swBTbTjnSAbvd48D594AoGntmF7fhmp: November 2012

Monday, November 26, 2012

Add Coaching Programs to Your Product Funnel

Most information marketers start their business by selling low-end products such as short eBooks and simple reports. This is actually a great idea as most people are not comfortable shelling out thousands or even hundreds of dollars the first time they do business with a particular eseller. But, they surely wouldn't mind spending $30 on eBooks or reports.

However, you shouldn't stop there; you should be open to the idea of creating more and more products that have higher tag prices as this is the key to get your customers to come back and to boost your earnings. For your middle-end products, I would recommend CD or DVD series. And for your high-end offerings, you must seriously consider adding coaching programs.

Online coaching programs are designed for those people who want to get comprehensive in-depth information and who want to learn at the comforts of their own home or office. You can teach these people by either calling them one hour every week or by sending them regular instructional emails. You also have the option of conducting face-to-face coaching or using video conferencing.

The good thing about online coaching is that the demand is currently on it's all-time high. This maybe because the lives of potential clients get busier that they prefer hiring a virtual coach instead of attending regular seminars on a weekly basis.

Depending on your subject matter, you can charge your client $1,000-$3,500 per program. But keep in mind that you'll only be able to charge that high if you already have proven track record in your niche.

What I suggest is that you offer your coaching programs to those people who have done business with you before. As they already have an idea about the quality of products and services that you offer, they'll most likely to do business with you again. To boost your sign up rate, offer preferential discounts to your returning clients.

Of course, you must also find ways to attract new customers. I suggest that you invest on PPC and display advertising to easily create product awareness. Take your time when creating your ads and get them published on search page results and on websites that are frequented by your potential clients.

Offering free sample sessions to new customers would help you boost your sign-up rate. Its highly recommended that you give them the first couple of sessions free of charge. This is one way to assure these people that you have what it takes to give them the exact assistance and information that they're looking for.

It's important to ensure that each of your coaching programs is worth every cent. Commit yourself to making your clients really happy. This would mean going that extra mile to ensure that they'll walk away with increased knowledge in your niche or armed with skills they need to either realize their goals or solve their pressing issues. If these people are extremely happy, you can be assured that they'll take advantage of your other coaching programs and they'll most likely to recommend your offerings to other people.

Working With Top iPhone Developers for Best Solutions How Gamification Can Turn Businesses Into Winners Easy Ways to Find Content For Your Audio Products 5 Simple Steps To Creating A Digital Information Product Using A Resource Report

When Is the Best Time to Assess Your PoS Systems?

Most small to medium retailers buy their Point of Sale (PoS) systems and once it is installed they forget it until it causes a problem. Unfortunately this is generally at their busiest time.

Assessment of your PoS systems should be an ongoing process. Tax breaks for new equipment and tax deductions on leasing costs should inspire retailers to regularly update their systems to the latest technology and keep themselves and their stores ready for peak trading conditions. The Assessment must be planned around your expected Peak time transaction periods, for example -lunch times, weekends and holiday peak periods like Christmas and Easter.

Retail sales are still slow but showing some signs of recovery. Do you want your clients walking away because they are waiting in line while your staff is struggling with older technologies in both Software and Hardware?

Things to Consider

Software - Is it intuitive for staff to use? Are you using touch technology? Touch enabled systems enable faster processing by the operators. Has your product file become so big it is slowing the transaction processing? Is the stock file written using the latest tools?

PoS PC - Integrated Terminals - Are you using a retail hardened device? PoS PCs and terminals are designed to run 24 hours a day 365 days a year. A standard PC is expected to only work on average 40% of this time. Is it powerful enough to run all your Point of Sale (Pos) Software Systems and ancillary equipment?

PoS Printer-Along with PoS software the biggest potential time waster is the receipt printer. The Thermal receipt printer with print speed up to 300 mm per second is essential for today's businesses. The slowest thermal receipt printers with produce a standard receipt is less than a second, while a fast dot matrix printer will take 5-10 seconds to do the same.

