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Tips
The Easiest Blog Post You Will Ever Write
The Easiest Blog Post You Will Ever Write
Writing your own original articles and blog posts is mandatory if you own a list or run an internet business. Blogging is risk free and should be part of any online business.
Mandatory. Part of your standard operating procedures. A basic staple. Something you can’t do without. You get the picture.
Blog articles can be used in so many ways that I’d need to write an article just to explain all the ways you can profit from articles. 🙂
More on that another day.
By the way, if you are serious and want to take your blogging to the next level, check out the Rapid Blogging Blueprint. This is a premium level training that takes you through each and every step of setting up your own highly profitable blog and profiting from it. You can check it out here.
In today’s post I’m going to show you how to write an incredibly easy blog article that is specifically for beginners within your market.
The idea in a nutshell is this –
Answer a set of three basic questions related to a topic relevant to your target audience.
If you can answer just three simple questions, you can crank out article after article for newbies in your particular field of interest or expertise.
These three questions are –
- What is _________?
- Can you show me an example of _________?
- How can I get started with _________?
Let me walk you through writing an article with these questions as the backbone of your content.
Before we get into the 7 very easy steps, let’s take just a quick look at the schematics of your article. In order to write an 800-1000 word article, your basic needs for the various parts of the article would look something like this…
Opening (125 Words)
Question #1 (250 Words)
Question #2 (250 Words)
Question #3 (250 Words)
Closing (125 Words)
_______________________
Total = 1000 Words
Now, on with the show…
1. Determine Your Title
Most people don’t spend much time on their title and that’s a no-no. It’s a flagrant foul in basketball. A bounced check. A driver cutting you off in traffic. Things that are mindless.
As with everything I ever say about writing articles, your title is important. Very important. Imagine this scenario…
You’re searching the internet for blogs or sifting through articles at your favorite directory in hopes of finding some useful tips for selecting curriculum for your upcoming homeschooling year.
Which of these would you take a closer look at…
- The Easiest Way To Choose Your Curriculum
- Making Your Curriculum Choice
- 5 Questions To Ask When Choosing Curriculum
- Homeschool Book Decisions
- Choosing Your Homeschool Resources
While all of these are related to choosing your homeschool curriculum, “The Easiest Way…” and “5 Questions To Ask…” probably have more appeal. If you’re pressed for time, you probably aren’t going to read all five … you might read two.
And the title is going to determine which two gets your attention.
So, first things first, it’s important that you create an appealing title. We’ll talk more about this in another lesson, but three simple “rules” that I go by in crafting titles that I’d like to pass on to you are…
- Be specific. It’s not “Questions To Ask”, it’s “5 Questions To Ask”. It’s not, “Lose Pounds”, it’s “Lose 3 Pounds in 7 Days”.
- Make It Simple. Who would ever read an article, “7 Extremely Hard Ways To Lose Weight”? Or, “Top 10 Most Difficult Ways To Find A Date For Valentine’s Day”? Offer SIMPLE solutions. EASY ways to accomplish a desired result.
- Speak To A Group. If your article is intended for a specific group (I.E. Beginners, WAHMs, Christians, Senior Citizens, College Students, etc.) then say so in your title. Rather than “How To Write An Ebook”, go with “The Beginners’ Guide to Writing An eBook” or “How To Write a Christian eBook”.
So, determine your title and then begin the writing process.
Hint: Go to good old EzineArticles.com and review the titles of other articles (paying particular attention to which articles are viewed the most – indicating their popularity) and then use those titles to model your own after. I.E. If you see the popular title, “The Easiest Way To Lose 10 Pounds And Get In Shape Fast!” you could easily entitle your own article, “The Easiest Way To Learn Guitar And Play Songs Fast!”
And don’t forget Amazon.com. Go and find the bestselling books in your niche and take a look at the Table Of Contents for more inspiration for articles.
2. Write Your Opening
You’ve got about 30 seconds to get your reader’s attention if you’re going to get them to consume your entire article. That’s not much. It’s important that you get them interested quickly. I’m going to share three to get you started…
- “There must be some reason why some _________ outperform others.” . This opening is all about informing the reader that some people have an advantage over others. And, in order to level the playing field, they need to follow the advice in your article. Example: “There must be some reason why certain tennis players win more matches than others. Said another way, if two equally skilled tennis player compete … why does one get to go home a winner and the other a loser?”
