Help me please...

by boo6204

Posted: 13 years ago 17 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I really need some good, honest, down to earth advice from you Warriors and I apologise in advance for this long post.

I really have NO idea if my product idea has any chance of succeeding. I've tried to do some keyword searches for the niche and either I'm not finding the right words or there really isn't any demand for the product I'm thinking of.

I realise the types of products most likely to do well are those teaching Internet Marketing or some other way of making money online. Am I right there?

My product won't make big bucks for anyone. At best it may provide a reasonable second income and is really aimed at SAHM's (dads) who want to earn some extra pin money using their creative hobby.

I'm a Digital Scrapbook Designer. I use Adobe Photoshop to create my products and sell them in a few online Scrapbooking stores. I would like to expand this by using my knowledge and experience to create an ecourse/video tutorials to teach Scrapbookers how to turn their hobby into a profitable venture by learning how to use photoshop for something other then photo editing but I'm really concerned that I'm way out of my league going for such a low key niche

I also want to offer an ecourse training people how to design their own unique pages that go to make a Photobook/Coffee table book. There are lots of people looking for these products but all the links go straight to the companies that publish the books and there isn't ANYONE training people how to design their own pages instead of using the boring backgrounds offered by the companies.

OK, lots of waffle there, I apologise for that but I'd really appreciate any feedback as to whether you guys think this is even a niche, much less a niche to sink my teeth into. Should I throw the towel in on this idea or persevere with it?

I'm asking this because it seems unlikely to me that anyone would pay to learn what I know but I just got through watching one of those Bren Burchard videos and seeing the stories of people who made it as Happiness Expert or Home Organizer Expert etc and it made me wonder.... Maybe someone will think my expertise as a Digital Scrapbooker is worth learning?

I need a kick up the bum to get going or face reality and drop it. What do you think guys?

I don't know if I'm allowed to post a link to my site to show you what I make to give you a better idea so I won't but if you want to see, just pm me and I'll send you the links

Thanks all so much for your help.
Boo

ps,

Jill Carpenter 13 years ago

I'm not finding the right words or there really isn't any demand for the product I'm thinking of.

You need to test the waters to see if there is truly a demand for the product or you will be wasting your time.

How would I do this?

I'd start a blog on the topic. Offer some "freebies" and get a list going.

Then, email the list and ask them what they would like.
- Thanks
Signature

"May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877529].message }}

culpetm

13 years ago

Hi! I think you should stick with your passion! If you enjoy digital scrapbooking, keep at it. You're going to be most successful selling a product/service that you have a passion for.

I recently saw a website from another warrior who makes a living teaching people how to quil. Here is her warrior profile:
View Profile: JennSpencerIM

You ought to send her a PM and ask her how she got started.

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877531].message }}

Jill Carpenter

13 years ago

Originally Posted by culpetm

Well, yes and no.

One needs to find a way to monetize that passion or forget it.

You also need to make sure there is some kind of demand for the information or you are just wasting time.

Thanks

Signature

"May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877549].message }}

Mike Anthony

13 years ago

27,000 people each month search for the exact phrase

"scrapbooking ideas"

14,000 search for "digital scrapbooking"

Its a fair bet that if you really offer some unique teaching that a good percentage of those wouldn't mind making some money from it.

PS. I took another five minutes and found a number of keyword phrases that people use to search for how to start a scrapbooking business - approaching about a thousand searches per month and I am sure there are more (phrases I mean)

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877566].message }}

boo6204

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Mike Anthony

Thanks Mike, that sounds promising. See, I knew I was looking in the wrong place, lol

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877595].message }}

Jill Carpenter 13 years ago

over 3 years had almost 500,000 visitors to my sites (is that good?).

How big is your list?
- Thanks
Signature

"May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877604].message }}

boo6204 13 years ago

Thanks so much ladies.
I do have a successful online business doing this but its confined to the digital scrapbook world. I offer freebies which always do great and have so far, over 3 years had almost 500,000 visitors to my sites (is that good?).
I wondered if I could expand this outside of the digital scrapbook world. I know we get new people accidently find us every day so there must be people out there who don't know about digital scrapbooking etc.

I'm always being asked how do I do this or that which is why I considered the course in the first place so perhaps just taking the plunge and testing the water outside of my market would be a good idea?
I did check out 'scrapbooking' in this field but they are all for paper scrapping, none for digi scrapping as far as I could see.

Also, thanks for that tip culpetm. I shall shoot her a message and hope she can give me some good suggestions.

Please keep your advice coming. Its all hugely helpful.

I also just checked out the rules and it seems I can link my own site so here is my photobook site so you can see what it is I'm thinking of do my course on.

http://boolanddesignsphotobooks.shutterfly.com/

Thanks again ladies, its very much appreciated
Boo
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877584].message }}

boo6204

13 years ago

Thats the problem, they may 'visit' my site but they are then directed to my online store (not owned by me) and thats where they sign up so I don't get the email list, the store where I sell does

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877611].message }}

Jill Carpenter

13 years ago

Originally Posted by boo6204

Thats the problem, they may 'visit' my site but they are then directed to my online store (not owned by me) and thats where they sign up so I don't get the email list, the store where I sell does

Can you set up a list on your site? Find a way to capture that traffic before they go to the other - see if you can offer a coupon or discount or something FREE they need before going to buy.