Scanners - Technology is this area has moved ahead in leaps and bounds over recent years. The advent of digital imaging has improved the speed, the reliability and the versatility of the barcode scanner while also reducing the cost.

There are other factors that should be considered in deciding whether to upgrade your systems. The senior staff and workers at GunPoS have more than 40 years of experience working in Retail from the shop floor to managing multi store environments. We have the products the services and the experience to help you.

Preparation: The Key to Successful Product Creation

Preparation really is the key to successful product creation. Great preparation will enable you to create your products more easily and quickly. Thoughtful preparation will make sure that your product really meets the needs of your potential customers which in turn will increase your sales. Organised preparation will make sure that your information is delivered in a way that is easy and quick for your customers to absorb and implement which they will appreciate greatly and thus come back wanting more. So I stand by my statement that preparation is the key to successful product creation.

Preparation to speed up creation

Your preparation needn't be complex or take a long time to complete. Indeed if you find that preparation is taking a long time then it probably means that you are trying to be too much of a perfectionist and/or using it as an excuse not to get on with actually creating your product (usually because you fear it won't sell). Assuming you know the content of your product then all you need to do is to create a simple outline. The outline will contain the 6 - 10 main topics you are going to cover with bullet points for each topic that capture in note form the key points. This is pretty much all you need to get on with actually creating your product.

Preparation to meet the needs of your customers

This element of your preparation might take a bit longer until you get into the habit of regularly asking or surveying your customers to find out what they want, what their challenges are, what results and goals they want to achieve. So if you don't have the answers to these questions already then you need to reach out to your customers and get their input. You can literally say that you want their help to make sure that your next product really delivers what they most want and need to learn.

Preparation to deliver your information clearly

This aspect of your preparation shouldn't take long either. In part it is about structuring and ordering your information so that it presented in a logical manner that helps them build up to the promised results. It also involves thinking about what aids you can give them to implement your information and track their progress such as worksheets, flow diagrams or checklists. It could mean create a quick start guide or basic instructions for getting the most out of your product. Just put yourself in their shoes and think about what you would want or even better get someone to give it a trial and give you feedback.

Hiring iPad Software Developers for Building Award-Winning Apps

The apps store has tones of new iPad applications available for the users residing in all over the world. iPad has gained immense popularity among people of all age groups who search for new applications to make their work simpler and make their device better. In order to fulfill the demand, there are various iPad software developers who are improving their skills in designing and developing apps and are making a great amount of money.

While iPad developers are skillful and talented to showcase their magic to develop a unique solution, they usually follow a trend-set that enhances the chances of making application successful. When you begin the search to look for the best iPad application developers, you may use the below mentioned tips to hire iPad software developers for building award-winning apps:

1. Know your Target Market: As there is no clear distinction of people who would use this device, the developers must target a specific group who has higher chances of using the device than the rest. They set the quality parameters and professionalism in accordance with the target market so as make them completely hooked with your newly launched application.

2. iPad Functionalities: There are few features and functionalities in iPad that are different from other mobile devices. For instance, the screen size, custom keyword, split view screen etc. Hence, the developer must know how the content will look in both vertical and horizontal screen size.

3. Technology Expertise: A development process can only be carried out successfully if the developers are thoroughly aware of technology. It is better to check if they are experienced in using objective-c technology to make the application secure and robust.

4. Proper Plan Execution: A developer plans out a proper development plan. However, a top iPad application developer executes it properly. Therefore, it is important to know that the developer is capable to plan out and execute the development process well.

5. Portfolio: Usually, you consult with developers about your unique idea. However, you can recheck their capabilities and caliber by going through their portfolio. This will give an idea about their successful stories in iPad development solutions.

If you have carried out your research process thoroughly, you will never fail to develop an iPad app development solution that will help you to achieve your objectives. The best iPad app developers are experts in turning a simple idea into a unique solution that can fetch your application more attention from all age groups.

How Infoproducts Help Your Customers - A Different Information Marketing Perspective

By not having an information product to sell, are you letting down your followers?

