Attention! This Book Will Make You Money: How to Use Attention-Getting Online Marketing to Increase Your Revenue

Chapter 13. 26 Ways to Generate Killer Ideas

So you hear about all of these people making money with great ideas, and you think, "Well, it's easy for them, but I'm not creative. I could never come up with ideas like those." Wrong! Generating ideas—useful ideas—is a skill and, like any other skill, it can be learned. The more you practice, the easier it will be to come up with ideas whenever you need them. Whether you are looking for a new business concept, ways to improve your products and services, or strategies to get attention for yourself and your business, the techniques here will help you. Try them and see which ones work best for you.

1. Get in the idea mind-set. Although you can learn to generate ideas on demand, if you are always on the lookout for ideas you will never run out of them.

2. Carry a notebook or recorder at all times. The only thing worse than not being able to come up with an idea is thinking of an amazing idea, not writing it down and then forgetting it. You may think you will remember, but you won't. Having a small notepad or digital recorder with you at all times guarantees that those ideas will not escape.

3. Eavesdrop. Listen to people talking on the bus, at the coffee shop, or in the elevator. Build on the snippets of conversation you overhear to create a story, and let that story lead you to a brilliant idea.

4. Do something new. Sign up for a class, take up a new hobby, listen to a different kind of music, or do anything that is new to you. You'll get new parts of ...