Creating and Launching an info product. My advice for your next “good idea”

A kind reader that I met at a recent book signing sent me a note requesting my advice about an idea her niece had. Below is her request for help, along with my response. Let me know what you’d add to this my advice. (Note: I’ve kept her idea anonymous without removing the lessons from the story)

The email I got:

I recently received an idea on how to build a ******* on my farm for my cattle. The idea came from an article in a farming related publication (a subscription based paper). We actually contacted the gentleman that came up with the idea and he sent us one page of instructions on how to build it. I am really excited about the *******, it is going to save us a ton of resources, headaches, and time! I would like to share this idea with other cattle farmers across the world via a website and potentially sell a complete instruction manual with pictures outlining each step in the process and an exact list of material. We actually modified the original version as we built ours and really didn’t use the instructions that he sent because they were very difficult to follow.

Questions:

1. How would you recommend approaching the gentleman that gave us the overall concept/idea through the Farm Show? What does that conversation sound like?

2. The website: www.*********.com is currently available. Does this sound like a good web address to you? Who do you recommend using to build a basic web page?

3. How would I begin to determine a price to ask for this instruction manual (ebook)? And is there a certain tool to use to develop an ebook?

The above questions are just a few stepping stones I need to cross to get going, I would greatly appreciate any insight you have to offer.

Thanks in Advance! Alicia B.

My answers to the three questions:

1. Be open about your intentions and ask if he’s ok with it. He may only want his name tied to it. You’ll need to talk to him about it. First, ask where he got the idea. It may not be his to begin with. Do a bit more research as well to try to determine if there is another source for the concept. I wouldn’t get lawyers involved (that’s not legal advice), but I would ask him to put in writing his agreement to the idea of you sharing and possibly selling the idea to others. Consider getting a patent if you are concerned about others stealing the idea, but that’s certainly not anything I would advise until you feel like you have a real working idea that’s taking off in a big way. If your farmer friend wants a percentage of all sales, and you determine he is the guy that made the design, then give him a cut of your sales. The great thing about info-products is that they are very profitable when they are kept digital. I hope that gives you some ideas to consider.

2.The domain name you choose will not be a big factor in this venture. There is far too much emphasis put on the choosing of a domain name in most cases (you can always change it). My advice – don’t get “cute” with the name, and choose somewhat popular and recognizable words to make up the domain name. In the end, your marketing and other factors matter far more than the name. The only mistake you DON’T want to make is to choose a name that is difficult to spell and recall. Do keep in mind – shorter is always better and you want a “.com”. Building a website may not even be necessary though. You can deliver an info product via email initially as orders come in. Don’t build a website until you NEED one.

3. The pricing isn’t an important factor right now. Far more important factors are 1) FINDING and BUILDING an audience, and 2) finding out if this is something they want. Check out this article, “You don’t need a website, you need an audience“. Also review the “information marketing” section of my blog (categories shown on the right hand side of this page).

Some general advice:

• It’s not enough to have a good idea that people want (if this turns out to be such an idea). To succeed you need to find a proven way to get your idea in front of the targeted prospects that will be the most eager consumers of your info WITHOUT spending a bunch of money on advertising. The BEST way to do this is to give great info away to a “gatekeeper” that already has a waiting audience. All you ask in return is a link back to your email opt-in form. For example, write an article and show a picture of your invention. Show others how to do what you did and give them a lot of great info (for free). If they want to join your mailing list for more great ideas tell them how (see my “email marketing” tips blog section for help, or check out this simple video on growing a mailing list without a website). Once your prospects are on your mailing list you can easily survey to see what else they want from you. To process orders check out Clickbank.com, ejunkie.com, or paypal.com (paypal is overly simple perhaps). To have a simple site built and get a nice graphic cover etc. I suggest odesk.com and/or 99designs.com. Plan on making the product a “print on demand” book as well using createspace.com (this gets you on amazon.com as a “physical book” as well). To help approach the launch of your info product correctly check out my book ($5) sold out SilentSalesMachine.com.
• I know for a fact that “farming ideas and plans” like the one you are talking about can potentially do well on eBay as well. There’s one guy that has been selling chicken coop blueprints on eBay for nearly a decade now.
• I tracked down and updated an old blog post that features an eBay seller that’s been selling “info” products for years now. Here’s a link to that blog post: http://www.jimcockrum.com/blog/?p=174
• Become a collector of “good ideas” and feed your prospects and followers a steady stream of free great ideas. There will be plenty of way to “monetize” once you have a list. The true potential of this idea is the opportunity to grow an audience in a strong niche.

