Finding Ebook / Product Ideas isn’t as Hard as you Think!

March 2nd, 2010 | 24 comments

internet marketing product ideas I’ve been pretty quiet for the past 2 weeks. The last time I published any content here or to my list was nearly 2 weeks ago, when I publicly addressed a major issue I was having with the email marketing service I use, which was finally handled in a very professional way by the CEO of the company.

No, I haven’t been pouting over that issue for the past two weeks I’ve been busy looking at homes and organizing the development of 3 different Internet Marketing related products. Ironically, much of the money I make from my products will be paying for the home that I’m about to buy.

So today I sat here at my desk trying to come up with a good blog post for you and I realized this is a great time to talk about what it is that has enabled me to provide for my family in the way that I do, with a nice car and home in a great school district/area, next to a huge, beautiful lake… and everything else that comes along with this lifestyle.

So what is it? PRODUCTS! Ebooks, scripts, software etc. Of course I use my “Info-Product Success Formula” and have for several years now, but what it all comes down to is developing good products that help people and finding good products from others to promote as an affiliate while my own products are being developed.

Now that just sounds fine and dandy, but of course talking and doing are two different things. That’s exactly why I laid my info-product guide out, step-by-step and packaged it for you. But for many people their biggest road block and motivation killer hits before they even begin…

If you’re not a “Guru” how do you come up with good product ideas?

That’s the question many people have. It’s the question I had in the beginning too. Here is my answer: Don’t try so hard. I know you’ve been told and you’ve heard in forums and on blogs that your product needs to be unique and special. Bull! I’ve sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of ebooks, scripts and software and I’m telling you right now, that’s not true.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying anything will sell. Here’s what I’m getting at. As long as your product will either solve a problem or make something easier for others, it will sell. I’ll give you a great example:

The first ebook I ever wrote was “Article Marketing Domination” (it has obviously been updated several times since first released.) When I first wrote that ebook I asked someone who shall remain nameless, what he thought of it. This is someone who is still to this day considered by many to be a “guru.” This “guru” told me there’s no way it will sell. He told me it doesn’t “change” anything… there isn’t a need. It’s nothing special. I’ve lost track of how much money that ebook has generated in sales, but I know it’s closing in on 6-figures. (UPDATE – I no longer own Article Marketing Domination…the rights have been sold.)

So why did this “guru” say that and why was he wrong?

He said that because “AMD” was very simply an article marketing guide. It shows people how to effectively market with articles from A to Z. I learned the right way and it was working for me, so I wrote a guide teaching exactly how to do it. It didn’t change anything I suppose. It didn’t/doesn’t contain “Ground-Breaking” info. It didn’t/doesn’t contain any super top secret info that will generate millions of dollars for you. But you know what it does contain? It contains accurate, proven, solid, real-world advice that someone who doesn’t really know what they’re doing with their article marketing campaign can take and benefit from a great deal.

He was wrong, and everyone else who gives the same advice are wrong, because more and more people, especially Internet Marketers, are learning to sift through the hyped up “secret squirrel” high-priced garbage to find the down-to-earth, SOLID, real-world products that will truly help them build a solid business.

So now when I’m thinking of product ideas I brainstorm a list of problems and obstacles that I face in my own business. I then think of potential ways in which I can fix them. Some will be so easily fixed that they will not make a good product. Others will be too difficult and/or expensive to fix. But there are always some that fall in between. Those are the the money makers.

Once I find my money makers, I DON’T worry about whether or not my solution is already out there on the market because I obviously haven’t found it if it is and if I haven’t found it then I know there are alot of other people who haven’t either!

Do you think when I released “AMD” it was the only article marketing guide on the market? Heck no. There were hundreds, if not thousands.

All that matters is your product is genuinely helpful to some sort demographic.

So if you’re one of the many who are stuck on the whole product idea thing, stop worrying and start developing! It MAY NOT be a winner, but as Wayne Gretzky once said “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” and if you have a product idea that you’re confident will help people, chances are it’s going to sell!

If you want a solid, real-world, proven system to profit from electronic products (ebooks, scripts, software etc.) and you haven’t already, grab a copy of my very popular “Info-Product Success Formula.”

But whether you use my formula or another, don’t make your own product idea’s brick walls on your path to success. If your idea(s) truly helps people stop wondering, worrying and thinking about it and take action on it!

img credit: Sean Dreilinger

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24 comments

Mark Mason (75 comments.)
2nd March, 2010 at 9:13 pm

You make a very interesting point.

