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  #1  
Old March 17, 2008, 07:37 AM
Sandi Bowman
 
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Default Testing market interest help, please...

I have a course under development (preliminary) that seems good as far as the subject matter and so on BUT, despite doing what I know about market testing, I am having trouble pinpointing the target market for it.

The conclusion seems to be that it's either a brand-new and untried market (likely) or it is a dud market (possibly)...or both. I do not have a list yet so how can I go about finding out which it is (new or dud) and figure out how to access the target market if there is one?

The market is cooking related but not exactly a beginner target. It's for folks who already do basic cooking. I then teach them to become an instinctive, naturally creative, cook who can invent their own, original, recipes.

Your help would be most appreciated in defining this market and learning how to best access them...or any other thoughts on the subject. Thanks!

Sandi Bowman
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  #2  
Old March 17, 2008, 08:12 AM
Pete Egeler
 
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Default Re: Testing market interest help, please...

Sandi,

Why don't you pose the question to some cooking forums, giving them a little information about your project.

You're sure to get SOME kind of reaction one way or another.

Pete
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  #3  
Old March 17, 2008, 10:34 AM
GordonJ's Avatar
GordonJ GordonJ is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
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Default NEW and/or Dud, both you want to avoid.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandi Bowman View Post
I am having trouble pinpointing the target market for it.

The conclusion seems to be that it's either a brand-new and untried

I then teach them to become an instinctive, naturally creative, cook who can invent their own, original, recipes.

Sandi Bowman

Sandi,

You are looking for disappointment with NEW and UNTRIED...however, I don't think it is either. Here is a link to a discussion on a popular cooking site about "instinctive" cooking:

http://www.jamieoliver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=28351

Might be a good place to start posting your wisdom on the subject.

http://cookingclub.com/Main/default.aspx Might also be a place to snoop around.

And here is "Chef Kathy's" take on creative cuisine and: " She'll show you how to use your imagination and "cook outside the box" so that once you've tried it Cathy's way, you can add your own spin and make it your own! "

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Cuisi...761505&sr=1-12

Cooking Club of America has a list with over half a million names on it, and it probably gets segmented.

33,000 names on a mailing list for "Creative Kitchen"..."Amateur chefs - subscribers of Creative Cuisine, a culinary magazine of original receipes."


James Haller, has a couple of "cooking without recipes" books:

http://www.amazon.com/Strawberry-Coo...63558&sr= 8-1

You might get some ideas from here:

http://www.cookingbynumbers.com/

The Home Chef mailing list is over 655,000 names gotten from Direct Response advertisng.

A simple test: Contact Willie Crawford, he has a list of "cooks" that number into the thousands...maybe he'd be interested in a joint venture.

Sandi, from what I can tell there is a HUGE market for this material, but it comes down to correctly "niche...ING" it, in my opinion.

And when all is said and done, a product like this has to marketed...easiest way is through a JV with an existing list owner (like Willie Crawford).

Will it be a book? Videos? A web site? Membership site? The delivery will help you to determine what kind of lists to look for.

You are right in trying to find a market for your product, and there is a market, you just have to find your place in it. Good luck.

Gordon

PS. I mention Jamie Oliver, he has all the marketing avenues covered...here's a link to his video on his "other" talent, with over 42,000 hits http://www.youtube.com/jamieoliver

Last edited by GordonJ : March 17, 2008 at 10:44 AM.
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  #4  
Old March 17, 2008, 04:32 PM
Sandi Bowman
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Testing market interest help, please...

Appreciate the replies, Pete and Gordon.

Checked out all the links and found some excellent information that will help me to niche my product a bit tighter than originally planned. Also found a great forum that will be useful for building credibility, among many other things.

I found it interesting to read the comments on some places, such as the James Haller link. I had to agree with the comment that mentioned about all the liquers and high fat items in the recipes he provides. That might be an additional selling point on my approach as I usually encourage low fat and healthy ingredients in any suggestions or recommendations.

I'm on my way again thanks to you two gentlemen.

Sandi Bowman
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  #5  
Old March 18, 2008, 01:56 AM
Phil
 
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Default Re: Testing market interest help, please...

Sandi,

Just a little Food for thought...

All kinds of Unique ways to Nichify with Cooking, Courses, membership sites etc etc...

Even though there's a “Ton” of Free recipes etc. online...

Big Buck profit centre opportunities are doing just fine...

Proves that you can Sell just about Anything that's available for Free... With a little Creativity...

A few Quick picks that you may want to review and hundreds more out there for Brainstorming and Ideas...

http://www.911cheferic.com/
http://www.hueyscookingclub.com/
http://www.letsgetcooking.org.uk/
http://www.dinnermadesimple.com/

http://www.chowhound.com/
http://www.bakespace.com/

http://www.dairygoodness.ca/en/media...4/07_03_21.htm
http://www.webpronews.com/expertarti...than-magazines
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...cle3416203.ece

Don't rule out Specialty Food Blogging... Many have found their Specialties, Focused and have done extremely well...

Here's just one Great Success story as an example...

Unlimited opportunities evolve as the blogging world keeps on growing and more and more people become famous in their own little way...

Clotilde Dusoulier...
http://chocolateandzucchini.com/press.php

Phil
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  #6  
Old March 18, 2008, 08:58 AM
Sandi Bowman
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Testing market...Check out the Membership promo article.

Interesting assortment you found there, Phil.

Most useful was an article on the WebProNews link that some folks here might like to read about how various membership groups promote their memberships. The AARP one is kinda long but scroll down below for some eye-opening promotional tips and examples from others.

Thanks, Phil.

Sandi Bowman
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