A few weeks ago, I read an article about money management in a business journal that made more sense to me than anything else I'd run across on the topic. I visited the author's web site and liked the additional articles I read there. Next I clicked on the author's "Products" link, but at that point frustration set in.

Aside from two little ebooks, whose topics didn't fit my interests, there was nothing I could buy to get a deeper understanding of this expert's perspective. Nothing that connected the dots of his tantalizing comments. Nothing that helped me go from a feeble grasp of certain important issues in my life to a firmer, more confident way of sorting out my thoughts.

I wanted to learn and was prepared to buy, but I found a void instead of product choices. Most of the time we hear about information products as beneficial to a business owner, but in this instance, I probably feel the loss from their non-existence more keenly than the expert does.

So let's take a look at the advantages that information products have for customers.

1) As in the example above, they enable interested people to benefit relatively systematically from what's in your head. Without the money coach's course, I am not sure what questions to ask, which priorities to put first and whose guidelines to trust. After buying and studying his course, I'd be better oriented in his sphere of knowledge.

2) With downloadable products, people can learn what you know immediately, without having to set up an appointment and wait for it. If they're worried about a problem in the middle of the night, they can buy a downloadable product with answers that allow them to calm down and sleep.

3) People can learn from you in private, which may be especially important for introverts or for anyone where a sensitive topic is involved. Years ago a local TV anchor attended an adult education class I taught in Boston. She sat in the back row, slouched with a hat partly over her face, and when we went around the room at the start of the class, introduced herself with just her first name and that she worked "in the media business." I'm sure she would have preferred buying the home-study version of my course, had it been available then, to avoid this exposure to the curiosity of others.

4) Information products eliminate the impact of time zones and distance. From the U.S. East Coast to Western Australia, for example, it can be difficult for expert and learner to find a time to consult on the phone or participate in a teleclass.

5) People can follow the steps you lay out in the learning mode that works best for them. Those who learn best by watching buy videos; those who learn best by listening prefer audios; those who learn best by reading purchase PDFs.

6) Infoproducts offer a lower-cost, lower-risk way to learn from you than by signing up for one-on-one coaching or consulting. The money coach who frustrated me offered coaching for $895 an hour. Perhaps I'd end up working with him on that basis, but logically, learning from his products made sense first.

Don't make prospective customers find someone else with information products when they'd rather buy your perspectives and guidance. Instead, learn how to create a systematic plan for products and services at a range of price points, thus helping both your customers and yourself.

Product Photography - How to Get High Quality Product Photos on a Small Business Budget

The recent economic downturn has been a blessing for us entrepreneurs. With the Government and high-profile businessmen such as Virgin's Richard Branson and Innocent Smoothies' Richard Reed backing schemes for new businesses, now is as good a time as any to jump in and act on that idea you've been sitting on.

Once you've decided to take the plunge and found your product, at some point you'll be looking to have your own website, with engaging content and high quality pictures that really show off your items. A quick scout around local photographers' websites will show just how expensive a professional shoot can be - I'll use my real life example to demonstrate. I was quoted for 50 items of costume jewellery, 3 photos of each. The quotes came back ranging from £400 to £1400! For my start-up budget, getting great results for as close to zero as possible was the goal, and a change of tactics provided a clear winner, reducing the cost to £50.

Posting an advert online using a local classifieds website (my choice was Gumtree.com), was not only free, but provided a plethora of photographers to choose from, all within a local area. As it's your ad, you can specify how much you are willing to pay; handy when you're cautious with every penny that leaves your hands! Of course, as anyone can reply to an ad, there will be better responses and better applicants than others. A quick request for the photographers' previous work will remove any time-wasters or low quality applications. Here's a quick list of things to include and ask for in your ad:

