Thinking About Creating Your First Product or Service?
Some Lessons Learned
This week I’m hosting a free working shop about designing your first product or service. I often think that the energy around my work changed significantly once I started testing out making my own products and creating services to sell. These changes have shifted my work from primarily done-for-you services that I would consider “self-employment” to creating and growing an online business as an entrepreneur.
If you’re interested in attending this week’s workshop “How to Design and Create Your First Product or Service” I’ve included the Zoom details towards the end of this newsletter.
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Workshop Details
How to Design and Create Your First Product-FREE Workshop
Hosted-via Zoom (details are towards the end of this email)
When: This Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 6:00 pm MTN/8:00 pm EST
What: Thinking about designing your first product and aren’t sure how to begin? Join this informal and casual conversation about where to start first, what to consider and how to figure out what to charge.
5 Lessons Learned
When you begin designing products, goods and services there is a lot experimentation, nervousness and throwing spaghetti at the wall. You don’t know what works until it works. Here are a few lessons that I learned along the way.
Skills that you stood out for at work are likely going to heavily influence the types of products that you design. In my case, I stood out in my job for community building, writing/copywriting skills and networking. I would also say that strategy is also a skill that I’ve always had that I use quite a bit in my current work.
What you dislike doing professionally or personally you should avoid building into your product or service. When I left my previous job I was working with hundreds of students. That work entailed a lot of 1-on-1 meetings and it might not surprise you to find out that I limit the number of 1-on-1 meetings/coaching sessions that I am able to provide to my community. Instead, I love meeting with small groups.
Listen to what your audience is telling you. If you’re not sure what your community/audience/ listeners/or viewers want and need-then you need to design opportunities to make this happen. There is a reason why I will always meet with the people that I am looking to uplift and support each month. You’re trying to also figure out what your audience perceives as your areas of expertise and how you can help them.
Free workshops
Send out short surveys
Ask questions on social media
Coaching sessions
Free mini-coaching sessions
A free community
Keep your products simple. The temptation is to make them super complicated and have a billion components to them because you’re afraid that your customers won’t like what you created. Remember that most people have a lot going on and are looking to purchase products that do what they said they would do. Avoid confusing your customer.
You are an expert! Imposter Syndrome will try to knock you down. As you put yourself out there, you may begin asking yourself the following questions.
Who am I to assert that I’m an expert?
Who will purchase my products?
Am I charging too much or too little?
Make sure to create a folder that you add the following information into.
Screenshots of people telling you how much they enjoyed your work/product.
Positive reviews
Audio testimonials
Video testimonials
Shoutouts via well-known figures
I share some additional tips and lessons learned for paying subscribers that may be helpful to reflect on as you work on your first product or your first try at a product that is new to you.
Book Your 1-on-1 Coaching Session
I currently have 5 spots available for 1-on-1 coaching sessions during the month of February.
Work through strategy or other questions related to building your brand
90 minute call via Zoom
Cost: $400 (Purchase here)
I will send an email confirming payment within 24-48 hours and a scheduling link for our session.
Be prepared to work :)
Thursday’s Zoom Details
How to Design and Create Your First Product or Service (Free workshop)
Michelle Jackson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: How to Design and Create Your First Product or Service
Time: Feb 1, 2024 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)/8:00 pm EST
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85871640915?pwd=U29xSmdaS3ZzRUluS0swTTVSTU1Ldz09
Meeting ID: 858 7164 0915
Passcode: 082888
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