Thanks

Signature

"May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877651].message }}

boo6204 13 years ago

I was just thinking maybe I could ask them to 'sign up, for regular freebies to get the list going, or perhaps a newsletter? but using one of those subscribe boxes?
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877660].message }}
hovirag 13 years ago

I think you've got a great idea - and now also the keywords
Definitely go for it and build a simple website around it. You can use wordpress it's free and here is a link to training videos for free on how to do that - just search googbomb.com

Your website: you can create a signature in your profile and put your website in there. Whenever you post or answer a post it will show up.
- Thanks
Signature
Find Out How To Tap The Magical Power of Your Subconscious â€“ On Demand! Get the A Bug Free Mind Starter Kit! for FREE that has a 92% success rate (according to published surveys) for helping people create more success in life.. Click on the link now==>
To Optimize Your Wealth, First Optimize Your Mind Today!
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877700].message }}
gottahave 13 years ago

Either idea ie freebie or newsletter is good. The first rule of online marketing is capturing email addresses via an autoresponder ie Aweber from your website or blog. Then regularly correspond with these signups with email broadcasts from the autoresponder offer news and product offers.

We use a blog to sell digital products with the WP eStore plugin plus WP Affiliate Platform plugin - both works well.

Neil
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877711].message }}
- Jill Carpenter 13 years ago
  
  Yes, you need to find an autoresponder service.
  
  Think about it. You have had 500,000 people pass your way.
  
  Now, just imagine that of those 500,000 that you had a list going from the start - and lets say only 10 percent signed up to that list.
  
  That is 50,000 people.
  
  Now, sometimes it can take several times for someone to see an offer before they purchase - but with that list you could do well selling to even just 5,000. Imagine that 10 percent (5,000) buying a hundred dollar product which you get 50% commission on.
  
  If my math is somewhat correct - that could have been $250,000 just for sending out one email on a top notch product to your "buyers".
  
  I don't know about you but I'd think this is reason enough to go sign up for an autoresponder service.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  Signature
  
  "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2877791].message }}
  
  eliz 13 years ago
  
  Hi Boo6204,
  
  Curious how you are making out since your last posts in Nov last year.
  
  Alot of good advice here and much appreciated.
  
  Thanks
  
  Liz
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4289792].message }}
digitalmoolah 13 years ago

Hello;

I agree. You should stick with something you are passionate about. Here are some suggestions that will help get you thinking.

1. Since your niche is digital scrap booking, create a few videos where you showcase a few of your own projects. Show people just how fun it is, and what is possible. Put those videos on youtube and other video sites with a link pointed back to your website.

2. Next, I want you to come up with an idea for a mini course on digital scrap booking. You could talk about touching up pictures, or maybe just do a few project demonstrations. Talk about how you came up with your ideas and why you chose the fonts and graphics you did. Make it fun.

3. Now for monetization. What types of products do you use to create digital scrap books? (font packs, software, graphics packages) create a page for each lesson with a video on it and talk about a product in each lesson. Provide a link where they can learn more about that product. Of course that would be your affiliate link. Not only did you give them some valuable tips, you showed them what they will need to get the job done right. If you approach people this way, they will actually be greatful to you for selling them something.

4. Finally, goto amazon.com and do a search for products related to digital scrap booking. Click on a product. Now look down towards the bottom of the item description. You will see a section that says something like ( people who purchased this item also bought) This information can be used to find other products to promote to your list.

Hope this helps;

Brian.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4290657].message }}
laustinseo 13 years ago

I think the best way to go about this is to promote yourself as much as possible, use sites like twitter, facebook and also flickr. Keep them updated and make as many connections as possible, this will raise the awareness of your product and services. For the tutorials i suggest opening a youtube account and posting tutorials or new videos on a regular basis. Make sure you always mention your site and make it available.
This is only the social media side of things, however social media is free and you will get what you put into it
hope i helped
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4291297].message }}
Amanda Murdoch 13 years ago

I think it is a great idea - but you really need to brush up on your marketing, sharpen your pencil and send some time pulling your self apart - why? Becasue I can instantly see that you are not thinking correctly - You appear to be coming from what you do - I DON'T HEAR YOU TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR OTHERS.
Think about it .... what person wouldn't want an amazing book crammed full of family memories? Get into the emotional side of it - Ask questions to promopt thoughts - talk about how kids grow so quickly and to be able to create memories to treasure forever - don't talk about what your product is - talk about what it will do - thinkof the family that will be able to give the grandparents a beautiful treasure of memories for Christmas this year for less that $Xx. It's an original present - people are always looking for present ideas - you solve this problem - do you ge what I mean - get out there and ask people why they love family photographs - get into those emotions - here's a great article idea to get feedback - would you save your treasured photos in a fire? Get some feedback - solve problems for people and your sales will soar!!
Good luck and don't forget - get going on it now so from October you can market it as a Christmas gift - after that a mothers day gift - then fathers day gift etc.
Market it also as a childrens birthday present -
Wishing you every success
- Thanks
Signature
Get More Out Of Your Business ...
Marketing Consulting, Training & Coaching
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4291344].message }}

Help me please...

Trending Topics

Newbie

How did you turn it all around?

A healthy fascination for Hollywood...

Any thoughts on golf's latest phenom...Scottie Scheffler??

best high quality crypto traffic.