Let me add to it from my perspective. As you know, AMD is actually one of the first (maybe actually the first) internet marketing information products I ever purchased.

The thing is — it was exactly what I needed at the time (and I still recommend it) because it was accurate and to the point.

It did not matter if there were 75 other article marketing guides out there. Yours met my needs and was available when I needed it. It was priced properly in the market place too.

In other words, it converted because it you were making a quality offer that matched up well with with a buyer (me).

So, you are correct. If people create great offers that buyers need they will convert to sales.

Now the question is, how well will AMD (or any new offer) convert?

Here are five things that make AMD convert over time from my perspective:

1. The product meets the needs of people that are arriving at the sales page.

2. The author of the product has a reputation for helping people and solving their problems. That reputation grows over time.

3. There is little risk in taking the offer because the purchase is clearly guaranteed.

4. The product delivers exactly what it says it will deliver (and more) — keeping refunds low.

5. The product has an affiliate program that helps keep traffic coming to the site.

Bottom line: If people create solid offers that help people they will convert.

How well they convert is called INTERNET MARKETING.

Great post again Josh.

Regards,
Mark
Peggy Baron (1 comments.)
2nd March, 2010 at 10:44 pm

Thanks for the insightful post, Josh. I would like to add that in my experience, there’s a lot to be said for the timing. There are new marketers (or whoever) who are looking for particular information at a certain point in their journey. And if I’m right there with a quality product, original or not, they’re going to get it.

It’s kinda like “when the student is ready, the master will appear”.

Cheers,
Peggy
Franck Silvestre (18 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 9:08 am

The thing is to get started and get something out there fast. Even if it doesn’t work at the first time, sales (and leads) will come if the noob follows a proven plan.

My first website ever was so horrible… but it made me several thousands of dollars back in the time (couldn’t believe it but…).

Congrats for your new house!

Franck
Edwin Boiten (1 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 9:08 am

Totally agree on it. At first I wanted to create a masterpiece that would solve every problem. I was trying to hard.
Lately I split up a few parts of what I wanted to create in the end and made small products out of parts of it and those are succesfull
Paul (1 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 11:55 am

Great post Josh. I’ve been mulling over this “product idea” in my head for the last 2-3 months now. But these ideas are quickly squashed out faster than a bullet going thru pork fat.

But this post has given me an abundance of ammunition to fight off those nasty negative thoughts.

Paul
Leonard Greenhall
3rd March, 2010 at 12:06 pm

Thanks Josh your comments are always so helpful and practical and encouraging
Leonard
Rika Susan's Recipes For Juicing (23 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 12:25 pm

Great article, Josh. Just goes to show that a positive approach plus a product that comes packed with real, honest value will always be a winning combination. And, yes, even a ‘guru’ can be wrong sometimes.
Linda (8 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 12:28 pm

What you say is very true Josh. We think just because the product we’d like to create hasn’t got new, earth shattering information in it, that no one would be interested in purchasing it. But like Peggy and Mark said, everyone is at different stages of learning so what you have to offer may be just the right info they need for the stage of learning they’re at. I needed this reminder.
Nando (8 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 12:29 pm

Hey Josh,

Thanks for the push, btw I like the
“hyped up â€œsecret squirrelâ€ high-priced garbage description.

It’s funny but it’s true and the more you move ahead in this business, the more you find out that the majority of products created aren’t even original.

But they sell like crazy.

I guess it’s like double dutch, you can’t enjoy the game if you don’t jump in.
Joe
3rd March, 2010 at 2:07 pm

How true Josh and a great post at a great time. “Just do it!”

I’ve been mulling over several ideas for a while and constantly waffle back and forth between having enough time to finish (so I never start because I feel I won’t finish) to not being able to talk to an audience (or there is no audience – who the heck am I and who would give a crap what I have to say?)

There is no “secret squirrel” answer .. no need to constantly spend money on other crappy IM product when all you need to do is “Just do it!”

Thanks Josh for always keeping it real!
David @ Computer sales and support (9 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 2:09 pm

I know that you are not a fan of great post type of comments. However, I just have to say that this advice is superior and uplifting.

Thanks
Ken
3rd March, 2010 at 3:27 pm

Josh,
I purchased Info Product Success Formula and highly recommend it. Even if you don’t write a book, the formula you lay out with the squeeze page and one time offer is worth the price of admission. Thanks for everything.