- “I’ve always been impressed with those who could __________.” . This opening allows you to mention a specific result that is desired to, not only you, but the reader as well. Your article teaches the person how they too can experience the desired result. Example: “I’ve always been impressed with those who could hit a backhand winner on the run. It never came easy to me and I have marveled many times when others seem to hit that shot so effortlessly. Then, I figured out their secret…”
- “Do you find yourself _________?” This opening is a good one because it allows the reader to identify with what you’re writing about. When they say “yes” to your question, then they know the article is for them … and they’ll read on to discover what they can do about the problem they face. Example: “Do you find yourself double-faulting a lot? For years I gave away point after point – usually in critical times during my matches – by hitting into the net or just beyond the service box. Finally, I paid for a lesson from the local pro and this is what he taught me…”
Choose one of these openings (or one from the related article coming tomorrow) and write approximately 125 words as your introduction to the article. Be sure to transition from your opening into your first question.
You can do this in one of two ways: (a) Specifically mention that you’ll be answering the three most asked questions from beginners, or (b) Simply answer the questions without ever actually posing the questions in the text of your article.
3. Answer Question #1
If you’ll recall from earlier, question number one is…
“What is _________ ?”
Simply plug in the topic of your article into that question … and then answer it in approximately 250 words.
- What is tennis strategy?
- What is podcasting?
- What is virtual real estate?
- What is forex trading?
- What is retinopathy?
- What is a VoIP phone?
- What is Tai Chi?
Give a brief explanation of the topic in your own words and then move on to the next question which builds upon the first question.
4. Answer Question #2
That question again is…
“Can you show me an example of ________?”
Now the article is taking shape. We go from an introduction to an explanation and now we have an illustration. You’ve explained what it is and now you’ll explain what it looks like. Provide an example. A case study. An illustration. A method. Something the reader can identify with to better understand what you’re saying.
- You’ve explained what tennis strategy is … now give a scenario in which tennis strategy is at work.
- You’ve explained what virtual real estate is … now give an example piece of VRE property.
- You’ve explained what Tai Chi is … now share one of the key moves of the discipline.
After providing some sort of example, move on to question number three…
5. Answer Question #3
From earlier in our lesson, the final question is…
“How can I get started with __________? “
It all climaxes with 1-3 simple steps the reader can follow in order to begin practicing your teaching.
By this point the reader knows WHAT the topic is about, and they know a basic use or function of the topic. Now, they need a simple explanation of how they can get started with application. How can they use the information?
You can either give the reader ONE action step to take in order to get started (I.E. The first thing you’ll want to do is enroll in a class.) or you can provide them with a simple set of THREE steps to put into practice as a sort of mini-system (I.E. Step
One is… Step Two is… Step Three is…).
6. Decide Upon A Close
To complete your article, you’ll want to use your final 125 words (approximately) to close out your content. There are two components of the article close that I think are necessities if you want to see any results from your efforts.
- The Spark. You want to leave the reader with a desire to get started. You want them excited. You want them motivated. You want them to take action. I’m not necessarily talking about giving them a rah-rah pep talk (although that might not hurt either!). I’m speaking of getting them to realize that they can get the desired results they want if they’ll get busy doing something. Your job at the close of the article is to encourage them (gently or blatantly) and challenge them to achieve.
- The Segway. The other thing you must do during your close is to lead into your resource box. Your article is for the reader. Your resource box is for you. Your content is to provide useful information for the reader. Your resource box is to get the reader to a point where you present an offer. And the closing of your article is the place where the two roads meet. Lead the reader to a decision to make a positive change in their life – to take action. And then use your resource box to provide a means to do just that.
7. Create A Featured Resource Box
Most people use the same generic resource box with each of their articles. In other words, it’s the same resource box regardless of what the article is about.
That’s a big mistake in my opinion.
With an ever-changing audience reading articles about ever-changing topics why would you want to use a never-changing resource box?
Your resource box – in order to be truly effective – must be a continuation of the article itself. It must offer something more that is directly related to the content of the article.
I mean, think about it: the reader has warmed up to you at this point. You’ve shared something useful. They like your style. They are pumped up and ready to take action. Why blow that moment with a resource box that does nothing to really enhance or continue or build upon where they are at this moment in time?
