✔️ How to come up with business ideas that actually sell [My method]

Sartre

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This is a structure I use when brainstorming new business concepts.

The fundamentals

These are my major criteria which I analyze when it comes to any idea:
  • the issue you're attempting to resolve and the individuals affected by it
  • methods of reaching potential clients via various channels
  • the answer to the problem
  • your monetization method
  • your competition
Identifying the issues comes first, finding a solution comes last

Always start with the issue at hand and work toward a solution only after that. That's exactly what you should be doing: ignoring your product is the best strategy.

Why? The reason for this is because it is adaptable. You have the ability to create anything. There are, however, restrictions in this world. One must choose from a small pool of feasible issues to pursue using various methods and models. Defyning constraints is always a good place to begin. Everyone has constraints. It can be money, time, gender, a language barrier, or a lack of skills.

It's important to know where your limits are.

Identifying your target customer

You need customers with a problem. Niche down. This quantity doesn't need to be too large for small time hustlers like us. A few hundred plenty. Even 10 solid paying clients mights be all you need to make a living.

Because, if your business is solid, they'll be your clients for years. Ideally, you'll be able to sympathize with their situation since you've been there yourself. I enjoy talking to my clients. I've made several friends while doing business. It's OK.

Identifying a major pain point

It's time to look for an issue now that you have this information. Brainstorming will be necessary. Some suggest that you just wait for inspiration to strike while you do nothing. I don't believe so. The process might take years. Take action.

It's difficult to pinpoint the greatest spot to begin generating ideas since there are so many. Many excellent opportunities might be found, and they can be triggered by almost anything.

I like just... asking around. Going on BHW, on different forums and chatting up my friends, and other people and seeing what they need automated.

When it comes to solving an issue, don't spend your time on an issue that doesn't meet your initial criteria. Keep coming up with more ideas and write them down.

Problems that are obvious, but with creative solutions

The last step is to consider a solution. What plan do you have to assist your clients in resolving their issue?

Take a step back and look at what your competition is doing. Yes, it's OK to choose a solution that is simple and well-established. It's not that hard to differentiate yourself.

For example, people wanted to buy pre-built websites, so I figured out I will get very old domains and add them as a selling point.

In fact, you want to approach the issue in the polar opposite manner to that of your rivals. This is where you can be exceptional.

This is where you'll be able to come up with new ideas. Don't be afraid to let your individuality shine through. Many little things may have an impact.

Be the only person in the world that is doing it this way.

Adding it all up

You'll need to get busy, talk to people, and maybe even release a half-finished product and give it away for free in order to really validate your concept before going all in. However, it really is possible to sell and there is a lot of people out there who have money out there and want to invest in what you're selling. If you choose your product wisely.

If I could give you one advice, it would be:

Don't be afraid of niches with high competition.

3 years ago me and my partner started a white hat blog in one of the most competitive niches out there and, it looks like, in January 2023, we will be looking at a high-6-figure to low-7-figure exit.
 
My only problem has been with coming up with good problems to solve. I would try asking around in this forum about what people need solved, but I fear might get Warned as it might come off as i am trying to "sell something".

And almost every other problem that I get my hands on, someone has already solved it or there are way too many folks in it. I get your point about not fearing niches with high competition, but what would you possibly do better than those behemoths with the limited resources?
How do you deal with stuff like that?
 
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A great well thought out post. Thanks for the share. Wish you luck with your white hat blog!
 
This is what I tell everyone... gotta figure out your audience first and their problems
 
My only problem has been with coming up with good problems to solve. I would try asking around in this forum about what people need solved, but I fear might get Warned as it might come off as i am trying to "sell something".

And almost every other problem that I get my hands on, someone has already solved it or there are way too many folks in it. I get your point about not fearing niches with high competition, but what would you possibly do better than those behemoths with the limited resources?
How do you deal with stuff like that?
ok. Give me some example niches that you think you can't compete in and I will try to show you how you can differentiate yourselves.
 
This is a great blueprint. The hardest parts for people will always be taking action, and remaining focus.
 
This is a great blueprint. The hardest parts for people will always be taking action, and remaining focus.
I had a problem with this for almost 10 years... constantly coming up with a "new, better" idea and restarting when, in reality, any idea I had could've made me $5k/mo easilly if I stuck with it
 
Interesting
Everyone needs an edge to stay profitable
 
ok. Give me some example niches that you think you can't compete in and I will try to show you how you can differentiate yourselves.
Take seo tools for example.
To me it feels everything that can be built has been built.

From utility scraping software like Scrapebox to huge ass tools like Ahrefs and Semrush. Almost every other problem has been solved.

What would I make that hasn't been made in a market like that? Even if i make something better, how will I stand out from the hundreds of competitors out there?
 
Your theory is very good. But the reality is often very different from the theory.
 
Take seo tools for example.
To me it feels everything that can be built has been built.

From utility scraping software like Scrapebox to huge ass tools like Ahrefs and Semrush. Almost every other problem has been solved.

What would I make that hasn't been made in a market like that? Even if i make something better, how will I stand out from the hundreds of competitors out there?
The problem with ideas nobody has ever had is that you can create something the market doesn't need.

Start with marketing / customers and build from there. Solve existing problems. Take products from one market, add new features and push to another market.

Or just start building and suddenly ideas will start to flow.

True innovation costs a ton of money and you would need to enter something extremely hard like medicine and create solutions for doctors that solve issues like cancer cells detection (just a random idea).
 
I had a problem with this for almost 10 years... constantly coming up with a "new, better" idea and restarting when, in reality, any idea I had could've made me $5k/mo easilly if I stuck with it
So you're telling me my 5 ideas would yield $25k. Nice to know. I felt like this but nobody has ever confirmed. Why? Cause 0.01% of people do this! When you ask someone about that, they're going to look at how cool or unique it is. That's completely missed.


Take seo tools for example.
To me it feels everything that can be built has been built.
Give those tools some context. Like adjust them for writers, realtors etc. It's how you win in niche markets.

If you speak more than one language, you can move one idea in English and turn it into a local one. As the OP says, you need only couple 100s of people.

Don't forget to get a jr. vip account cause that's where you will get your first clients and feedback. It's only $130 to get started.

Don't be afraid of cold mailing people and sharing your products in social media. Remember boomers need social proof.
 
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