As entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves with the urge to solve something, make something better or bring a new idea to life; after all, we are wired that way. Whether it is crafting an email to connect with a new market, creating a memorable presentation to expand your network, or developing a new, unique product or program to grow your business, our brains are always at work coming up with new ideas. Having created many products, programs, and books, I know firsthand what it’s like to take a single idea in my head and develop it into something tangible and real. The more creativity I infuse, the more results. It involves thinking “outside the box.” But wait…where is the box?
I want to share with you a few key steps I use to bring my ideas to life. Some of them have gained international recognition and impacted people around the world, which I am very proud of. You too, can make an impact with your ideas!
1. Start by Capturing your “Divine Download”
An idea will stay in your head if you don’t take the time to sit down with it and let it penetrate your mind. I call this a “divine download” because that’s what it truly is- a special idea given to you to manifest. You must capture this download write it down. Don’t hold back; capture all the details you envision, like what it will look, feel, taste, and sound like. This step is the beginning of a new journey. Recently, I had the divine download to create the first ever Today’s Inspired Latina Board Game, based on my acclaimed anthology series. The idea came to me and I had to embrace the magic, beginning with writing it down!
2. Sketch your story
After capturing the “divine download,” it’s important to consider it more deeply and sketch out a plan. Ask yourself some questions. What is the purpose of this idea? Who will it serve? What are the first steps to make it happen? Asking yourself questions will bring clarity to your thoughts and give you the concrete action steps needed to bring it to life. I like to use a big blank canvas and colors to really sketch my idea in its entirety. For example, for my board game, I created a colorful page with ideas of the size of board, components of the game, players’ interactions, and so much more. I had fun freeing my mind to craft new possibilities.
3. Mature your idea
Many ideas can come to you, but if you don’t allow the idea to mature and grow stronger and concrete, it can lose its momentum. When I first came up with the idea to create the first volume of my Today’s Inspired Latina, book, I had no idea it would turn into a massive movement of stories from amazing Latinas all over the world. However, even though I didn’t know what would happen, I still released it to the world so it could be used as a tool to serve other women. We sometimes have to let our ideas lead us instead of us leading our ideas.
4. Idealization
If you believe wholeheartedly that your new idea is amazing and can positively affect others, you must idealize it. The idea is yours, and you must fight for it and believe that it can create true change. When I have created a concrete plan of action to bring an idea to life, I find myself thinking nonstop about it, and being a strong advocate for it. This happened to me when I created LATINATalks, a public speaking platform for the authors of Today’s Inspired Latina to share their stories on stage. I fell in love with the idea of giving others the opportunity to publicly speak, which is something that I love to do. I was blown away when my idea transformed into an incredible platform for so many Latinas. I’m thankful that when I received that divine download, I pursued it passionately and didn’t allow myself to be derailed. I honored my idea and stuck with it.
5. Revision
Not all product development ideas are created the same. Some ideas are big and complicated; others are small and simple. When considering your ideas, it’s important to check in and ask yourself, how are my ideas panning out? Did your plan of action have unrealistic expectations? Has your idea matured and given you more steps or ways to grow it? There have been times when I had an idea and realized afterwards that my values or objectives did not align with it. I didn’t connect with my idea after all, and I became stuck on how to move forward. If this happens, you need to reevaluate your action plan. Often, all you need to do is revise a few concepts to bring alignment to the project. If that doesn’t work, perhaps you need to scratch the idea and think of a new plan. Be open to revisions and new paths for your ideas.
6. Organic Inspiration
As you embark on a new journey of product development, be open to new inspiration. You never know when or where a new idea can come from but they can open new doors and make a great impact. A few years ago, I began to draft my tenth book but was inspired to write it alongside my husband. We titled it, Living the Amazing. As we created this inspirational book together, we were open and in flow with this project. Little did we know that we would be inspired to create a completely new brand with many new products! This book turned into a passion project and we created the “Living the Amazing” brand with its own book, coffee, mug, pen, and journal! We were open, so naturally, the ideas flowed.