Let me give you an example:
If I’ve just explained what tennis strategy is about, pointed them to an example of tennis strategy and briefly outlined how they can create their own tennis strategy – which is more effective at this point…
- Jason Daly is the publisher of Tennis Tips, a free weekly newsletter full of informative helps for tennis players of all skill levels. For your free subscription, drop by http://www.JasonsTennisTips.com today.
- Jason Daly is the author of How To Outplay Your Opponents By Outsmarting Them, a free strategy report for tennis players of all skill levels. Grab your complimentary copy at http://www.JasonsStrategyReport.com today.
Obviously, having just read the article on tennis strategy, you’d be more likely to take action if resource box #2 was in place … because it’s a continuation of the article. It’s part 2. The sequel. The rest of the story.
Note: And, upon visiting my site and registering for the free report, you’re automatically going to receive my free newsletter as well anyway.
The point is this: a carefully crafted resource box — one that is specifically relevant to the article itself — will outperform a generic resource box. You’ll get more results by using a resource box that builds upon what’s been shared in the article it is attached to.
So, that’s an incredibly easy way to write a good blog article.
You can crank out an entire series of these articles for beginners. All you need to do is answer three simple questions.
- What is _________?
- Can you show me an example of _________?
- How can I get started with _________?
It works for any niche. Any topic. Any person. So what are you waiting for?
If you really want to know more about the power of blogging, you can take a look at the Rapid Blogging Blueprint training course or if you just want a few pointers for now you can grab the featured resource below for a free blogging report; download, read it and take action 🙂
Five Benefits Of Having A Success Mindset
Five Benefits Of Having A Success Mindset
Are you ready to start getting more out of your life and to start getting the results you want? For many of us, success is a very slow process and one that involves a huge amount of work and effort.
For others, it all seems to come very naturally. We all know those people, the ones who seem to have the Midas touch – who seem to strike lucky no matter what they do. What’s their secret?
There are many answers to this question but the biggest thing these people often have going for them is a ‘success mindset’. Once they change the way they think, they can change their fortunes – and the rest just falls into place.
It’s making that cognitive shift that will help you to start making the progress you want to see in your life and moving away from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. And here are five of the biggest ways that changing your outlook can change your fortunes…
Problems Become Challenges
A success mindset turns problems into challenges.
It means that you stop seeing setbacks as the end of the world and start seeing them as new opportunities to kick ass and take names!
When you take this approach, nothing can stand in your way!
And Failures Become Learning Experiences
You might have this idea in your head that highly successful people can never put a foot wrong or make a mistake. That’s far from the truth though.
However, what makes failure very different for those with a success mindset is that they don’t see it as failure.
They see it as a chance to try again – now with new information!
You Feel Amazing
When you genuinely believe you can do anything, it doesn’t just affect the way you walk around the office and conduct yourself in business.
It changes the way that you present yourself and feel about yourself. In short, you feel awesome.
You Become Instantly More Attractive
What is the secret to attractiveness in both genders? You guessed it: confidence!
People who are confident tend to be more charismatic and positive, so others will naturally tend to gravitate towards them.
You Finally Start Getting What You Want
Finally, when you adopt an open mindset for success and everything that comes with that, you’ll finally start to get what you want.
Better yet, it won’t seem like an impossible task anymore. Once you give off that iron self-belief, others will start to believe in you too.
When you have a clear goal and mission, anything becomes possible. It’s just a matter of time.
Top Five Challenges Of Creating A Success Mindset
‘Create a success mindset’ they say.
‘Just go after the things you want in life’ they say!
‘Take risks’ they say…
It’s a shame it’s not always that easy right? The road to a success mindset is one wrought with obstacles and many of these are things that nobody likes to talk about. It doesn’t fit the narrative. It’s time we addressed them.
Some people seem to be able to rewire their mind with ease, but for others it can be a real struggle to change the way they think from negative to positive.
Here are the top five challenges of creating a success mindset:
You Don’t Know What You Want
This is a surprisingly common issue and one that rarely gets brought up.
How can you go after what makes you happy if you don’t really know what that is? How can you find a goal and stick to it when you fear commitment?
Clarity is key to changing the way you think; once you know what you want, you can put your efforts into achieving it, but it you aren’t really sure about what you want, you will make excuses to procrastinate, and you’ll never make any progress.
Having Weird Aims
Or what if you know what you want in life, but your aims are just too weird or unattainable? What if you don’t want to start a business, travel or start a family. What if you want to be an acrobat? And you’re 60?
What if everyone will laugh at you?
