Creating ebooks and other information products that get used

Maybe you’ve read somewhere how “easy” it is to create information products.  That’s partly true. There are definitely methods you can use to churn out a product in short order. Some online marketers become regular product mills. You need to bear in mind, however, that it’s one thing to just get a product out there, but something of quality – something that offers real value – that’s a different proposition.

The fact is, we’re bombarded with eBooks at every click of the mouse now – but memorable products, the kind you buy and refer to again and again, are rare.

Start with your niche, or something you genuinely have successful experience with. All the research in the world can’t make up for passion.  Passion and knowledge will make you an authority.

Provide value and keep your readers interested

Here’s 4 simple tips that not everyone talks about:

1. Always keep in mind that it’s not about you.  It’s not even ultimately about your chosen subject. It’s about your readers or listeners, and what it is that they want and need you to answer, fix or explain.

2. Start by creating an outline – and stay with it! It will keep you focused and on topic. If you convolute your product with a lot of additional information that may be interesting to you, but doesn’t add to your main idea, you will make it less readable and it’ll be just more of the “white noise” of info overload that’s out there already.

3. Sprinkle in the diamonds. Try to include at least one little-known gem in each section or chapter – especially things that your readers won’t find everywhere else. And highlight them.

4. Make your product only as long as it needs to be to convey the information adequately. Some product creators try to make their ebook as many pages as possible in an attempt to give the impression of value.  That may a good way to get people to say “ooh ahh” one time, but it’s no way to provide something truly usable and memorable; something that has people looking for your stuff in the future.

If you create a quality offering like this, it can be in demand for a long time to come. In demand products are pillars you can build a great business on.

Phil