Written on December 8th, 2009 at 01:12 am by Darren Rowse
The Importance of Having Your Own Product to Sell
Recently while on a beach vacation my family was out on the street having ice-cream when we came across two street performers/buskers.
The first one was set up 15 meters to one side of the ice-cream shop we were visiting. He had a guitar and had his guitar case open in front of him to collect the loose change of those walking by. He was pretty good and we stopped to listen to him for a moment or two before walking on and leaving $1-$2 in change in his case.
After buying our ice-cream we noticed another performer a little further down the street. This guy was something of a one man band with honky tonk guitar, harmonica, bells on one foot and a homemade kick drum/box on the other. He too had a case out for donations/tips but also was doing something that in my estimation pulled in at least 10 times the money that the other performer was making – he had two CDs for sale.
You could get one of his CDs for $15 and both for $25.
Not only was this guy pulling in tips like the other guy – but every 10 or so people to approach him was buying at least one of his CDs.
In the 15 minutes that we stopped to listen to this guy (our kids were fascinated by his act and caused quite a commotion by doing an impromptu dancing concert on the sidewalk in front of him drawing a big crowd) I saw him sell 8 CDs. He was obviously pulling in some decent money in comparison to busker #1.
Having a CD to sell was great for revenue but interestingly it seemed to also play a part in his overall act. People seemed to take him a bit more seriously than the other guy – I heard at least a few people comment to one another about the fact that he was obviously serious if he’d recorded a CD – it gave him credibility as well as giving him a talking point when chatting with people.
The Power of Having your own Products
As I tucked my boys into bed that night and my 3 year old insisted in sleeping with his new ‘honky tonk one man band CD’ (yep, we bought one too) next to his bed it struck me just how powerful having a product to sell can be.
As bloggers trying to make a few dollars from our online activity many of us get stuck thinking about making money by slapping ads on our blogs – but in doing so perhaps we’re doing the equivalent of busking for tips (not the perfect illustration I know). I know I’ve fallen into that trap myself over the years but in working to develop products to sell I’ve seen a variety of benefits including:
- Revenue – obviously selling a product (whether it be a book, ebook, membership site, consulting, coaching etc) has the potential to make you money. The cool thing about it is that you’re not splitting revenue with an ad network or someone whose product you’re promoting with an affiliate promotion – but it’s all yours.
- Credibility/Authority – I discovered the power of having something of my own to sell when we launched the ProBlogger book. Suddenly people not only referred to me as a blogger – but an author. While a hard cover book does carry weight in some circles more than an ebook – any quality product gives you another thing to list as the creator of in your CV/bio and can lend weight to your authority and credibility.
- Opportunities – Within 24 hours of releasing my photography E-book recently I had two publishers contacting me asking if we’d be interested in having them publish it as a real hard cover book. 2 weeks after launch I’ve spoken to more photographers and photography site owners about possible collaborations than I can count. When you have a product of some kind people in your industry and niche tend to take notice. It shows others in your industry that you’re serious and able to produce more than just a blog and it shows you’ve got initiative. People are attracted to that and all kinds of opportunities can emerge.
- Deepen Relationships with Readers – when someone buys something from you once there’s an increased likelihood that they’ll buy something else from you at some point in the future – IF you keep in relationship with them. Keeping a list of those who’ve purchased something from you opens up future profitable interactions. While it’s great to have an email list of readers – it’s a pretty powerful thing to have an email list of people who are proven ‘buyers’ of products in your niche.
- Lengthens Relationships with Readers – three weeks after our holiday has ended my son is still talking about the honky tonk performer. He’s been listening to the CD and every time that happens the experience he had a few weeks back is reinforced. Just yesterday I had an email from someone who bought 31 Days to Build a Better Blog who told me that they had the e-book on their computer’s desktop. She told me that every time she did another of the daily exercises she also was reminded to also check out the latest posts on the blog – something she might not have done otherwise. That e-book is drawing visitors back to my blog on a regular basis.
- Accelerated Learning – regular readers of ProBlogger will remember that last week I revealed some of the lessons that I’ve learned in the last few weeks while launching a Photography E-book. I shared 8 lessons in that post but the reality is that while it was the most profitable week I’ve had as a blogger it was also the week that I’ve learned the most about internet marketing in the last 7 years. I’ve read a lot about how to launch products online, I’ve talked to a lot of people who have done it and I’ve viewed a lot of case studies of successful launches – but there’s nothing like DOING something to learn how to do it. The theory and past conversations and case studies are helpful – but on the job training is the best. Developing and launching a product will teach you so much about many aspects of blogging, business and yourself – it’s the kind of experience money can’t buy.
