Make Sure You Have Magazines

In this 20 minute task you're going to use magazines to find some problems your niche faces as well as some products to sell. You'll also collect some powerful words to use in your advertising.

To do both this 20 minute task and the next one, you'll need copies of magazines that target your market niche. If you don't have them yet, skip ahead to Prepare to Spy on Your Competition. Complete the entire "Know Your Competition" module, then come back to finish this task and the remaining tasks in the "Know Your Niche" module. Between now and then, try to get the magazines. You'll find it worth your while.

Your 20 Minute Task

Take out a pencil and paper or open a spreadsheet on your computer. Prepare to take notes. You'll want to arrange your notes in three columns labeled "Headline," "Problem" and "Solution".

Pick up a copy of one of the magazines that targets your niche. Look through the magazine for advertisements. For each advertisement, write down:

• The headline.
• The problem that the ad addresses.
• A brief description of the solution or product offered. Include the product name, its price and what it does.

When finished, you'll know at least some of your niche's problems as well as some products that its members routinely buy. The headlines will come in handy later on to create effective advertisements. Save your notes in your "Niche Characteristics" folder.

If you have several magazines, it will pay you to repeat this 20 minute task at least three times.