How You Can Find That One Big Idea
Everyone on the net is searching for that big idea, that one thought or brainwave that will transform their internet lives into being small and unknown to being an A-list celebrity (or bloglebrity) and mega-rich (having sold your site to Google of course).
But it’s easier said than done. With the multitude of blogs and websites out there, each and every niche is becoming saturated and full to the brim with the same clones of the original. First it was the pixel sites which tried to claw on the back of Alex Tew, then Digg clones and now Youtube clones - no-one these days seems to be taking the time to create that one big site that will dominate all.
Having just broken up for the summer holidays (or vacation for the Americans out there), I felt that I needed to get that one massive idea that would springboard me from being an average Joe blogger. These are the methods I used in attempting such a feat:
1. What have you achieved so far? This is probably the first step in determining your future goals. Remind yourself of your own timeline on the net so you can see how many sites you’ve run and are constantly running, how much money you’ve made, what lessons you’ve learnt along the way, which contacts you can use as leverage. Then look to try and build upon that success.
2. Stick to your comfort zone. For me there are a few topics that I know like that back of my hand, one of which is the art of blogging myself. If someone told me to write an ebook a la Yaro Starak, I reckon I’d be able to whip one up with no problems. Therefore, base your idea for your big project around a niche that you know well, but find a new take on it.
3. Research, research, research. Take a lot of time out to know who and what you’re up against in your niche (if you’re playing in an existent market). Keyword research can be important - checkout my review of Wordze - but for a bigger site, branding and marketing will be the lifeblood of your traffic - so make sure that your big idea has a brandable edge to it that could separate it from the crowd.
4. Plan to the final detail. Whilst planning can be strenuous and time consuming, it’s important that you plan your imminent success right to the last detail, to make sure that you won’t have any nasty surprises ahead. Things like logo design, hosting and domain costs, what articles are going to need to be written, SEO and so on and so forth.
So these are just a few pointers that have helped me come up with a bigger idea for this summer, and one which will hopefully thrust me into the limelight in the blogosphere. Obviously I’ll keep you guys in the loop, and I hope some of you will get involved in my project.
To conclude, a knowledge sharing session. How do you come up with that big idea? Any methods, techniques or details that you can share with us?
I do a lot of thinking when I’m driving, especially on motorways. Trouble is, I can’t write my thoughts down and tend to forget half of them by the time I reach my destination!
I have managed to remember a few good thoughts, ideas for ongoing or new projects or fixes to clients work.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with
the internet is a tough industry. there are thousands of smart people competing for that next big idea!
Waiting for a big idea to hit you can be a big problem. It’s better to build something of value while learning along the way. The first idea, or what you think will be the big idea rarely is, but it’s a place to start.
Hey guys.
Sarah - yeah I’ve heard of a lot of people (like Steve Pavlina) who thinks whilst he drives. Hopefully when I pass my driving test (which is soon), I can do the same.
@ Dennis - true, but what are the chances that all 1000’s of people are thinking of the same big idea. There’s more than enough room for people with their big idea, and I suppose the word big is also relative. What I think is big may not be as big as someone elses definition.
There are enough niches out there for everyone to have a big idea to dominate each.
And @ Ed: Yeah that’s true also, sometimes no matter how hard you try, thinking of a big idea may never come to you, or it may come in the weirdest of places (I’ve had brain waves on the toilet).
I agree with this, I can think of really great ideas in my head but then later when I go to write it down I can’t think of it. And also when I go to write it down I think of all sides of it and then I think its a bad idea. Plus its very hard thinking of a very unique idea to come up with.
We could have plenty of great ideas , the biggest part is to accomplish his idea and go deeper by running the operation. Armand Rousso
The Ideas are fine but is the access to market. remember Phillips versus Betamax. Its not always abou tthe killer app
Interesting ideas, I’m in much the same position trying to do that very thing.
Nice article. Seems I’m always trying to think up the next big idea. I’ve got an excel document of domains that I’d like to start up and hope that they’re the next big thing.
Hey Guys thanks for all the comments.
Russell yeah thats very true. I’ve had a lot of ideas pop into my head. However on further analysis - they appear a lot more complex or simply have too many negative angles to overcome.
Nice quote Armand and thanks Matt.
@ Deron: hehe I wish I was organised enough to jot my ideas down at least - that way I end up forgetting quite a few which is annoying!
We definitely need to talk more about the golf idea though
Thanks for your comments dudes and dudesses.
Some solid advice I think. Especially the research part.
I can’t tell you how many times I created a failed site because I didn’t research the market.
for the last year I’ve been brain storming trying, maybe not to come up with a huge idea, but one that will set me apart from the competition.The more I dig in the more intrincate it becomes..it’ll come sooner or later..
I find brainstorming onto a bubble map helps a lot!
I can’t tell you how many times I created a failed site because I didn’t research the market….thanks very much!
Make money from blogging is not as easy as couple of years before anymore. More people are blogging now and the competition is fierce. Especially getting page rank from google.
Yeah agreed. Big idea is all you need.
I am so agree with you, i think what you said are just so right.