Who are you? The photographer will need to know who they're dealing with, so make sure you tell them who you are, and what you do. You by the same token need to know who they are and what they do - will there be any reason they have to abandon the project because of their main job or education? What do you want? The more specific and focused your ad, the higher the chances you'll find exactly what you're after. Be sure to include the amount and angles of pictures, what format you want them in, if you want them on a white background etc. The more detail you can give the less confusion for the photographer When do you want it? Agree a timeframe before allowing any work to be started, but make it realistic! Ask when they expect to have the work completed; if that doesn't suit you, choose another photographer. Previous Work? Always ask to see examples of previous work; the more the better. An experienced photographer will be more than happy to showcase their past shoots, making it easier to find the right person for your job. Where? This goes without saying, but if you are taking it to them you need to know an address! If they're willing to give a full address, they're more than likely serious about completing the job, but if you're giving them valuable stock, it might pay to be a little critical of their house when you get there. Run down, unkempt houses with broken windows could mean they'd be less than careful with your products (tipping my hat to past experience)! If they are coming to you, directions would be helpful! How much? Possibly most important. While it's true you're looking to pay as little as possible, remember they're also not likely to do something for nothing, or even a lot for a little. Don't be afraid to tweak the advert - once you've got people responding regularly, you know you've got the right price for your job.

Having recommended this method countless times, I tend to get asked the same questions - a favourite being 'How do you know you can trust the photographer with your items?' In truth, you can never be 100% certain they won't accidentally damage something, or worst case run away with your items. The cautious people out there might do well to have the photographer come to them, that way the whole process can be overseen. So long as you're willing to take time and have a conversation with your photographer about what exactly you want, you should get a positive or negative feeling for them. If you're unsettled, don't risk it.

If the reduced cost alone isn't incentive enough to try out student photographers, they'll also more than likely be looking to build up a portfolio they can use to gain more work. Your products could appear on their website as examples of their previous work, which ultimately means more people seeing your items. Don't be afraid to ask if this is the case - it might just mean more advertising for you.

Generating Online Products

The secret to real success with an internet-based business is to constantly be generating new online products. This might seem like a daunting task but when you know how creating a new product can be both easy and fast. I will give you some tips to get you started in this article.

So why do I think that you should be continually making more information products and programmes to sell? First of all, it will help to build your credibility. If people see that you have more than just one or two items to sell then they will automatically start to see you as some kind of expert in your niche. Second you should be aiming to improve what you have to offer and your first products won't be as good as your later ones (partly because you will have grown and learnt more yourself). Also it is likely that whatever niche market you are in that ideas and information will become out-dated after a time. Third it is easier to sell to people who have bought from you before and so you will need new items to promote to them. If you truly focus on really serving your niche market and develop products that contain valuable information and strategies then people will buy from you again and again.

So having convinced you of the need to create new products on a regular basis, now let me give you some tips on how to make the creation process as easy and quick as possible. First of all let me tackle the question of deciding what your product should be about. As you build your list and sell your first products, you should regularly ask for feedback about what they've appreciated most about the information you've already given them and crucially about what further information and help they would like. If you do this then you should never be stuck for ideas.

Great preparation is one of the two keys to making products fast. Assuming you know your stuff then your preparation will take the form of creating an outline which breaks down your product into 6 - 10 sub-sections and then writing bulleted notes for each section. That's really all you need. Just decide then on the order in which to present each sub-section to make it easy for your customers to absorb and apply your valuable content. The second key is to choose an audio format for your product as this is super quick and easy to record. You can speak more quickly than you can write and so an audio product that lasts say 3 hours takes just a little over 3 hours to record.

How Can I Create an Information Product That Isn't Boring?

Do you have an idea for an information product, but are a bit concerned that it might seem boring to customers? Fact is, most individuals who purchase ebooks or other informational products don't even consume them! There are probably several reasons for this, including busyness, procrastination, even laziness. However, I believe one reason is that the information is not packaged in an interesting way. Every info product needs at lots of variety. In this article I'll provide you with a few tips to teach you how to mix things up a bit and make your next product pop.

Tip 1 - Use a Mindmap to Introduce Your Product Mindmaps are creative diagrams used for presenting words, tasks or ideas. I love to use them at the beginning to provide an overview of what I'll be teaching. They are also great to use during a pre-launch email campaign as teasers to give your prospects a taste of what they'll learn if they purchase. One way to do this is to send your prospects an email with a link to a video demonstration of you walking through the mindmap. Of course, you'll need video screen capture software to do this. In addition to the video, give them a PDF of the mindmap.

