''Want To Boost Sales? ... Look For The Ouch''

When people decide to try online marketing one of the first questions they ask is what should I sell? That's understandable. But with all due respect, that's the wrong question to ask.

A better question that gets closer to the core is this. "What problem can I solve?" Why? Because the truth is people don't buy products, they buy solutions to their problem.

Many business owners and marketers make that rookie mistake. They look for a business, product or service first instead of the ouch (the pain or problem). When I hear or see a person say ouch, that's a potential profit opportunity. That's something people will pay to get rid of or solve. Wouldn't you?

Again I'll repeat, people don't buy products they buy solutions. They buy relief from pain or problems.

For example,

- They don't buy a drill ... they buy holes.
- They don't buy food ... they buy tasteful relief from hunger.
- They don't buy a Mercedes ... they buy stylish form of transportation.

Get my point?
If you do, you'll start seeing sales boosting opportunities in more places.

Here's 3 Powerful Ways to See The Ouch (Pain or Problem) In People's Lives and Boost Sales.

Look for ...

I. Anger:
A quick and easy way to get ideas for a profitable product or service is to look for what makes people angry. For example, long lines, traffic jams, bad customer service, etc. Create or find a product or service to help eliminate or relieve that expressed or pent up anger.

Anger is an emotion most people want to avoid enough to pay for. Can you create or find a product or service to help people eliminate the anger caused by __________?

Excellent places to do your research is to watch the evening news, TV talk shows, listen to radio talk shows, read newspapers, blogs and visit forums. Why? Because that's where people express their anger the most these days. But don't stop there.

Whatever market you’re targeting, read trade magazines in the specific market. Visit online forums in that market.

If you follow the above tips, while listening and keeping a note pad and pen close by, you'll start getting more ideas.

II. Loss:
One thing people hate is to lose. Research has proven the average person will fight harder to keep from losing something than they will to gain more.

We hate to lose money, time, possessions, love, attention, respect, peace of mind, enthusiasm, health, youth, fond memories and a mountain of other things. We hate to lose what we have, especially if we’ve worked hard to get them. Am I right?

So, any product or service you create or find that can help protect people from loss will always be in demand. For example, products and services that help people preserve what they already have is in hot demand now.

In tight economic times, people look for ways to make what they have last longer. More people view any product or service that helps them preserve what they already have as a smart investment.

III. Limitations:
In today's mobile society, people hate being tied down by limited choices or options. Can you offer a product or service that gives people more options or choices?

Products and services that increase people's choices will continue to be in hot demand. Can you help expand people's time limitations? Can you help people break out of their ruts? Or show them a more convenient, faster or fun way of doing a routine task?

Routine is a burden everyone faces in some form. Study people's daily routine with an eye for improving it or making it less drudgery.

Another way to help people break out their limitations is to show or teach someone how to do something. Do it with a book, an ebook, DVD, CD, seminar, even webinar.

What do you know that most people don’t know? It’s a sure bet others will pay to learn how to do it.

These are 3 simple but powerful ways to find the ouch, pain or problems in people's lives and boost sales. They represent the hidden opportunities most people walk pass everyday. If you take the time to apply this knowledge, you'll start seeing more profitable opportunities to boost sales staring you in the face.