- Traffic – This morning I was digging around on my photography site’s stats. Before I logged in I expected to find that traffic had been a little down on the previous month as a result of launching the ebook over the last two weeks (because I’ve been a little distracted and posted less posts than normal) and as a result of the normal Thanksgiving lull in traffic. However I was surprised to see traffic was up by about 9% over the last 30 days as compared to the 30 days before that. You can see the chart below but the 9% rise was almost completely a result of the days after the launch. As I dug further into the stats I realized that launching the e-book meant more of our regular readers hit the site to check it out but that it also created a buzz around the web as other sites linked up and as people passed on word of the launch via Twitter. Similarly – RSS and newsletter subscribers went up by more than normal in the last two weeks – launching the product has found us new readers.
129 Responses to “The Importance of Having Your Own Product to Sell” - Add Yours
AnastasiaCarroll
December 8th, 2009 1:09 am
It’s also good to update the product from time to time.
Andrew @ webuildyourblog.com
December 8th, 2009 1:13 am
I started off in the self-development niche and quickly created 2 products.
By having my own products it helped me join up with the World Champion of Public Speaking and create a joint product.
Those 3 products still bring in a steady stream of income for me.
Andrew
Jordan Cooper
December 8th, 2009 1:14 am
Wholeheartedly agree with this post as it’s proven accurate in my stand-up comedy career both with monetization and authority. You slap a professionally made CD/DVD in front of an audience and you’ve automatically shown that you’re serious and it’s what you do for a living. Before I had any products to sell after shows, you wouldn’t believe how many people were disappointed to see I had no merchandise at all. You can’t be in a better permission sales position than that – when customers are actively coming to you to eagerly part with their money!
Lee Abraham
December 8th, 2009 1:15 am
I absolutely agree! In a world where writers are competing for $25 assignments, empowering ourselves with our own products is the only way for us creative types to thrive financially. I applaud your clear and concise analysis and am inspired by your efforts. BTW: my first book just came out and I am determined to follow the model you’ve outlined here!
Ivan Walsh
December 8th, 2009 1:17 am
Hi Darren,
Trying to sell an ebook may be a little difficult for new bloggers if they don’t have the critical mass and/or following to convert casual readers into customers.
However…
If you have specialized knowledge or real expertise, then there is a market for information product as long as they are not *positioned* as ebooks, downloadables, or pdfs. This has been my experience as when I stopped calling my documents ebooks and starting calling them reports, analysis, research pieces, the sales started to kick in.
Examples of what I mean include:
White Papers on specific areas such as medical/healthcare/financial/ subjects.
Case Studies into emerging markets and areas where few authors/journalists cover.
For example, I work in Beijing and (once a month or so) get asked by customers to do research reports, for example, on Social Media or Advertising trends in Asia. They just want a 10 page report. Quick snapshot.
Financial Analysis and reports, such as into currencies, emerging markets, security (not the it type)
Customers will pay for this type of information. Actually, the price is rarely the problem. It’s identifying the right type of information, packaging the report and generating some buzz.
Bye,
Ivan
Ps – I bought you’re book by the way, even though I visit the site most every day and then lost the pdf… wah!!!
Todd - Home Construction Improvement
December 8th, 2009 1:20 am
Darren,
Any advice on how to search your stats to find the best topic to create an ebook? My site gets 3000 visitors each day searching for information…how do you decide what topic is best for an ebook?
James Rayers
December 8th, 2009 1:22 am
It must have been brilliant music to attract that many sales in such a short time. Maybe some bigger acts should look into a busking style approach to boost sales!
An intriguing point is the credibility factor. Having a product shows you have gone to some effort and evidently have some skills in your niche.
It’s definitely an interesting concept overall. Having one’s own product is every entrepreneur’s goal but finding the right product to integrate with a blog is difficult. eBook’s are a definite match, as are subscriptions (membership systems) but they all seem a little dull. I am a fan of Sitepoint’s kits, it’s roughly the same concept as an eBook but a little more practical.
cafedave
December 8th, 2009 1:22 am
Darren,
Thanks for this post. I’ve been on the fence for a long while about making an ebook, but I’m going to make an effort in 2010 to bring some out.
As something of a generalist, I’ve found it hard to focus on a particular niche. As a result, I think my traffic has suffered. More recently, I’ve worked out some subject areas I feel more passionate about than the general ones, so I’m going to concentrate my efforts there.
Antti
December 8th, 2009 1:23 am
I saw the video where you shared this story on Twitter and it was a great lesson. I liked how you went throught the other benefits of having a product than just the revenue. For a blogger, releasing first product, the other aspects might actually turn out more important than the money…
Of course it’s great to earn something for the hard work put into the product and if nothing else, you will gain new income stream for yourself. And if your first product increases your traffic and gives you credibility, not only will your blog grow, but you will have more leverage when you create more products.
