In this episode Jack & Holly are learning that if you want a hit product you need to do more work then just coming up with an idea of what you want to make.
You need to do some research and see what else is already out there for people to buy.
Why do we need to do research?
It’s important to know what you will be competing against when you start selling your new product. You don’t want to spend all your time and money making something just to find out that somebody already makes the same thing!
It’s also a good idea to see what ideas other people have already had that you could use in your own product!
It’s not copying if you’re going to take an idea, develop it to make it your own.
Jack and Holly found that some vacuum cleaners they saw were bagless, they saw that idea and decided to use it in their new design for a vacuum cleaner.
In a big company they will spend lots and lots of money doing the research before they start developing the product. They will have whole teams that research what products other companies are making and what the people they sell to actually want.
How do you do research?
There are loads of great ways to do your research, here’s a few of them…
Look in the shops
Have a look at everything that the shops already sell that’s similar to your idea.
If you’re idea is for a new breakfast cereal, see what’s in the cereal isle next time you’re in the supermarket, if you’re idea is for a remote control toy then have a look in the toy shop next time you’re there. You’ll get loads more ideas!
Look online
Online s a great place to look as it will show you more products that the shops might not even have!
Just make sure you have a parent to help you with this.
Talk to your friends and family
It might not sound like research but it’s some of the best research you can do!
Your friends and family will be able to tell you what they think of your idea and they might have ideas to make it even better!
Have a go yourself!
What’s your idea for a new product?
Have a go at doing your own research to see if you can get any good ideas that could help you develop your own new product!
Keep an eye out on the things you see when you’re next out at the shops and you’ll get lots of great ideas that can hep you.
You can also try talking to family and friends about your product, see if they think it’s a good idea and get their thoughts on it.
Let us know what you find in your research in the comments below!
Listen to ‘There’s Got To Be a Better Way’ at 6:45am on Fun Kids Radio every weekday starting Monday 14th December or subscribe to the podcast below…
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This series is produced with help from Shark
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There’s Got To Be a Better Way – Developing a Product
From an idea, to a product you can buy in the shops! We're looking at how you develop a product.
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