Caroline,
I watched your work last year and your ability to analyze what you are doing. I also admire your willingness to lay it all on the line, go for broke, leave the "dreaded J.O.B." and strike out into uncharted lands... I'm a good deal older than you (probably 10+ years) and I'm STILL in IT. I have 5 other mouths to consider, so I haven't been able to take that big of a step, but I'm trying to see some results that I can bring before the family to help them see that it's worth it to pursue. Ok, enough about me, let's talk about my problems instead.
I hear what you're saying about marketability. If you will allow me, may I follow-up with another problem I'm having....
So I look for marketability. It's tough to take myself out of that equation. I know what people need, because I know what I need. This leads me to what I've been calling "black hole" thinking since my experience with the 30DC.
What do I mean? Well it goes a little somethin' like this - see if you can hum a few bars.
"What do people want?"
Maybe that's a different question than "What will people buy?" and that's what you are driving at with the concept of marketability.
But when I head down the marketability road, my thinking gets very much in a rut. I center around "What do people really need?"
And I fall into these ruts (healthy, wealthy, and wise - to rip off Ben Franklin):
People want to live more healthier, long, and vibrant lives. (Falling down the health products black hole).
People want to have lots of money. I have found a program that really works for my family (an info product from somebody else, we didn't cook it up). But people need this info. So I start thinking I'll do a knockoff/spin-off from there. (Falling down the financial help / budgeting black hole).
People want to love and be loved. I am very very close to becoming a Certified Christian Conciliator. I try to help people to resolve interpersonal conflict and reconcile relationships. People need this too, and my thoughts go around how can I help them get what they need in this arena of life. (Falling down the personal improvement / self-help / motivational black hole).
Whenever I try to stay out of these areas and "think outside the box," my ideas become rather silly - like my 9-year-old's suggestion of "wearable yogurt." I know I'm judging, but just trying to share my process for looking for ideas and how it's not working.
Thanks so much for your advice and help.