Liane
December 8th, 2009 1:26 am
And this is the very reason why I’m developing a product (with partners) darren. Thanks for this post! It’s absolutely inspiring. Wish me… us rather…. luck! :)
-Liane
Avinash
December 8th, 2009 1:34 am
Well, i am still to finalize what to bring about as a product. It has to be a ebook most probably on some software and computer related stuff. But i need to work too much on it.
It may take some time but hope i can bring that out soon.
John Paul
December 8th, 2009 1:53 am
Awesome post.
Wha’t better, making 20% commision on someone else product and building HIS list.
Or selling your own “quality” product and making 100% commision and build YOUR list?
Chad Campbell
December 8th, 2009 1:54 am
“I’ve read a lot about how to launch products online, I’ve talked to a lot of people who have done it and I’ve viewed a lot of case studies of successful launches – but there’s nothing like DOING something to learn how to do it. The theory and past conversations and case studies are helpful – but on the job training is the best. Developing and launching a product will teach you so much about many aspects of blogging, business and yourself – it’s the kind of experience money can’t buy.”
Aristotle said “we learn by doing”. I think a lot of individuals try to skip the doing part. But it is such a great and worthwhile experience. Thank you for highlighting this in your post.
Eat Smart Age Smart
December 8th, 2009 1:54 am
Great way to start a Monday morning Darren.
I’m with you and I already have started the basics to launch my own product in the 2010 and I actually have plans to launch more than one.
I can tell you that from my years as affiliate manager I always see how much my clients get from their paid products and I always end up with a small fraction of that because I’m just helping them sell the product … I don’t own the product.
Your launch was incredible given that it’s a low priced product. This also shows that ebooks are not dead and there is still a lot of money to make on the web.
It’s easy to think that all the great opportunities in internet are behind us, but your results show that it’s a wrong assumption.
Krizia
Nathalie Hamidi
December 8th, 2009 1:54 am
I have recently been lauching the english version of my blog about autism, and I was actually giving the e-book some serious thoughts.
You see, lots of people write to me every day to ask me my opinion or help. One of the recurring questions is “do you think my child is autistic?”
While I’m not a doctor, and so cannot answer (most of all because I didn’t see the child’s behaviours for myself), I can provide a trail to follow to forge an opinion.
On my website, all the answers are already there, for free. But it seems most people don’t want to look around. So I thought about writing an e-book with all answers to their questions compiled in a simple shape, with printable tables to show doctors, and so on.
I have been thinking to giving it away for free, but I think I could use a few extra bucks to buy books – so that I can go on learning myself. So I’ll sell them for about 1 or 2€.
I am really, really listening about what you have to say about e-books, and I hope you’ll provide us with many other great articles about that subject soon.
Thank you very much for all those informations!
Mark Foo | 77SuccessTraits.com
December 8th, 2009 1:56 am
Hi Darren,
I’m quite surprised that you created your own products only after having been marketing online for a number of years. All the top Internet marketers have been saying the same thing over the years which is you have to have your own products to make a lot of money.
Anyhow, it’s never too late to start. Congratulations on your success and I wish you’d do better and better in future launches.
Cheers~
Mark
Jason Ulsrud
December 8th, 2009 2:00 am
Since I am wanting to create a living from blogging and the internet, I get the importance of having something to sell. I have two blogs now and I’m just beginning to get comfortable with posting on a regular basis.
Next step… Coming up with a concept for something to capitalize on. Not sure if it will be a service or an actual product. That’s where I get bogged down…
Thanks for the post.
Dana @ Online Knowledge
December 8th, 2009 2:12 am
If so, i will try to create my own product. I am in my research now.
Andrew
December 8th, 2009 2:21 am
Thanks for the post. Having a good product is so important to be successful in any business.
Vishal Sanjay
December 8th, 2009 2:25 am
Great post darren, i really want to start selling my own product but right now im concentrating on building my sites traffic. Once I get good search traffic I’ll definitely start selling my own product.
The Emotion Machine
December 8th, 2009 2:32 am
This post is very relevant to some stuff I have been contemplating lately. The last couple of months I have considered starting a personal development consulting service. I’m still wishy-washy about it because so many bloggers do similar services. On the other hand, I feel I have a world of knowledge that differentiates me from the crowd.
I believe your post just motivated me to get crackin’ on it and see how it goes. I graduate college in less than two weeks and I am looking for new ways to spend my time.
Thanks!
Emily Geizer
December 8th, 2009 2:32 am
Thanks for that little pick-me-up! I’m in the midst of the super fantastic Teaching Sells course and feel bogged down with all there is to do before my own parenting courses and membership site is launched. You helped me see the woods for the trees. Just what I needed today!
