Ask and Ye Shall Create

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Ask and Ye Shall Create

How do you decide to create a new speech? A new report? A net product? Most of us have an idea, then start to work on it. It's only when we are well into the creation phase that we determine whether or not it will sell.

By then, it's too late! We've put time and effort into the production. Either we don't want to "waste" that time and effort, so we go ahead with a product destined to lose money or we "scrap" an idea that we're just SURE could have been productive...if it only had time.

What if we reverse this "create, then market" paradigm? Let's determine FIRST if there is a market, then create the product the market wants. The Internet provides the ideal venue for this process because it's cost-effective to distribute your survey, and it offers quick turnaround for responses.

Your first step is to create a survey that you'll send to your target market. Your survey includes four parts:

1. Create a list of problems or issues that are typical of your target market. For the speakers market, for example, topics could include marketing materials, topic choice, product development, demo videos, office productivity, etc.

2. If appropriate, list several formats in which you can deliver the information. For example, as a speech, a special report, an audio CD, a videotape or a DVD.

3. List related questions. These could include:
a. How much would you pay for...
b. How likely would you be to...

4. Gather relevant information that could be useful now or in the future. These questions may be about the professions responding, types of computers or connections used, equipment available, etc.

When you've completed your survey questions, you'll need to decide on the technology you'll use to deliver the survey - and to gather the answers. You are more likely to get a higher response if you send your survey via email. However, that means you'll need to compile the responses manually. If you're looking for a small number of responses, email works fine. For larger surveys, use a web-based survey service. Zoomerang is one of the better-known services which offers both a free and a fee-based survey service.

As the last step in the Ask then Create system, invite people to participate in your survey. You can do this as a link from your website, in a pop-up window, or in an email message. You can increase the number of responses by offering a reward - a free article or report, a gift certificate, a copy of the results, an entry in a drawing, a donation to a charity. Be creative!

What's YOUR reward? You get an exact description of the problem your target market wants solved. You'll see how they want the information delivered, how much they're willing to pay for it, and how likely they are to purchase.

And THEN you create the ideal product.

To see a survey in action, visit http://www.Tech4Speakers.com/survey1.htm

Dr. Jeanette Cates is an Internet strategist who works with experts who are ready to turn their knowledge and their websites into Gold. Her reputation as a speaker and trainer has earned her the title of The Technology Tamer. Jeanette shares her news and views in OnlineSuccessNews.com

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Dow closes nearly 700 points down (AP)

AP - Confirmation that the nation is in a recession and signs pointing to a prolonged downturn sent Wall Street plunging once again Monday, hurtling the Dow Jones industrials down nearly 700 points and more than half of last week's big gains. All the major indicators more than 7 percent, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped nearly 9 percent.

Obama announces Clinton, Gates for Cabinet (AP)

AP - President-elect Barack Obama picked a national security team headed by former campaign rival Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bush administration holdover Robert Gates on Monday, and said he wants to consult with military commanders before settling on a firm timetable to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq.

It's official: U.S. has been in recession since Dec. '07 (AP)

AP - The U.S. economy has been in a recession since December 2007, the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday. The NBER a private, nonprofit research organization said its group of academic economists who determine business cycles met and decided that the U.S. recession began last December.

India demands strong action from Pakistan (AP)

AP - India demanded Monday that Pakistan take "strong action" against those behind the deadly Mumbai attacks, and Washington pressured Islamabad to cooperate with the investigation.

Palin implores Ga. Republicans to back Chambliss (AP)

AP - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin urged Georgia voters to back Sen. Saxby Chambliss in Tuesday's runoff in an election eve appeal that underscored her popularity within the Republican Party and the GOP's efforts to stave off erosion of its shrinking Senate numbers.

Rice says she won't give Clinton too much advice (AP)

AP - Happily contemplating another woman as the top U.S. diplomat, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday she will offer advice, privately, and then get out of the way.

1 in 5 young adults has personality disorder (AP)

AP - Almost one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life, and even more abuse alcohol or drugs, researchers reported Monday in the most extensive study of its kind.

Ivana Trump separates from fourth hubby Rubicondi (AP)

AP - Ivana Trump has issued a statement confirming reports of marital discord with Italian entrepreneur Rossano Rubicondi. Trump, who married Rubicondi in April, says she filed a legal separation agreement three months ago. Trump says she kept quiet about it because she didn't want to ruin Rubicondi's chances as a contestant on the Italian edition of the reality TV show "Survivor."

Man says God ordered him to ram vehicle at 100 mph (AP)

AP - A man who rammed his truck into a woman's vehicle on a highway early Friday told authorities he crashed into her while going more than 100 mph because God told him "she needed to be taken off the road."

NYC police investigating hospital that treated Giants' Burress (AP)

AP - Plaxico Burress was led out of a police precinct in handcuffs Monday after surrendering on a weapons possession charge, and authorities said that teammate Antonio Pierce is being investigated over his role in an accidental shooting at a Manhattan nightclub.

Obama names Clinton, Gates to lead foreign policy (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama named former rival Hillary Clinton as secretary of state on Monday and said Robert Gates would remain defense secretary in a national security team charged with recasting America's leadership role in the world.

Stocks ends lower on economic worry (Reuters)

Reuters - Stocks tumbled on Monday as news pointing to the deepening economic slump around the world erased the bulk of last week's sharp gains, with financial services companies and retailers among Wall Street's biggest casualties.

India demands Pakistan act decisively on Mumbai attack (Reuters)

Reuters - India demanded Pakistan take decisive action over deadly attacks in Mumbai it said were carried out by militants from its nuclear-armed rival, while the West urged cooperation to ease tension.

Bush calls flawed Iraq intelligence biggest regret (Reuters)

Reuters - President George W. Bush said the biggest regret of his presidency was flawed intelligence that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and told ABC "World News" in an interview airing on Monday that he was unprepared for war when he took office.

U.S. in recession as Europe debates spending hikes (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. economy has slumped into a recession, the nation's business cycle arbiter declared on Monday, while European leaders clashed over how much public money to spend tackling a deepening downturn.

House to push $500 billion stimulus bill (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi met leading governors on Monday to discuss the size and shape of an economic stimulus package that one Democratic aide said was likely to cost around $500 billion.

Thai protesters consolidate hold on airport (Reuters)

Reuters - Thai protesters prepared to end their three-month occupation of the Prime Minister's office on Monday to consolidate their grip on the main airport ahead of a court verdict that could dissolve the elected government.

Alabama mayor arrested on corruption charges (Reuters)

Reuters - Federal authorities arrested the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, on Monday in a corruption probe surrounding a massive sewer bond debt that has forced Jefferson County to the brink of bankruptcy.

Hawkish Obama names Clinton as top diplomat (AFP)

AFP - Barack Obama on Monday nominated Hillary Clinton to be his "tough," "smart" secretary of state as his former foe vowed to give her all to steer America through a storm of international crises.

Mumbai attacks: India demands Pakistan take 'strong action' (AFP)

AFP - India on Monday formally accused "elements" in Pakistan of being behind the devastating Islamic militant attacks in Mumbai and demanded that Islamabad take "strong action".

Ask and Ye Shall Create

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