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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 1, 2013 21:46:35 GMT -6
People learn by doing - not by just reading or watching. A huge part of this community is taking action. Thats is where all the value is. So we all need to find and area where we actually do something. Examples projects: A podcast. Turning this board into a paid community with members. A blog and product. A website selling something. Building a community around a passion. A video content website/channel. An ebook/video course. Selling a product to a certain niche. Learning a specific skill and accomplishing a large project with it (I.E. copywriting, programming, design, music, etc...). Remember - the internet is huge. Part of the main lessons to remember is just because you can't do it doesn't mean it can't be done. The options are truly endless and we all can help each other brainstorm. So the order of business: 1. Determine a project. The project can be a solo project or a group project. 2. Develop Goals and a Plan for the project. 3. Find an 3 experts to help. 4. Take action, develop skills, solve problems towards the huge goal. Lets start with everyone coming up with 4-5 ideas they find interesting...and we can start discussing/testing the ideas together. Ideas will evolve as you learn more and test the market. Don't expect your first ideas to be your best ones.  |
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 1, 2013 21:47:08 GMT -6
P.S. Use this thread to post your ideas. Be sure to let us know if its an idea you want to do solo or have the entire group work on.
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Lydia
New Member
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Post by Lydia on Dec 2, 2013 19:40:58 GMT -6
I have a few things I'm interested in now...
Solo:
-learning to copywrite.
-developing a purpose/product for my personal blog and/or starting a new one.
-professional selling skills improved
(maybe starting my own business over a website or through a platform like MA... not sure how that's going to look.)
-pursuing music other than guitar lessons and piano; possibly learning logic/producing professionally, definitely attempting to develop song-writing skills.
Group:
-turning this board into a paid community with members.
-building a community around a passion; any of the following:
-music
-health
-personal growth
-travel
-faith
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 3, 2013 21:36:03 GMT -6
Cool Lydia.
Lets run your idea through a few questions:
How does each idea bring you value?
If you expect it to bring you financial value - are you solving a problem that people would pay to have solved? How do you know? Can you ever escape trading time for money? Is it something you think you would enjoy doing for at least a couple years? (Which begs the question - what would you be doing?) There are several business models that I eventually stopped because I didn't like what I needed to do each day to be successful. It wasn't fun.
If you expect it to bring you a value in experience and skill - what skill and experience are you looking for? Why are these skills you want to further?
If you expect it to bring you value as a hobby, a network or as fun - can it be leveraged in any other way?
Your stuff breaks into 2 categories at the moment it seems. (I could be wrong).
Skill development and possible $ projects.
Whats nice about building a business, if you do it correctly, you can also learn skills to help your business at the same time. Your business/project is the testing ground for your skill development.
For example - if you want to build out the skill of copywriting you can start checking out specific copywriting resources and then practice doing what they say with a specific business project. So you would want a business that required the skill of copywriting. (The same concept applies to selling or any other skill you may want).
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Post by stephen on Dec 6, 2013 12:13:27 GMT -6
I might be biting of more than i can chew but here it goes
Writing a piano exercise book and selling 500 copy's (solo)
finishing my song and selling 500 copy's on Itunes (solo)
taking part in a world piano competition (solo)
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Lydia
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by Lydia on Dec 6, 2013 22:52:03 GMT -6
I'll start with the first question. Not finished processing the rest yet.
Bringing Value.
Learning to copywrite:
-personal growth of learning a new skill.
-applying something I am good at and love to do (writing) in order to make a living.
-gaining the ability to (at some point in the future) work from home and/or on the go.
-learning a transferable job skill that I can take with me anywhere for more options and job opportunities.
Developing a purpose/product for my own blog/starting a new one:
-potential money working from home/out and about.
-developing my own writing style/writing something I am passionate about.
-teaching; being a better student of what I am learning.
Professional selling skills improved:
-learning to sell my ideas in any circumstance.
-learning and applying good communication skills.
-another transferable career.
-can be flexible with travel/stay at home mother.
-requires a lot of personal growth; it will challenge me.
