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You have an amazing idea that you’ve scribbled down on a napkin. Now you want to take that basic idea and turn it into something that is going to revolutionize the world, improve people’s lives, or make you a ton of money. The following are five steps you can use to take your service or product idea to the next level.
Understand the Core of Your Idea
This means understanding the who, what, why, and how of your idea. What is the idea? Why are you making it? Who is going to benefit? How will it benefit your target market? Most creative people have ideas all the time. The goal is to sift through those ideas, look at them from different perspectives, and understand the core value your idea provides.
Understand the Problem Your Ideas Solves
In a notebook or on your electronic tablet, in a few sentences describe the problem that your idea is going to solve. Then, explain why your invention provides a unique solution. Looking at your idea from the vantage point of problem and solution will help you to stay focused on what your end goal is. This will help you add true value to your idea, while at the same time not getting wrapped up in doing things that ‘improve your idea’ but do nothing to solve the end problem.
Understand the Market for Your Idea
There have been many ideas that were released to the public that were sheer genius but never caught on. The reason was that the market was not ready to support that idea. Many inventors and business owners have seen the benefit of consulting marketing analysts and design thinkers like those at Arc and Co. to help them get a better feel for what the market has to offer and how that affects the products or services they are thinking about presenting to the world.
Accept Nothing Less Than Perfection
If there is a flaw with your idea, do not present it until you fix the idea. Every single day you are going to be met with new competitors, or an existing competitor will produce a new product. For this reason, the idea or product that you create must be perfect from the get-go. Presenting a high-quality product builds customer loyalty and builds brand recognition. A perfect product is not one that is stagnant, but instead one that evolves in response to market changes.
Let Your Personality Shine
A US poet laureate was quoted as saying that “People will forget what you say, they will forget what you do, but they will never forget the way you make them feel.” Taking a good idea to the next level often involves surrounding the idea with people who have personalities that will affect and move others. Inventions, businesses, and services that stand out from their competition do so because of the personalities that surround them.
There is a lot of work involved in turning a good idea into a marketable product. By following the five above-mentioned steps, you will be well on your way to creating a product that will take the world by storm.
Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on twitter: @RachelleWilber
