In the previous two posts, we discussed a technique for drawing up a very specific list of business subjects that could become the basis of your online enterprise. They are designed to take advantage of your past life experiences, education, skills and passion.
There is a good chance there will be duplicate items on the list. If you find them, cross all the duplicates off so there is only one listing left, but for each duplicate you crossed off, place a star by the one remaining. (For example, if there were three entries the same, you are now left with one entry and two stars by it.)
Now re-list the items from top to bottom in a new list: the items with the most stars at the top, then the next most, then the next, etc.
For all the remaining items with no stars, list them in descending order according to how much you now enjoy doing them, or working with them, or in some way participating in that subject. The entries you enjoy most are ranked above the ones you don't enjoy so much.
What you will end up with is a prioritized list of possible subjects for your information business.
These are broad categories of subjects you have a good understanding of - things that you've been schooled or trained in - and things that you are qualified to teach others about.
Don't confuse your new list of subjects with your future business niche - they are not the same.
You have just produced a snapshot of your previous education, training, skills achieved, and life experiences, prioritized by your passion for the subject, your knowledge about it, your level of understanding (depth), and your perceived status of being an expert or "highly qualified" in the field.
Narrowing your subject choices to the top entries on the list will guarantee that you take advantage of at least some of your previous education, training, and/or skills.
You might wonder how your personal likes and dislikes fit into the equation.
I'm not talking about your passion for a particular subject, but rather what you see yourself doing in your "dream job."
As an example: you might say to your spouse, "Honey, I can really see myself being happy owning a business where I teach people about playing golf."
"After all, I love golf, I love the beautiful settings surrounding the courses, and I just think I could share my love of the game with others."
Fine. The question arises, "Should you put golf on your list because that's your dream job and it's what you envision as the way you'd like to spend your time?"
I say, probably not. What expertise do you have in golf? What training or education have you had in the field?
You see, a mental image of what you see yourself doing is not the same as having a lifetime of experience or formal training in the details of the subject.
Unless you are an exceptional golfer, or have some unique insights on the subject, just "seeing yourself" in the field offers you no bankable business advantages. What could you give your customers that they would want?
If, on the other hand, you identified a very specific aspect of your experience with golf that is unique to you, and something others would want to share, then maybe you should consider that subject.
For instance: "Play the top 50 recommended public golf courses in Southern California - and get a 40% discount by learning what I discovered from two golf pros."
Remember, you want to wage your battles on your own terms. To choose a business subject in which you are not uniquely and well qualified is to give up your inherent strengths and credibility.
Of course, we're talking about your business . . . only you will decide what that will be. If you choose a subject that you are well qualified to become an authority in, but have no real passion or desire to be in that niche, you will find your business looking an awfully lot like those jobs you used to do for the money only - you endured it for a paycheck.
Don't fall into that trap again!