Pursuing music:
-to be able to express myself more and discover another level of God's hearth through music.
-to push myself and grow.
-to find more creative freedom/expression.
Turning this board into a paid community with members:
-creating a concentrated area of accountability, encouraging continual growth.
-togetherness.
-money would be nice too.
Building a community around a passion:
-the accountability and inspiration to keep going.
-growth.
-shared joy.
I'll get to the other questions you asked. It's a lot to think through.
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Post by stephen on Dec 7, 2013 8:10:44 GMT -6
I will go ahead and answer those questions to.
Writing a piano exercise book and selling 500+ copy's
-that brings value to me because i am passionate about it. I love to work with music and this is a way to turn that passion into a money making adventure.
Finishing my song and selling 500+ on itunes.
-This is also one of my passions and a way to make a little money to, But the main reason I want to do this is for the skill set of writing music and marketing. but i do not think that writing music is a good way to make money in the long term just because there is so much competition. So in my opinion the real money is in teaching others who want to join the competition of the music world
Taking part in a world piano competition.
- This will push me and push me hard. And that is way I want to do it. Still I do not even know all of the skill sets i will need to learn to be able to complete this task. but it is something that i want to do.
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Post by stephen on Dec 7, 2013 23:05:49 GMT -6
Here is a group idea, since we all are passionate about music I think we should do some sort of music website.
just throwing out an idea to brainstorm
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Post by stitchntime on Dec 7, 2013 23:31:18 GMT -6
Hi all.
I've been thinking about this all week, and it is easier to think of ideas for other people than for myself!
One big goal I am working on is learning Spanish. My reason is simply because I've always wanted to learn a foreign language and it really seemed that I should just do it. I've been working on this for about a year now, and I am two lessons from completing level one (only 3 more levels to go!)
I'd also like to learn Latin, and then French.
I'm continuing to work on raising the bar with diet and exercise. I don't find either of these interesting enough to try to build a business around them. They are foundational and important, but I don't think I'd try to turn them into income generators.
I have a broad goal to generate a 6 figure income. The vehicle to get there may be the Unfranchise. But it could be another or several other businesses. If I deeply commit to the Unfranchise, I need to build weekly education into my lifestyle toward becoming an expert in nutritional supplementation.
I will be home educating for several more years, and I've contemplated how I could leverage that expertise and experience to generate income. The best idea I've had there so far is to package my Worldview curriculum. I could teach that class through Skype or internet... but honestly after 4 rounds, I'm beginning to find it boring. And I am not comfortable positioning myself as an expert in philosophy (yet). I've considered committing to a 5-10 year investment of reading all the great books, but I'm not sure that is the right wall to place my ladder against.
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Post by stitchntime on Dec 7, 2013 23:37:11 GMT -6
Stephen, there does seem to be a consistent passion for music!
I also agree with Lydia, this forum concept is capturing my imagination. I'd like to see how it plays out for a bit, but the idea of turning this itself into a business is interesting to me.
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Post by stephen on Dec 8, 2013 14:58:11 GMT -6
I also like the idea of turning this forum into a business, but I also want to have a place were we as a family can continue to connect privately without the world looking in. I personally think that the internet is a great way to do this because we all use it. a example of how we could use it is with Thomas. so Thomas has moved out and how David and I are maintaining relationship is through Xbox live, and honestly Xbox is not that great of a way to hold relationship for many reasons but one of the main ones is that we are talking about games about how to complete this or get that gun or build that castle. on a forum though we can talk about are growth, our life and what we are going through or brainstorm ideas. So if(when) we turn this forum into a business i would like to create another one (or vice verse)that our family can still be our family on.
