When you're getting ready to create your first information product or, if you're feeling a little stuck, I recommend you start with something simple. . . mini-guides!
Take one of your most popular articles and create a step-by-step mini-guide around it where you teach your ideal clients something that they've already expressed an interest in learning.
A mini-guide can be as short as 10 pages – size isn't important here, quality of information is. You want to walk your readers through a process which allows them to walk away with something tangible (such as a service they can now use).
Let's take a look at what you'd need to do to start selling your mini-guides:
- Write the content – remember to focus on VALUE and specific info. This is no place for fluff.
- Set up a way to receive payment – I recommend Kickstart Cart, but you can also use PayPal.
- Write a brief information page telling your prospects what the mini-guide is about, including its price and how to order.
- Set up a "thank you" page with a link to download your mini-guide.
- If you're using a shopping cart to take orders, create an autoresponder to send out the download link again and thank your clients for purchasing.
- On the information page, let prospects know that, as a special bonus, they'll also receive your newsletter (just remember to include your Privacy Policy and notice that they can opt out at any time)
- And now it's time to announce your mini-guide to your list.
In terms of how much you can/should charge for these "mini-guides", I would keep them under $20 (unless the information is highly technical, then you can charge more) and use them as a means to let your prospects "get to know you" before they purchase any of your more expensive products.
While you probably won't get rich creating and selling mini-guides (although you could), they serve as a great means of introducing people to your information and content.
My Request to You
Pick an article you've written and have gotten a great response on or, if you're not sure which to pick, write a list of questions your clients and customers frequently ask.
Now ask yourself "How can I give my prospects a step-by-step process which answers their questions/gives them what they need?"
"Step-by-step" is key here.
Once you have that answer, you're ready to start writing. 🙂
For the past 5 years, Sandra Martini has been showing self-employed business owners how to get more clients consistently by implementing processes and systems to put their marketing on autopilot. Visit Sandra at http://www.SandraMartini.com for details, compelling client testimonials and her free audio series “5 Simple and Easy Steps to Put Your Marketing on Autopilot”.