Emily
http://www.childperspective.com
Michael Hyatt
December 8th, 2009 2:37 am
I have seen this in spades after creating my two eBooks, Writing a Winning Non-Fiction Book Proposal and Writing a Winning Fiction Book Proposal. I agree with all your points.
Thanks for such a great blog. I refer it to all my blogging buddies.
Affiliate Marketer
December 8th, 2009 2:45 am
Products aren’t all roses, some negatives of your own product:
Customer service: yuck, especially with software products, this is a huge time waster
Updates: Most internet software/ebooks need updating sometimes, that’s you
Product creation: Time consuming or expensive
Promoting: Someone needs to make those banners or pay for them even if you have affiliates, without affiliates most products go unsold unless you are problogger ;)
Taxes: Taxes get really confusing if you sell your own product especially with affiliates, do the affiliates live in a state that taxes now, do you get their tax-id’s, international affiliates? Do you take tax for people in your area?
I think the real winner is affiliate marketing for the affiliate ;) You get the commission, can collect the leads and build a relationship, many times make equal or more than the merchant, and they get all the headaches ;)
Sherice Jacob
December 8th, 2009 2:49 am
Having your own product also opens up new networking opportunities from people who might otherwise ignore you. Publishing a really thorough, helpful book has helped me open new doors and get access to people I might otherwise not have had the chance to work or blog with.
It’s definitely an accomplishment to be proud of!
Michael Holmes
December 8th, 2009 2:59 am
Darren,
This is a GOOD post!!!!
Don’t get me wrong you write good posts…but THIS is a GOOD post!!!!
I love the story, the analogy…I loved the post. It also was a confirmation to me as I have a book I’m selling and am in the process of writing another one.
Thanks a lot!!!
Kevin (strongandfit.net)
December 8th, 2009 3:01 am
This make me think about writing my own fitness ebook. But I’m focused on other things and don’t really have the time. Maybe that’s why I’m not a full-time blogger :)
Srinivas Rao
December 8th, 2009 3:23 am
I’ve been in process of developing my first products. One things I’ve learned from speaking with many entrepreneurs over the last month is that your blog is really a platform for marketing and selling products. Blogs are not where the money comes from.
Baby Food Grinder
December 8th, 2009 3:26 am
An inspirational post that reminds me what the next level is. I must make an effort soon and focus on some ideas for my own product.
Dustin | Engaged Marriage
December 8th, 2009 3:27 am
This post was really motivational for me as someone who has a few good product ideas floating in my head but has not pulled the trigger yet on development.
In particular, I hadn’t realized previously just how much having a product helps in establshing someone as an authority in their field. But it absolutely has that impact!
laptop battery
December 8th, 2009 3:34 am
Thanks for this post. I’ve been on the fence for a long while about making an ebook, but I’m going to make an effort in 2010 to bring some out.
Oleg Mokhov
December 8th, 2009 3:38 am
Hey Darren,
Besides the monetary and authority benefits of having your own product to sell, you also position yourself as a creator, not just a salesman.
Yes, there are some legendary folks who never created, only sold others’ things. But the majority that make the positive and lasting impact in the world are creators. They invent and produce their unique value to the world.
Entrepreneurs, inventors, artists, musicians, you name it.
Here’s to creating and selling your own product – not just for the business benefit but for contributing more of your remarkable and unique value to the world as well.
Best,
Oleg
1cpanetwork.com
December 8th, 2009 4:07 am
Thanks for the post. Having a good product is so important to be successful in any business.
Nate Moller
December 8th, 2009 4:30 am
This is INSPIRING! I’ve been “procrastinating” the development of an eBook for about 3 years for a variety of reasons, many of which were stated in the article published about blog procrastination the other day.
I agree that “on the job” training, actually ACTING and not just HOPING, is the best way to learn.
Thanks for the post and example of the CD seller vs. the guy just asking for petty change.
Nate Moller
MollerMarketing.com
Jean
December 8th, 2009 4:44 am
Very informative article, as a newbie to blogging it has really opened my eyes on one of the many next steps.
Thanks Darren
Jean
Ebooks blog
December 8th, 2009 5:09 am
Slow down dude, I have just started my first serious, but still noob-alike and begginer level blog. Kidding. Yea, I have planned to write my own ebook, but I still don’t know what it would be about, because I am not good at anything especially, so I can just write the “one of many” kind of ebook that could hopefully get me some viral traffic. On the other side, I am still a beginner and I think it is more important to me to sit, learn and just keep posting to my blog.
Basant Singh
December 8th, 2009 5:13 am
Few more reasons to have own product to sell: it makes you more innovative Secondly you are always passionate about it. You’ll put in more effort.
Dave Doolin
December 8th, 2009 5:17 am
Creating my own tiny little product suite has been so incredibly useful for me that even if I never sold a single unit, I still learned truckloads about my services and capabilities.
