Comments on: How to Read People’s Minds–And Then Create the Product They Most Desire

By: Alan Eames

Alan Eames — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:18:55 +0000

Hi Erica,

What an insightful post! You absolutely have to find out from your target public what they need and want. Know before you go, find out what they want and then provide it is an ancient maxim. Thanks for putting it in a fresh, new way to remind us.

Alan

By: Vance Sova

Vance Sova — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:04:25 +0000

Hi Erica,

Asking prospects to reveal what is on their minds is really the only way to find out. What sometimes comes out are often the most unexpected things.

It may be necessary to dig deep though because what people say and do can be very different.

Using Google keyword tool is probably a better way to find out what people are keen on buying.

Using both methods would be the best if one has the time.

It’s helpful to read posts like this.

Getting too excited about an idea without checking out the market can be very costly.

Vance

By: Adit

Adit — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:01:02 +0000

Hi Erica,
By knowing what is in people’s minds, for me it could be used also to create the post when I have no idea.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:14:32 +0000

I’ll have to check out the keyword tool. Another way to read people’s minds is to listen to them complain. They’ll usually specifically say what their problems are and how they wish things were. That’s how I got the idea for my Pay Off Debt app. I think developing products or services is more about what others are looking for than anything else.

By: Ivan Walsh

Ivan Walsh — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:01:30 +0000

Alex,
In a similar vein, Samuel Johnson (compiled first English dictionary) advised young authors to ‘murder your darlings’.
He meant don’t get infatuated with your own ideas. Run your business like a business. Applies to bloggers too!
Ivan

By: Ken Siew

Ken Siew — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:30:31 +0000

Thanks Erica! I love this mind reading techniques, it’s not actually that complicated to begin with. It’s simply just asking without selling, and find out what your target market really wants.

I love this:
“Better to fail fast than to have spent months trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole. If this just doesn’t feel right, move on. Ideas are abundant!”

I definitely have to learn to fail fast and quit doing the wrong things. Great advice!

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:43:34 +0000

Just found the blog and I like what I have found! I like how you said “Abandon the idea”. People hold on to an idea and just pump money into something that isn’t going to work. Good points!

By: Tyler WebCPA

Tyler WebCPA — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:52:59 +0000

You can do even better than reading peoples minds; often people don’t really know what they want or need until you tell them what is available. That’s why, as you mentioned, talking to people is key.
You mentioned Adwords in your Blog Success Manifesto and its addictive powers enthrall me for sometimes way too long.

By: Shafique Ahmad

Shafique Ahmad — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:52:32 +0000

Yeeeeeah! Pretty face have pretty mind full of good ideas thanks

By: Larry

Larry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:58:22 +0000

Your post has high value! Thanks for the information, especially concerning Google Keyword Tool. I went there immediately and ran aobut 15 different variations that are relevant to our product (charter school authorizer compliance software). I had tried AdWords before with little success – but now looking at the key words we used, I can see why. We’re opening a new campaign using keywords that we know people are submitting.

Thanks Erica!