Page 241 - 597 Business Ideas You can Start from Home - doing what you LOVE! (Beginner Internet Marketing Series)

Step 1 2. Maintain a Life B a lance and Look Ahead 235

to grow. By then, the process of adding to your line will seem easy
because you know how to do it and you know that you can do
it. You have built relationships with your graphic designer, your
manufacturing and packaging sources, and the buyers. Everything
is in place for future growth.

There are many ways to get product expansion ideas, such as:

1. Creative thinking: Ideas may just come to you as you use
and sell your own product in situations that are different
than you originally imagined. Keep an open mind.

2. Trade-show feedback: People who visit your booth at

trade shows may make valuable suggestions. People love
to express ideas of how to improve your product and what
should come next. The suggestions are frequently good, as
these people like the product and want to see even more
from you.

3. Buyers: As you present your idea to retail buyers, they will

usually give you constructive feedback. They might sug­
gest that you offer more varieties of your product, or more
complementary items to offer a more complete line.
4. Your customers: Post a link to your e-mail address on your
website so customers or visitors can leave suggestions or
comments. These can be very insightful.
5. Spot trends: Be keenly aware of trends in the news, both
in your industry and in the marketplace as a whole . Staying
tuned into current events could lead to a new product idea
or product extension and can help you locate an untapped
market niche . For example, food allergies have become very
common. Companies saw a recent surge in peanut allergies
in children, and targeted this demographic by making soy
butter and almond butter. Be timely. What about a green
or organic version of your product? Can you incorporate
solutions to these new current issues by making some
changes to your product? With your finger on the pulse