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 8, 2013 15:13:14 GMT -6
I also like the idea of turning this forum into a business, but I also want to have a place were we as a family can continue to connect privately without the world looking in. I personally think that the internet is a great way to do this because we all use it. a example of how we could use it is with Thomas. so Thomas has moved out and how David and I are maintaining relationship is through Xbox live, and honestly Xbox is not that great of a way to hold relationship for many reasons but one of the main ones is that we are talking about games about how to complete this or get that gun or build that castle. on a forum though we can talk about are growth, our life and what we are going through or brainstorm ideas. So if(when) we turn this forum into a business i would like to create another one (or vice verse)that our family can still be our family on. Good point Stephen. Any business forum can have "hidden" or passworded sections - so this wouldn't be a problem. I'll respond to all the other stuff in this thread later in time. |
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 8, 2013 16:42:05 GMT -6
Good post Lydia and Stephen.
Lydia, don't feel the need to answer in detail on here unless you want to. It was more just stuff to brainstorm about.
Stephen - good ideas.
1. What problem does the exercise book solve?
2. This one will be challenging - but it might be easier if you partner it with the book.
3. What are some of the competitions you are talking about? Do they have a website or application process?
What value would the website bring to others? What problem would it solve?
I have access to a lot of language learning resources. It's really big in the location independence community. A tricky niche for you to build a business in though...
The key to success with the unfranchise is selling - not nutritional supplementation imo. Nutritional supplementation will support better selling - but it won't make success a guarantee with MA. If you look at the people with 6 figures they do 2 things: They sell by tapping the desire of income security and linking it to the unfranchise, and create a support community that teaches others to sell and stay in the business for an extended period time to increase their chances of learning how to do number 1.
The other approach is they are an expert in a unique niche - and the MA products support that expertise. Judy is an expert at helping doctors commoditize their nutrition - but again...that comes back to selling.
Sometimes work is boring.
There are better ideas out there. What are the main problems Homeschoolers and their moms face? List the top 10. See if you get some more ideas.
Expertise is subjective. You know more about philosophy than 95% of the population and that niche is very worried about the worldview of their kids.
Reading all the great books...sounds nice. Be pretty tricky to make money off of though.
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Lydia
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by Lydia on Dec 9, 2013 21:39:16 GMT -6
I'm realizing during this season of my life that travel is a huge value for me. (This focus is obviously subject to somewhat of a change, even if it only ends up being less of a focus for a time. Type 3 here.) So, I really want to be able to have a business/source of income that I can work on from pretty much anywhere (internet being a given). And continue to work when I have children at home and/or traveling with them.
Looking this direction, I'm leaning more toward copywriting (if I like it) and other internet work as opposed to a selling career. Is that a good direction to lean or is there something that I have no idea about in these spheres?
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 9, 2013 22:25:11 GMT -6
I'm realizing during this season of my life that travel is a huge value for me. (This focus is obviously subject to somewhat of a change, even if it only ends up being less of a focus for a time. Type 3 here.) So, I really want to be able to have a business/source of income that I can work on from pretty much anywhere (internet being a given). And continue to work when I have children at home and/or traveling with them. Looking this direction, I'm leaning more toward copywriting (if I like it) and other internet work as opposed to a selling career. Is that a good direction to lean or is there something that I have no idea about in these spheres? Definitely good. Any internet entre needs a copywriter or needs to know how to do it. Its a high demand skill. Plus copywriting principles will help you with selling if/when you want to pick that up. I have a ton of resources. We just need to get a project for you to start practicing on. |
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Post by stitchntime on Dec 9, 2013 22:33:34 GMT -6
here is a beginning brain storming list of problems homeschoolers face. Just trying to get the juices flowing.
What are 10 problems homeschool moms face?
1. Personality and temperament conflicts between themselves and their children and between siblings.
2. Feeling competent and that they’ve covered what needs to be covered educationally
3. Worries that what they are teaching actually matters in the real world…. Jobs, college, culture, everything is in such flux, how do I know that what I am doing with my children will truly be relevant in the next few years.
4. That my kid will grow up and actually be able to get a job.
5. Math
6. Science
7. I think many parents don’t know how important economics ed is, but if they did realize its importance they wouldn’t feel equipped to teach it…. Or even talk about it for that mater.