Tip 2 - Use Video for Your Primary Instruction Anyone who has heard me teach on product creation knows how much I believe in video. It's such a powerful method to not only teach content, but to also demonstrate how to implement your training. People love seeing demonstrations. Video also has a high perceived value. The type of video you use will depend on the content. For example, if your product is on setting up a blog, then you'll need to use screen capture software to create a video of you setting up a blog. On the other hand, if your product is on a less hands-on topic then you can create a Power Point presentation video. In some instances, you can record yourself conducting whiteboard training. Regardless of what type video you choose, do your best to make it as professional as possible.

Tip 2 - Convert Your Mindmap to Audio This is an extra component of your product that can be created in about 15 seconds. Using free audio software, such as audacity, upload your mindmap video, export it to mp3 and you're done. I love buying info products that include mp3s because I can listen while I'm doing other things like house cleaning (yuck!) or running. Including an mp3 may also inspire customers to consume the rest of the product and take action.

These are just three tips out of many. Hopefully, this motivate you to think of other creative ideas for packaging your info products. Variety is the key!

You'll Never Create A Product That Sells If You Don't Do This

Have I got your attention? Good. I've got a question for you.

Why can't you create a product that sells?

It's a serious problem that a lot of people have. Your website says you're an expert in such and such field but your product sales just don't make the grade. You start to question your ability to market your products. Is it my products that don't sell or is it my marketing?

You get disgusted and slowly and ever-so-quietly find something else that conveniently fills the time you used to spend on your business. It doesn't have to be this way.

The story is your life-long struggle with everything you do but why? What is the problem? Are you asking too much? Do I really have what it takes to do this online stuff?

Then your stupid little brain fills in the gaps with more demoralizing experiences like the time you wasted money on that MLM or the time you decided to sell Memorial Plots, final resting places for the literally impaired. Who needs this? You throw your hands up and walk away to something you know, that boring job in: fill-in-the-blank.

All good questions and very informative and if you're shaking your head, going. (Yeah Don, that's me) then you are in good company. I know that doesn't make you feel better.

There is a way to get out of that funky no-account feeling.

No the answer is not to chuck it all. Think about how you would feel if you left it all behind. Not good, especially when you are so close to the answer that you can almost touch it. You've already done all the hard work. Come on, you've created your site, you've created content, written articles, placed ads, videos, and socialized. You're almost there, can't stop now.

Do you remember the reason you got into the business in the first place? What were the reasons you told yourself you were doing it? Was it to make money? Was it to have your own business? I bet I'm getting close.

Remember the excitement you felt when you created your web page or blog? You were full up with the promise of what's to come and the possibilities that lay before you. If you did everything just right you would be set. You were like a kid with a new bike, free at last, thank God I'm free at last. Waking early, eating sparingly, and pounding away on your laptop till past bedtime because you were on a mission. A mission to create your freedom, right?

Now; If you think I'm going to tell you to get back to that place in your life and be that person you used to be, you're off your rocker.

I'm not that kinda guy and... We can never go back, never I tell you!

Who would want to anyway? We're like rubber bands that have been shot too many times we never take our original shape. That's a good thing though, who wants to be the same day after day? It's like watching 60's sitcom reruns, boring...

What I am going to tell you is: That if you seriously want to grow that little baby of a business into a strong fully equipped life-sustaining entity of its own you need to find out what people want.

You: "Oh that's hard Don, glad you cleared that up"

Me: Now just listen. If you can find out what drives the folks that buy your product before you attempt to sell it to them and present it to them in that light, don't you think you might be a little bit ahead of the game?

You: "Oh Don, I do this already, I emphasize the benefits my customers receive if they buy my product, I advertise with proper keywords and target my market.

Me: That's great, glad to hear it... not what I'm talking about!

