You have a message to share, right?
Otherwise, why would you put yourself through the hell of figuring out what content is, what an information product is, how to use all the different technologies available to share what you know with the world, right?
How to bill. How much to bill. Whether to charge something or give it away.
And the list of questions can be endless, eh?
Pretty soon, you’re stuck in an endless loop of what to do, when and how. You grab on to the latest “guru’s” message and then, when it doesn’t fit, you’re back to the drawing board.
You find reasons to walk to the mailbox. Or sit and stare.
Or anything other than tackle the question of why an information product. Let alone creating the bloody thing! That’s a whole ‘nother ball o’wax (and a class, doncha think?)
An information product is, essentially, anything where what you’re teaching, selling, or sharing is packaged in a usable way that doesn’t always require you to be doing the work.
Some folks have specific “things” they consider an information product. Others say blog posts and pins and posts are information products. I consider individual things like that “content” and when they’re packaged they’re an information product.
Wanted to put that note in so as you read you know where I’m coming from.
Oh, and another thing, anything you create as a single information product can be repurposed a bunch of different ways (so you can STOP working so hard to feed the ContentBeastie™).
Or you could do the reverse: you can take a bunch of things you created separately and assemble them into an information product.
There are a gazillion reasons to create an information product. And we can cover more of them in another post (or drop your reasons in the comments). Let’s focus on the top 3 for the moment.
Yup, you read that right 48 hours a day 7 days a week…whhhaaat?
When you’re on your own, it can feel like you need 48 hour days to get everything done. There are always more things to do than there is time in the day.
And one of the best ways to get off that roller coaster ride is to package what you know and make it available for sale at your client’s convenience. That way you’re earning money by sharing what you know (even if you’re asleep or dealing with the latest business crisis, or, heaven forbid, taking a vacation someplace nice).
An information product shares what you know with those who need what you know even when you’re not face-to-face or ear-to-ear with your client.
By very definition one-on-one services can only be shared with the number of folks you can cram into your schedule. If you work 24 hours a day, that is
Heavens to Betsy, listing it like that could wear a body out. Are you really up for working 24/7? You may feel like you are now and you may be.
That’s not a very balanced approach and it will drive you into the ground sooner rather than later.
Although taking the time to package what you know in at least one information product may seem intimidating, time consuming or a waste, it is truly time well spent because you can move on.
And once that first information product is created, there are at least 4 ways it can be used
So you get a 4Fer…and that, my darlin’ one, is called leverage.
Whoo Hoo! Can you say FREEDOM?!?!?!?!?
Think back to the time when you saw someone’s book for sale, whether at your local bookstore, online, or on a website.
Or maybe there is a set of CDs, downloadable recordings, or videos where you could absorb what is shared at your own pace. There was at least a momentary “ah, they know what they’re talking about.”
Or maybe it was something you could download for free as a bonus from a class or from someone’s website.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter whether it is a free thang or a paid thang. It is still an information product.
Now maybe they know something, maybe they don’t. And it is the perception that counts in this case.
You want that for what you’re up to, yes?
So putting together an information product helps you tell those who are hanging from a thread, waiting for what you know, “hey, I’m here, I’m ready to help.”
The voices in your head pop up, insisting that you
Love up those fears, tell them to go play on the playground for a bit, and they can come back in later (or, preferably, never).
And then ask yourself these questions:
If you answered yes to any, or all, of these questions you’re ready to create an information product! (Yes, I know there’s a bunch of techie stuff involved. I’ve been creating huge info products for years and would love to be part of your team getting that stuff done!)
In the meantime, take a deep breath. You can do this, one do-able step at a time. We can do this. Together.
P.S. Betcha have some low hanging fruit ready to be harvested right now!
Session expired
Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.
I want an information product and I know I have a ton of information to share. The problem is the TIME necessary to compile it all. A little each day, goes a long way. But what if you don’t have a little time left over? ROFL
P.S. what keeps breaking your CommentLuv plugin?
I hear ya Bonnie…and I know people think I’m self-serving when I tell them to hire me (or someone!) to get it done. Why? Because our plates are usually full with the stuff we usually do! As for CommentLuv? Not a clue. Last time it was a specific plugin, this time it may be the move from one domain to another. I’ll give it a looksee. Argghhhhhhhhh!
I think those naysayers are having a party over at my place!! got to send them on vacation and get all that info out into the world :)
Ah, maybe yours and mine can have a playdate Tamsin! And they sometimes need a good listening to and sometimes need to be reminded that their “data’ is old!
You are such a fun story teller! I enjoy reading your posts and always get some inspiration.
Thanks MarVeena…I love to teach and tell stories, so this is great news! Glad you’re finding inspiration for your great work.
Super fun and super helpful post, Mama Red. We need to get our thingies together and this might just be the kick we need to get it going. Many thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it Shari! and Yup, getting those thingies together is a good thing!
MamaRed,
Great post! Creating a downloadable information product was one of the best things I ever did.
I was getting far too many requests for coaching than I could even do if I wanted to.
And although my one on one coaching is very laser personalized, there are some basics that I found I had to go over with just about everyone.
In addition, taking the time to actually make the produced made me sit down and really hone what some best practices are that get results fast for my clients so that I could really give some “BANG for the BUCK”.
I have been able to help so many more people and I am very joyful for all the wonderful emails and messages I get from people almost every day about how it has helped their life.
It was a win, win and I love those.
I highly recommend people do it and if you can help them…WOOHOO!
:-)
Kathy
That is so great to hear Kathy…I look forward to the day when I have too many requests for coaching. That is one of my “Success Markers”! Let me know if you ever need a hand creating those products. One of the things I LOVE to do!
Good ideas for marketers.
Congratulations on finishing the April event! Stopping in from the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Thanks Linda Ann…it was a great challenge wasn’t it? And yup, I agree, this would be a good one for marketeres to use.