Think Like A Buyer, Not an Internet Marketer

I recently had a huge 'aha' moment I want to share with everyone.

When I was a software designer we used a process called "use cases" to only build features into software that the intended user was actually going to use - and eliminate a whack of features that would rarely or never be used. It sped up the design cycle and made it much more user focused.

"Use cases" are sort of a story how a person achieves their goal. It includes all the possibilities/branches.

When we would build a website, those goals would be things such as, "Find Information about Product XYZ, Order Product XYZ, Contact a Staff Member for More Information, etc."

Then we would build the software, including all forms and actions the business already used to let the customer achieve those goals. In other words, we automated the actions the business was already doing.

It is a super efficient way to develop multi-million dollar software (we would have 12 projects on the go at once with this method).

I don't know why I forgot to apply this to IM.

When I am researching niches, I have been going about it all backwards. I am looking for terms that are searched a lot but not too competitive. I then find a couple related products I think people would be interested in. Sort of a shot in the dark just like adding 50 features to software just in case someone may want it someday.

Wow, what a mistake that is.

I should be thinking just like a buyer.

I should be finding a really good product and work backwards on how the potential customer finds it and buys it.

I've tried it on a great affiliate product. I asked the guy to go on faith and give me a copy of the book to review. He reluctantly did and I was happy because I can now see the target buyer and be able to write the story of how they find and buy it.

I will update results as things go forward.