Think about your internet searching habits, do you stay on the same topic you started searching or do you get distracted by something shiny? I bet the answer's the shiny thing. Your customers are that way too, what are they Really searching for?

What Really moves them to take action?

What made you read this?

Real World Application of Smartphone Apps

It is clear that smartphones have taken the world by storm due to the vast technology advancement characterizing the modern world. These devices combine functions of computers and traditional mobile phones to offer users an entirely new experience. The most recent smartphones have taken the shape of tablet PCs. Some time back, these devices were extremely expensive, and only a few people had them.

Today, they have transformed from costly extravagant gadgets to a must-have. Industry statistics show that the number of people using smartphones is now at 60% and rising. Predictions show that by the year 2015, 90% of mobile users in developed countries will have a smartphone.

Types of apps developed

Due to the popularity of smartphones, software developers have emerged with ideas for app development for both everyday use and business. These smartphone apps have a variety of life application including money and financial management, management solutions and business planning, blogging and networking, advertisement, multimedia file sharing, GPS applications, leisure and entertainment, and educational purposes. Some of the most common applications of this nature are android business app and iPhone business app. Large and small companies can use these devices to link up with their clients to provide information and offer their services and products.

Development tools & Challenges

Currently, mobile app developers and software development companies have all the vital development tools to build top of the line smartphone solutions and offer users a rich mobile experience. With the constant growth of smartphone app market, it has now become normal business practice particularly for consumer goods, the media, food companies and automotive companies to build their own mobile applications to reach the public and clients in a new, fresh way. Both developers and publishers who focus on mobile app development come across various challenges including:

Reach fragmentation- Since market fragmentation is increasing, it is no longer enough for the mobile applications to adapt to one platform. To reach a wide target as possible, companies should consider multi-platform development. The companies should also settle on what platforms to begin with and how many to develop.

High cost- Development of smartphone is costly especially those that involve complex designs and procedures. Companies should consider developing the apps in-house rather than outsourcing to reduce cost and to better oversea the project.

Unmeasured risk- Most middle-sized or small companies have never published an application before hence do not have any idea of what the challenges might be like. It is logical then that these companies opt for ready-made solutions that have already been tested on the market. Developing just a simple smartphone app can take several months while complex and multi-platform apps can even take a year. The process is even slower when performed by developers from emerging markets.

The Hunger First Then The How to Create An Information Product

I've been in business for myself since the early 90's. Back then I was hungry and needed to find a way to feed my growing family. I started a cleaning business and developed fliers that I distributed to neighborhoods that looked like they could afford my services. It was a good strategy since within a 30 day period we were living off the income from that business alone.

The reason that I was so successful in such a short time is because I was hungry. I don't mean my belly ached but I needed to provide for my family. That hunger allowed me to focus and do what was necessary to succeed. That hunger is what you need to create an information product for your business. If you don't have it you need to develop it before you attempt to create your product.

How to develop that hunger. Short of quitting your job and spending all of your money on lottery tickets you can develop a hunger and deep desire to have a profitable business by doing what I have done.

Before I started my online business I operated two brick and mortars and was doing ok. We lived in a nice house with land and a lake we didn't have car payments and we always had money in the bank. I say this not to brag but to let you know I didn't have the same hunger as before to start a new business. In fact I was starting to get bitter about the negative side of my business and there is a negative side to every business.

Every day I would go to work and do my job and deal with employee problems and deal with customer problems and nothing ever seemed to change. I was there to provide a service and I did that very well but to what end? The bills got paid, the employees got paid but it just wasn't enough. Like I said we made a pretty good income but I just wasn't moving forward. I needed something more.

I began to realize that I had hunger. My hunger or desire had turned into something that wasn't necessarily satisfied with more money. I had developed a desire for a more fulfilling lifestyle or career whatever you want to call it.

This new-found hunger had me searching for something that would fill it. And that's where I found the online world. I started with an eBook about what I did for a living and grew it from there.

From then I started looking around and found out what other people were searching for. Everybody's looking for something we are all at different stages of development. And I found my niche, my place that I could be happy, at least for a while. I found teaching. Teaching really excites me because I love to learn and the more I teach the more I learn.

