|
How to Make Money with Books, eBooks
and Information Products
Information products are offered in a variety of formats
including books, e-books, special reports, audio formats, videos,
workbooks, tips booklets, and virtually any method in which you can
deliver information. Whether you want to launch a new business or
add new revenue streams to your existing business, opportunities
abound for info product sales.
Benefits of Info
Products
Perhaps one of the
greatest advantages of info products is that once they are created
and the distribution process automated, they can sell round the
clock with minimal effort. And it doesn’t end there. Many
infopreneurs have discovered hidden benefits of selling their
product creations.
For example,
authors can treat their books like business cards, using them to
open doors to new business opportunities. A book gives you more
credibility and makes you more interesting to the media. With the
right spin on your topic, media exposure could bring a windfall of
new business. Just look at any author who has made it onto the Today
Show or Oprah. Even an article in a local newspaper can prompt
hundreds of readers to buy your book.
As you add more
info products to your line, you spin a web of opportunity. Each
product may appeal to each customer differently. Some may buy one
product, others may buy another product, and ideally, most customers
will return to purchase multiple products.
Giveaways are
another fantastic use for info products. For example, you can reward
new subscribers to your e-zine by giving away an e-book or special
report. Or you could send your e-book to other business owners and
allow them to distribute it for free, provided all of your contact
information remains intact. This strategy will ultimately bring you
new customers and that all important exposure to your audience.
Developing Product
Ideas
Everybody is an
expert at something. If you run a successful business, that makes
you an expert in your industry. You could also capitalize on your
expertise with a hobby, sport, or other special skill. Here are some
tips for discovering product ideas:
 |
Conduct a survey with your customers and ask them what
information they need or would like to know. |
 |
Teach people how to do something. |
 |
Create a directory. Do you have a list of 50 or more
resources that people in your industry need? Sell it! |
 |
Read books from your field of interest. Is there a book that
covers an important piece of information in one chapter that
deserves to be expanded upon? Could you write a whole book or a
special report about that topic? |
 |
Make a list of potential guests that you can interview and
host teleseminars. You could charge for the seminars, or offer
them for free and sell the recordings. |
 |
Teach classes at your local adult learning center or become a
professional public speaker. You can sell your info products at
the back of the room and also sell recordings of your live
presentations. |
 |
Produce a video of a demonstration, speech, or technique. |
Keys to Info
Product Success
In order to
convince customers to get out the credit card and make a purchase,
you need to follow a basic formula for success:
Credibility:
Demonstrate any credentials that you have in your field. This is not
the time to be shy. Publicize your education, experience, awards, or
achievements in the area that you specialize. Strangers are not
going to buy from you unless you can demonstrate your ability to
deliver on your promises.
Quality:
There are
plenty of information products out there and some are downright
lousy. Make sure that whatever you produce is of the highest
quality. All products should be professionally edited.
Value:
There is a fine balance when determining the price of products. Too
many infopreneurs price their products out of the ballpark. Check to
see how your competitors are pricing their products. Some price
products higher to demonstrate the extreme value of the information
they are selling. If you use this strategy, be sure you are
delivering information that is worth its weight at checkout.
Delivery:
With electronic products such as e-books and reports, customers who
purchase want instant gratification. Though you can manually e-mail
electronic products once a sale is completed, it’s best to set up a
system to automate the delivery process. An added advantage of
automation is that you won’t have to constantly check e-mail for
sales notifications and you can actually make money and deliver
products while you sleep.
Strategies for
Promoting Info Products
No business can
survive without marketing. You need to let people know you are there
so you can entice them into buying from you. A solid marketing plan
is essential to success with info products.
The first place to
begin is with a website. A website can reach a potential customer
base that spans the globe. Your own website allows you to establish
your credibility, build a database of site visitors, and promote and
sell your products directly. Following are additional tactics for
getting the word out:
 |
Conduct public speaking engagements (including workshops,
seminars, and classes). Seminar speaking experience helps you
earn credibility while gaining valuable exposure and experience.
|
 |
Hold teleconferences to share information. Ask peers to
announce your events in their e-zines or on their website. Even
if you aren’t selling your product up front, you are exposing
people to your products. |
 |
Distribute a newsletter or e-zine. This is an inexpensive yet
valuable way to market to your customers. |
 |
Up-sell and promote additional products when someone makes a
purchase. Include a brochure about your other products when you
ship an item or offer the buyer a special discount on a related
product at the time of purchase. |
 |
Establish yourself as an expert in your field by being seen
and heard everywhere. Participate in interviews, publish
articles in print and online, and seize every possible
opportunity to get your name out there. |
 |
Take advantage of media exposure. Radio is an inexpensive way
to reach a lot of people in a short amount of time. Many talk
radio programs accept experts through call-in format. If your
topic is interesting enough to reach a broad range of listeners,
you could go on a radio tour right from the comfort of your own
home. Print publicity is also beneficial. Find news angles for
your topic and contact newspaper, magazine, and TV reporters.
|
 |
Create an affiliate program. Offer other businesses the
opportunity to sell your products and pay them a percentage of
each sale. |
 |
Swap advertising with websites and e-zines that reach your
target market. |
As you develop a plan to generate and sell your own info
products, take notice of how others are doing it successfully.
Purchase some products from business owners that you admire so you
can evaluate the content. While you should never steal from your
competition, it is certainly acceptable to emulate their success.
Soon you could be generating income while you sleep.
|