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Question about seeking help for product idea...

by sylviad
16 replies
Hi,

I have mixed opinions about this, so perhaps you can help me see the light.

I'm investigating a new idea that I haven't seen anyone else implement yet. It's related to providing packages for Affiliate Marketers to use. I don't want to add more about my idea just yet because...

My quandary is, what's the best way to test this idea?

1) Would you spell it out in the WF to see if it would actually fly?

or

2) Would you keep quiet and find some other way to test your idea?

The concern is that if I spell it all out, someone else will grab my idea before I get a chance to develop it. My goal is to make this "business" totally unique and not just a duplication of what's already available. It's actually a spinoff enhancement from what's already out there but I haven't seen anyone else do it... yet.

Thanks for your input.

Sylvia
#idea #product #question #seeking
  • Profile picture of the author KenJ
    Hi Sylvia

    I would try to find an experienced warrior and invite them to help you. Perhaps someone who has helped answer questions in your posts

    I certainly wouldn't be telling the forum openly at this point.

    I am just about to launch my first IM product and the only people who know are those who need to know.
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    • Profile picture of the author sylviad
      Thanks, kenj.

      I realize it's better if you can develop your product and launch it without blabbing to everyone about it beforehand. Contacting people who have responded to my posts is a good idea. I did ask one person on a similar issue and he was positive about giving me feedback on what he'd like to see.

      This "testing" issue has puzzled me for awhile now, so I'm hoping Warriors can offer suggestions into how they test the market before they actually begin production. If no one else is doing this specifically, it would be important to know if anyone would actually buy this version.

      Of course, if you find that other people are offering something similar, it's safe to say it probably has a market. I think I'm ok on that point. But since my idea goes a bit further I'm not sure if it would sell... or how much to charge.

      How can you put your query forward without revealing too much?

      Any other ideas, Warriors? I can't believe only one person responded. :confused:

      Thanks.

      Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author sparrow
    Sounds to me you have analysis paralysis.

    Create it and be done with it, and tweak along the way.

    If you are in this for the long run this will not be the only product you will create. Once you release it everyone else will be a copy.

    So my best advice is to maybe invite a few people to review your product if you must get someone's approval to get you over your questions.

    For me I just jump in get it out and be over it, as I see opportunities for improvement I tweak this is my testing a real live audience.

    I have been involved in the R&D world for long time and the mantra for that business is he who hesitates loses market share if you wait for perfection.

    Ed
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    • Profile picture of the author sylviad
      Thanks, Ed.

      Some Warriors have discussed testing products before launch so I was hoping to get some feedback into how they went about it. My previous experiences in launching products has not been very successful - make that, not successful. 0-1 sales total.

      My new idea will take considerable work up front, which is why I'd like to do some testing beforehand. I just don't know how to go about it. And since I have a beeeeg mouth, I'm naturally hesitant to open it.

      Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author John Hillage
    I agree with KenJ - you must "know" 1 or 2 marketers with integrity who can help. Most experienced marketers would be way too busy (and I hope honest - but maybe I'm naive) to rip you off. But posting to the masses could cause a rip off approach.
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    • Profile picture of the author KenJ
      Well if nothing else your thread has stopped me worrying about details and launch my new product online.

      Thankyou Sylvia

      I can offer to help as a sounding board but I am not the most experienced warrior by far. I simply did the old thing of

      Ready ---- Fire ----- Aim
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      • Profile picture of the author sylviad
        Originally Posted by kenj View Post

        Well if nothing else your thread has stopped me worrying about details and launch my new product online.

        Thankyou Sylvia

        I can offer to help as a sounding board but I am not the most experienced warrior by far. I simply did the old thing of

        Ready ---- Fire ----- Aim
        Are you sure you don't mean: Fire... Aim... Ready? as getting ready is the stage I'm working on right now... I think!

