August 7, 2008
Three Thoughts on Regular Research for Your Online Business
Recently I asked if you regularly spend time on online research for your business. If you’re looking for ideas on what to research and how it can benefit you…well here are 3 right here:
Find out what products are popular and see where you might step in and sell those products or do something even better. For information products, you can search ClickBank by category and see which items are popular. For consumer products, you can go to Amazon, click on a category and look at “Most Popular” on the left menu. You can also search popular content sites, blogs, etc. and see which products they’re promoting.
Find new partners for your business. Whether it’s to find new affiliates, people to interview, a site to publish your content or someone to work on a co-project, you can always keep your eyes peeled.
Obviously, you can conduct research for relevant keywords on your favorite search engine. You can also find out who is already partnering with some of your competition by using the “link:http://website..com” search string at Yahoo. Keeping tabs on websites either by signing up for their mailing list or RSS feed (use the free Sweetie Reader here) can also keep you on top of what’s going on in your market.
Find content ideas based on topics that you know are already in demand. Try WordTracker for keyword research, article directories that show popularity of articles, social bookmarking sites like Digg, popular posts on forums, etc. No sense in guessing what people want to read/listen/watch.
(Once again, if you didn’t already know, we do Internet-based research at AllCustomContent.com…so if you don’t feel like you have the time or discipline, we’re here for you.)
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Nice list. I’m enjoying following your blog.
And if I may presume…
#4 Ask your readers/existing fans what they want.
I think a lot of people create products based on what they think people should want, when a quick survey will tell you what people *really* want (and it probably isn’t exactly what you thought!).
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in business, it’s give ‘em what they want and they will buy. This is a great short list - perfect to read no matter what business you are in and how long you’ve been at it!
Great list. You give great easy information that will truly help your business grow.
Great ideas; as it is not always easy to know what people want to purchase and seems as many people are selling the same things in the same looking websites also.
I am learning from you that everyone needs information including myself and not so much product; so will start reading your advice!
Thanks Alice, Keep it coming