,
Great to see you blogging again!
Plenty useful ideas & info as usual in your blog.
The hot links helps us a lot.
Keep on the good work, JJ!
John Ho
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope
John Ho´s last blog .."Numerology Expert Says Observant, Blind Loyalty & Thirst for Attention When Born on 23rd Septembe
Comment by Darryl Pace
1 October 2009
Awesomely informative and helpful post for future entrepreneurs and currently aspiring entrepreneurs!
Health, Fitness for Working People — Darryl Pace
Comment by JJ Jalopy
4 October 2009
@John – Thanks mate.