Starting out

[darksun]

Hello, I'm just starting out on my 4WW journey.

I'm trying to find a muse. Based on my interests, it seems like something to do with engineering or writing would work. But I'm only a community college student. Creating some real engineering content would probably be out of the question, except that engineering textbooks are very expensive and have specialized information. Would it be possible to create an alternative version at a fraction of the price?

I am also a first-time novelist. There is a wealth of information on the Internet about how to write a novel, all of it free. So it's hard to say how I could improve on that.

I'm deaf, and have survived and thrived in a largely hearing world. I've gotten engineering internships and competed at NASA. Perhaps I have something there?

[cacawate]

There should be tons of niches out there for an engineer. Just think of all the things DIYers like to build. Are there any other hobbies you are interested in? Cars? Models? Shelves? lol

You can show non-experts how to build what they want to build, since you are an expert (pg. 167) and reread pg. 160 for brainstorming. Think outside of the box, and don't limit yourself. I have a link below this thread somewhere that is good for brainstorming your muse.

[darksun]

Hmm... one thing off my head is rocketry. I designed a robotic sample return mission to Mars a few years ago. Unfortunately, there already is a ton of free information online about this subject (I'm talking about the mathematics of rocket and space flight).

I do have two books at home which are written for the aerospace profession. They include propulsion, materials, and control systems. They are very expensive. Could I make a streamlined, cheaper version? Have other people succeeded in this route?

[adam.sn]

Hint: Your muse doesn't have to be something you know a lot about... you just need to be able to find someone who does know a lot about something that would be easy to market.

Step #1 before creating any product is to investigate the market first. Seen it happen far too many times when people create Muses only to find out nobody wants to buy it.

Cheers
- Adam

[darksun]

In terms of thinking narrow and deep instead of broad, does that mean focusing on the engines or fuel tanks instead of the rocket itself? I'm assuming that's the case.

I'm sure there are a few amateur rocketeers who would love to launch their payloads on a suborbital trajectory. But I can't imagine there being enough for a long-lasting muse.

[pharmsj4]

I'm sure there are a few amateur rocketeers who would love to launch their payloads on a suborbital trajectory. But I can't imagine there being enough for a long-lasting muse.

It doesn't need to be a long-lasting muse.. in fact, most info muses will last a year or two tops. The goal isn't to create one and live off it.. it is to be able to create them quickly.. 3 companies in 3 different niches making 50k/yr is better than 1 company in 1 niche -- if something goes wrong (housing market crash) - you'd be SOL.

[darksun]

Okay, thanks. I just got a muse idea. I would create a PDF file and make it available for download at a price. I can't see any problems with that idea, since it would save a lot of time and money on shipping... unless there's something I'm missing?

[pharmsj4]

That is exactly what you should do -- but before you write the eBook/.pdf, make the sales page / run the test to see if people will buy it. If not, ditch the idea and move on to the next one.

[B-rad]

The PDF (like a study guide?) seems feasible to me, but I think that most engineering information is either readily available -- if it is anything you can learn in school, or else is proprietary information protected by a company holding a niche in the industry. I don't see how this kind of information would suit a typical e-book business model. But I could be wrong.

I am an engineer too though, and I have been asking the same question.

[darksun]

Ah, I see your point. The detergent example illustrates how most people prefer to spend a little money than a lot of time to get something. Much free information is time-consuming to gather and put together. Most people just don't have enough time for that.

Time is money. I can't believe I forgot that.

[Action]

darksun,

I'm looking to go the PDF route and was wondering where you are on this. I'm probably going to follow the advice of going for the 99 percent market, but here is my current question. I've been visiting some of those sites and I can't believe they attract any buyers. They seem too pushy and over the top. Are there examples of sites that sell PDF info (that you know are successful)?

[pharmsj4]

darksun,

I'm looking to go the PDF route and was wondering where you are on this. I'm probably going to follow the advice of going for the 99 percent market, but here is my current question. I've been visiting some of those sites and I can't believe they attract any buyers. They seem too pushy and over the top. Are there examples of sites that sell PDF info (that you know are successful)?

Action - you're confusing yourself with your customer. If these sales pages didn't work no one would use them. As it stands, lots and lots of people use them.

Darksun - Like americanoracle said, if you can repackage information to make it easier to get, it will sell. I will give you an example of a muse my friend created:

A printed book and database ready (.csv) list of all zipcodes in the US (now in other countries too).

Hired a 10 VAs to scrape zip codes from different states and compile it. 99designs for digital "box". Sell as digital download for $40.

all freely available information.. but if I am a business owner who needs that information in my database, I'll spend $40 for it before I'll spend three days putting that information together.

[Action]

Pharm,

Great muse! I'm not sure why a business would need this info (since I'm not a businessman), but it sounds like a great idea on first blush.

I'm not sure I agree that all those pages make money. I believe some of them make money some of the time. I'd love to see some facts. I still think the people selling the knowhow and the means to make those pages are making the money! But that's just a reasonable guess.

Anyway, I'm open to learning whatever I can, so I will take the advice you've given me as part of my classroom experience!

Action

Action - you're confusing yourself with your customer. If these sales pages didn't work no one would use them. As it stands, lots and lots of people use them.

Darksun - Like americanoracle said, if you can repackage information to make it easier to get, it will sell. I will give you an example of a muse my friend created:

A printed book and database ready (.csv) list of all zipcodes in the US (now in other countries too).

Hired a 10 VAs to scrape zip codes from different states and compile it. 99designs for digital "box". Sell as digital download for $40.

all freely available information.. but if I am a business owner who needs that information in my database, I'll spend $40 for it before I'll spend three days putting that information together.