These are the 5 steps I use to create an information product.

1. Find a problem that needs solving. This is something that many people desperately need solving Like: How to find true love, How to get promoted. Choose one of the main topics people are searching for.

2. Research how to solve the problem. Thank God for the Internet, there are so many resources, some free, some pay that can answer almost any question.

3. Write an outline. The best way to write an information product that I've found is to start with an outline. An outline can start with a summary that states what you plan to tell the reader.

4. Write the Body. The different chapters that first describe the problem and how others have had to live with it and what they have done to cope. Then chapters that deal with the solution. You should include as much pertinent information as you believe is necessary to solve the readers problem without too much trash. An information product is about one thing and that is solving the readers problems. You must find your own imaginative style but don't fill the pages with anecdotes about yourself that they could care less about. But if your experiences with this same problem or the solution to this problem are helpful then by all means put it in there.

5. Write the Conclusion. The conclusion should reinforce the solutions to the problem and possibly prove other effective strategies that may not have been covered in the body, either for lack of space or because you didn't want to detract from the main solution.

Creating an information product isn't all that difficult. The difficulty lies in differentiating it from the millions of other products out there and the way to do that is through online marketing.

3 Reasons Why You Should Create A Resource Report

There are several reasons to create a resource report. Like many other digital information products they are easily distributed and have high profit margins compared to their physical product counter parts. However, I'd like to talk about the top 3 reasons to create a resource report for your digital information product.

1. Resource Reports are an easy way to make money. This is perhaps one of the easiest digital information products to create. The report is simply an ecover graphic, and a couple of MS Word pages that contain a list of resources that you utilize in your marketing enterprises. You can literally create the whole product within a couple of hours at most. Of course, that's assuming you already have an ecover graphic. If you compare this process to even creating a special report where you need to write at least 5 - 10 pages of content, it's really not very much work at all.

2. There are a variety of uses for your resource report. You can sell it outright. For example, you could create a sales letter, and then drive traffic to it in the traditional online marketing methodology. But there are even more ways to capitalize on your digital information product. You can use it as a lead magnet. By offering your report for free in exchange for a visitor's contact information, they become a lead on your email list. You can now follow up and market various other products and services to them. These reports also make great added bonuses to other digital information products that you're selling.

3. Resource Reports position you as an expert. People place high value on these reports. This is especially true if the resources you provide really do help them with their marketing. That is why it is very important to include only high quality resources that you have personally used and enjoyed. You are placing your name on the report. That means your credibility is also at stake. Never put junk in you resource report. The good news is that people will perceive you as a greater expert when you provide them useful resources that add value to them and their businesses.

Hopefully this gives you some input when you decide to create your next digital information product. These reports are really great. They're quick and easy to create plus you can easily monetize them by adding affiliate links in your report's content.

The Primary Characteristic of the Best Information Products

Here's a remarkable statement: There is a dearth of quality information products on how to create information products. I did a search a moment ago on the exact phrase, "how to create a quality information product," and there wasn't a single result. That tells me that few people know how to do it. In this article, I'm going to share with you how to get started.

I've read a lot of material and listened to a number gurus talk about how to create information products and, with the rarest of exceptions, nearly all of them have talked around the subject, but not about it. And I can only imagine that this is because they themselves don't know how to do it.

Of the few that do seem to know what they're doing, there is characteristic that is the best information products all have, and that is that they are evergreen.

What does it mean to have an evergreen product? Well, think about trees. What is the one thing that makes an evergreen what it is? Obviously, it's that it's always, barring a drought, green.

And the same thing is true of evergreen products. They always are and remain relevant. And for some reason, the majority of people struggle to create products that are.

You'll see all manner of products that are designed to solve an immediate problem - one that may only be with us for a few months.

For example, search engine optimization. I've lost track of the number of products that are designed to do this. But the truth is that Google, the number one search engine, changes the way it determines which sites ought to be at the top of the returns on a regular basis. By the time you've implemented one "trick" technique, the ground rules have changed, and the product is out of date.

