Running your own copywriting or content marketing business is a lot more fun when you have more than one income stream.
It can also help reduce your income variability.
And one way to develop a second income stream is to sell one or more “info products.”
An info product is essentially “how to” information on a specific topic you know well. It could be a business topic or a personal topic related to a hobby, skill or other area of interest.
But what kind of info product should you create?
Should it be a PDF guide? An eBook? A printed book or manual? An online course?
In today’s article, I give my recommendation for the best type of info product, based on more than 15 years of successfully creating and selling info products.
Start with an Online Course
The best way to start your info product journey today is with a simple online course.
An online course is typically a multi-media training program consisting of audio and/or video and handouts.
I believe this format has a number of advantages over other info product types. Here are three of them:
#1: Higher perceived value
Everything else being equal, people perceive online courses as more valuable than books, eBooks or other printed materials.
Part of the reason is that you’re including several modalities in your training: audio, video, written summaries, worksheets, diagrams, templates, etc. This range of modalities gives added weight to your offering (and has the added bonus of allowing people to learn in a variety of ways).
#2: Easy to create
Yes, this format often takes longer to create and produce than something like a simple PDF. But creating audio or video content is easier than you think.
You don’t have to get in front of a camera if you don’t want to. It can be audio-only. Or if you want to illustrate some concepts, you could do it in your handouts.
Or you could present it via a PowerPoint screen capture with your voice in the background.
You have lots of options—and lots of software options on the market to help you out with it.
#3: Simple to repurpose
With courses, it’s easy to splinter off and reuse the content in other areas of your business.
For instance, you could use one of your course worksheets or checklists as a lead magnet for attracting new prospects. Or you could use part of one of the modules as fodder for a blog post.
Start Small
Whatever you do, start small. Start by creating just one info product. Use it to learn the ropes and the process. Build your side business on that product.
Then add additional products as you better learn what your target market wants from you.
By the way… whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your freelance business:
1. Grab a free copy of my book.
It’s called Earn More in Less Time: The Proven Mindset, Strategies and Actions to Prosper as a Freelance Writer. The title says it all. 😉 — Click Here
2. Join my implementation program and be a case study.
I’m putting together a new implementation group this month. If you’re earning $5k+/month (or the part-time equivalent) from your freelance business … and you’d like to grow your income quickly with better clients … just email me at [email protected]
3. Work with me privately.
If you’re a 6-figure writer who’s trying to earn more in less time, with less stress, I might be able to help you get there faster than you think. Just email me at [email protected] and put “Breakthrough” in the subject line, and I’ll get back to you with more details.