I’m not saying that you should restrict yourself, but you need to be realistic.
That being said, if you have a major goal to achieve, try breaking it down so you can reach these smaller goals on the way and enjoy the success journey you are on.
If you want to know more about enjoying the journey, check out this training because it is important to not just enjoy the end goal but also the whole process: Enjoy The Journey
Being Conflicted
Or how about being torn between travelling and settling down with the person you love?
What if your heart is genuinely pulling you in two different directions?
What if going after your dream, means saying goodbye to people you love, or turning your back on the things that made you who you are?
This is where clarity can help, but ultimately you need to decide what is most important to yourself.
Being Honest With Yourself
We are prideful creatures, and our very psychology is wired in such a way as to protect our fragile egos. We don’t want to admit to our failures, and we don’t want to feel like we’re going backward.
And so when we realize that we’re unhappy with what we have in life, it can be very hard for us to be honest and admit that – to ourselves or to others!
And it’s even more difficult to blame the person in the mirror, but the responsibility for your own path in life is ultimately yours!
Responsibility to Others
It’s easy to say that you should take a leap and apologise later but what if people are really relying on you to be mature and stable?
What if your goal is to go travelling but your wife just got pregnant? Yes, there are ways around this too – you can explain how important this is to you and convince her to come with you.
But it won’t always work. And at the end of the day, you’re always going to be giving your child a less stable home.
There are answers to all these problems of course – but just know that the path isn’t as simple as some would have you believe!
If you want to know more about changing the way you think, check out the featured resource below for a free Strong Mindset report; download, read it and take action 😊
4 More Ways To Start Your YouTube Channel The Right Way
As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the best things you can do to expand your business is to start a YouTube channel.
It’s the most popular video-streaming service boasting massive online traffic, and constant streaming services – and ultimately, it will maximize exposure and help your brand become recognized within your market.
And if you can get YouTube monetization enabled, you can even make some extra cash right inside YouTube itself.
By the way, if you are serious and want to take your video marketing to the next level, check out the Video Marketing Insider. This is a premium level membership that contains training and software to make the most of YouTube and any video marketing and is highly recommended. You can check it out here.
So, let’s look at four more ways to get your YouTube channel more views and subscribers.
Be Consistent And Add Variety
Now it’s time to determine the types of marketing videos that you want to create.
Keep in mind that you need a good balance of variety while still sticking to your overall theme. The last thing you want is to confuse subscribers who are used to finding one type of content on your channel with a whole other thing.
On the other hand, viewers enjoy a variety of video content, and there are different ways that you can produce quality content while still sticking to your theme and brand.
Depending on the type of channel you are planning to create, you’ll be able to offer a variety of content.
For example, if your channel is being created to promote other products and services, consider creating case-study style videos that highlight the progress your existing customers have made.
You could easily mix those types of videos in with product highlight videos, product review videos and even unboxing videos if you sell physical products.
Another type of marketing video is a How-To, DIY, or Tutorial. This is a good idea for when you want to demonstrate to potential buyers exactly how to use one of your products.
If your company sells home furnishings, then a How-To video about how to arrange furniture is a great way to showcase your products and educate the consumer.
Another good marketing video idea is a Listicle. These are especially popular for when you have several points to cover.
For example, a baking company may want to create a listicle video that discusses their most popular bakery treats. They can go over each dessert they offer, and then next to it on the screen list, promote an event that it would be ideal for.
And for practically any type of company, a funny, behind-the-scenes, candid video is sure to engage viewers. Show some bloopers from videos you’ve created, how you come up with video ideas, and anything else that helps viewers see the human side of your business.
For example, a telecommunications company could shoot a video of their customer service department. In between shots of representatives helping customers, some employees could be shown having fun. This is a great way to humanize your company and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Understand Your Audience
In order to both maintain and grow your YouTube audience, it’s imperative that you know all about your current viewers and overall market. You’ll want to be able to create a visual snapshot of who your average customer is.
In truth, market research should begin long before you create your YouTube channel. The more you know about your target audience, the easier it will be to create engaging content that they’ll be interested in.
When you’re inside of your YouTube admin panel, head on over to the Analytics tab.
This is going to give you a tremendous amount of information concerning your content and the type of visitors you’re getting as well as what they are spending time watching.
On this page, you will find:
View Counts– the number of times your videos are being watched;
Average Watch Time– how long people stay on each video;
Revenue Generated– money earned;
Interaction Rate– physical engagements with content.