Silent Sales Machine 7.0 finally launches!

SilentSalesMachine.com was my first “big hit” ebook back in 2002 and I’ve just released the 7th update.

I’m rolling it out to loyal fans – many of which have read EVERY version!

Since 2002 I’ve been updating and re-releasing what is surely one of the all time (if not the all time) best selling ebooks in the world.

What’s this book about?

Quite simply, it’s about what works NOW and what doesn’t work NOW online. It’s about where to get started and what to avoid. It’s the story of my success online and the success of thousands of others that I’ve taught, but better yet, it’s how you can do it as well.

Yes it’s true-  thousands of people have used past versions of this book to launch their online income streams.

Here are the details on the “Silent Sales Machine 7.0″ ebook update:

•   If you are a member of MySilentTeam.com log in to get the latest update at no charge
•   If you bought the book in the past I’ve emailed you a copy by now (or you dropped off our email list).

If you are a long time loyal reader of “Silent Sales Machine” I have a favor to ask though:

• Read the new version
• Send me your feedback (as an email, or post it as a comment here)
• If you have a story of your own success that belongs in the book send it to me! I’ll include it (once verified of course). I always have room for new success stories!

Ready to pick it up at the $5 launch price?
Visit SilentSalesMachine.com

Have a question, comment feedback etc.? Please leave a comment using the comment button above! We will publish all comments that others might find useful, but if you have a private question you can leave it here as well and we’ll respond to the email address you leave us.

CONTEST:

For the next several weeks, each week I’ll be randomly selecting one comment from ALL comments left on this blog post. The winner will get various prizes. Your comment DOES NOT have to be positive to be eligible of course!

The only guideline for eligibility:
Your comment must be feedback about what you thought of the latest version of “Silent Sales Machine”. Other feedback, questions or other comments are welcome of course, but only feedback left about the book is eligible for the contest.

There will be various prizes for the random weekly winners…a signed copy of my 101FreeMarketing.com book for example, or access to a membership site of your choice (offlinebiz.com or mysilentteam.com etc). Go read the SilentSalesMachine.com book, and leave a comment on this blog post! It’s that simple!

WINNER #1: Larry (screen name morecustomers). He’s been contacted via the email supplied when he left a comment!
WINNER #2 : Jacqueline. She’s been contacted via the email address she used for her comment.
WINNER #3: TBA SOON

P.S. Want to get paid to tell your friends about this book on facebook etc.? Check out the affiliate info at the bottom of the SilentSalesMachine.com page.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly side of being a “creative seller”

Whenever I talk about eBay I’m coming from a “seller” perspective.  I’m not a typical seller either. I’m a “creative marketer”.

Several years ago I gave a “Creative eBay Selling” presentation at a marketing seminar. The table shown here served to summarize the entire message nicely.

If you want more detail on this chart you can find it using this link

If you are willing to work at it there is still plenty of opportunity on eBay, but, the big question today is…

Are the days of “Quadrant IV” coming to a close?

My conclusion:  Maybe…and maybe not.

For now I’ve lost a bit of my excitement about “Quadrant IV” thinking, but for the creative and daring among us there are still millions of daily shoppers on eBay and the “cat and mouse” game with eBay is still “on”.

Keep in mind, for my own business, as well as those that I coach there are several things that I’m even more excited about.  (see this recent blog post for an “opportunity map” of the creative ideas I like best.)