8. I think some parents (perhaps many) are struggling , as I am, with a shifting in their own worldview. Conservatives are kind of becoming less conservative, and more libertarian. But that is troublesome, because it leaves some strong convictions vulnerable. But all the rhetoric which used to resonate is sounding less and less convincing. So not only am I in a vulnerable place ideologically, I also feel that vulnerability in knowing what/how to instruct my children and lead them in solid political/ economic/ worldview understanding.
9. This may be just me. But I suspect there are others out there as well. I feel a tension between the value I see in Classical Education, and the disconnect between Classical studies and the “real world”. I have thought deeply to connect the dots, but the connection isn’t always intuitive, and may be lost in the pressures of life. (the same might be said for "Christian" Education.)
10. Internet usage. It is here to stay. The children have to learn to navigate it, but is it safe? It is too big for me to be able to control it and make it safe. How do I handle it?
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 9, 2013 22:59:55 GMT -6
here is a beginning brain storming list of problems homeschoolers face. Just trying to get the juices flowing. What are 10 problems homeschool moms face? 1. Personality and temperament conflicts between themselves and their children and between siblings. 2. Feeling competent and that they’ve covered what needs to be covered educationally 3. Worries that what they are teaching actually matters in the real world…. Jobs, college, culture, everything is in such flux, how do I know that what I am doing with my children will truly be relevant in the next few years. 4. That my kid will grow up and actually be able to get a job. 5. Math 6. Science 7. I think many parents don’t know how important economics ed is, but if they did realize its importance they wouldn’t feel equipped to teach it…. Or even talk about it for that mater. 8. I think some parents (perhaps many) are struggling , as I am, with a shifting in their own worldview. Conservatives are kind of becoming less conservative, and more libertarian. But that is troublesome, because it leaves some strong convictions vulnerable. But all the rhetoric which used to resonate is sounding less and less convincing. So not only am I in a vulnerable place ideologically, I also feel that vulnerability in knowing what/how to instruct my children and lead them in solid political/ economic/ worldview understanding. 9. This may be just me. But I suspect there are others out there as well. I feel a tension between the value I see in Classical Education, and the disconnect between Classical studies and the “real world”. I have thought deeply to connect the dots, but the connection isn’t always intuitive, and may be lost in the pressures of life. (the same might be said for "Christian" Education.) 10. Internet usage. It is here to stay. The children have to learn to navigate it, but is it safe? It is too big for me to be able to control it and make it safe. How do I handle it? My quick opinions. They are simply opinions and off the cuff. 1. Great brainstorming. I see some strong rip/pivot/jam opportunities for the personality stuff. A Burks (which...don't take this personally...is a type of rip and pivot as well...) - the 4 types - etc... You could easily create your own and apply it to learning/homeschooling in some way or fashion. Plenty of stories and examples for you to draw on. Start small and see if you get traction. Or ask around and get pre-buy ins. You def. could be an expert in this - 9 kids with different personalities teaches you something. Easy story to build... 2. Tough for you to market something I would think... 3. Find something that will be relevant and convince them of it. (Entrepreneurship fits) 4. See above. 5. Pretty darn full market. 6. Pretty darn full market. 7. Link to a deeper desire and sell something. Possible product. 8. Shifting worldview...tougher. Especially if you can't lead yet. This could be something that you can draw people to your final product because they relate...but not likely something to build a business on unless you get a great way to frame and solve the problem. 9. Likely on to something - but def. a niche market. Which means a bigger opportunity to dominate - but also big chance of getting ignored. A pain that I doubt many people really understand they have. 10. hmmm. Might be something good with a certain niche - but that niche is holding back probably because of moral/safety issues with it and I don't see you solving that with your skillset. (Software - etc...) The ones that don't have moral issues have already come to terms and are online. This could be a cool little side product that you could market quickly to an existing list, but not a long term strategy in my opinion. I could be wrong - I just don't see it. |
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Lydia
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by Lydia on Dec 10, 2013 7:59:24 GMT -6
So, Jonathan, how would you suggest I go about finding a project to work on? Where would I start?
