How Content Helps You Develop & Manage Ideas
Everyday people have different ideas. They know they would like to develop that idea into a business, a project, a physical product, or an app, but they don’t know the first steps to take to get started. In this article, you’re going to understand how content plays an important role when developing and managing ideas.
But before we get started, let’s clear up one point: people typically describe ‘content’ as online materials used mostly for marketing purposes. But content is information that can be used offline as well, not just at the marketing stage but in the development, and management stages of an idea’s journey.
In Nigeria, more than 8000 startups are currently registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Yet for every Nigerian who actually starts a business, there are likely millions more who have ideas for a business but don’t end up doing anything about it.
Everyone has some reason that prevents them from taking that crucial first step. Most people are afraid to start; they may feel their idea seems silly or irrelevant compared to the current trending ideas, or see funding as the first major obstacle hindering the success of their idea. Others find starting something new and unknown to be quite overwhelming and in turn lose their motivation and drive to execute their ideas.
For most people looking to start or scale their ideas, the issue should not be looking for a trending idea but getting your idea’s content to answer these questions: “Do I have enough information about my idea to make it feasible? Or “Can I confidently communicate my idea’s vision to others? Or simply “Can I sustain this idea in the long term?
To get you started on your idea you need to understand what motivates you
How do you understand the reason for your motivation? This requires some deep thinking. First, take out a sheet of paper and across the top write “Today’s notes about my idea” List five things about your idea and Why you have this idea in the first place. Examine what made you think about this idea, why it seems important to you, and how far you’re willing to go to develop this idea.
Next list out your top five challenges that you think would prevent you from going ahead with this idea at this moment, not the challenges you think your idea might face in the future, these are more about your personal fears.
Then list five things about yourself- things you enjoy or consider yourself really good at. And things you don’t think you’re good at, or you just don’t like to do. just write down whatever comes to your mind. You should have a total of 4 lists; about your idea, your challenges, things you enjoy doing & don't.
Once you’re done with your list, ask yourself: “Would my idea make someone’s life better, and who would this person be?” write down this conclusion at the bottom of your list.
What you have just done is what I call an idea evaluation, it helps you better clarify, concentrate, and maintain focus on a specific idea.
Why you need content for your ideas?
The key benefits of having content for an idea is the confidence it gives to the individual and the credibility it attaches to the idea. It’s vital that an idea should make someone’s life easier or happier, more productive or efficient, or simply save them time. The people that enjoy the benefits your idea offers eventually become your customers and these benefits are planned, organized & expressed using content.
If you wanted to build a house, you wouldn’t just start nailing any wooden board together and hope that it becomes a home, would you?
Building an idea without any content for that specific idea is equally as risky. Yet unlike a house, an idea isn’t static, it can be customized as its objectives begin to change.
If you’re not convinced yet, here are five good reasons why you need content for your ideas.
1. To test the feasibility of your idea
Planning out your idea’s goals and objectives is the quickest way to know what areas in your idea’s development are feasible. In this sense, your idea’s content is your blueprint. If working through your idea’s goals and objectives reveal that your idea is untenable, it will save you a great deal of time and money.
Unfortunately, many people are stuck on the grand vision for their idea, so they don’t take the time to do the necessary research and work through their idea’s content. The more content your idea has in terms of its blueprint, the greater the likelihood that your idea will succeed.
2. To give your idea the best chance of success
Your idea’s content also guarantees that you pay attention to the broad operational and financial implications that your idea will require, such as your idea marketing & management requirements. This process will ultimately make for the smooth execution of your idea, as you realistically outline how you intend to deliver your idea’s value to your customers.
Reviewing your idea’s marketing & management requirements can also help you see what goals have been accomplished, what changes need to be made, or what new directions your idea should take.
3. To secure funding for your idea
Remember I mentioned earlier that many people see funding as the first major obstacle hindering the success of their idea. But without having a well-detailed idea-content showing your roadmap on how your idea will grow & be managed, there is little chance of raising funds from established financial institutions, angel investors or friends & family.
Having up-to-date content for your idea as it becomes a business gives you a much better chance of getting the money you need to start, operate, or to expand. Investors and financiers are always looking at the risk involved in every idea, and word of mouth is no substitute for detailed information that communicates your idea’s intent.
4. To brand your idea
An idea needs to be distinctive, and another question that your idea’s content helps you answer is: “How do I make my idea stand out better or different from the other guy doing it over there?” and this is an important question that every idea needs to answer.
Ideas are dynamic, their objectives may change and grow but how it interacts with its audience needs to stay consistent, and content helps you imprint your idea as a brand on the minds of your customers.
5. To achieve a positive social footprint
Whether you want to become a social entrepreneur or shop your idea to venture capitalists or angel investors, your business needs to have a positive impact on society or align itself with any of the 17 sustainable development goals. An idea that has its content rooted with social impact or social consciousness is guaranteed to capture attention and showcase the why of your idea’s purpose.
Actions speak louder than words here, so prepare to have your idea thoroughly scrutinized to be certain that the impact you claim is indeed visible in how you plan to or currently achieve and maintain your idea’s objectives.
Having content for your idea is essential!
Having content at each stage of your idea’s development can be time-consuming, but it’s essential if you want to have a feasible idea that’s going to evolve into a business someday.
If your idea doesn’t have its detailed content already, maybe it’s time to #AskTheIdeaDeveloper for help. The process of having your idea’s content can do wonders to clarify your idea’s needs, challenges, objectives, and long term vision, which helps increase your chances of sustainably and efficiently developing your idea successfully.
