Know-How Exchange : Research/Metrics

Well clearly it's difficult if you're offering the same thing everyone else is.

Let's suppose you are like the fuller brush man of old. Door to door sales of pet supplies. You have the product with you; you take cash or credit card; you don't charge shipping; you're competitively priced. You should do well.

Ok, now you're like the Avon lady. You take orders and don't take money until it's delivered. Good deal. Lots of people move with pets. Take your antihistimine pills and set up the furniture for them...for free. Bingo. You'll get a good reputation in no time.

You want to be on the internet like 1000 other websites. Ummm....you'd better have a niche.

Michael

A niche that you do more expansively or better than anyone else, uniqueness / a point of difference are what's going to sell and spell the difference between success or failure.

Do your research and homework before you even settle on your idea:
- Go to as many pet stores and websites as you can find
- Do a Google and Bing search on the keywords
- Check uspto.gov for trademarks
- Talk to as many people in your target market as possible before even starting
- Get intelligent input from potential retail buyers as well as consumers
- Validate your product, brand name benefit, positioning and pricing
- Determine how you'll get the word out there to potential buyers (and what to say and do to convince them to buy!)

Many entrepreneurs fail because they don't properly vet their ideas before venturing out...Do your research and make it happen!

Good luck...
-Steve