7. Influencers – Ask for help
Perhaps you have an idea within a realm of expertise you do not possess. What do you do? You ask an expert for help of course! It is important to do some research and look at the market position, the producers, the overall strategies, and especially, the products and programs that have already been created and are similar to yours. Being proactive and learning as much as you can from these ideas can give you a competitive advantage. In the past, I have asked other authors and those who have been successful in product development about their experiences, and often I get amazing insight. Collaboration is so important and asking for help is a great way to make your ideas stronger and better.
8. Get the Team on board
When you have your ideas solidified and believe you can take the next steps, it’s time to bring your team on board. More than likely, you cannot do everything alone. You must use your team’s strengths and collaborate to bring the idea to life. My team helped me with the board game content from our Today’s Inspired Latina books and our LATINATalks videos. I also asked for feedback on the logistics of the playing board. When I presented my board game ideas to my designers, they helped me bring my sketches to life. Inviting your team to contribute to the product development allows everyone to bring their own unique talents and strengths to create the best possible project.
9. First concept
By now, you should have a first concept of your product or program. This is something to celebrate because you worked hard to bring this idea to life! However, there is still more work to be done. The first concept should prompt more questions in your mind. Does this concept match what I was envisioning? Does it check off everything from the checklist I had about functionality, appearance, design, etc.? Having the concept in your hands is an amazing feeling. When I first created my marketing deck of cards that resemble playing cards with different types of marketing and information about each one—I was so happy to have them in my hand. I knew they would be a phenomenal resource for business owners and I could not wait to share them. They checked off all the requirements I had, but sometimes this isn’t the case.
10. Testing
Depending on your product, testing is a crucial part of your product development journey. Offering your product to trusted consumers or people you know will only help you improve your product. Feedback is very important if you want to make your product the best it can be. After I had the first prototype of my board game, I decided to test it out! I invited various groups of women to play the game. I wanted them to experience it and give feedback on what they liked and didn’t like. This part is extremely enlightening because people want to help you and share their thoughts honestly. I received a lot of feedback and was happy to know that they enjoyed the game. Depending on your feedback, you can go back and tweak something or change it as you see fit.
11. Launch
You have worked so hard in product development! How amazing that it began with a divine download and continued through a magical journey to bring your vision to reality. You did it! Now it’s time to launch your creation. This step needs a special strategy that focuses on the benefits, uniqueness, and appeal of your product. You need to build excitement for the launch. Consider having a launch party, a special giveaway, or a special event at a fun location to unveil your new product. The ideas are endless. As I prepared to launch the first live LATINATalks, I invited hundreds of people to the special event. We had media outlets there, special guests, sponsors, and more. It was an event to remember! How can you make the launch of your new product memorable and unique?
12. Promotion
By now, your product is launched and live! After celebrating its launch, you can focus on promoting your product. You must put just as much work into promoting the product as you did in creating it. However, I often find people’s enthusiasm about creating a product dwindles when it’s time to start promoting it. You worked hard for your project to come to life; keep up the energy and share it with the world. A good marketing strategy is crucial to identify the who, how, when, and where to market your product. Perhaps you will market online, create ads, or share it at special events. When I created my productivity journal, the Make it Happen Journal for people to get their ideas and plans of action on paper, I gave away many of them as gifts. Afterwards, people loved the journals so much they would ask me where they could purchase more. The journals often sell themselves and I often have to restock.
Product development has become one of the favorite parts of my business. It allows me to be extra creative and challenges me to take opportunities to try new things and ventures. Many of my products have opened new doors for me and created connections that benefit myself, and most importantly, others. I hope the steps I shared with you will give you encouragement and a pathway to develop your ideas into real life products. After all, as Albert Einstein, one of the best innovators of our time, said: “You only fail when you stop trying.” Go and create today!
Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz is the CEO of JJR Marketing (www.jjrmarketing.com) and Fig Factor Media LLC international book publishing company (www.figfactormedia.com), founder of The Fig Factor Foundation (www.thefigfactor.org), creator of Today’s Inspired Latina book series and international movement (http://www.todayslatina.com), author of thirteen books (www.jackiecamacho.com), international speaker, and pilot. Jacqueline speaks to hundreds of audiences about marketing, servant leadership, finding your passion, and achieving success in business. She has addressed the United States Army, BP International, United Airlines, Allstate, and Farmers Insurance among other corporations to share her inspiration.
If you or an organization you know needs as speaker, please get in touch with us at http://www.jackiecamacho.com/contact.