Now, for the framework . . . A couple of weeks ago, I shared my new product planning framework with you. Well, I actually shared the outline of it, but I plan on using this blog post to fill-in-the-blanks. So, let me start by recapping and then I’ll get into the meat of things.
As I stated previously, I’ll be using the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How framework to guide my flexible planning for book(s) on reading and writing encouragement for children as well as for my templates packet for parents and guardians to use in schooling their children. Here’s a brief overview of the framework:
- Who is the product’s target audience/customer (who is the product for?). The “Who” also represents the individual who will actually be purchasing the product. Whose hands do you want the product to land in?
- What represents the description of the product itself. What is it? What does it do? What is it comprised of (supplies, materials, handcrafted and store-bought items used)?
- Where identifies the location(s) where the product can be found and purchased.
- When provides a timeframe in which the potential customer can expect the product to be available for purchase.
- Why explains the reason for the product’s existence. Why does its existence create value for the customer? Why did you decide to bring it into the world?
- How is the behind-the-scenes story of how the product came into fruition. (The “How” is the accumulation of the “Who”, “What”, “Where”, “When”, and “Why” before it.)
My current new product priority is the templates packet, so I’ll be working full force on this endeavor and pushing the book back a little bit. But, the book is still in the works, as I’ve identified that it will also be a helpful resource to assist adults in promoting the positives of reading and writing for young children.
Now, I want to preface my responses to the framework questions by stating that I’m considering my ideas to be free-flowing and flexible in these beginning stages. I’ll update my planning process where it seems in the best interest of the overall product and for those in which the product is created for. So, things may change as I acquire more information and knowledge on how to best roll-out this project.
Currently, here’s what I’ve determined the framework will look like:
- Who? – The Who is two-fold. The product is for the parent’s/guardian’s use in providing instruction for his/her elementary school-aged child. The product is also for the child, who will be directly benefited.
- What? – The product is a printable, digital list of template learning tools and worksheets, provided in PDF format. My daughter Toodlez and I will share in the artistic design of the worksheets as she will be using her freestyle artwork in combination with her art tablet and Adobe Illustrator to do her part. And, I’ll be using drag-and-drop assistance from Canva to do my part. (After all, I’ve never claimed I was a bona fide artist in any sense of the word.) I’m also looking at the benefits of making some fields and sections of several of the worksheets editable so that you can type in information before printing off the document. And, if you prefer to handwrite everything in, then you would just need to print off the document and handwrite your information in the appropriate areas. Some worksheets will be more of the organizational-type to allow for planning your instruction for your child. Other worksheets will be actual template learning tools that you can use to teach your child. The wonderful thing about this product is that it will be downloadable and you’ll have access to print as many copies of each document as you wish. You’ll have some cutting and possible pasting to do with some of the tools. And if you’re like me, artsy craftsy stuff is surprisingly therapeutic sometimes, so I tend to enjoy these “some assembly required” templates. Furthermore, you can have your child join in the fun and help you prepare those tools that may need a little finessing. Call it an “art” activity and make it part of their assignment for the day.
- Where? – I’ve decided to distribute this product through Etsy. However, I’ll have a bit of a learning curve here, since I’m not familiar with all the intricate details of Etsy at this particular moment in time. Nevertheless, I’ve identified this platform as the most appropriate place for me to offer this product, as Etsy is a marketplace site that caters to creative, handcrafted items. Of course, I’ll provide the link/information on how to access the product from the Etsy site.
- When? – The answer to this question is as soon as possible. Ideally, I’d like to have the packet of worksheets/learning tools ready next month, but I’m not putting an actual date to the product roll-out at this time. I’ve been there and done that, and I’ve found out that giving hard deadlines doesn’t quite work for my purposes. When I’ve given deadlines in times past, something always seemed to crop up and delay my best of intentions. However, I’ll be keeping WordPress followers of this blog as well as email followers up-to-speed on product progress and its availability just as soon as I have something concrete for you.
- Why? – I think this product will provide educational assistance to parents/guardians, teaching their children from home. I was already on a path of creating tools that adults could use to encourage reading and writing in their children; and the times have dictated the need for finding more and more ways to aid homeschool instruction. Plus, children are a focal point of my life and will always be an integral part of what I do on all of my Degrees of Maternity platforms.
- How? – I’ll present the “How” in a future blog post once my product planning has taken a real-life form and is out in the world, providing value to others.
Please know that I’ll update you with any changes to the framework as they occur. I look forward to serving up something that you and your child will be glad to receive. Also, the invitation is always open to share any ideas that you have for worksheets/learning tools that you’d use in your own home. I want this product to be something that you’ll utilize, so hit me up with your suggestions for assisting you in assisting your child.
Take care of you and yours.
degreesofmaternity.com 