Pay close attention to the demographics section as well, because this will tell you:
Location in the world that your videos are being played;
Age range of viewers;
Gender of viewers.
Use this information to help your channel grow by knowing who your market is and what they want from you.
For example, make sure that your videos are being watched where you primarily offer your services. If they aren’t, then think about marketing video ideas that can help localize your content.
Depending upon the type of company you own, you’ll want to make sure that the age group and genders it’s meant for are also watching your content. If they aren’t, then come up with some new marketing videos that target these specific groups.
Once you review all the available information, head on over to the comments section on each of your videos. Take some time to see what kind of comments your videos are getting and reply to ones that will help educate your viewers and promote your channel.
And finally, the YouTube Community profile is a fairly new feature that’s starting to become quite popular. It’s basically a timeline for you to post and interact with your followers.
This is where you’ll want to post pictures that are relative to your channel, polls that will help you understand your audience, and even some fun, engaging content.
Know Your Competition
Just like your business does in the real world, you should keep tabs on your competitors on YouTube. Not only can they help you better understand your audience, but you’ll be able to find inspiration from the successful channels in your market.
Set some time aside each week to review a handful of top channels in your niche.
Pay attention to the videos that receive both the highest and lowest number of views. Watch them yourself and pay attention to the different elements included in the video as well as the general style.
- What are they doing that you aren’t doing?
- How could they improve their videos?
- What did you personally enjoy?
- What did you personally dislike?
All this information will help you improve, as well as shape your content so that it will likely appeal to most your market.
Never copy someone else’s content! Just use them as a case-study and as inspiration for your own content ideas.
And just as you do for your own videos, take time to scroll through their comments. See how viewers respond, both negatively and positively. Perhaps someone has even referenced your brand in these comments.
Take notes of their descriptions and titles, what keywords they use, and see if you can apply it to your own content.
Learn From Your Favorite Channels
Another great way to learn about YouTube success is during your downtime, when you can relax and watch videos from some of your own favorite channels.
These aren’t the channels of your competitors, we’ve already covered that. This is when you spend some time in off-market channels, meaning that you’re studying how other channels outside of your niche are increasing engagement and driving in traffic.
Just because they aren’t in your niche doesn’t mean you can’t learn something valuable from them.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite. By studying other markets outside of your own, you’ll likely be able to generate fresh, new ideas that your own niche hasn’t yet seen.
You’ll also begin to see a pattern based on the content style that people are more excited about as well as how the channel owner chose to produce that content and in what formats (candid, professional, how-to style, etc.)
So, the next time you watch a video from one of your favorite creators, ask yourself a few questions.
For example, what about this video is holding my attention? Remember that YouTube is all about clicking, clicking, and clicking.
If this is a channel that you’ve been subscribed to for a while, then what keeps you coming back? Is it the graphics, variety of videos, tone, style, or something else?
Look at the techniques they use to keep viewers returning day after day. Perhaps they include giveaways, fun facts, candid interviews, or live streaming sessions. Are any of these something that you can do on your own channel?
Get those creative juices flowing!
If you want to know more about setting up your YouTube channel the right way, check out the featured resource below for an expanded version of this article covering 11 tips; download, read it and take action 🙂
4 Common Signs Of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
4 Common Signs Of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
It’s common for those born in the 70s and 80s to look back and think, “Ahh… life was so much simpler back then.”
This nostalgic reminiscing may actually contain a kernel of truth if we stopped to look at the millions of people suffering from FOMO.
This informal abbreviation refers to the ‘Fear Of Missing Out’ which is a very real fear that so many people have without even realizing it.
With the advent of technology, the proliferation of mobile devices and the constant barrage of social media notifications – one is ‘wired’ into life almost every waking moment of their existence, and this is not a good thing!
Just look around and you’ll see countless people with their faces glued to their mobile phone screens, oblivious to their surroundings as they go about their daily activities.
This scene would have been unseemly in the past but has become the norm now.
So, What Is FOMO?
When you have FOMO, you’re constantly trying to get the most out of the day. You’ll sacrifice sleep to spend more time on social media.
You’ll always feel the need to do more, be more and get more.
This may seem good if one is looking at it from a self-help perspective… but very often, a person with FOMO is usually engaged in non-productive, busy work that neither elevates their mind nor their life.