Everyone serious about blogging should write at one ebook of their own. You might think this would saturate the market, and maybe it would, but you will get so much out of the process it’s worthwhile.
Blommi
December 8th, 2009 5:39 am
I had never thought of offering a product in this way before. Once my new blog is better established, I will have to start working on this. Just reading this post has given me a couple ideas, about unique ways to tie in a product to my blog. I’m enjoying my long avoided conversion to “mommy” blogging,
Dr. David Hale
December 8th, 2009 7:08 am
Darren, you are right on Brother!!!
Being from the University Academic world, I was very accustomed to developing courses, writing articles, and researching. I have hardly touched the Affiliate marketing world in the 5 years I have been online. OK, yes I have made a half decent amount with it, but it is with ancillary products and services to mine.
The last year, I have dedicated myself to developing new products and service offerings, which now top out at 103. With an average of selling 13 copies of each product per month at an average of $20/product, that brings in roughly $26.5K per month.
In 2010, my efforts will turn to marketing all of them more since I have hired 2 people to just do that.
Any much of what I have done so far came from your blogging book.
BTW, we had a great conversation at BlogWorld.
Dr. Dave Hale
The Internet Marketing Professor
jj-momscashblog
December 8th, 2009 7:35 am
Great information and tips that inspires a lot of us to expand on what we have besides our blog. I’ve been wanting to publish an e-book about tips and things to look out for when “buying a blog”. As the buyer of a blog I have a lot that I could tell other people to watch out for and just simple things that one may not think about when getting ready to pay for someone’s blog. You have made me think more about getting that ebook started and see where it brings me. Thanks for the tips and lessons learned. I can see where having a product could make one look more knowledgeable about what they are talking or selling to others.
Tomas Stonkus
December 8th, 2009 8:37 am
Dear Darren:
I agree. Selling your own products does provide you with all of the above benefits. When you work on your own product then you have more of an incentive to make your best and sell it to as many people as possible.
Also, people who read your blog will most likely be your first customers since they will be already familiar with you and yours ideas.
I will have to get working on my own product as well. I am sure a huge sense of satisfaction comes along the way as well.
Best of luck,
Tomas
Phoenix PR Firm
December 8th, 2009 8:47 am
I REALLY liked your post and blog! It took me a little bit to find your site…but I book marked it. Would you mind if I but a link back to your site?
Needmoney.com
December 8th, 2009 9:00 am
Yeah I’ve been thinking about a book base don one of the websites I administrate. It’s a big step, but I guess self-publishing (dead trees) is a lot easier now than it used to be. Can anyone recommend a decent place?
Naples Roofing
December 8th, 2009 9:33 am
Very good article, whether you are new to blogging or a seasoned blog veteran…these are great tips. Having a UNIQUE product to sell can be a real money maker for us bloggers.
Sean
December 8th, 2009 9:37 am
I loved the example you gave of the two buskers at the start – there is something very powerful that happens when people see you have a product to sell.
It is a psychological trigger – much like if you are a published author – it triggers the authority submission in our brain… something Cialdini discussed in his book ‘Influence’.
They did a study recently which proved there were as many errors in Britannica as there were in Wikipedia…
Food for thought eh!
Joe
December 8th, 2009 9:41 am
Good points.
I currently own and operate a web video hosting service. But I’ve tried just about everything as I’ve been earning a living online, full-time since 1996.
Here are a few observations:
1. You can make decent money promoting the products of other people as an affiliate marketer.
2. If you own and control the product/service, and then recruit an army of hungry affiliates to promote it, you can get rich.
3. Selling physical products can be a nightmare (inventory expenses, fraud, shipping, taxes, etc.).
4. If you can create digital products/services that you fully own/control, you have assets/equity which can continue to grow and generate long-term passive income for you.
5. If you have a tight niche and your visitors are people who advertisers would like to reach; and, you can consistently generate fresh content, or have an audience who generates it for you (e.g., forums); then, you can eventually do well with advertising.
6. Advertising should be just one avenue for cash to find its way into your bank account. Sort of like icing on the cake.
-joe
Angela @ Homegrown Mom
December 8th, 2009 10:51 am
I am working on an ebook to give away.
Do you have any other ideas besides ebooks for products?
Maybe some people could chime in with other thoughts.
offendedblogger
December 8th, 2009 11:06 am
Good advice, but I consider myself the product I am selling.
Not that I wouldn’t love to sell ads or hawk ‘Offensive Gear’ on my blog or anything, but I honestly don’t think there would be enough of a market for t-shirts, ball caps and boxer shorts to justify the time and effort for me to do so.
Maybe once I reach superstar blogger status I’ll do it, but until then I’m the only thing for sale. ;)
Chelle B.
