Research…Best methods and how in depth for new starters?

Hey, I’m interested in the same niche, nice to met you leslie,

1. you could look at self-development websites, lifehacker, zen habits, success.com (type in google top self-developement websites) and see what the top sites are doing that is your competition, i know it’s going to be hard but try to see if these websites are missing something that you could offer.
2 you could type a question in google that you have been pondering or think someone might be think of and see if anyone has a solution to it
(example: Why is the number one regret among the dying “I wish I lived a life true to myself instead of what others expected of me”)
oh man you will find a lot info just by doing that alone in forums,group chat etc. perhaps you could think of answer if even a basic one and start from there and expand it into a course, training etc,
3. Government websites also help a lot actually such as (bureau of labor statistics, and the census bureau) and looking at statistics of what people are having problems with versus what people excel in, actually you can use this in line with step 2 to create a product,
4. look at amazon for top selling personal development books and see what the synopsis is about. this may give you an idea of what you can focus on or you could combine ideas from 3-5 top selling books and create a basic product outline and expand from there.

These are some of the tips I’ve learned over the years on how to create a product, time spent? depends on how busy you are.
hope that helps.

Look at yourself first, Leslie. What do you have to offer? Where is your expertise? What are people amazed at that you know or do that seems easy for you? If you’re going to California, it’s quicker to begin in Nevada than in Vermont. The closer you are now to where you want to be, the sooner you can get there.

What part of that “niche” do you feel compelled to work in?

When you write a blog post, what is the topic that you gravitate to naturally?

Focus on that.

Write down a dozen or so principles or concepts that define that one part. Then write down another dozen or so parts under each of them.

Now write about all 100-150 topics that you have listed.

Leslie,

Self-development/improvement is a huuuuuuge niche. It’s one of those where it’s impossible to be all things to all people. It’s kind of like internet marketing. You can’t necessarily say you’re in the IM niche. Does that mean your focus is affiliate marketing, video marketing, email marketing, product creation, traffic generation, etc., etc., etc?

Self improvement is the same animal. There are just so many sub-categories from which to choose. Decide in what area you can come off as an expert. Do you have experience in some particular topic? Is there some area in which you can create products and answer questions?

Keep in mind you don’t have to be an expert. Just choose an area that interests you and one in which you can do even a small amount of research. Is that becoming more organized, becoming more productive, using affirmations in your everyday life, overcoming addictions, or increasing productivity? These are just ones I came up with off the top of my head.

Just play to your strengths. If it’s something that you’re either passionate about or you want to know more about, you’re good to go. It makes research easy and more enjoyable.

I’m sure this is nothing you haven’t heard before, but I just wanted to give you my take. Best of luck!

So Leslie, how can we help you the most right now?

In a way, it doesn’t matter where you start.

That’s because you’re likely to go through several revisions for you reach your destination.

Knowing what I know now, I would pick the one part of self-development that interested me the most, and then interpret all other aspects of it in that context.

I’d write about it like that and create products that were structured around it like that.

Over time, I know that that would probably change as I got more clarity on the topic.

Thing is, that if you don’t just start, you’ll only ever do research.

Research is a lot of fun. I’ve done enough of it to attest to that.

Unfortunately, few people get paid to do just it.

So just pick something, and then get busy. 😉

Hi Leslie – Thanks for welcoming me to the group. There’s certainly many good ideas and suggestions shared with you here to “chew on”!

Based on what you said here in this thread you seem to well suited in the field/niche of counselling… just a hunch!

I was a school guidance counsellor in my “past life” for about 7 years and I picked up that vibe in your comments and in the way you described yourself. Maybe with some research, study and fine tuning to niche-down, there may be a good fit, if there is a fit at all.

Only you will know for sure upon reflection and getting feedback from those who know you really well.

Also, a key question to ask yourself might be: Where do you want to be in 3 – 5 years from now and still feel really good about yourself!

I’ve been re-reading Tim Ferriss’ excellent book, The Four-Hour WorkWeek.

Among other things, he talks about how to set goals.

What you, Norf and Leslie, have said reminded me of that.

Ferriss says that we have to ask ourselves what excites us.

That’s a good way of describing what I was trying to explain to you, Leslie.

That which excites you will also be the thing that you gravitate to.

Ferriss also says something very interesting.

He says that the competition to be mediocre is far greater than it is to do something big; therefore, we should aim for something that, for most, seems unrealistic.

Food for thought.

Leslie,

If I may share from personal experience, perhaps this may help you. I, too, have many varied interests.

The two things I talk most about and reflexively help with the most are homeschooling and grammar. For years I have tried to figure out what I should do online/train on, etc.

When I ask my husband, he tells me that since I am a Grammar Nazi, I should tutor grammar.

When I ask my college aged-daugher, she tells me that my biggest success (in her eyes) is her – I homeschooled her all the way through from Kindergarten through high school.

When I ask people what they love most about me, it comes down to a few things: passion, listening ability, grammar and writing, and not being afraid to say things as I see them.

I tell you this to give you a few ideas about how you can start to narrow down your niche.

Ask the people who know you best what they think you do best, and what they love most about you.

Think about what you talk about most often. What subjects do you wax on and on about, all the time?

What things are you most compelled to help with?

What can you do with one hand tied behind your back (I was asked this by a coach once)?

What do you know so well that you can you talk about if someone woke you up at 3 a.m.?

Earlier you said you help people get over their self-loathing and lack of self-esteem and self-worth. To me, that screams mindset. So you could narrow your love of self-development down to mindset training and coaching. Then you could think about who your perfect client/customer would be. Would it be a man, in his 40s who has wanted to have his own business for years, but has a family to take care of and so is afraid to leave the steady job for a business? Or would it be a SAHM (stay at home mom) who hasn’t been in the work world for a decade and who feels she has nothing relevant to contribute to the world?

Is there a story behind your love of self-development? How did you get into it – did you conquer some demons yourself, or did you grow up seeing a loved one with these demons? Behind every passion is a story, and if you can tap into yours, it can help you define who your perfect client would be, and how you would want to help them.

Hope that helps a little.

Leslie,

Mindset is HUGE in military history, and not only for the reasons you states. When you think about the folks who go through military training successfully, and who are great at what they do, and advance, and you consider the great leaders, their “can-do” mindset is huge. My husband taught our older daughter to never quit, and there are days when I think I would be better had I had the training he had, and gave our daughter. Now we are doing it again with the younger.

I guess what I am saying is that your interest in mindset AND military history make sense. I could see blog posts about individuals in history related to their mindset and then some kind of product eventually that you would offer. 🙂

Les (I read that you prefer to be called that),

I LIKE that idea about incorporating the best of the military into any mindset trainings you create!!!

And thanks so much for the encouragement. This younger one is completely different and has me scrambling to figure out ways to reach her and motivate her. I will persist because I have no choice. 🙂 But I do appreciate the kind words. 🙂

Something you have to understand, Leslie, about the public sector.

In a democracy, there are two overriding goals: 1) Being seen to do the right thing and 2) increasing personal power.

Dictators are interested in only one thing: More power.

I’m sure that you’ve heard this: Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Rest assured that dictators don’t see evil in their hearts.

Everything they do is a means to their determined end: Power.