Think Outside the Box

Same products, same pitch, same this and that…

Every week, I spend a few hours searching online to see what’s being offered, whether it be classes, coaching, or products. I search Amazon, Etsy, to name a few. I also receive about ten e-mails a day from people selling things like classes and software.

Guess what?

I’d say 99% of both my own searches and the ones that fall into my e-mail, are selling the same type of thing or service. They even have the same sales pitch encouraging me to buy the product.

I don’t have to tell you that these are tough times we’re living through. What was an already crowded marketplace just got more so with people losing jobs and thinking becoming an online entrepreneur is a solution.

it is but it’s not business as usual and I don’t think it ever will be.

It’s time for us to think outside the box…a mile or two outside the box.

Sit down today and brainstorm. Grab a pen and paper and put on your favorite music and just let your mind wander and think about something that no one else is selling or offering right now. Think one or two years down the road. What will people need? What niche has yet to be tapped?

Another idea is to brainstorm things you can add to your product or service. I know lots of people try to lower the price but that just cuts your profit and eventually everyone else follows the pattern until everyone is giving away stuff with no profit and guess what? They go out of business. That’s not what we want.

So let’s take another approach. Keep the price the same but throw in an added bonus, that incentive for people to buy from you and not your competitor.

Maybe a discount coupon on another product. Free shipping or even a free 30 minute call if you’re selling a coaching service. Or a free book if someone signs up for your class.

It’s time to get creative.