Daily Agent Tips
December 8th, 2009 11:16 am
Darren,
Learning this lesson was the reason WHY I started my blog. I created three e-books for a hosted real estate blog I was tinkering with. I got lucky and within one day, one of my blog posts was featured on a prominant blogsite and email newsletter (150K readers), I posted up one of the e-books for $24.99 just to see what happened and made $1,000 (on accident) in one week for a 18 page e-book.
Of course, then I had to learn how to not rely on someone elses blog setup so I could build an independent customized site, and about a month ago, I launched http://DailyAgentTips.com, which is working toward it’s first 500 subscribers and future products are in the works.
I would venture to say that having a product to sell can change your life in ways one really can’t imagine, both financially and in general direction. It’s amazing.
PhotosByDepuhl
December 8th, 2009 11:28 am
Daren,
Loved this post – and the analogy is perfect. I don’t sell a product – I sell a service (I know that’s my product), which has some unique issues in and of itself – true I don’t have to deal with product creation, updates, … in the traditional sense.
But I believe it is much harder to sell a service than a product, since I can’t mass produce the commercial photography work I do.
But I do see the importance of branding, adding value to my services (which are really taking pictures of people, products and places). I can add value by offering my clients less expensive solutions to solve their challenges in photography, I can produce the photo shoots thereby eliminating problems, which cost my clients money and/or time & headache.
Value added services go on after my job as a photographer is done – when I deliver my images via a web delivery site, do my CRM in the cloud, and cross merchandise my customers products with other of my clients.
All of these items – and many more – are part my ‘one-man-band’ repertoire and make me stand out in a sea of photographers.
Thank you for your post – and the great story – I love to see how I can apply more of this to my business and become more successful.
… catching the light!
Photography by Depuhl
http://www.depuhl.com
Damon
December 8th, 2009 11:36 am
Thank you for the post. I do have a question though. My wife and I have an idea for a fitness product and are currently working on a prototype; however, it is the steps after that create an obstacle for us.
I search “how to get a product manufactured,” but we are still unclear on how to proceed.
I welcome anyone’s advice.
Thank you,
Damon
P.S. The blog portion of our (still under construction) website is going to consist of health & fitness related videos.
Ryan
December 8th, 2009 12:01 pm
I think the most of us/newbie of internet marketing have a huge trouble to create a self product. Here experience talk more than read. You can even can’t make quality product with only read a book, newsletter ect. You need some more experience.
Thx Darren, very inspiring article
Anthony Licari
December 8th, 2009 1:52 pm
Not only is having your own product to sell but multiple products as choice increases perceived value. You may have one average product but if you put it next to a couple of below average products now all the sudden the average product is looking a whole lot better.
A lot of department stores etc deploy this technique, not all products are made to sell. Some are to help sell others.
Sandra
December 8th, 2009 1:54 pm
Hey Darren,
I’ve been hearing this for a long time – have your own product and you’ll make more money. Duh – I get that.
But I didn’t get it.
And I didn’t know I didn’t get it until I read this. Thanks for outlining the 7 benefits. I never thought about the trees in the forest.
Now I really do get it.
Thanks Darren!
acide folique
December 8th, 2009 1:59 pm
Actually, I get very few clicks on the book, though the site itself does okay, so I’m really not all that sure, other than the market I’m trying to reach, which is small businesses, don’t want to read a book on the subject, instead just wants to hire someone to do the work for them.
Tim
December 8th, 2009 2:25 pm
I think you are absolutely right. Two things I wanted to share:
1. I was reading Problogger (the book) and remembered that you said you had a photography blog in there somewhere so when I was looking for a new camera for my wife, I went there first and found lots of great info…
2. I’m in education and I have to say that when I have gone to workshops and the presenter does an exceptional job I often buy his/her book(s). There is an interesting thing that happens in education. We go to presentations and then go back to our classrooms and talk about how great it would be to do the things we just heard about until we forget. Having bought many books, however, I have found, keeps me engaged in the process of learning and growing long after the actual “workshop”. The book is the connection to the presenter that keeps me trying the things that put me at the top of my game.
Good points you shared here… Thanks!
Keith
December 8th, 2009 3:14 pm
Great analogy! And great information! I will commit myself to completing a couple of products I’ve got running around in my head as quickly as is practical. A shame I’ve had the ideas for a while but have failed to act on them before. Thanks for giving me the little “push” I needed to take a step in the right direction.
Be well!
scheng1
December 8th, 2009 4:30 pm
I guess your kids help him sell the CD by their dancing! It’s surprisingly how a simple business idea can help in sales, even as simple as selling CD.
Darni
December 8th, 2009 5:45 pm
Wow,your website has such a large traffic.I will sell my own products on my blog when my blog has such a large traffic.