The problem seems to be that those who want to create products have become fixated on what's already been done. Instead of thinking of something new or a new way of doing something that's evergreen, they adopt a "get rich quick" approach and look for a way to make something that will sell.

If you want to create products that will continue to sell over weeks, months, or even years, then you must take the time that's necessary to think about how this could be achieved.

What would your evergreen product look like?

Why Digital Products Are Quick, Easy And Cheap To Create In Comparison To Physical Products?

Most digital products are information products. An exception to this would be things like video games, and the various types of computer software on the market. If you decide to get into the software business then you must either have great computer programming skills, or you'll be hiring someone to do the software creation for you.

So, when I say that digital products are quick, easy, and cheap to create, I'm referring specifically to digital information products. Likewise, when I refer to physical products, I'm not talking about building cars or selling stuff on eBay. The best types of products to sell online are information products in general.

Now digital information products are indeed much easier to create than their physical counter parts...

Typically physical information products are in the form of a book, DVD, CD, or other type of written information.

The digital product can actually be exactly the same except for the formatting. Digital information products typically come in the form of a .PDF document, a video file, a video on a membership site, audio files, podcasts, kindle books, eBooks, special reports, etc.

As far as creation goes, let's look at the process for creating an eBook in comparison to publishing a paperback book.

Ebook Creation Process:

To create an eBook, you must first write the content of the book. This is the same for the paperback. The next step in eBook creation is getting a good ecover graphic. You can get high quality professional-looking graphics done for you at Fivverr.com for only five dollars. Then you just add that graphic to your typed text document and convert it to a.PDF file. Presto! You now have your own eBook. You can then get it copyrighted for $35. This can be easily done from your home computer by going to www.copyright.gov.

Paperback Book Publishing:

Now the process for printing your paperback is not quite that easy. First, you must find a publisher. But nowadays you can actually self-publish your own paperback or hardback book. Recent advancements in technology really have made it easy to publish a book compared to just a few years ago.

However, actually getting the book published is a different story. Having the book printed and published will cost you a couple of thousand dollars typically. Of course this largely depends on how many copies of the book you want to print.

The point here is that it will cost you a ton of extra time and money to produce the physical book. Why not just go digital?

After looking into the processes for creating both an ebook vs. a paperback it really seems like digital is the way to go if you're going to market the book yourself.

How to Make an eBook Into an AudioBook

Have you ever thought about how to make an eBook into an audiobook? No? Actually, this is one of the simplest ways to increase the value of your eBook; and that's important because when your products have greater value, your credibility is enhanced.

Before I talk about the "how" part of recording your ebook, I need to spend a little time talking about you.

Most people are put off by the sound of their own voices. And that's understandable, because what we hear when we talk and what we hear when you listen to a recording are quite different. A recording stores the sound of your voice only; but when you talk, you hear your voice as it resonates in your head.

The key to knowing whether or not you should make an audio recording is whether or not you have the voice for it. You'll find, for example, that many audiobooks are recorded by actors, rather than the authors. Why is that? Well it's because the actors will do a much better job. Their diction will be better than yours, at least for the first few times you attempt to do it.

Of course, there's a certain amount of name recognition when an actor reads it; but primarily you'll find it's because of the voice he or she has.

If you have a distinctive voice, then recording it may be a good way for you to enhance the value of your ebook.

Anyone, including you, can improve your voice and your ability to read and be recorded, if you have the patience to practice. If you can overcome the "embarrassing" sound of your voice, and read what you've written in a way that's easy to understand, then making an audiobook of what you've written may be a sensible option.

Here are some suggestions to get you started.

1. Start by just reading it out loud.

2. Note where you need to breathe

3. Pay attention to the phrases that are difficult to say.

4. Slow down.

Most of all, work toward making what you have to say sound more like casual teaching than simply reading. If you don't know what the difference between the two is, then go to your local library and check out an audiobook. You'll notice straightaway what being read to sounds like.

You're goal is to read it as if you're presenting to just one person.

Monday, November 26, 2012

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