…but I owe it to my foundational eBay based fans and readers to keep you up to speed on eBay!

If you haven’t heard yet eBay is making changes in the fall of 2011 that will effect several creative strategies that many of my readers are using (or have used).

Keep in mind, several of my readers and followers have reported a steady decline in the overall effectiveness of eBay as a lead generation tool for quite some time, while others continue to exploit “loop holes” in places like eBay classified ads etc.

Some “Official” eBay Changes (in bold) straight from eBay:

Starting October 1, 2011 an email address or link to a web site that does not help a buyer safely transact on eBay must be removed before the listing can be submitted.

My Thoughts:  We’ve seen this before, but I suspect the outcry from sellers to be a whimper compared to the other 3 times they’ve rolled out this policy in the past and then reversed it again later. Many sellers have already moved on.

Exceptions: Categories that will be allowed to include email addresses in listings:
Business & Industrial
Motors > Vehicles
Real Estate

My Thoughts: This is a HUGE opportunity for home and auto sellers!  Even if you AREN’T a “home or auto” seller you can work with those that do and provide a great lead generation service!  As evidence of how hot the “Real Estate” category is on eBay RIGHT NOW I listed a rental property on eBay just a few weeks ago and had nearly 1,500 viewers. Those would make great leads for a savvy marketer! Check out “OfflineBiz.com” to get into the business of helping generate leads for “offline” businesses.

The updated policy will apply to new listings and re-listings. Good ‘Til Cancelled listings will be required to comply in early 2012. Advance notification will be provided.

My Thoughts: Now is the time to list several “good till canceled listings” and exploit this loop hole while you can!

The foundation of my first mega-hit ebook “Silent Sales Machine” was all about “eBay”. That’s changed now. That same book is currently undergoing it’s seventh major update (past buyers get it free) and it will have very little to do with eBay as has been the trend for the last three updates.

I’m getting excited instead about the “opportunity map” I mentioned above. Sure, eBay is still on my radar and will make up about 5-10% of my overall income this year, but it’s not the power tool it once was for me.

What are your thoughts on the eBay changes? What’s working for you? Have any questions? Let’s chat about it. Click the comments button above and let me know.

I want an Internet business. Where do I start?

Use twitter? Leave me some twitter love! ->

I’ve been helping my readers and students launch successful online and Internet based businesses for nearly a decade. Even though I’ve been part of helping thousands of people achieve significant online incomes, I’m aware that much if not most of my audience is still stuck at square one for one reason or the other. This is a visual map to help you pick an idea to start with, or if you’ve had some success and want a new income stream you’ll find my favorites here.

Welcome to my “Opportunity Landscape” or “map”. A lot of thought went into this – I hope you like it.

Thanks Thea Woods for helping turn my chicken scratch into a pretty chart!

To download this full image (bigger) use this link.

I’ve made three very short videos (under 5 minutes) for you to explain the detail on this table. Please let me know what questions you have by leaving a comment (use the comment button at the top of this article).

Did I leave anything out? Do you want more detail on any of these opportunities? Do you disagree with where I placed any of the opportunities? Let’s talk about it… (also – for additional reading check out my SilentSalesMachine.com book. It’s the best $5 you’ll ever spend to help shape your online income goals.)

Video 1 of 3:

For each video you'll need to click into "full screen" mode to see the details.

Video 2 of 3:

Video 3 of 3:

Please leave a comment! The button is at the top of this post.

Has Amazon.com just delivered a silent body blow to eBay? (And the launch of the ‘Proven Amazon Course’)

Use Twitter? Give me a tweet! ->

Update Sept. 2011: To get the best selling course about selling on Amazon creatively visit: ProvenAmazonCourse.com (the course is 50% off temporarily!)

Original Recording In the below recording I talk about one of the major advantages that Amazon has over eBay now and how you can benefit. This is the “body blow” that Amazon gave eBay in their ongoing struggle for dominance in online selling.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download