J.D. Meier
December 8th, 2009 6:46 pm
I’m a wicked fan of productizing yourself and I think in today’s world, selling your experience is a great play.
I tell my friends, if they just write their book, they have a product they can sell the rest of their lives, and everybody has at least one book inside of them, even if it’s just their lessons learned.
Faisal Khan
December 8th, 2009 10:10 pm
Perhaps, there can be a free text version of the content one writes on the website with revenue generation through sponsorships and an offline PDF version (and/or a text book version?) of the *same* content available for download after paying a small price?
The user can read the content online for free, and if the visitor gets impressed and chooses so, he/she can download the full PDF with all the content from the website and read at his/her own convenience on his mobile device at the time of his own choosing.
Hear Mum Roar
December 9th, 2009 12:17 am
Hmm… You’ve got me thinking. It’s a scary thought, but you know what? I’ve just worked out what I could sell! Thank you so much!
kpkumar
December 9th, 2009 1:00 am
The Importance product selling is so important now a days. content ads programs like adsense and yahoo ads will vanish when RDF technology comes live on search engines.
Joshua Black
December 9th, 2009 1:26 am
The busker had it right! I totally agree with you that you’ve got to have your own product to sell. I’ve currently got 9 that I’ve created, with many more to come. When you have you’re own product it’s like having a hundreds of little oil wells all over the internet. You don’t have to worry about competing with affiliates or splitting any of the cash.
Great way to break it down into 7 benefits as well.
If any of your readers are looking for a really easy way to make information products for FREE check this out:
http://www.information-product-report.com
Mike Stenger
December 9th, 2009 4:14 am
I don’t particularly sell a product but sell services and I can DEFINITELY agree with your points, especially the first 5. It really is worth your time to put your focus on your own products or services.
Sure, you can make a lot more money but you also rapidly build great relationships when you provide great results.
Dean Saliba
December 9th, 2009 5:29 am
I’m hoping this is right as I’m in the middle of writing myy first book. :)
Tom Kadwill
December 9th, 2009 8:59 am
Selling your own products is definitely the best way to make money through a blog or website.
Although it is harder to get a conversion compared with a click on an ad!
Tom
Tekrux
Chris from Little Black Dress Fitness Tips
December 9th, 2009 9:28 am
Time to get off my butt and pull together the e-book that I’ve been creating in my head for the last three months! Thanks as always.
Bheem @ Many Money Matters
December 9th, 2009 2:32 pm
Excellent points and very motivating to create a product of your own.
I recently started blogging and thinking about adding affiliate links and also create a product of my own. There is definitely an initial block (hesitation?) in creating such a product. But I hear that once you have the first one, next ones will be much easy.
Thanks for elaborated post.
-Bheem
maque
December 9th, 2009 10:40 pm
Yes, that is a great post and all you say is totally right. And it inspires me a great deal. Thanks.
Jim Thebeau
December 10th, 2009 1:34 am
Darren, I bought your ebook “31 Days” and am enjoying it, as well as implementing it. My question for you is, why do you not put your name somehwere on your blog posts? The name of your blog is well known (branded), but your name isn’t, at least to me. I do see that you recently started using your name in some of your outbound emails. You are the best blog teacher on the Internet. You give quite a lot and I appreciate that. Jim
Free Internet Business
December 10th, 2009 5:15 pm
Whew… Everything are well stated above! You have a great commenters
astaga.com lifestyle on the net
December 10th, 2009 8:48 pm
Excellent points and very motivating to create a product of your own.
I recently started blogging and thinking about adding affiliate links and also create a product of my own. There is definitely an initial block (hesitation?) in creating such a product. But I hear that once you have the first one, next ones will be much easy.
Thanks for elaborated post.
Charles
December 10th, 2009 10:54 pm
The second guitarist who makes money by selling his CDs is smarter than the first one. Yeah, we can sell the same song but how we sell it determines how much we’ll earn. Thanks for this nice post.
VICTOR OJ
December 11th, 2009 2:35 am
I literally started out as a novice, thinking it was real difficult to make money selling your own product, but with time i found out i could create and sell product easily.
it depends solely on commitement.
thanks for the post it really helps.
moon_h
December 11th, 2009 8:17 am
I very recently started my blog and creating an ebook isn’t even on my mind. I might make it a 6-month goal though and make it available for free download.
Thanks for the idea! You have some awesome, idea generating posts here :)
Darren Rowse
December 11th, 2009 12:42 pm
Todd – I’ve got a post on ProBlogger coming up on your question of how to choose a topic for an e-book/product.
Darren Rowse
December 11th, 2009 12:44 pm
John Paul – I see your point, but i actually think a combination of promoting other people’s products AND your own is a great way to go. Not only is it profitable but it’s great for building relationships. For example on my photography blog I have been promoting some other e-books lately. While they could be ‘the competition’ they are also potential affiliates of my own products. Having promoted their e-books they’re now promoting mine (and converting quite well).