        In the meantime, I've started a Poll that I hope Warriors will complete. That, in itself, will give me a good idea about part of my plan. It's here:
        http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...promoting.html

        Sylvia
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        • Profile picture of the author mgriswold224
          I was just fixing to suggest creating a poll to check the interest. Also inverstigating some similar products and see what was done right and wrong. Then maybe offer a limited free version to some fellow warriors as as trial run to get some input before your big launch. Good Luck!!
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          • Profile picture of the author sylviad
            Originally Posted by mgriswold224 View Post

            I was just fixing to suggest creating a poll to check the interest. Also inverstigating some similar products and see what was done right and wrong. Then maybe offer a limited free version to some fellow warriors as as trial run to get some input before your big launch. Good Luck!!
            Thanks. This is a good idea that I've been considering - put one package together and post it as a WSO - see how much interest there is. That's probably the best, safest way to achieve what I want.

            Sylvia
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            • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
              If I see other examples of similar service selling, then I proceed without as much up-front testing - but still recommend you get at least 2-3 high-profile people in your target market (in this case, affiliate marketers) to "test" your product in advance of your launch so you get the credibility boost of testimonial.

              If you don't see evidence of other similar products, then I would quickly contact as many affiliate marketers as possible and test the idea.

              I would approach them using many different techniques...contact them on Twitter or as PM if they are on this forum and quickly tell them what you've got, that you are looking for some quick feedback and in return they get...free copy, perhaps a special commission when your own affiliate program is launched for this product, some tools they could use, etc...

              Getting feedback is SOOOOOO....important to your launch that it's worth just about anything to get it.

              In my case, I've built content sites that exist solely to test new markets and business ideas, gone to great lengths to get marketers on board including creating tools, content and articles for them -- it's all been MORE than worthwhile.

              Jeff
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              • Profile picture of the author sylviad
                Thanks a lot, Jeff. That's very helpful.

                This idea is an enhancement of what you'd find in business start-up kits or product PLR/MRR packages. So it's safe to say it's already a popular concept. Since my idea can cover any topic, it shouldn't be too difficult finding affiliate marketers who would be able to provide some valuable feedback.

                Sylvia
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                • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
                  Right, so the challenge becomes, how do I make my package look different, rather than will it sell.

                  That's an exercise in "positioning" - certainly great to have some end customers in mind when you go through this exercise.

                  Jeff
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                  • Profile picture of the author sylviad
                    Thanks Jeff, but I already know how to make it different. That's the whole deal - will my different product still sell. The second part to the question is, would marketers be interested in the paid membership site which would provide access to my unique-er products.

                    Sylvia
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                    • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
                      Got it - my point was simply that testing the ideas you have for making it different is best done with a few case studies. Not only will they validate (or call into question) your idea, but having them on-board as testimonial, case study and perhaps, launch partner, will improve your overall launch tremendously.

                      In terms of the membership question - in most cases where there is a market for a fixed-pay product, there is also a market for a recurring product, the question becomes how much value do you need to offer to compel them to sign up to recurring membership program and then, how to keep them in.

                      I earn most of my income through my own products and services, though a good portion does come through related affiliate marketing as well...would be happy to review your idea and give you honest feedback. Send me a PM if you feel that would be valuable for you.

                      Cheers,

                      Jeff
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                      • Profile picture of the author sylviad
                        Originally Posted by jbsmith View Post

                        Got it - my point was simply that testing the ideas you have for making it different is best done with a few case studies. Not only will they validate (or call into question) your idea, but having them on-board as testimonial, case study and perhaps, launch partner, will improve your overall launch tremendously.

                        In terms of the membership question - in most cases where there is a market for a fixed-pay product, there is also a market for a recurring product, the question becomes how much value do you need to offer to compel them to sign up to recurring membership program and then, how to keep them in.

                        I earn most of my income through my own products and services, though a good portion does come through related affiliate marketing as well...would be happy to review your idea and give you honest feedback. Send me a PM if you feel that would be valuable for you.

                        Cheers,

                        Jeff
                        Ok, Jeff. Since you are a fellow Canadian... sending you a PM.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
    Hi sylviad,
    I am a website developer and not a marketer (Though I have created some products and fixing to release 2 new products). If you want to shoot me a PM with some partial ideas (not full ideas) I may be able to help..

    James
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