Blogs that collect and correlate information can be a great resource for product makers. Such a blog can often point you toward a topic or market you wouldn’t otherwise think of. By watching these posts, you can end up with ideas for new products and all sorts of resources to get you started.

Here’s an example of what I mean. The blog Boing Boing, which calls itself “a directory of wonderful things,” sends out a constant stream of weird, wild and wonderful news items. And then it bundles those posts with related posts from around the web, like this:

“BBG dedicated a series of posts to explore various aspects, gear, and ideas specific "climbing." Here’s what went down:• We examined three types of artificial rock climbing walls. • Want to climb a tree, like, for real? Here’s the pro gear you need. • Want to climb a mountain instead? Go for this gear. • HOWTO: overcome common climbing phobias. • We tested an ultra-light pack stove from Primus. • We revisited the DIY ice mountain constructed in Alaska. • What’s the best food to take on a climbing/camping expedition? We tried to find out. • We reviewed three pairs of climbing shoes. Which ones ruled? Also at BBG:(The original post is here: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/07/29/recently-at-bbg-6.html )

A quick trip to Google shows that there’s quite a large audience for advice and information on rock climbing, and Boing Boing’s post points out all sorts of relevant topics and chapters for a guidebook.

I’m not a rock climber, more of a fence sitter, so I’d never have thought of this market on my own. But seeing this blog post at Boing Boing inspired some creative thinking. It made me stop, at least for a moment, and think about how easy it would be to pull together a guidebook complete with product reviews and interviews with experts.

When you’re really focused on creating your own products, creative product ideas are everywhere!

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Bonnie Boots publishes The Internet Wizards Magazine for people that want to be more creative, make their own products and market on the internet. Type your email address into the subscribe box in the upper right of this page to join for FREE! If you’re a writer, self-employed professional, small business owner or otherwise have specialized knowledge, you already have the basis of a great internet business. Join me and begin the adventure!

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During the darkest days of World War II, a slogan created by an anonymous civil servant became the watchword in England. Printed under the royal crown, it read, “Keep Calm And Carry On.”

Seventy years have passed, and suddenly, in the midst of economic crises, the slogan is once again in play.

The Guardian says, “Suddenly these days, it’s everywhere, from homes to pubs to government offices. …Today, you can buy Keep Calm and Carry On mugs, doormats, T-shirts, hoodies, cufflinks, baby clothes and flight bags from any number of retailers.”

Matt James had a different response to dragging out that old slogan. His retake on it, “GET EXCITED AND MAKE THINGS." emblazoned under a royal crown made of wrenches.

The design  appeared on Flicker, along with James invitation that people use it to make their own posters, T-shirts, mugs and whatever under the Creative Common license, which allows royalty-free use on items so long as they are not sold.

Set free on Flicker, his slogan captured the sprit and imagination of many. It was chosen as T-shirt of the week at English online retailer Howie’s Mens: www.howies.co.uk/product.php/1827/84/ Womens: www.howies.co.uk/product.php/1828/84/

And there were so many requests for a poster that it will be available as a limited edition high-quality print benefiting Creative Commons.

As Queen of my own little world here at The Internet Wizards Blog, where my slogan is “Be more creative, make stuff and market on the internet,” we highly approve.

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Bonnie Boots publishes The Internet Wizards Magazine for people that want to be more creative, make their own products and market on the internet. To be part of her world, type your email into the subscribe form in the upper right corner.

If you want to spread your creative wings and make stuff to market on the web, my book, "Tapping Into Trends To Create An Endless Stream Of High-Profit Products"" will inspire you to be your most creative, successful  self by showing you just some of the many ways I use the internet to make creative cash.

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This frees you from having to type out hundreds or thousands of welcome messages, while still allowing you to greet each of your followers personally.

Right now, the majority of Twitter users do not send auto-welcome messages. That means doing so is an opportunity for you to stand out and make an impression!

If you’re already on Twitter, you’ve undoubtedly received autoresponder messages from people you’ve elected to follow that say, in essence, "Thanks for following me. Now go to this sales page and buy something!" Do that and you’ll make an  impression all right–a bad one! People will make a mental note to tune you right out.

Instead, create a message that opens the door for further conversation and even friendship.  Twitter, after all, is about building a social network, so be sociable. When you craft you own welcome messge, keep this in mind:

1.    Keep it short and simple.

2.    It’s a welcome message, not a sales pitch.

3.    Open the converstaion with a messge that invites response.

My own welcome message is "Bonnie Boots says "Help yourself to my library of free and funny Twitter backgrounds!" followed by a link to the download page. The download is free and unencumbered. There’s no forced opt-in. No hard sell for anything else. My purpose is to introduce myself and make people smile when they next see my name.

One of the nicest welcomes messages I’ve received is "Woo Hoo! I have a new friend! Thank you – Can’t wait to get to know you better!" Now really, who wouldn’t want to know HER better?

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Bonnie Boots publishes The Internet Wizards Magazine for people that want to be more creative, make their own products and market on the internet.  Follow her here by filling out the subscribe form in the upper right corner. Follow her on Twitter @BonnieBoots

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• The Twitter Tutorial (slideshare.net)

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