Don’t wait for a ‘big idea’ for your next business. Start small instead

Are you feeling overwhelmed at the thought of creating the next big thing? Create something small instead.

I’m sorry to say this but you’re never going to be a rock star. You’re unlikely to develop the alternative to an iPhone. And your chances of creating the ‘next Airbnb’, are slim to none.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive to have a genius idea — something so big and thigh-shudderingly impressive that it makes you millions. We’re all allowed to dream.

But I’m here to slap you with the wet fish of reality. To free you of the endless slog of inaction that comes of waiting for that big idea.

Instead I want you think small.

Ready? Let’s go.

A little idea can lead to big success

Let me start by saying I’m not a genius. I know, shock, right?

But despite my lack of geniosity, I have made literal millions from what I like call ADPIPS: automated digital passive income products.

In more human terms, these are digital downloads, courses, memberships and masterminds.

Now while in the SEO space I was somewhat of a pioneer (there were no courses in Australia when I launched mine and few courses by women worldwide), for the most part I was not creating something earth-shatteringly innovative.

Instead I took an existing idea and tweaked. I made my SEO course more enjoyable, playful and visual. I offered templates and oodles of coaching. I made SEO cookies and tea towels.

It was little ideas, and iterative development, that led to its success.

And this can be true for you too.

Just follow this three-step plan.

Step 1: Find the frustration

Think about what frustrates you about how you work. Perhaps it’s being asked the same questions again and again, or how long it takes your clients to give you the information you need. Perhaps it’s the time you spend onboarding new people, or how difficult it is to justify your prices.

There are gems in those frustrations.

For example, if you’re frustrated by lots of questions, then the solution could be a community or FAQ bank where all those questions are covered. If you’re frustrated by onboarding struggles, then you could use a checklist of assets that need to be gathered and a tutorial on how to do it faster.

You can also think about what frustrates you about your industry.

This was my route into my passive income products. The SEO industry is kind of full of cowboys and those pretending that it’s some dark art or genius-level process that only gurus can master. This frustrated me, and I saw the need for an honest offering.

In my new bookshop, I see people frustrated my book clubs that require a forever commitment, so I made mine month by month, we doubled our sales in one month.

Step 3: Find the gap

Now, there may be absolutely nobody offering what you’re planning on offering.

If you’re a true pioneer, the land before you is empty to travel as you wish – but you’re going to have to tread your own path.

However, if similar products already exist, it doesn’t mean all is lost.

Look at what’s out there already and see how you could make it better.

Perhaps there’s already a course teaching people how to use a certain software, but it’s general and not specific to your industry. Maybe there’s a beginner-level offering, but you could offer advanced (or vice versa).

Perhaps you see a great idea from the accounting industry and wonder how you could apply it to your industry. Or you find an idea in the US that no one has implemented here.

The gap may not be wide, it might be teeny tiny. But your idea could be just the thing to fill it.

Step 3: Paint the future

Okay, so far, we’ve been super practical, but now I’m going to let you dream a little. Imagine you’re one year down the track and your idea is – what does this look like?

Take your ideal customer avatar and describe what you’ve helped them do, how they feel and what improvements your products have brought to their life.

You can even take it a step further and write out your dream customer testimonial. I know it’s a bit woo-woo, but it’s a nice exercise to give you the good feels. Even better, soon you’ll be able to compare that made-up testimonial to the real thing.

Using this exercise really helps you frame the idea, because if you can’t articulate how your small idea is going to improve lives (even if just a little bit) then perhaps it’s not strong enough.

Think of Mr Paper Clip. He didn’t think his product would solve world hunger. Instead, he made it slightly easier to temporarily hold papers together, an alternative to the more permanent staple. It’s not a big idea, it’s tiny. You get the idea.

My final advice is to tell no one about your idea. Why? Well two reasons:

Because as soon as you announce your idea, someone one will poo on your bonfire and give you dozens of reasons why it can’t be done. This will erode your confidence. Develop in silence; and
Because the more positive people in your circle will congratulate and encourage you, giving you oodles of delicious dopamine before you’ve done a damn thing! Save that dopamine for when you’re ready to launch. Play the long game.

In summary, looking for the big sparkly idea can leave you blind to the slightly more drab, basic, but practical small ideas that could make your fortune.

So for sure, dream big, but please do small.

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