Big changes don't usually happen overnight. There are usually a few quiet moves first -- little tweaks and adjustments that no one really notices.
And then suddenly, one more little change makes a huge difference, pushes it over the tipping point and forces everyone to pay attention.
Twitter is probably the best example of that process. Biz Stone and his friends didn't create social media. Nor did they create short messaging. They just had the idea to combine the two by making SMS messaging public.
There was no big concept there and they had no idea themselves whether anyone would want to use it. They'd just made a small change to the way that people send and read text messages so that everyone could keep in touch better. Once people realized just what Twitter could do, the effect was enormous.
The same is true of many other successful companies. Google didn't invent Internet searching. It didn't even invent the idea of measuring the importance of sites according to the pages that link to them -- that's very similar to the way academics rank each other by the number of citations they receive. They just did it on the Internet and implemented it in a way that delivered better results than anyone else.
And Windows has never offered much that's new. Microsoft based its operating system on the work that Apple had already completed. They just did it well enough and put it in enough places to make the difference.
As entrepreneurs, we're always looking for the next big idea. We want to change the world, create a revolution... and make a giant sack of cash in the process.
But sometimes, the fastest route to riches isn't to take a giant leap. It's just to change the direction of what's available now.
When you're searching for a money-making concept then, take a look at what other people in your field are doing. Look at the tools that people are using and the products they're buying, and ask yourself how you can improve them.
It might not look like a revolutionary concept but the results can change your life.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
September 23, 2009 09:38 AM
Excellent advice!! Another thing is to seek feedback on what you are now doing. Ask " how can I improve on . . .?
Thanks for the post, Joel!
September 23, 2009 09:48 AM
Very astute observation, Mr. J.
Action creates energy. You can correct something, you can't correct nothing.
Constant and never ending improvement (CANI) as our friends from Japan say.
Thanks as always for sharing. You always make me think and I appreciate that.
Keep the faith and keep being YOU!
~Ronald
TrueBeliever & HopeDealer
September 23, 2009 11:28 PM
I like to ask, "What aren't we thinking?"
Peace and profits,
Tia D.
http://www.twitter.com/tiadobi
September 24, 2009 01:22 AM
I really enjoyed your post and you bring to light some important facts that sometimes we all forget. Every one thinks they need to think of the next unique big thing to be successful but as you have shown they are ideas that have evolved. I think another important think is having the finances in place when you have an idea. It is not always easy to get a project off the ground but when you do you need the resources to keep it going as well. I have ideas, no where in the league of Google or Twitter but I don't think it will be quick easy money I think it will be a lot of work.
September 24, 2009 07:52 AM
Hy Joel! Sorry for my english, maybe it's not the best, but i'll try my best. Good idea You gave us here. Is this the tactic that You used for developing your fart app? (iFart) Thanks for the helpful ideas.
September 24, 2009 08:56 AM
WoW! Great article. I'm already beginning to think of avenues where I can put this information into place in my own business. I really appreciate your work.
Amy Hale
September 24, 2009 09:11 AM
Great Point Joel!
There is not point of trying to re-invent the wheel.
We just have to try to make it run faster!
Love your blog and I love your advice.
Jerry
http://www.twitter.com/jerrylarach
September 24, 2009 10:48 PM
so true .. the idea it is to make it easy and deadly useful for people ....
September 25, 2009 03:27 PM
Hi Joel
I've thought of a way of changing the world: through portable buildings. It's a major tweak in how we build houses. It uses cheap sheet materials like cardboard, plastic and thin metals, and can introduce a new international building system.
I call this method "plexics", short for "pleated flexible plate geometrics." It can house everybody on the planet, easily and immediately. It uses readily-available tools and materials. It can be used in undeveloped and developed countries alike. It can introduce a whole new way of life, and can answer the challenge posed by climate change.
MY question is: where do I start?
Cheers
Ronald Evans
Canberra Australia
October 1, 2009 05:22 AM
I agree with the idea that the fastest route to riches isn't to take a giant leap. Not all great hits were generally original. Some were just based from an old idea that was revised and added with other killer ideas. Marketers should have an eagle eye to spot potentials over old trend. The post was great. It highlighted how ideas float around and just waiting for our add ons to create a potential hit.
Thanks for sharing this..