Creating your own information products is a great way to get passive income and traffic. You create it once and get paid over and over for the one time effort you put into it.

Selling informational products really comes down to marketing.  From the topic, to how you plan to sell it depends on what people want to buy willing to pay for.

The great thing about ebooks is that they don’t have to be as long as regular books.  People will often buy ebooks that are anywhere from 10-50 pages if they solve a problem that people want the solution to.

You’re probably thinking, “Why will people pay for something they can get free if they search for it online?”  A lot of people don’t like to or don’t have time to do in-depth research.  They may also be a bit skeptical about free sources.  If you prove to them you’re credible, or perhaps partner with someone who is, and if you solve a problem, then people will want to buy your book.  Writing about what you love, isn’t necessarily what will sell.  Write what the customer wants to buy, and you will.

Here are a few tips that can help you generate even more profits from the sale of your ebooks:

  • Sell monthly updates of the ebook, or sell chapters that have never been released for extra profit.
  • Give away free ebook(s) with paid ebooks. Often times it is good to let others give away your free ebook as well.
  • Separate your ebook into several reports, and let people purchase only the information they want.
  • Buy reprint rights to other ebooks. Add them with yours into a package deal.
  • Give links in your ad copy. That way, when people click on it, it will take them to the order page.
  • Sell half your book for a cheap price and give them the option to buy the entire book at the full price if they like it.
  • Offer free, related material to the books you’re selling.
  • Give a sample page with important info blacked out. It may make your prospective customers curious enough to buy it.
  • Give both low and high-priced copies of your books. Show people the contents of each so they can compare them, and usually, they’ll pay for the extra information.
  • Make the reprint rights available to buy for your ebook. You can sell them with a higher rate than the regular purchase price.
  • Have a form of your ebook available for offline individuals. It can be an audio book, video, or printed copy.
  • Look at specific niches and redesign your books to fit those niches.
  • Make discount coupons available to those who purchase your ebook for other products. It can be your product, or someone you’ve made a deal with.
  • Charge recurring monthly subscriptions by dividing your ebook into online newsletter issues.

As you can see, ebooks can be quite profitable for your business in many different ways, and are definitely worth taking the time to write.

Network and build relationships with other experts in your field from the start

Relationships are crucial to any business. Many people feel that getting to know people in their field should only be done for competitive reasons. Networking with other experts in your field can be extremely beneficial to you for other reasons as well.  You never know, one day you might do a joint venture, create a product together, or even share ideas that are worth millions.

Humans thrive on social interaction with one another.  That’s why networking in one form of another has been a necessary tool for the survival of businesses for hundreds of years.  It can be positive for you and bring about successful results for many reasons:

  1. Opportunity—You have the chance to meet new people every time you leave your house. You never know what people you might meet, or what that person may have to offer.  Prospects are everywhere if you just take the chance.  Take a positive look around you, see what’s out there, and begin networking with others.  You haven’t lost anything by trying.
  1. Exposure—Getting yourself, your talents, or your business “out there” requires exposure. You may be a new musician, have just created an awesome new product, or struggling to get your business running.  In any case, the more people you know, the better off you’ll be.  Your customers or fans will talk among themselves.  They may also talk with people outside the circle you’re in.  You may already have some fans or customers, but remember that more is better.
  1. Contacts/Relationships—I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, “It’s not what you know…it’s who you know.” That’s what makes networking SO important.  The more contacts you make and the more relationships you build, the more people you’ll know, and the better your chance of knowing the right person.  You never know what “right” person you may need in the future.  In the beginning, just make as many connections as you can.  Stay in contact with them, and it will give you a good group of people to draw from for future needs.
  1. Sharing things in Common—Like-minded people enjoy each other’s company. When you have something in common with someone, conversation will be easier, and they’ll want to build a relationship with you.  Commonalities draw people together, and can bind them together.
  1. Learning from each other—Networking with others will definitely mean that information and ideas will be shared. There is a good chance that you will meet someone who has a new idea or vision that you feel will benefit your company.  Knowing who to go to for help when you need it is important. When it comes to knowing the right person…knowledge is power!

