Today I’m going to begin a 5 part series on how to launch your own information product. I hope you enjoy it.
In this first lesson let’s talk a little about what information products are and how you go about creating one to sell.
Information products can be classified as anything that contains information compiled in a way that is meant to inform, teach or entertain it’s consumer. They most commonly come in the form of articles, reports, ebooks, videos and audios.
Creating an information product can be an exciting and profitable venture. It can also be confusing, especially if you don’t know how to get started.
When it comes to creating your own info product the first thing you’ll want to consider is what type of skills and information you have to share and how you can transform that information into something that people will buy?
Everyone (yes, you) has information they know that can be written down or recorded in a way that can easily be shared with or sold to others.
When it comes to deciding on a topic to create your product around you can make the process easier by first making a list of topics you are knowledgeable about or have a strong interest in.
After you have compiled your list it’s time to start investigating those topics to find out if people are searching for information related them. This will help narrow down your niche and focus on a particular market so that you can begin creating your product. The best place to begin is with Google’s Keyword Search. And it doesn’t hurt that it is free to use.
- Do your research
Market research is a very important part of the decision-making process. It is vital because if there is no interest in the topic you’ve chosen for your product it will not sell, and there’s nothing more depressing than creating a product that no one will buy.
When you begin researching a good place to start is by looking for problems or questions related to the topic. You’ll want to look for a market that is full of people asking questions, expressing concerns or saying they want something in particular. This will help you find out if there is a large target audience for the product you are planning to create. One of the best places to do this is Twitter Search. If people are talking about the topic you’ve chosen, you’ll find it mentioned on Twitter.
It’s also a good idea to look for a market that already has established information products for sale, this way you can be sure that there is a high demand, as wells as buyers available when your product is finished.
- Choose a format
After you have completed your research it’s time to decide on a format for your new information product. The most common format is an ebook, which can be created in Microsoft Word or Open Office, and saved as a (PDF) Portable Document Format for distribution. If you don’t have either of those programs on your computer, or don’t know how to use them, a resource that is easy and free to use is PDF Online. Another option is to create your product in audio or video depending on your preference, skill level and what type of product your target market is most likely to purchase.
Whichever format you choose can also be repurposed into different formats as well. As a matter of fact many people create their information products in multiple formats to increase sales. For instance; you could create a short report or e-book that you can sell on the front end, then produce it in audio or video format as an upsell.
- Create your product
When it comes to creating the product there are many options that you can choose from. For instance; you can write it yourself, or hire someone (a ghostwriter) to do it for you. You can hire ghostwriters at places like Hire Writers. They use only pre-qualified native English speaking writers and if you’re not satisifed with the finished product – you don’t pay..
An often used method, and my favorite, is to use prewritten content that can be purchased with private label rights (PLR), which means you can edit it to suit your needs and then claim authorship of it. PLR is a great shortcut, especially when it comes to creating your first product, because it provides you with a big head start.
Another important part of creating an information product is your packaging. Keep in mind that consumers shop for products online just like they shop at their local retail store. Image is important, so you will need to create, or have someone else create, some type of cover graphics to make your new product look good. 1800Homepage is a great place to get a professional looking eCover or banner design created to your specifications when you’re just starting out and low on funds.
Once your new information product is created you will need a webpage or a sales page to promote it, but we will talk more about that in another lesson.
That’s it for today’s lesson. We have a lot to go over in the next few days if you want to learn all about launching your own profitable information product, so make sure you’re subscribed to my update notifications to assure you won’t miss anything.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Sharon McPherson (a.k.a. Sharon Bray-McPherson) has been marketing online since 1998. Having been involved in just about every aspect of marketing over the years, she specializes in internet marketing particularly with Private Label, Resale and Master Resale Rights products and helping others do the same. 