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 10, 2013 20:20:01 GMT -6
So, Jonathan, how would you suggest I go about finding a project to work on? Where would I start? There are tons of places to start. If we wanted to do a group business around this model - you can start there. You can start a blog posting articles about the discussions on this forum. (Don't say where the info comes from...just talk blog about it). You can write copy for Kiteletter if you want (we can't pay you write now). Any of your other big ideas will require copywriting. Check out this copywriting resource: www.dropbox.com/s/4e9ry42sjjjymv0/AppSumo_The_Copywriting_Checklist.pdf I'm friends with Dane on Facebook (the author). |
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Post by stitchntime on Dec 11, 2013 0:08:19 GMT -6
here is a beginning brain storming list of problems homeschoolers face. Just trying to get the juices flowing. What are 10 problems homeschool moms face? 1. Personality and temperament conflicts between themselves and their children and between siblings. 2. Feeling competent and that they’ve covered what needs to be covered educationally 3. Worries that what they are teaching actually matters in the real world…. Jobs, college, culture, everything is in such flux, how do I know that what I am doing with my children will truly be relevant in the next few years. 4. That my kid will grow up and actually be able to get a job. 5. Math 6. Science 7. I think many parents don’t know how important economics ed is, but if they did realize its importance they wouldn’t feel equipped to teach it…. Or even talk about it for that mater. 8. I think some parents (perhaps many) are struggling , as I am, with a shifting in their own worldview. Conservatives are kind of becoming less conservative, and more libertarian. But that is troublesome, because it leaves some strong convictions vulnerable. But all the rhetoric which used to resonate is sounding less and less convincing. So not only am I in a vulnerable place ideologically, I also feel that vulnerability in knowing what/how to instruct my children and lead them in solid political/ economic/ worldview understanding. 9. This may be just me. But I suspect there are others out there as well. I feel a tension between the value I see in Classical Education, and the disconnect between Classical studies and the “real world”. I have thought deeply to connect the dots, but the connection isn’t always intuitive, and may be lost in the pressures of life. (the same might be said for "Christian" Education.) 10. Internet usage. It is here to stay. The children have to learn to navigate it, but is it safe? It is too big for me to be able to control it and make it safe. How do I handle it? 3. Worries that what they are teaching actually matters in the real world…. Jobs, college, culture, everything is in such flux, how do I know that what I am doing with my children will truly be relevant in the next few years. 4. That my kid will grow up and actually be able to get a job. |
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Post by stitchntime on Dec 11, 2013 0:10:22 GMT -6
okay.... haven't figured out the copy and quote functions yet  Sorry about that I was tying to comment that 3 and 4 might fit with this forum if we leveraged it into a business. My side would be reaching out to parents with these pain points.... |
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 12, 2013 22:53:58 GMT -6
Yeah - we need to have a call or meet and find some ideas to start researching in more detail. |
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Lydia
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by Lydia on Dec 15, 2013 23:32:54 GMT -6
I think we should go ahead and set a date. I need some pressure.
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Post by stephen on Dec 16, 2013 14:11:59 GMT -6
I agree with Lydia
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Post by stephen on Dec 23, 2013 16:00:10 GMT -6
we need to set a date to meet and decide who is doing what.
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Dec 28, 2013 11:51:28 GMT -6
Jan 12th is your date.
(Don't answer these questions....just think about them and take some action).
What are you going to do now?
What needs to be done to move forward?
How are you going to make it happen?
Whose help are you going to get?
How are you going to reach out?
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Lydia
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by Lydia on Jan 11, 2014 14:00:24 GMT -6
What do you mean by "reach out?"
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Post by Jonathan Heston on Jan 14, 2014 18:30:24 GMT -6
What do you mean by "reach out?" Contact people that need contacted that can help you take the next step. |
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Lydia
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by Lydia on Apr 4, 2014 20:44:05 GMT -6
I was just curious, what is our deadline for our massive project? I haven't been completely on track and would like to take another look at my goal and go for it again. Were we going to set a date to do that or a date to have made progress or something? I think we shouldn't if we weren't. It'll be motivated for me, at least.  -Lydia |
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Sorry about that