People who are thinking of starting a business, or those engaged in some kind of creative activity who want to share it with the world, are often advised to find out what the public wants, and then to tailor their product/service to fit that demand. In other words, to do extensive market research to find out if anyone will want their offering, and if demand doesn't appear to exist, to do something else instead.
Now, this approach has no doubt proved successful for many, but is it really necessary? Most would answer 'yes', because most believe that success is the result of action. In their view, in order to attract customers and persuade them to buy, you need to take a series of action steps, beginning with market research, and then tailoring your offering to match what people want, according to that research. All along the way, your creative work, and your success, are determined by existing demand for your product - by other people's opinions, in other words.
But there are problems with this approach. What if you do all the research and find a product/service that 'fits', and take all the other correct action steps that the business gurus advise, only to fail miserably anyway? This has happened countless times. And what if your research indicates that there is little or no demand for your offering, but you love what you do, and don't want to compromise?
Fortunately there is a different approach. Don't bother with market research unless you really feel led to do it. Instead, follow your passion and create exactly the product or service that gives you the most joy. Then allow the universe to match you up with customers. You don't attract sales through your actions alone, but by first vibrationally aligning with your desired result, and only then taking inspired action. It's law of attraction that brings your customers to you, and it will do so regardless of whether research indicates an existing demand or not. And while conventionally-minded marketers might be throwing their hands up in horror, this approach has worked for me, and many others too (although this article is not intended as business advice - please see the disclaimer).
Here is what Abraham had to say on the subject* at a recent seminar, in response to a question from a guest who wanted to help the world with his creations:
"When you do this the majority of the world will not even be able to see it, because you're so out there on the leading edge they're not ready for it... If you want to do something that has mass appeal, you've got to move way back from the leading edge, because there's never a crowd on the leading edge. There is never a crowd on the leading edge, And that's the thing that's so frustrating to leading edge creators; you've got to ratchet yourself back to a place that you've left far behind... So many magnificent creators are out on the leading edge and that's what's ringing their bells. That's what life has caused them to be. And when they reach back and try to bring the others with them, they mess up their own vibration. And then they are not pure to the leading edge place that they have once been. So we say to authors, to musicians, to those talented creative people who are wanting to make a big appeal to the world, we tell them all the time, do it because it rings your bells, and let anyone else who's ready to hear that bell ringing, come join you. In other words, there are so many people doing market research, trying to decide what the world needs, but if it's not ringing your bells, then it's not the creation for you! It's got to ring your bells, in order for it to really work in a big way for you."
05-11-13, San Antonio TX, © Abraham-Hicks Publications
Now, it may well be that your product/service will never appeal to the majority of people. But you don't need to attract a mass audience. You only want to attract those who are already in vibrational harmony with it. Niche markets can be extremely profitable, yet if you rely on conventional market research to guide your creative actions, you might miss these niches altogether while you're focused on pandering to the mass of people who don't seem to be interested.
To decide whether this approach will be of use to you, you need to know your motivations for creating and selling. Are you doing it purely because you think it'll make money? Or because you absolutely love the process of creation, and you just want to put it out there for anyone who's interested? Because while making money is fantastic, it doesn't serve too well as a primary motivation for any undertaking, simply because money doesn't come through action. You don't need to work to attract money (although most people believe they do - but that's a topic for another article!). So if you're going to 'work' (i.e. take pleasurable creative action), you might as well do it because you love it. And this kind of work should be motivated by your degree of joy in the process, not the number of people whom some survey has said will be interested in it.
Do you think the great artistic geniuses of history would have made their innovations if they'd let 'the market' dictate their mode of creative expression? While it's true that many had to cater to the whims of patrons with much of their work, when it comes to stylistic breakthroughs, the answer is still a resounding 'no'! So why should you? And before you say, 'well, most of them starved in some grotty garret and I want to make a good living', remember that you can attract limitless abundance into your life, regardless of what you're doing. There's no need to conform to someone else's sterotype of how an original creator typically lives, even if those stereotypes are firmly engrained in the popular imagination.
You don't need to figure out all the 'hows' in advance, but you do need to be willing to (a) follow the most joyful path, (b) trust that the universe will deliver, and - this is absolutely crucial - (c) be willing to release any inner resistance that you might have to such effortless and unconventional success. (For more on how to attract sales on a vibrational level see my article 'Mindpower Marketing'.)
Do what you love - and let law of attraction match your work up with those who will love it too. Because they're out there, regardless of what the market research might tell you. And even if they're slow in showing up - so what? If you love your work, and are living in joy while doing it, you've fulfilled your purpose. Because the purpose of life is to enjoy it, remember? : )
*The inclusion of this quote does not constitute an endorsement by Abraham-Hicks of the opinions expressed in this article.
