Virtually anything can become an info product

[KathleenGageSpeaker]

When I hear people say they don't know what to use as a topic for information product I can only assume they haven't taken time to think about the infinite possibilities on topics.

I recently had a family situation occur that is motivating me to consider developing a free product that will help others in my situation. This is not a topic I would have thought of until a recent turn of events.

To see what I mean check out my recent blog posting Information Products; Step one for success

http://www.themarketingmindset.com/2009/09/information-products-step-one-for-success.html#more

As has been said many times, "Necessity is the mother of invention."

[StephenT]

Very interesting Kathleen!

[KathleenGageSpeaker]

Thanks Steve.

[retta719]

Great topic Kathleen. It's so true, the possibilities and opportunities are just endless. There are probably so many little things out there where people want and crave information and we just don't see those things because they haven't affected our lives yet.

[KathleenGageSpeaker]

So true on not seeing things until we are impacted. What's most amazing is how many "worlds in our world" there are.

With various experiences we are put in the middle of we learn new languages, ways of communicating and needs.

The most powerful information products are those that do come out of personal and professional experiences.

[retta719]

"worlds in our world" <--- I like that.

[jkgourmet]

So true on not seeing things until we are impacted. What's most amazing is how many "worlds in our world" there are.

With various experiences we are put in the middle of we learn new languages, ways of communicating and needs.

The most powerful information products are those that do come out of personal and professional experiences.

As a nervous newbie, I'd say that my personal problem isn't finding topics to turn into information products. It's the confidence that the product that I am selling is actually WORTH something. I get caught up in excuses like:

[LIST]
People can find all this stuff for free themselves (which should be countered with the value of having the research done for them and summarizing it into a digestible form)

What makes me such an expert? Why should people trust what I am selling as the 'answer to their problems.' (This is especially sensitive since so many of these ebooks and info products are crap and sometimes downright BS)

I should just give the information away. That feels better and shows character, since I really am not confident that my product is worth paying money for. (This one has some validity in that free info products can help build a business and a list. However, it doesn't entirely line up with a goal of making some money.)
[LIST]

Please turn my thinking around on this - I pretty sure it's generated by an internal view of myself rather than from a commercial reality.

[Kayla Fay]

My best selling product is something that I used to HATE - science projects. We had to do four one year, and I literally sent one kid to our friend's house to do his, because I could NOT take any more.

I knew other parents had the same struggles we did, so we made an info product with step by step instructions on how to do five different experimental projects with stuff you can buy at Wal-Mart.

The rest is history. And now I LOVE science projects. :)

[KathleenGageSpeaker]

JK - thanks for sharing such candid thoughts. Most of us have gone through this kind of thinking and concerns at one point or another. The truth is, a lot of stuff out there is garbage. People simply trying to make a quick buck.

Always strive to be the best, provide the best and do the best and you will succeed.

It is in this kind of thinking one can raise the bar on the quality of products and services they develop regardless of whether they are free or fee.

I have built my business by giving an incredible amount of information away. This in itself can establish credibility and expert status.

To stand apart from others who have a similar market do what you can to gain visibility (if in fact you are comfortable with a public persona).

You do this by being visible in forums, Social networks, articles, blog postings, interviews and teleseminars to name just a few strategies. Being interviewed on web radio is yet another way to gain visibility. Start with one or two things you do daily and work up from there.

It is a process but one that is well worth it. It takes time, commitment and vision. Amazingly, the great majority of people say they want to succeed at the world of online marketing but are not willing to put time and effort into it.

Also, who you "hang out" with is essential. You are in the right place with this forum. Guaranteed.

[jkgourmet]

What a wonderful reply - thank you!

Your comments remind me of something that I did several times when I accepted new j-o-b-s. I would take a lower starting salary than I was worth (often less than I had been making at the prior position) with an agreement to revisit the salary in 90 or 180 days, depending on the circumstances. I always won on that bargain, ending up getting more money that I expected. So it's the same theory, right? Give them a good product or good results, and you'll win in the end?

Public personna issues don't bother me at all (except my home address, which the county generously shows on their internet site, so I've lost that privacy already). I've done radio before (I was "Jeanette the Basket Lady" on the biggest drive-time station in Phoenix for a couple of years when I had my former business). Except for speaking in front of groups (which many people find scary), none of it bothers me much - usually it's kind of fun. (well the teleseminar thing gives me the same thought - who am I to be teaching anybody anything?)

So perhaps I'll stop looking at this as selling info products, and move towards creating some to give away for free. As time goes on, perhaps I'll get more comfortable and confident with actually selling some.

[KathleenGageSpeaker]

So perhaps I'll stop looking at this as selling info products, and move towards creating some to give away for free. As time goes on, perhaps I'll get more comfortable and confident with actually selling some.

One of my mentors from many, many years ago (oops, I just reminded myself of my age :D) said, "To not make your information available if it can change someone's life, even in the slightest, is doing your market a disservice."

Wow! That shifted a lot for me. I still keep in touch with that mentor.

[jkgourmet]

What a wonderful thought - thank you for passing it on.

[Lynn Terry]

Jeanette,

They will trust you as a source for the information because you will weave your story and your credibility into the sales copy in such a way that they feel an emotional connection with you. While this is sometimes taught as a "marketing tactic" there is much truth to the method.

Excellent topic & thread, Kathleen!

I agree 100%. I recently hired my 2 children into my business, which prompted a guest blog post on the topic and an upcoming report. It is the personal experience with solutions we have that others seek.

[ScottTousignant]

The death of my grandmother and watching how great my parents are with my kids sparked the creation of an ebook that I wrote called "Positive Grandparenting." It was from my perspective as a grandchild and a father watching his parents form a bond with his kids.

Great book, I even put together a sales page and got it up on Clickbank. That was over 3 years ago and I never drove any traffic to it because I was more passionate about my fitness niche.

So you are so right... there are many moments in life that ignite the idea of an info product and it's up to you to roll with it.

[KathleenGageSpeaker]

Great book, I even put together a sales page and got it up on Clickbank. That was over 3 years ago and I never drove any traffic to it because I was more passionate about my fitness niche.


Maybe the grandparent book is meant as a giveaway. Sometimes we simply have to follow our gut and go from there.

I, for one, am so glad you are doing the fitness. After I get this darned cast off my ankle I plan to implement your information to the max.

After all, I do plan to get back in marathon training at some point.