| In August 1975 Gary Dahl, an advertising | | | | invented the 'Pebble People' and not the 'Pet |
| executive, came up with the wacky idea of | | | | Rock'? You could have seen them and then taken |
| having a 'rock' as a pet. He just didn't want the | | | | the idea a bit further by adding the manual and |
| hassle of looking after traditional pets like dogs, | | | | carrying case to your own version.What I'm |
| cats and birds etc., which Gary considered to be | | | | saying to you is this...Instead of just looking at the |
| too messy, expensive and hard to look | | | | latest craze and saying:"Why didn't I think of |
| after.After the initial weird looks and grunts from | | | | that?"You should be saying to yourself:"What |
| his friends, they soon came round to the idea, | | | | spin-off product could I create, which would be |
| and thought the concept of 'Pet Rocks' was quite | | | | the perfect compliment to this new 'fad' product |
| fun.Gary spent a couple of weeks creating a 'Pet | | | | that everyone is buying?"This 'reactionary' method |
| Rock Training Manual' and designed a small box to | | | | will give you a much higher chance of success. For |
| look like a miniature pet carrying case. The manual | | | | every successful invention/inventor there are |
| contained tips on how the owner should look after | | | | probably thousands of unsuccessful ones.Let the |
| their new Pet Rock. The tips included how to | | | | inventors pioneer a new game or invention. Then, |
| teach your Pet Rock to 'roll over and play dead' | | | | once you see something that looks like a hit, |
| and how to 'house train' them.A Leap Of FaithHe | | | | that's the time to jump in and take |
| really felt he was onto something, and decided to | | | | advantage.Let's suppose there's a new board |
| exhibit his Pet Rocks at a gift show in San | | | | game for adults. Everyone seems to be talking |
| Francisco, later in the year. He also wrote a press | | | | about it, AND buying it (very important).You could |
| release and sent it out to all the major news | | | | look at creating spin-off info products. For |
| agencies.As news of this latest fad began to get | | | | example, just fill in these blanks:* 7 Secret Ways |
| round, a number of local newspapers ran articles | | | | To Win At _______* 21 Successful Strategies |
| on the story, and the Pet Rock phenomenon | | | | For Playing ________* How To Play |
| started to really gather pace.Gary enjoyed an | | | | _______, A Quick Start Guide* ________ A |
| almost overnight success, which saw Pet Rocks | | | | Beginners Guide* ________ An Advanced |
| being sold all over the world, and culminated with | | | | Players Guide* Alternative Games To Play With |
| Gary being interviewed as a guest on Johnny | | | | ________* Members Only Website For |
| Carson's 'The Tonight Show'.Ever since the | | | | ________ Board Game EnthusiastsObviously, |
| success of the Pet Rocks in the 70's, many a | | | | as I said before you have to consider copyright |
| would be inventor/entrepreneur has tried to | | | | issues. However, you might be able to strike a |
| emulate the success of the Pet Rocks. But so | | | | joint venture deal with the new 'craze product' |
| far, nothing has done quite so well. At least not | | | | owners, or buy an exclusive license for your |
| something as wacky as a pet rock.My Childhood | | | | spin-off.My Closing AdviceCreating your own craze |
| Memory Is A Bit Faint, But...I was about 7 or 8 | | | | product or even a spin-off from one can turn out |
| when I first saw the Pet Rocks, after my mum | | | | to be extremely lucrative. However, by their very |
| bought one as an ornament. I've always had this | | | | nature, craze products usually have a short shelf |
| memory of these little rocks with painted on | | | | life. If you don't capitalize on it early, the craze |
| eyes, staring at me from on top of the | | | | could be over before you are out of the |
| television.If my memory serves correctly, my | | | | blocks.Just keep your eyes open, and regularly |
| mum bought a few different ones, but I never | | | | look into different markets and products outside |
| remembered seeing a manual or a Pet Rock | | | | of your usual focus. Make a note of the spin-offs |
| carrying case. In fact, we always called them | | | | that are being created for products in these |
| 'Pebble People', not 'Pet Rocks'.I would hazard a | | | | markets.Then, when a new fad does hit the |
| guess that the ones we bought we just a copy, | | | | marketplace, you might be able to borrow an idea |
| or a 'knock off' of the original Pet Rocks. That | | | | from an unrelated niche, and use a similar method |
| said, my mum enjoyed having them around the | | | | to create a spin-off product or service for the |
| house, and I know my sister and I found them | | | | new craze.It all about getting your brain in-tune, |
| amusing at the time.This does show you though, | | | | so that when an opening does present itself - A: |
| that you don't necessarily have to come up with | | | | you will spot it, and B: you will know how to take |
| a totally original idea to be successful. Sure, you | | | | advantage of it.I hope you found this useful.Jason |
| have to be careful that you don't get accused of | | | | Lewis is a product developer, publisher and author |
| copyright or trademark theft, but 'spin offs' from | | | | of 'The Business Brainwaves Newsletter'. |
| 'fad' products can often prove very | | | | Uncovering new business ideas, unique concepts |
| profitable.Consider This Viewpoint...Lets say things | | | | and marketing strategies. |
| had started off differently. What if Gary Dahl had | | | | |