They’re not going anywhere, but they can’t wait to get there.
Now, as a business owner or marketer you may think that FOMO is a good thing, as it can make your product or service irresistible, and you are right; FOMO is a very powerful marketing tool, but it must be used sparingly, or it can lose its efficacy.
If you are using the power of FOMO by adding scarcity to an offer, it must also be genuine scarcity; don’t tell people that they only have 7 days to get in at a special price, only for them to see the same price/offer 30 days later!
So, FOMO does have its good and bad points depending on your perspective!
Signs Of FOMO
If you notice that you or someone you know is displaying the signs below, you can be almost certain that you/they have FOMO:
Constantly On Social Media
Since social media is designed to keep you hooked, you’ll be getting a mild dopamine hit every time you check your notifications. Likes, ‘thumbs ups’, comments, etc. are all little hits of ‘validation’ that keep you glued to the platform.
You don’t want to leave because there are always new posts popping up, and others who have FOMO will be online too, and you’ll be able to engage with them easily and incessantly.
By putting your phone aside, it’s almost as if your world has come to a standstill and you’ve left the ‘party’ – and you’re missing out. Definite FOMO!
Trying To Do As Much As Possible
A candle that burns brighter because it’s burning at both ends often burns out faster. We live in a world where motivational gurus often preach philosophies of ‘hustling’ and ‘grinding’.
As a result, many people feel like they have to do more all the time just to get ahead in life. They fear that taking a break for any reason means that they’re losing out and delaying success.
So, now we have stressed out people with frazzled nerves who don’t want to waste a minute while in their pursuit of success – another sign of FOMO.
The Need To Constantly Be On The Go
This is a very obvious sign. If someone has to update their social media with photos of their food, or ‘check in’ to whichever location they’re at or post all their thoughts and feelings on their Facebook wall – chances are high that they have FOMO.
The need to be seen by others is a secret need to feel significant. It’s also a desire for validation. This can be seen on Instagram where people blatantly share glamorous lifestyle photos in an attempt to appear successful. This too is a disguised sign of FOMO.
If you’re constantly on your phone (hooked on updates and quickly updating your social media every time you sneeze), you have FOMO. If you reach for your phone several times an hour, you have FOMO.
If you’re photographing and/or video recording everything (to post on social media) instead of enjoying the moment… yes, you have FOMO written all over you.
The Need To See It All
There’s a reason Netflix posts all the episodes for a TV show at one go. Not only does it give people the opportunity to binge watch and spend more time on Netflix… but it also appeals to people who have FOMO and can’t bear to miss a single episode. It also keeps them on the platform for as long as possible.
Gone are the days when people would wait an entire week to watch the next episode of MacGyver or The A-Team. Now, it’s all instant and dumped in front of you all at once. Gorge as you please… with a side of FOMO.
If one hates staying home alone and spending time in quiet, they probably have FOMO. They may try to fill the time with unnecessary activities.
They may want to meet friends at social events – and will feel terribly left out, if not invited. The need to be a part of everything will have them constantly stressed out.
In a nutshell, they have a serious case of FOMO.
Now that you know the signs, you can tell if you have a fear of missing out. The good news is that unlike herpes or diabetes, FOMO can be cured relatively easily.
A quick Google search for ‘tips to overcome FOMO’ will give you a list of practices you can adopt and apply to end this pesky problem.
The sooner you overcome this fear, the better. Like the saying goes, “Quiet the mind and the soul will speak” – and you’ll discover true joy and inner peace.
Overcoming FOMO and any limiting belief requires a change to the way you think, and this requires a lot of self discipline. If you want to know more about harnessing the power of self-discipline, check out the featured resource below for a free report; download, read it and take action 😊
7 Digital Product Creation Tips For Online Marketers
7 Digital Product Creation Tips For Online Marketers
Anyone who’s been trying to make money online for more than 2 minutes would have heard this line repeated ad nauseam – “You need to create your own product!!!”
Maybe 2 minutes is an exaggeration, but you get the idea.
Most marketers worth their salt know that there’s good money to be made by creating and selling their own digital products. Affiliate marketing is good, but owning and selling your own products is even better.
If you’re competent at traffic generation, you’ll get to keep 100 percent of the profits from the sales you generate. You can also recruit affiliates to promote your products and expand your market share while skyrocketing your income.
