I found this image on Flickr… is it a public domain image?

Public Domain images are controlled by copyright restrictions just as any other creative work is protected under the copyright laws. If an image is in the public domain… it must be a published image that the copyright has expired.

photo credit: piddy77

Also… the image must not contain anything that might violate a trademark… such as an ad for Coco-Cola.

photo credit: SantaRosa OLD SKOOL

Plus… the image must not contain a likeness of a recognizable person unless that person has agreed that the photograph may be published.

The images featured on this page are not violating trademark nor are they violating someones right to privacy.

But… is it considered Public Domain? No… but it is free to use as I wish… either for personal or commercial endeavors.

photo credit: Perrimoon

Why? I used the Flickr advanced search feature and agree to attribute the photo to the producer of the image.

When that search feature is used and I agree that I must give credit to the photographer… I am now free to use any image I find within those search results.

photo credit: extranoise

Remember this! Flickr is not a “free to use for anything” website. But… you can, buy using Creative Commons licensing … use Flickr Images just as easily as Public Domain Images.

I was just reading the latest trendwatching.com brief… (an update service that helps companies get and keep ahead of the trends) and I was shocked to see that one of the trends is for products and services that are Free!

photo credit: JonJon*

Free??? How do we every make a profit giving away free stuff? It shouldn’t really have been a surprise as we all are looking for the best buy… and free is great.

Free phone calls via Skype

Free encyclopedia via wikipedia

Free products via rebates

The list is long and great for consumers… but what about those of us that want to make a living selling products?

Think about this…. Every website I run gives away something for free!

All I ask for in return is a name and email address.

Why? Because they also have to agree to allow me to send them emails from time to time. These emails promise to give them more free information Plus… I offer them great deals on products I sell.

This is why we all hear…. The Money Is In The List!

Now… the other idea is that if you give away something for free… it had better be good! Otherwise you’re subscribers will be jumping ship… and fast.

To make a long term business grow in the ever increasing world of competition… you have to set yourself apart. Be different. Provide a product or idea that is a “why didn’t I think of that???” product.

Get it?

How will you use the Public Domain to set yourself apart from the pack?

How do you plan to make money if the trend is free stuff???

Read the Trendwatching Free Love Report

I don’t know a single successful internet marketer that doesn’t have dozens of notebooks filled with ton’s of ideas. So why don’t you have one?

Niche research is nearly impossible with out someplace to record all your ideas. So you need to get a brand new note book… one that you feel comfortable carrying with you… everywhere. Just like your wallet or sunglasses… Don’t leave home without it.

Why do you need some silly notebook?

photo credit: Bright Meadow

The process of searching for niche ideas isn’t an exact science. You will think of niche ideas too research at the strangest times.

I do try to stay aware of trends out in the real world. Just poking around the internet on popular news websites will keep you up to date of most trends. Every once in a while I will hear or read something that sends up a smoke signal. (That smoke signal is my cue to write something in my notebook).

I just write the idea down, however silly the idea seems at the time.

Now… how will you keep track of your ideas without a notebook? My notebook has become so important to me. I think it would be one of the first things I would grab if my house caught fire. (and my laptop)

You need to start getting into the habit of taking notes and keeping track of every idea you have. No mater how silly it may seem… you just write it down. Trust me, this is worth doing.

Before long… you will have pages of niche ideas listed.

I’m going to list here my take on niche areas to focus on… there are others but these are usually winners.

General Ideas for coming up with a public domain product:

This section is just my thoughts on choosing subjects that might possibly have information available in the public domain.

• Looking for ideas: If you are going to be using Public Domain material for your product… then niche ideas must be relevant to something that might actually have information in the public domain.
• Subjects like: new cameras and internet SEO probably would not be a topic you would want to focus on.
• Topics that make great starting points for research:
  • Self-Help
  • How-To
  • Diet and Exercise
  • Spirituality
  • Graphics (advertisements, photos, movie clips, ) that can be used on/in physical products
  • History
  • Geographic
  • Money - the getting of or the saving of
  • Gardening
  • Children
  • Health And Beauty
  • Pets
  • Magic and Paranormal
  • Sex
  • How to make something easier
  • How to do something quicker
  • Avoiding things that are hurtful… lost love, grief, stress… etc.
  • How to be more organized
  • How to become a celebrity in your field (Star power) or at least be recognized as an authority on a subject.

  Now… go and fill your notebook with every idea you can think of before we begin with our niche research process.

What’s Next? Choosing the niche that you want to research .