Information Searches That Solve Problems

This report should interest anyone interested in pursuing an online business as an infopreneur.

For help with a variety of common problems, more people turn to the internet than consult experts or family members to provide information and resources.

In a national phone survey, respondents were asked whether they had encountered 10 possible problems in the previous two years, all of which had a potential connection to the government or government-provided information. Those who had dealt with the problems were asked where they went for help and the internet topped the list:

• 58% of those who had recently experienced one of those problems said they used the internet (at home, work, a public library or some other place) to get help.

• 53% said they turned to professionals such as doctors, lawyers or financial experts.

• 45% said they sought out friends and family members for advice and help.

• 36% said they consulted newspapers and magazines.

• 34% said they directly contacted a government office or agency.

• 16% said they consulted television and radio.

The survey results challenge the assumption that libraries are losing relevance in the internet age. Libraries drew visits by more than half of Americans (53%) in the past year for all kinds of purposes, not just the problems mentioned in this survey. And it was the young adults in tech-loving Generation Y (age 18-30) who led the pack. Compared to their elders, Gen Y members were the most likely to use libraries for problem-solving information.

Now imagine how helpful it would be to contact your local librarian and ask for a printout of the top 10 or top 25 non-fiction books borrowed over the past 6 months! Can you feel your niche forming?

Furthermore, it is young adults who are the most likely to say they will use libraries in the future when they encounter problems: 40% of Gen Y said they would do that, compared with 20% of those above age 30 who say they would go to a library.

This report was published by Pew Internet & American Life Project in partnership with the University of Illinois -Urbana-Champaign and was funded with a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The following problems were covered in the survey.

1) dealing with a serious illness or health concern;

2) making a decision about school enrollment, financing school, or upgrading work skills;

3) dealing with a tax matter;

4) changing a job or starting a business;

5) getting information about Medicare, Medicaid, or food stamps;

6) getting information about Social Security or military benefits;

7) getting information about voter registration or a government policy;

8) seeking helping on a local government matter such as a traffic problem or schools;

9) becoming involved in a legal matter; and

10) becoming a citizen or helping another person with an immigration matter.

There was some variance in the results, depending on the type of problem that people confronted. For instance, those who dealt with a health problem turned to experts more than any other source, followed by family and friends, and then the internet. And those who had issues related to big government programs such as Social Security or Medicare were most likely to go directly to government agencies for help, then the internet.

Most people reported success in getting information needed to help them address a problem no matter what channel they chose and no matter what problem they faced.

Perhaps they will be seeking your infopreneur website, e-book or blog for advice the next time they need answers!

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