Once you’ve mastered product creation, the possibilities are endless when it comes to boosting your online income. As good as this sounds, there are a few fundamentals that must be in place for you to succeed at digital product creation.
Is There A Market For Your Product?
This is without a doubt the most important factor of the lot. While creativity is a marvelous trait to have, trying to invent a new digital product that sells like hot cakes is infinitely more difficult than improving upon existing ones.
The case of not reinventing the wheel holds true here, and the key to succeeding with your digital product is to see what’s currently popular and selling well – and emulate these winning products.
You’ll create a similar product which addresses the same topic, but from a different angle. This is where your creativity needs to shine.
You MUST have a unique selling proposition (USP) that makes your product stand above the unwashed masses of products that litter the marketplace.
Both Nike and Puma sell athletic shoes, but the former tells you to “Just do it!” with a swoosh symbol, while the latter is the only major sports manufacturing company on the planet with no slogan but lets the logo of the powerful leaping puma say all that’s needs to be said about the brand.
Similar products… but very different USPs.
Spend time researching and making notes on what products are selling well and think of how you can improve upon them. Then go ahead and create a better product.
Spy On Your Competitors
Watching what your competitors do will help you navigate the marketplace and understand why some vendors excel and some fail.
Study their products, USPs, sales copy, sales stats (if available) and so on. Read through the customer reviews and see where their products are lacking.
Can you create a product that bridges the crevasse of customer dissatisfaction? If you can, you’ll have people flocking to buy your product.
Niche Down
Once you’ve done your market research, it’ll be time to niche down and create a product for a specific topic.
So many newbies falter here and make the cardinal error of trying to create a 5000-page magnum opus that aims to fix ALL ills in that niche.
Calm down. You’re not writing a dictionary. The best way to create a digital product that sells well is to target one specific problem and provide a specific solution.
Need to lose weight? Here’s a weight loss book with a 5-step plan. Want to get build a chicken coop? Here’s a manual with 50 chicken coop plans and instructions you can use today.
Specific problems and specific solutions. That’s your secret to creating a digital product that’s not only valuable, but doesn’t overwhelm the reader either.
Create A Customer Avatar
Your digital product is not the bible. It’s not supposed to be for everyone. You must create a product that addresses a specific type of person.
You’ll need to construct a customer avatar before you start working on your product.
For example, if you’re writing a weight loss book, is it going to be for women? How old will the reader be?
Is she going to be a stay-at-home mom or a busy career woman? Will she have a lot of time to exercise or will she need quick workouts that don’t last for more than 20 minutes?
So many questions and so few answers.
What do you do?
Simple. You hang out in forums where your target market congregates. Spend time reading their questions, issues, comments, etc. This will help you to understand their problems intimately and you’ll have a finger on the pulse of your market.
Now you’re ready to create a product that speaks to them better than their best friend could.
Structuring Your Content
This is the part where you create your product. It goes without saying that you should produce the best possible product that you can. Aim for excellence, NOT perfection.
Your content should be broken down into bite-sized chunks. Your entire book shouldn’t be one long never-ending paragraph. It’s better to have shorter, ‘compartmentalized’ chapters dedicated to specific topics.
If you’re using video, it’s ideal to break down a 1-hour long video into six manageable 10-minute videos. In our noisy world, so many people have the attention span of a housefly. So, you want your content to be short enough to hold their attention, but long enough to give them the information they need.
Provide The Content In Different Formats
Times have changed. PDFs alone are not enough. Some people prefer reading. Others prefer watching videos… and many like listening to audios.
This explains why even when you purchase a book on Amazon Kindle, there’s usually an option to get the audiobook on Audible.
Provide your digital product in different formats (text, audio & videos) so that you capture as many customers as possible without inadvertently excluding any. Of course, you may choose to sell your audios and videos at a higher price.
Know Your Pricing
Last but not least, you’ll need to price your product according to what the market is willing to pay. If you overprice it, you’ll alienate most of your potential customers, and those who do buy it may feel like they’ve not gotten their money’s worth because they expect a lot more.
If you underprice it, you’ll be devaluing your product and leaving money on the table.
It’s best to look at what’s currently selling well and jot down the prices. You can then charge a similar price and occasionally offer a discount to get more attention to your offer. Everyone loves a deal.
To conclude, once you have these 7 fundamentals in place and you have a great product to sell, you’ll then need to market it well… but that’s a whole different topic for another day. For now, get the product creation basics right and it’ll be half the battle won.
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