Can You Sell Business Ideas?

A reader asks:

Do really think you can’t sell business ideas? Because I can think of 3 ways.

1. Write a book or ebook about all different types of business ideas – of which there are hundreds of books.
2. Set up a website like yours and make money from ad-ons and advertising.
3. Sell business kits containing a business plan of a specific business idea with resource information and promotional goodies.

So what do you say to that then John?

I guess this reader is referring to my post Selling Business Ideas in which I note that:

There’s [another] problem with selling business ideas. Business ideas on their own are essentially worthless.

If so they’ve missed the point. Let me try to be clearer. A business idea on it’s own is essentially worthless. In all three examples provided above you are not selling a business idea on it’s own. In the first example you’re selling a collection of business ideas, presumably with some commentary on them. The act of collecting together the ideas and commenting on them provides the value. A good example of such a book would be: 400 Latest & Greatest Small Business Ideas From Around The World by Terry Kyle.

In the second example, a website such as Business Opportunities and Ideas again adds value by collecting together the ideas and providing my commentary on them. It builds on that value by inviting readers to join in the conversation through either the comments or forum.  In the final example the value comes not from the idea, but from the (admittedly very minimal) implementation of the idea.

So yes you can add some value to business ideas and sell that, but no you can’t sell a business idea on it’s own.

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  [...] Crickett presents Can You Sell Business Ideas? posted at Business Opportunities And Ideas, saying, “A look at how you can and can not make [...]

  Working at Home Blog Carnival-152nd Edition on August 21st, 2009
• 2

  I agree business ideas can’t sell just with the ideas. Even you have an attractive, brand new business ideas doesn’t means it can be sell just the ideas itself. For 2 years I selling many business ideas to some of the network marketing, home business owner and mlmers. You must follow some of the rule to get the business ideas sell.

  1. you must target to the person who are looking for business opportunity. This person must be open minded kind of person. And not that kind of people that only said their business opportunity is the best. If he can’t accept any new business ideas no point selling to him.

  2. What is the investment like. If the business investment is acceptable by his bank account. I think he able to take up the money for the investment. 90% of the people will thinking how much investment do they need to invest in the business. Rather than how can I take out that kind of money for this investment.

  3. How soon can I take back my return on investment. Most of the people looking for higher ROI may be 1 month – 3 month depend on business. Some business take longer time may be 12 month to get the return on investment.

  4. Profit. People want to see how profitable of a business ideas rather than how brand new is your business ideas. Even it is a old business ideas or a competitive business ideas, as long as they can find the niche or blue ocean to market the business to profitable. They will buy your business ideas

  Kenny on August 31st, 2009
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  I have a really good business,one I have done alot of rsearch and work on… but cannot afford toset up…. i have thought about trying to sell this idea..

  how can i profit from this idea?

  rob on December 8th, 2009