And There's More.

In a PS, Bill added, "Just now, week's forecast looks awfully good. Click here for latest." Take this link, and you have a long term forecast for weather at Triangle lake.

And More

Triangle is not only lake Bill follows. And he has this kind of info on all of them. And about local streams. Further, he'll be happy to sell you a great fishing rod, wading boots, cooking gear, even camping stuff.

About That Fellow In New York

James Bartell faces yet another major business crisis. But reading Bill's newsletter gives him a thought. He calls to his secretary, "Will you get Joe and Pete in here, please?" Grabbing for phone, he mumbles, "If they can't handle this, I'll find somebody who can." Half way through sentence, phone is ringing at Travel Desk.

Bartell Is Not Alone

Many people who bust it day in and day out are quite willing, now and then, to cut loose for a few days. Bill offers one great way to do it. He gets a commission from Travel Desk. And from local lodges he refers to. If he chooses to do so, he is in a great position to buy a lodge, thus extending his online business offline. If he targets upscale fisherman like Bartell, such a move could be enormously profitable.

End Tale

Okay, so that's just a yarn. And hey, likely someone already has something like it going. But it's bound to be local, else one can't keep up. Find a local area *not* being covered, one easy to get to, and go for it. The task is simpler if you already know something of area. But if you love fishing, you can have a lot of fun learning whatever you need.

So Where's The Content?

Measured in total words, there is very little content on this hypothetical site. But in eyes of a devoted fisherman, it's loaded with stuff. Bill needs some good text content for search engine positioning, but that's another matter.

What's Bill Really Selling?

Will anybody visiting this site see it for what it really is? Have you figured it?

What is readily available is great info that matters to fisherman. Behind this, Bill offers everything you need to get to a great fishing spot, catch your limit, and be comfortable while doing so. His visitors will not see this as a trick or con. They may not even recognize site is a selling tool. Products offered will be seen simply as an additional service Bill provides.

A Catch

This is not greatest example, for it's seasonal. You'd have to do very well in order to take rest of year off. But it's a possibility. If you owned a lodge, you might pick up some off-season business from skiers and hunters.

But I Don't Like Fishing

Is that what I heard you say? If so, join club. I don't either. But idea works in many areas and differing products. Competition is fierce in travel business. But how about a site featuring weekend adventures for families or seniors or both? House plans might work well with how-tos about remodeling and interior design.

Home gardeners are a committed bunch. And there's lots of potential here for repeat business. Anything people love to do that requires resources you can provide is a possible target.

Each must be checked with care. Competition needs to be examined in depth. And you must find a niche that sets you above or apart from all of it. But given a defined position and a good business plan, you have basis for a successful online business.

Wrapping Up

There are several errors in Bill's prose. Did you notice them? If so, will they matter to a fellow who wants to catch some fish? Or will he just grab his keys or phone?

This technique may seem like a lot of work, and it is, but I have produced some great ads with it. Plus, most of time an idea for complete ad will pop into my head before I have spent too much time with process. Sometimes idea will come after only writing a few words in step one.

The second technique you may find easier. This is a free-association with other peoples ads or web sites. Don't misunderstand, I am not looking at other people's work to steal their ideas, I use them to trigger ideas of my own.

Another way to use this process is to look at some your own past work. See if you can determine why a particular ad worked or didn't work. Sometimes this can lead to some amazing new ideas.

Remember, you have a great deal of pent up creative ability. All you need is right devise to unleash it. Try techniques I have given you and let me know how they worked. My email address is listed below.