Tips for Creating an Information Product

Information products are one of the hottest selling items on theInternet. And for good reason. Where else can you get timely,relevant information that is exactly what you want...even at 2 amin the morning?

The problem with information in books at the bookstore is thatmany times it is not specific enough. I don't want to knoweverything there is to know about audio engineering, I just wantto know how to record a talk, edit it and burn it to a CD to sellon my web site. Try finding that at your local Barnes and Noble!But it is relatively easy to find an ebook about that topic onthe Internet. Even better, a video!

Another problem with buying information at the book store is thatany information is at least one year old. That's how long ittakes to edit a book, send it to a publisher, get it printed andfinally placed on the shelves in your local book store. Bycontrast, an ebook or other information product will usually havethe latest, cutting edge info on your topic because they are soeasily updated.

Information products can include anything from ebooks, videos andspecial reports to complete home study courses that go "thud"when the mail man drops it on your customer's front porch. Butinformation products can also include teleseminars, membershipsites and paid newsletter subscriptions.

Tip 1: Ask your prospective customers what they want.

I know this sounds obvious, but what you think your customerswant and what they really want can be two different things. Youhave a lot of knowledge about your topic...that's why you arecreating an information product. But your customers do not haveyour level of knowledge and are probably asking differentquestions than you are.

So, while you are collecting their first name and email, add acustom field that asks their biggest question about your topic.After about 100 email subscribers, you will have a really goodidea what it is they are looking for! And you can use thatinformation to write your sales letter as well.

Tip 2: Think of the trade your customers are making.

When purchasing your information product, your customer istrading his dollars for your information. Therefore, make it aneasy trade for him. I will trade $47 for information that makesme $4700 every day of the week! That is why "how to make money"ebooks sell so well.

I will also trade $47 for information that saves me 2 dayslearning how to do something. That is a no-brainer! I am lesslikely to trade $47 for cute stories, recipes or how to sew myown clothes. Get the picture? Make the trade very easy for yourcustomer!

Tip 3: Try to include one or more of these angles in anyinformation product. Will the information in your product:

- make people money?- save people money?- save people time?- save people pain (physical, emotional or financial)?

If you can include one or more of these angles in an informationproduct, you will have a real winner on your hands!

Tip 4: Break your long ebook into parts.

If you have a 150 page ebook, consider breaking it up into three50 page ebooks. Everyone likes to get more value and it feelsmore satisfying to get three different ebooks rather than one fatone. It feels like you are getting more for your money.

Tip 5: Add enough bonuses to make the purchase a "no-brainer"!

After you create an information product, go out an find about 5to 6 related products that you can offer as bonuses. If I ambuying a $47 ebook and you offer me $500 in downloadable bonuses,it makes the buying decision very easy. I recommend downloadablebonuses because they are easy to deliver and don't cost youanything. This is also a good excuse to get their email for yourowner's list - you need their email to deliver their bonuses.

Tip 6: Sell first to those who have already bought from you.

Online business owners are like cows many times. We always thinkthe grass is greener on the other side of the fence. We arealways looking for NEW customers when our best customers are theones that have already demonstrated their loyalty by buying ourproduct!

We need to ask them what else they want. Another great way tomonetize existing customers is a membership site. So much permonth for access to special info, a monthly conference call oreven a private newsletter. Can you say residual income?

So, start with a niche. Ask that niche what they want. And thenstart creating information products that satisfy the itch theyare ALREADY telling you they have. It is a blast and you willachieve expert status in your niche in no time at all!