Help with this Muse

[jentanne]

I am a teacher librarian (hey, we have our own magazine, lol) I have an idea to make a program that would show new elementary school librarians ways to make their job easier by teaching the students how to do some of the tasks (this works both ways because it also teaches students how to use the library) My idea was a DVD set that shows me teaching the teacher how to do it and even maybe another video where I could teach the skills to the kids. However I have NO idea how I would test something like this before I made it. I have thought of some great ways to become an "expert" from the book. But, as for testing I don't know. I read another post here about doing an ebook and thought maybe that would be a good first step, but would I make the book first or test it somehow first?

Also since I would be marketing to the school market I would probably be dealing with mostly PO's and I haven't seen any info for dealing with that type of payment.

Any advice would be appreciated I feel like this book could change my life but feel like I am missing something.

[noahfleming]

You could test it by doing exactly the way Tim did with the PXMethod.

Create a sales page, drive some traffic and test if people actually go through the order process.

Since you want to showcase a DVD but haven't actually created it, you might have to get a camera and film a bit of it, edit it up as if it was a clip from the finished DVD.

Lots of ways you could do it.

Sounds like a cool muse though. My wife is a teacher and was a librarian. The nice thing about this is it's something that a lot of teachers could buy and have their schools pay for.

I'd look into some other already existing teacher resources and DVD's that are sold and see if you can replicate some of what they are doing to test.

Good luck!

[jentanne]

Thanks for the idea about checking out other products. I will try that. I know I see a lot of them in catalogs mostly, but everything I have purchased is absolute junk.

The only other issue I have is how "legal" it would be to use my own library for this. I don't think my boss would approve if she knew what it was for. HOwever I have thought of making these for myself because I get so tired of repeating myself for my 27 classes each week!

[noahfleming]

Originally Posted by jentanne

Thanks for the idea about checking out other products. I will try that. I know I see a lot of them in catalogs mostly, but everything I have purchased is absolute junk.

The only other issue I have is how "legal" it would be to use my own library for this. I don't think my boss would approve if she knew what it was for. HOwever I have thought of making these for myself because I get so tired of repeating myself for my 27 classes each week!

Remember what Tim said "It's better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission"

[Monkiii]

I completely agree, although I suspect Tim would advise keeping it legal (which is a very different thing to keeping your boss happy). Main thing here is things like model release forms for anyone identifiable onscreen and avoiding using any trademarks (like possibly the schools logo) anywhere in shot.

[noahfleming]

Originally Posted by Monkiii

I completely agree, although I suspect Tim would advise keeping it legal (which is a very different thing to keeping your boss happy). Main thing here is things like model release forms for anyone identifiable onscreen and avoiding using any trademarks (like possibly the schools logo) anywhere in shot.

Agreed. Good solid advice.

[Sukie]

Jen,

How about a college library? Pay college students $10-$25 (or whatever it takes, maybe just give them free pizza or something) to help you out with your video. Get them to sign model releases. You might have to rent the space, but libraries (college and public) often have study rooms available - that might work.

Just throwing out some ideas to get your creative juices flowing :-)

~ S

[jentanne]

Well, my plan is to come up on the weekend and use my own kids, lol. So won't have to worry about model releases there. Like I said I have been wanted to make them just for my own use for a while. I have my webpage almost finished and have decided to do a test for a book first with a link to input email addresses to be notified when the DVD is ready. I need help with the book though.

Ok, because it is for libraries they will probably want a hard copy more than an ebook (I plan to offer it both ways) however, if I do get orders for this what is the best way to go with publishing Lulu? Amazon? On one hand I would rather it be printed when ordered, but at the same time I want to have the lowest cost possible. Ideas?\

Also, I have no testimonials!! I plan to offer a free lesson plan and then ask for feedback, but no guarantees I will get it. Plus I will be doing the test with no testimonials.

Anyone want a free lesson plan in exchange for your testimonial, lol