Comments for Online Business Blog -- erica.biz -- Erica Douglass teaches you how to start and grow an online business!

Comment on How To Negotiate Your Phone and Cable Bill and Save Thousands of Dollars by Chloe

Chloe — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:41:49 +0000

This is the most helpful post I have ever come across. Thank you!

After trying to wing negotiations on my own for close to 2 hours, I googled for help. Your post came up first, and I am so glad. Went back to negotiate with TMobile and was able to get a deal $5/mo. less than what I was aiming for!

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

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

Comment on Why You Don't Save For Retirement by $$

$$ — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:43:39 +0000

As a lot of people have pointed out in this article the coffee point isn’t going to cut it for retirement. Still, I have analyzed exactly how much not spending money on coffee and saving for retirement will net you taking into account inflation (also including the cost of the coffee itself going up) and a decrease in risk tolerance for investments as we get older. This will provide a much more accurate number than the 228k mentioned about which is beyond realistic.

http://livinginvol.com/?p=6

Comment on Are You Making This Common Mistake (That Could Ruin Your Business)? by Lou Gonzales

Lou Gonzales — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:05:26 +0000

What great advice! I personally use an external drive but thanks to your article I’ll be looking into Jungle disk ASAP.
Thanks Erica I look forward to returning here.
Thanks again,
Lou Gonzales

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

Comment on How to Read People’s Minds–And Then Create the Product They Most Desire by Shafique Ahmad

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

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

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

Comment on How to Read People’s Minds–And Then Create the Product They Most Desire by Lucas Starbuck

Lucas Starbuck — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:38:49 +0000

Interesting post Erica.. there are definitely some under-utilized domains/keywords out there, and some crazy overvalued domains too.

The Google keyword tool is great, but if you’re willing to spend maybe 1-2 hours in training videos, I’d highly recommend the Market Samurai tool – I came across it about a month ago and it’s power is pretty astonishing. The free version has all the good keyword info from Google+lots more.

Cheers,
Lucas

Comment on How to Read People’s Minds–And Then Create the Product They Most Desire by Tommy Stern

Tommy Stern — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:34:37 +0000

Great post regarding the Google tools.

With all due respect – regarding market research, on how much money people are willing to pay is a little inaccurate and here is why. There is a different mind set when talking to people or when they are filling out forms then when actually purchasing. During the market research phase it is mostly intellectual, during the purchase phase different people act differently when spending money. A good tip is get the product into their hands or have them try it.

Many years ago a friend tried selling a unique mattress we developed to a nursing home chain. Before I got involved with the selling process my friend tried for over a year to get a commitment to supply them with about a 1000 mattresses. I had him make a mini sample to show. I went down for this presentation and the administrator expressed how badly he needed mattresses but couldn’t make up his mind. I took the mattress out of my friend’s hand and reached over the desk and placed it into the hands of the administrator. About a minute or two later he said let’s start with a small order of a dozen and see how the patients and nursing staff like it – I was amazed.