How do you come up with a great idea?

Got a great idea for a new business to toss out?

George from Dead Like Me -

I'd love to come up with a great idea. In everything else, I'm a very creative person. I'm a creative writer. But I can't think of anything unique to do for a new business. How do these brilliant people get their ideas?

Comment #1 Joe from South America -

Maybe the key is that they act upon some so so ideas... and if they workout everything thinks it was a brilliant idea.

Comment #2 terry from ontario, canada [the EH land] -

It's true Joe, sometimes people have to take a risk and try something out that they are not so sure could be successful. Also i guess people brainstorm a lot and just dabble around with ideas until they come up with one that they think really could be a big hit. I am sure lots of people think up 1, 000 bad ideas before they come up with something great.

Comment #3 Cinnamon from The Kitchen -

I am the same way, I would love to come up with something original, but when I try nothing comes to mind. It is hard to think of something that most people can use. It just seems like everything is already out there these days. Most people creat businesses from a hobby or something they enjoy doing.

Comment #4 Janet from Computer World -

I swear every time I think of an idea and tell it to my husband he just laughs at me and then I'll see it on the market or on QVC. Arrgh that makes me so mad!!

Comment #5 George from Dead Like Me -

So maybe the trick is to NOT think about it. Maybe we're all so desperate for that great idea that it's just eluding all of us.

I know what you mean, Janet. sigh

And maybe some great ideas are just improvements on existing products.

Comment #6 Flowergirl from FlowerHeaven, USA -

I am one of those people who have come up with several ideas but can't seem to find time to start the business. I know a couple a years ago I had a lot of free time and couldn't decide on a business.

Comment #7 Sweetness from Earth, the Universe -

The best way to come up with a great idea is to think about what you do in everyday life that you would like to make easier for yourself.

Think about how that could be done easier and what you would need to use to do it.

Then you do a model of it and the first thing you want to do is get a patent on it. Then when you have applied for a patent you can start marketing it.

Marketing something new is not easy and you have to be prepared for a lot of "NOs" before you start getting those "YES's".

Most new ideas come from frustrated people who want a simpler way of doing something.

Comment #8 rowena105 from Anywhere You Want -

Hey Sweetness that's good sound advice. I have heard of many people who have made a fortune just by inventing something that they needed.

I remember years ago I had an aunt who had a dashund female and when it came in heat she put a diaper on it and cut a hole out for the tail and also put on plastic pants and cut the hole for the tail. I told her she should make them for sale. She never did but she could have made a fortune.

Actually, she had a few things that she invented but never did anything with them and then one day you would see them on the market.

So it can be something very simple. It doesn't have to be complicated that's for sure.

Comment #9 jadarose from down south -

If you aunt had decided to market those she really would have been rich. I see those things all the time at the local pet shops. Personally, it took doing what I love to come up with a business idea that I enjoyed. I will admit that it took a lot of trial and error to make it successful. LOL

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