12 steps to turn your business idea into income

There is no value in ideation without execution. Without the intention and action that takes an idea from conception to success, it's just an idea and ideas are everywhere. Many people have several ideas during each day and most of them are not put into practice. What separates those who succeed from those who never really succeed are the steps they take to turn the idea into income.

Carrie Green is the founder and CEO of the Female Entrepreneur Association (FEA) and the author of the international bestseller She Means Business. Since starting her first business, a phone unlocking business, at age 20, Green has built one of the largest online platforms for female entrepreneurs, with more than 600,000 fans worldwide. FEA's work helps ambitious women build extremely successful businesses and turn their ideas into reality. Passionate about personal development herself, Green's TEDx talk, Programming Your Mind for Success, has over 8 million views.

I interviewed Green to hear his 12 steps to turning your idea into income.

1. Do your research

For any idea, it is important to start at the very beginning. Before you buy domain names or talk to anyone about your brains, start planning. "Start by defining, validating, and researching your idea first," said Green, who focuses on that in the first week. She added: "I would really dig into it, looking on Google, Reddit, the App Store and all the social media platforms, researching what's already out there." Based on what you find, determine how your idea can add unique value and move on to step two.

2. Define your idea

Then comes the more detailed definition of your idea and the evaluation of the request. Summarize your idea in a headline and headline. Say in simple terms what it does. Green recommended you ask, "Are people already buying something similar?" » Are people using workarounds for the problem your idea solves? Ask your friends and ask the internet. She said if they are, consider that a really good sign that the demand is there. This means that you are likely to find people who want to buy what you offer.

3. Define your audience

After the what comes the who. "Who would be your dream client and why?" said Green. “Who are they and where are they in their lives? Find out their desires and their difficulties or weak points in relation to the solution that your product or service provides. Green advised you to "tap into who they are on an emotional level, so you can understand how strongly your offer is going to resonate."

4. Share your idea

Once you know what and who, the how will begin to become apparent. Now is the time to “immerse yourself in the fact that you are creating something”. Green explained that it involves "creating excitement, sharing the concept, talking about your idea with whoever will listen." At this point, you'll start collecting feedback on how your message is landing with your target audience. She also advised you to keep track of who you're talking to and to "create a waiting list, sign people up, and look forward to whatever exciting thing you're about to launch."

5. Engage an audience

If you already have an audience, share your idea on a larger scale by getting them to travel with you. Green said, “get them involved early on. Tell them you're creating something and can't wait to share it, then say you'd like their help and ask them questions. When Green was building her membership offer, she constantly polled people on social media and in emails. Questions about their challenges and what they needed meant that Green was "co-creating with...