My biggest struggle is picking niches so thanks for this post.
Kurt Henninger (2 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 6:13 pm

Josh,

It is SO true that people don’t give themselves enough credit for what they know.

It isn’t hard to write an ebook or two, like you said, just think of problems people are having and write a course on it.

Another great way to come up with course ideas is to do a survey (if you have an existing list of subscribers) of them and ask them what their biggest 2 or three challenges are.

Take the biggest one, and write a course on it.

Bingo, instant course.

That was how I wrote my first course.

Kurt
Ed
3rd March, 2010 at 7:58 pm

At this stage of the game (I developed a short product, heck I’ve written a book which I’m nearly forgetting almost! and another product I’m working on) at this stage of the game encouragements are most welcome. I need to get that book out in the next week; and I shall. Thanks Josh. Timely
Sandy Kumskov (1 comments.)
3rd March, 2010 at 8:05 pm

Hi Josh,
So true! As we coaches say, Done is done! I also learned very early in my counselling days that there are people on the planet who can only learn from you – something about what you say and the way you say it strikes a chord with that person – If I said the same thing, they would not hear it.

I really believe that’s why there is room for “duplication” – seemingly repeating the same thing others have done. It’s almost arrogant to NOT say what you have to say, because you are almost deliberate keeping your own learnings to yourself. Most people are more likely to think “who’d want to know what I’ve got to say, everyone know it..”. Takes a leap of faith to take a leap of faith

Good on you, great post

Sandy
Gary Huynh
3rd March, 2010 at 8:19 pm

You’re right. Most internet marketing products these days do not contain anything new. People often launch one product after another and each product seems like the last one written in a different way. These products still sell a decent amount. If you target a desperate market, they will buy just about anything that is created to help them solve their problems.
Mike
4th March, 2010 at 4:19 am

Great points Josh.
Sometimes we try to create/invent something so fantastic that we get no where.

I never fail to learn when I visit here. Thanks again!
kindred scents
4th March, 2010 at 4:20 am

i havent seen anything new as for as information on creating quicker and better content or products in and ebook fashion. maybe once these new platform come out (including the ipad) mayne it will get interesting
Gary Hicks (5 comments.)
4th March, 2010 at 9:39 am

I think a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs are fooled (often by so called gurus) into thinking they have to discover something completely new or original or they need to be some kind of world expert on a subject to write about it.

All you need to do is research existing stuff and then re-package and nicely present the relevant bits to those who are interested. Just use your own words, your own spin or slant on something that’s already out there.
Jackie Lee (4 comments.)
4th March, 2010 at 8:18 pm

I think another piece of the puzzle is people don’t have confidence in themselves. I remember wondering who’s going to buy this from me… when I put my first product online.

I also agree with Mark (from the first) comment that building a reputation as someone who really helps people makes selling a product much easier. My first product was the hardest one to sell, now every new product I put out is pretty easy, because people know they can trust the stuff I put out there.

Jackie
David Wilcoxson (1 comments.)
9th March, 2010 at 2:39 am

Hey Josh, I appreciate your encouragement.

When people study your courses or invest in other trainings, they take their knowledge to a new level, which gives them more ideas to share with others.

Keeping learning and growing and you will always have something to share with others.

You don’t have to be an expert.

You just need to think about what’s easy for you now… that used to be difficult.

And realize that there are other people who need to learn the same skills. Then write an Ebook to meet that need.

David
Jared Detroit (9 comments.)
23rd March, 2010 at 4:47 am

You have my mind racing with ideas right now. I’ve been trying to think of that magic bullet that will be the end all be all of eBooks but I like your approach. Get a non-hyped real world eBook that can give buyers good information and you will make money.
Allan Kent Pedersen
23rd March, 2010 at 8:00 pm

Yes, go for it! it is very nice reading an article like this when its hard getting new income ideas and you dont have confidence in your self.
Joseph. E
28th March, 2010 at 6:02 am

Hello Josh,
I must say i love ur work. I am new to ur blog and ur products in general. I know where have I been? But I did get ur free reports and I promised myself to take action.
Ur $5 formula is really easy to implement and I want to say thank you very much for sharing ur knowledge and experience with us. I have realized that almost every IM out there gives out some of their technique and lets u figure out the rest but u have actually given us something that is very valuable to us tho its free to us i am sure it cost u a lot and for that I am grateful.
I like simple and you make it simple to follow.
Keep doing what you are doin and be rest assured you have a dedicated follower. Me.
Abuja, Nigeria.