Diane Corriette from England
One of the most difficult parts of being online for most business professionals is knowing exactly how they can use the internet to bring in additional profits to their business. One of the proven ways I often recommend comes from writing information products.
Have you ever bought an ebook or an audio/video online? You buy it, download it and use it. Well that is an information product and it is the easiest thing for you to create because you already have the knowledge – you are just putting it down on paper or in a video.
I often caution professionals on writing about a topic they are not sure about or have to research. You are already in business and you already know your profession so it stands to reason that the easiest place to start is with the knowledge you already have. Whatever it is that you do in your business I know I can help you figure out how that can translate online into an information product.
Writing and putting together your information product is the easy part. The most difficult part of this process is actually putting it up on the internet and selling it, not because the process is hard but because sometimes before putting up your first product you may suffer from a crisis of confidence and delay finishing it so you don’t have to put it up. You sabotage your own efforts. When I was ready to put my first product up I hesitated. All kinds of negative thoughts went through my head:
“What if people don’t want to buy it” (there is a way to make sure they do!)
“What if people buy it and say they don’t like it and want their money back” (it happens)
I was afraid and my fear stopped me in my tracks for months. At some point I had to take a leap of faith and decide to get it up there. Once I got my first one up the second and third were easier. They were only £9.97 reports/guides at the time but it was a start. Now, I put all my work into one place and promote a membership site (I will write about the power of membership sites next week).
Every expert/professional has the ability to create an information product and get paid for what you know. With the number of people using the internet to search out solutions to their problems you will be crazy not to get involved.
You may need help setting up the actual process and system so that you have a site to sell it from, a payment button so people can buy etc – but you can hire people to do that – my business helps people set that up. Don’t let your lack of putting up the system by which you will sell your product stop you – just begin to think about what you could possible offer and do your research to find out if it is in fact something people want.
Your biggest error will be to think that you know what people want and create a product based on that – it is the biggest reality check when nothing is ever sold! Research is essential to this process.
What might stop you from creating your first information product? Leave a comment below and let me know.
Diane Corriette helps business owners and professionals use the internet to bring in more visitors, leads and business. If you are an entrepreneur looking to build a persona online that will bring in work for you or a local business who wants to use online marketing to attract customers call her on +44208 242 4339 or via Skype at local.business. She is a regular speaker at events and seminars, as well as online webinars and shows. Runs training workshops in online marketing in London and offers a 45 minute coaching session for anyone wondering if the internet is for them. Visit http://www.littlefishmediacompany.com