Networking goes hand in hand with operating a successful business.  Many of us, however, seriously dread walking into a crowded room of strangers and introducing ourselves.  These types of events are important though and if you know you have to do them, work better if you approach them with a positive attitude.  Here are a few tips to help you:

  1. Don’t be late—I know it’s tempting to show up at the very last minute and sneak in the back of the room, but that won’t get the job done. Showing up early, on the other hand, will give you a good start.  You’ll find when you do, that the people are quieter and calmer than once the event is in full swing.  People haven’t broken off into groups yet, so it’s much easier to find people to talk to.  If you’re a bit of an introvert, it’s easy to become a wall flower at these events if you’re not careful.  Showing up early reduces the stress, and helps you make a few valuable connections.
  1. Ask simple questions—If you just wait around the edge of the room for people to come talk to you, they may not. You’ll look unapproachable or like you don’t want to talk to others.  Instead, get conversations started with simple questions. Go up to an individual or group of people and simply ask, “May I join you?”  They’re there to meet new people too, so they’ll be happy to make you a part of their group.  Ask things like, “What brings you to this event?”  These are simple questions that break the ice and get conversation started. You’ll find that once you do this, conversation will be easy.  You’re in the same business, so you already have things in common.

Remember the second part of conversation, however…listening.  If you are more of an introvert, you’re probably a good listener.  Listen closely to their replies.  Listening is a very good way to get to know new people, and pick up on some key ideas you may want to use in your business.

  1. Check the sales pitch at the door—Networking isn’t about sales, it’s about building relationships. That’s why you should leave your sales pitch at home or check it with your coat at the door.  Nothing will turn people off more than trying to hard sell within the first few minutes of meeting someone.  When you begin your conversation, keep it light, fun, and informal.  The purpose is to just get conversations started in a friendly manner.  If people enjoy your company, they’re more apt to want to do business or partner with you, so be enjoyable, not overbearing.

Eventually, the conversation may come around to business.  If a potential customer or business associate asks you about one of your products or a service you provide, just have an easy description prepared of your company.  To do this, create a mental list of recent achievements.  This might be a new client you’ve obtained or an awesome new project you’ve just finished.  If you have them ready, you can easily pull them out during conversation if asked to.

  1. Be enthusiastic—It’s easy to be enthusiastic if you share your passion. People can’t help but get excited when they hear how excited you are about your products or services. There’s bound to be a good story about why you felt passionate about crating your company.  Share it with people.  You’ll find the excitement you feel can often be contagious.  You share your passion, and others want to share theirs.  This gives everyone involved excellent, memorable conversations and helps you to have a really great time.
  1. Keep a smile on your face—People want to talk to friendly people, and a smile gives you others the impression that you’re that kind of person. Smiling is so simple, but people usually overlook its importance. Even if you seriously DON’T want to be there, you’ll find smiling will put you in a better frame of mind.  Can the negative attitude, and replace it with a simple smile, and you’ll begin to feel the difference right away.  Begin smiling before you enter the room, and you’ll make immediate impressions that can go a long way.
  1. Don’t dominate the conversation—Often, especially when we’re nervous, we tend to talk too much. If you don’t want to be there, you’re introverted, and conversations are difficult for you, it’s easy to overcompensate by dominating conversations.  Remember, being a good networker is about relationships.  One sure way to be successful at networking is to make others feel special.  To do this, you want to do things like, maintain eye contact, use the person’s name in conversation, genuinely listen to what they have to say, and bring up easy topics of discussion.  Conversation is more than talking, so be a good conversationalist…not just a big talker.  Chances are, that person doesn’t want to be there either. Putting them at ease will help put you at ease.
  1. Don’t forget follow-ups—Remember that networking is where the conversation begins. It isn’t where it ends.  Sometimes you meet someone, have a great conversation with them, and never hear from them again.  If you meet someone and you really hit it off, be sure to ask them how to stay in touch with them.  Don’t leave without getting their phone, email address, or social networks you can contact them through.  Don’t wait until you need that person.  Get in touch with them within 48 hours.  Make reference to something you discussed at the event so they will remember you, and let them know you’re interested

Networking can be one of the most important aspects of your business.  Building relationships plays a crucial part in the success of any business.  Approach networking with a positive attitude, a smile, and the desire to build those relationships, and they will happen.  You’ll get more out of the experience than you imagined.

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