From idea to reality

[TattenhamCorner]

Hi there,

I'm sure there are many people out there like myself who find themselves continually thinking of ideas, innovations and concepts from within everyday life. Well, as you would know, I am also constantly jotting down these ideas and you wouldn't believe the amount of books I have filled up, of which, some have actually been conceptualised and brought to the market.

However, enough is enough, I am fed up of coming so far down the conceptualisation stage to have it only amount to dust in a cardboard box somewhere. Here's the problem, I just can't seem to turn that writing into a physical tangible company or product that brings in revenue.

What do you have to do in order to cross that bridge? who do I go too? how do I set the wheels in motion? Where am I going wrong? All these questions plague me time after time.

I am a gambler in life who is willing to take financial risks whereby I have experienced great loss and great fortune. However, I wish that I'd had a little more support in spreading my risks into different ventures in life such as a business start-up.

 

[Deleted member 226268]

Where am I going wrong?

The problem is you ! !
Terminal cyclical procrastination.

You need to think up ONE good product idea that might sell,
draw it,
develop it,
make a working prototype,
Throw lots of money at development,
get someone to make 50 finished products,
Try selling it on Ebay for a start....see if it sells.

.

 

[Shopclicks]

The first step to get an idea or innovation rolling, is to establish that there is a 'need' out there for the item. Before you get to the development stage, research the marketplace, talk to people in the industry, talk to potential customers, establish that there is a void in the market that you can fill. Find out if it's only you that thinks it's a good idea and you might take some of the 'gamble' out of the idea.

THEN start thinking about developing the product to meet the 'needs' of the marketplace.

What do you have to do in order to cross that bridge? who do I go too?

If you don't have the ability to do something, outsource the job to someone who does. There are plenty of people, companies & associations who specialise in product development and marketing. Surround yourself with people who can perform particular tasks better than you.

 

[Frequent_nomad]

I think it's also worth creating a test of whether people actually want your products or services rather than destroying every idea yourself. Create a landing page using one of the cheap templates that you can use (like SquareSpace), then market it to your target groups. See if you can people to engage with your website/social media etc. You'll see whether there is an interest, rather than you just assuming there isn't. You may also be able to enage in a conversation with some of them and understand what it is they DO want, any you can refocus in that direction. It's rare that the original idea you start with, remains the same throughout your businesses existence.

Who was it that said that no business plan ever survives first contact with the market?!

 

[Rob Stephenson]

Pricing is also key. It's no good having the best idea in the world if it's going to cost the earth to make.

 

[Steve Samuels]

Hi,

A lot of budding inventors and entrepreneurs have the same problem. A lot of potentially great ideas, and little to no follow through on any of them. It can be a difficult hurdle to overcome, but the only thing you can do is pick one of your ideas and focus on it.

It's important to remember that just because you commit to one idea for now, you can always come back to the others at a later stage, but if you try to balance too many things then none are likely to get far.

Once you pick one of your ideas, a good thing to do is to openly tell friends and family that you are doing something. I've found that his provides a little bit of accountability that can help give you an incentive to push your idea forward. If you tell people that your doing something, and you don't do it, then on those occasions when they ask how it's progressing, you'll be reminded that you have not suck to what you said you'd do. It can be crappy feeling, and you'll find yourself making progress to avoid it. And even a small amount of slow progress is better than just an idea.

Another big problem that I had that was the death of many of my previous ideas, is that I used to try and do everything myself. This can be difficult and time consuming, even if you do have all the skills you need, which you'll probably find you don't. I'm am now a great fan of using freelancers. You'd be amazed at how much you can get done for a relatively small amount of money. I'm a fan of the website PeoplePerHour, as many freelancers offer a great range of low cost fixed price services. It's a great feeling when you spend your time doing things that are not related to your business, and you realise that progress is still being made, one nice incentive can be to get someone to create a nice concept drawing for you, it will give you something too look at and aspire towards creating.

It's important to have specific goal with a clear end to it when starting a project. One good method is to try running a Kickstarter campaign to finance your project. This is great as it can give you a clear goal, which is to create a live Kickstarter campaign, which in itself can tell you about how well received your idea is. There are some good milestones with this method, such as getting some initial market research done, if you think there is a market then get a prototype produced (Use Arduinos and 3D printing), create a cool video and page for your Kickstarter, understand your pricing and required funding.

This isn't necessarily going to give you a successful business, however it's a good way to start turning your ideas into something more real. So, pick one of your ideas, commit to running a Kickstarter for it that will go live 6 months from now, tell your friends that you are DEFINITELY going to do this, and then with a little freelance help, get your market research done, create your prototype and your promo video, and launch the Kickstarter. If it fails and you realise that idea was not your £Million one, then move on to the next and try again with the lessons you learned from your first attempt.

I wish you the best of luck with finding your motivation, and pursuing your ideas. Hopefully I'll be buying one of your products this time next year!

Regards,
-Steve

 

[The Byre]

I just can't seem to turn that writing into a physical tangible company or product that brings in revenue.

That's because you have not tried!

I am a gambler in life who is willing to take financial risks .

No you are not!

You have risked nothing! You just sit at home, waiting for life to throw you a bone!

 

[Frimley111R]

Just to add here, TALK to your market, they will tell you stuff that they will never post on SM, Forums etc. Don't do any product development until you know what the market really wants.

 

[Asterian]

You have risked nothing! You just sit at home, waiting for life to throw you a bone!

Amen to that! Start it, at least you'll be able to say you've tried. I am halfway in the editing process of the book I want to write... I don't want to do it, but it must be done!

 

[stender]

Aargh! annoying OP! I have been wracking my brain for ideas for years and haven't come up with anything I consider decent enough to make good money! I have the drive, money and acumen to progress a good idea just can't come up with one!. I don't know how to link up with people like the op who need help? How would I partner with someone like this? I would want to know the ideas before getting involved but the other person obviously won't want to divulge. Is an NDA worth the paper it's written on?

I've got to say if I had something that I thought was a great idea I would be so driven to progress it. I can't believe the ideas can be that good if you're not.