How to Write & Sell Simple Information for Fun and Profit

1. Choose a profitable niche and become a recognized expert

"The more specialized and narrow the niche, the more money you can charge for the book."

Narrow your focus. Selecting a specific niche allows you to establish yourself as an authority and command higher prices for your expertise. Begin by identifying your interests, skills, and experiences, then research market demand using keyword tools and industry publications. Consider micro-niching within broader topics to stand out from competitors.

Build your reputation. Becoming a recognized expert in your chosen niche is crucial for long-term success. Consistently produce high-quality content, engage with your audience through various channels, and seek opportunities to demonstrate your expertise. Consider:

• Writing articles for industry publications
• Speaking at conferences and events
• Collaborating with other experts in your field
• Developing a strong online presence through blogs and social media

2. Create valuable content in multiple formats to reach diverse audiences

"By publishing in different media addressing all four of the major learning modalities, you can reach the broadest audience possible, which means more sales and income."

Diversify your content. People learn in different ways, so create content that caters to various learning styles:

• Reading: Books, e-books, articles, reports
• Listening: Audio programs, podcasts
• Watching: Videos, webinars, DVDs
• Doing: Workshops, interactive courses

Repurpose your material. Maximize the value of your content by adapting it for different formats. For example, turn a book into an audio program, or convert a seminar into a video series. This approach allows you to reach a wider audience and create multiple revenue streams from a single piece of content.

3. Leverage free content to build your audience and sell paid products

"By giving away valuable free content, you can get many thousands of readers to subscribe to your online newsletter."

Create a content funnel. Use free content as a way to attract and engage potential customers:

• Blogs and articles
• Free e-books or reports
• Podcasts or video series
• Social media content

Convert free readers to paying customers. Consistently provide value through your free content, then strategically promote your paid products and services. Use email marketing to nurture relationships with subscribers and guide them towards purchasing your premium offerings.

4. Develop information products at various price points for maximum profit

"The narrower the focus of your membership web site's topic, the more you can charge—and the lower your 'abandon rate' (number of subscribers who drop out) will be."

Create a product ladder. Offer information products at different price points to cater to various customer segments:

• Low-priced: E-books, short reports ($10-$50)
• Mid-range: Online courses, audio programs ($50-$500)
• High-end: Coaching, consulting, software ($500+)

Upsell and cross-sell. Encourage customers to move up your product ladder by offering complementary products and premium versions of your content. Use strategic pricing and bundling to increase the perceived value of your higher-priced offerings.

5. Master the art of writing engaging and effective how-to content

"What makes e-books special? 'Effective e-books are single-problem oriented, with step-by-step, current, applicable solutions that justify the higher price,' says Gordon Burgett."

Focus on problem-solving. Identify specific problems your audience faces and provide clear, actionable solutions. Structure your content in a logical, step-by-step format that guides readers towards their desired outcome.

Write for clarity and engagement. Use these techniques to make your how-to content more effective:

• Short sentences and paragraphs
• Bullet points and numbered lists
• Concrete examples and case studies
• Analogies and metaphors
• Visual aids (charts, diagrams, images)
• Conversational tone
• Active voice

6. Utilize public speaking and seminars to enhance your reputation and income

"Public speaking is great for building your reputation as an expert in your field, and it's also a lucrative profit center in its own right."

Develop your speaking skills. Invest time in improving your public speaking abilities through practice and training. Focus on delivering value to your audience while showcasing your expertise.

Monetize your presentations. Generate income from speaking engagements through various channels:

• Paid keynote speeches
• Corporate training sessions
• Workshops and seminars
• Conference presentations
• Webinars and online events

Record your presentations to create additional products, such as audio programs or video courses, further maximizing the value of your speaking engagements.

7. Expand into software and high-value consulting services

"If you know something, you can hire a programmer for peanuts today to package that knowledge or skill as a useful software product you can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars."

Create software solutions. Identify processes or calculations within your niche that could be automated or simplified through software. Hire programmers to develop applications based on your expertise, which you can then sell at a premium price.

Offer high-value consulting. Leverage your reputation and knowledge to provide personalized consulting services:

• One-on-one coaching
• Business strategy sessions
• Implementation support
• Custom problem-solving

Price these services higher than your information products to reflect the personalized attention and direct access to your expertise.

8. Build a recurring revenue stream with membership sites and newsletters

"If you have 10,000 online subscribers who spend on average just $100 buying your books and other information products a year, your annual gross income would be $1 million."

Develop a membership site. Create a content-rich website with exclusive resources, tools, and community features. Charge a recurring monthly or annual fee for access, providing a steady income stream.

Launch a paid newsletter. Offer in-depth, specialized information through a subscription-based newsletter. Focus on providing unique insights and actionable advice that subscribers can't easily find elsewhere.

Maintain engagement. Regularly update your membership site and newsletter with fresh content to reduce churn and keep subscribers engaged. Consider offering different membership levels or add-ons to increase average revenue per subscriber.

9. Continuously update and repurpose your content for ongoing success

"When you turn lectures into DVDs, what do you show on the screen? Part of the time, it's you at the lectern talking. You can cut to the audience and show them attentively listening, applauding, or laughing, but you need a signed release from your attendees to do so."

Stay current and relevant. Regularly review and update your existing content to ensure it remains accurate and valuable. This practice allows you to resell updated versions of your products and maintain your reputation as a current expert in your field.

Maximize content value. Repurpose your existing material in creative ways:

• Turn blog posts into an e-book
• Create a "best of" collection from your newsletter archives
• Develop a course based on your most popular articles or videos
• Compile related products into high-value bundles

By continually refreshing and repackaging your content, you can create new revenue streams and reach new audiences with minimal additional effort.

Last updated: August 4, 2024