How to create and sell information products quickly

iconProfessional, high quality information products can be created relatively quickly and easily. Since the internet is a huge information machine, being able to produce information for consumers is proven be to highly profitable.

However, one of the main difficulties people have is actually taking action and ‘doing’ the product creation bit! Creating content and packaging it up into an info product doesn’t need to be difficult and I’ll explain why.

First of all, let’s look at the different types of digital format for your product:

  • Audio – you speak the information (mp3 files)
  • Written – eg. ebook, kindle book (PDF)
  • Video – you demonstrate something (mp4 files)

All of these formats can be easily downloaded online and therefore provide your customer with instant access – which is what people demand from the internet.

Below is the method that I use and also teach to help my clients create expert training programs, teaching material and also coaching programs.

Step 1 – Market Research

First of all you will need to do ask yourself some questions:

  • What will your product actually be about?
  • What subject or niche will you choose?
  • What experience and knowledge do you already have?
  • What skills do you have?
  • What would interest you?

If you don’t have the knowledge then that is something you need to sort out – do some research and develop some expertise. Learn what you need to in order to fully understand and feel confident enough to be able to teach others. (By the way don’t be put off by the term ‘teach’ – basically you are sharing your knowledge with people who want it!).

Tip

If you want to create a product really quickly, before you have the knowledge yourself, you can always use the expertise of others. Interview a established experts and then package and sell the interviews. However, ultimately it is best to become an expert yourself especially if you want to provide a coaching service at some point in the future. It will also help to define your brand.

Think about the things that people in your niche actually want and need help with. You can go online and look through forums, question & and answer sites, authority websites, Amazon non fiction books and many other places to discover great content ideas for your info product.

Find out what people actually want help with and are finding challenging in your particular niche because that is what people will be searching for information on.

If you have a list of subscribers then ask them what help they need with and what areas they might be struggling with in your niche.

That will give you plenty of ideas and topics that you can use create your product.

Make sure that whatever topic you choose for your product  there must be buyers. So choosing a topic where there are already products and buyers is a good place to start. You can always improve upon what’s already for sale and put your own spin on it.

Step 2 – Your Outline

Now that you have some topics to choose from you can begin your outline.

Write down as many topics as you have come up with, into a word processing document. Use each topic as a heading. You can think of these as chapter headings if you like.

For each main topic or heading write a list of bullet points or steps that someone would need to know in order to fully understand that topic.

So, if you were explaining to someone else about that topic what would you need to tell them so that they would understand it. These bullet points are like sub headings.

Your outline will be a bit like a list and each point will act as a reminder to you of the information you need to include for that particular step.

This will be your guide to help you focus on the important information to include in your product.

Step 3a – Record Your Product

To create an audio you will literally record yourself going through the information one bullet point at a time! This will produce an audio training program which has greater value than a written ebook since people obtain a deeper level of understanding from listening to you teach.

I use Audacity to record my audios which is popular free software that you can download onto your computer. It’s very easy to use and produces good quality recordings.

When you start recording begin with an introduction to your topic and what your particular recording is going to be about. Then go through your outline and talk about each bullet point. Pretend you are sharing that information and explaining it to someone you know.

Finish the recording with a conclusion or a summary of what someone will have learned at the end.

Tip

Don’t worry about tweaking and editing your recording unless of course something goes horribly wrong. It doesn’t matter if you sneeze or say ‘um’ too many times. Provided you have explained the information you need to then that is all that matters to the person listening.

Just record for as long as it takes for you to explain and cover that particular topic. Sometimes you might remember that you have forgotten to include something. Don’t panic!

Just record yourself explaining that particular bit of information – if it’s only 5 minutes it doesn’t matter. You will just include that short recording to your download page.

Step 3b – Creating An Ebook

If you want to create an ebook instead of an audio then you can still use the same outline.

Just use the headings and sub headings as chapters and sub chapters. Then underneath each one write the information that you need to in order to complete that step.

It’s exactly the same as the audio method but instead you write the details. You could use speech recognition software if you wanted to and then you would have a recording and written document at the same time!

Step 4 – Uploading Your Files

If you use Audacity then you will be able to export your file as an mp3 file. Once you have your mp3 files you can just upload these to your web hosting account to the download page that you have created on your website.

If you have written an ebook then you can export your ebook as a PDF document and upload that file to your website.

Step 5 – Your Sales Page

Once you have uploaded the files and have created your website download page you can begin to create your sales page. Your sales page will explain what information you are selling and therefore explain the problem or difficulty you are providing the solution to.

Remember that any information product will explain or help someone to achieve something that they are having difficulty with, so all of your information products will solve specific problems in your niche.

Step 6 – Product Launch

You are now ready to promote your product. You can do this in an email campaign if you are building a list of subscribers or you can market it on a website – your own or someone else’s.

Just remember that wherever you promote your product you need to do so to a relevant audience. People who would benefit from purchasing your information. This is very important or you will find it difficult to makes any sales. (The right message to the right people).

Step 7 – Rinse & Repeat

To get the most out of an information business it is best to have multiple products to offer so that you create a sales funnel. As people go through your funnel you can offer a variety of low priced and also premium products.

Just rinse and repeat. Continue creating solutions according to the needs of your target market.

Product Ideas

  • Audio training programs
  • Ebooks
  • Video series
  • Membership sites with new content added each month
  • Continuity program (weekly, fortnightly, monthly – the length of the program can vary)
  • Templates
  • Coaching (email, telephone, Skype, webinar – choose which form of access best suits you)
  • Question & Answer sheets
  • Short reports
  • Swipe files
  • Assignments
  • Workbooks


For further help check out my comprehensive training program – creating information products & content

4 Comments on “How to create and sell information products quickly”

  1. One tip I use for creating audio is that if I make a mistake I pause and then just repeat the part I messed up, this time doing it correctly. Then I can go back and cut out the mistake. You can even make a mark on your script when you make a mistake, helping you to find it more quickly when you edit. In Audacity, just select the mistake by clicking at the beginning and dragging to the end. The click the Cut button.

    1. That’s a great tip Ellen. If I do make a mistake then I clap loudly and then I can see the spike on the audio level and know that is where I need to edit! Once I get started I don’t like stopping! 🙂

  2. I love the idea of using audio – not only is it a quick and easy way to create a product, it has built in uniqueness and perception of value.
    It’s something I need to do more of myself after creating some in the past.
    Cheers,
    Gordon

    1. Thanks Gordon. You are right. The uniqueness of your own voice and style means no one can compete! Unless you have a double… 🙂

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