Darren Rowse
December 11th, 2009 12:46 pm
Affiliate Marketer – yes there are some really hard things about products too. Updates, customer service etc are all tough, but if you can sell enough you can make it all worth your while. Affiliate marketing is good too but for me having my own product is certainly worth the effort.
Darren Rowse
December 11th, 2009 12:48 pm
Angela – other products might include selling your own time as a consultant, a forum area, white papers, a real book, something else that you make (photographers sell their work for example). Really depends upon your niche.
Mobile tracker
December 11th, 2009 2:59 pm
Can’t agree more, as a matter of fact we are selling something our own.
We do not have to soly rely on adsense, this makes me feel safer.
And what’s more important, you can earn more!!
wijaya
December 11th, 2009 4:41 pm
great post with wonderful illustrations. I want to know how the tips are easily accomplished by beginners. Most beginners are always a problem with their blog traffic, always trouble with the promotion on their blog. thanks
Angela @Homegrown Mom
December 11th, 2009 7:58 pm
Oh thanks for those ideas! I’m not sure anyone would pay me to consult them on anything, but who knows?
I do have a church-type of curriculum I’ve been working on for a while, it never occurred to me to try to sell it on my blog. Maybe I will :)
And I dream about a real book all the time…
Iain Buchanan
December 11th, 2009 11:17 pm
A great post, and it makes a very profound point very clearly!
I’m in the process of finishing my first proper products and am really looking forward to getting them live and sharing them with others.
I really liked the busking analogy!
Cheers,
Iain.
Cher
December 12th, 2009 2:24 am
Hey Darren!
This is really a wonderful post.
I would like to create my own product because it helps me to earn an authority status in my niche.
Helen
December 12th, 2009 2:43 am
It’s very true that you have almost 100%control over a business if the product that you are selling, it’s yours. Clearly, you know where you want your product to be seen, how you want it to be known, you know all the details..and it’s really better for you to have the control.
wopular
December 12th, 2009 5:22 am
So, for the amount of time you put into producing the ebook, did the revenue justify it?
I’ve heard from other webmasters (with millions of users) who were talked into writing a book and then selling it on their sites. One of them actually became a bestseller, but in the end, most of them didn’t think it generated enough revenue to justify the cost and energy put into it.
So, for the amount of time you put into the ebook (including development, marketing, customer service, etc.), what much did you end up making per hour? The webmaster with the bestseller said at the end he ended breaking even. For him, he said it was a good marketing product for his site, but not a good revenue generator.
Just want some good hard data, so people don’t go into it thinking if they just go and produce a product, it’s gonna be easy selling it on their sites. It’s probably not. It’s probably like any new venture, it takes a lot of work to build it, and then a lot of work to market it. If you have a lot of loyal users, you can probably make back your money and maybe even some profits, but if not, time might be better spend on improving your site.
Website Promotion Blog
December 12th, 2009 6:13 am
Your own product reflects who you are and what you’re capable of. People get to know you much better through your product. You establish relationship with your audience who become may your fervent fans. Let’s not forget that it creates buzz and revenue.
All I see in it and read here pushes me toward completing my ebook on “search engine ranking”! Thanks a lot Darren.
astaga.com lifestyle on the net
December 12th, 2009 1:21 pm
It’s very true that you have almost 100%control over a business if the product that you are selling, it’s yours. Clearly, you know where you want your product to be seen, how you want it to be known, you know all the details..and it’s really better for you to have the control.
Chris Carosa
December 12th, 2009 3:18 pm
By amazing coincidence I was just lamenting in my blog about not having anything to sell. I left with unanswered questions (and with readers who probably thought they just witnessed a car wreck). Your concise post spelled it all out clearly. It motivates me. Great job.
best boots
December 12th, 2009 9:09 pm
It’s very true that you have almost 100%control over a business if the product that you are selling, it’s yours. Clearly, you know where you want your product to be seen, how you want it to be known, you know all the details..and it’s really better for you to have the control.
Themes
December 13th, 2009 1:23 am
The best thing about having your own product to sell is you can leverage the marketing efforts of others by having an affiliate program of your product.
That way, it’s almost as though you get free traffic, promotion and most importantly, money :)
Doug Champigny
December 13th, 2009 2:31 am
Great post, Darren – and the services provided for physical product creation and distribution by sites like Kunaki and the various self-publishers make it very easy to create, produce and do fulfillment as a physical product as well!
For those who enjoy a bit more fame, there’s another benefit too… Having authored 20 or 30 e-books, reports and video series on Internet and affiliate marketing has led me to do dozens of recorded interviews, BlogTalkRadio shows, an actual business-talk radio interview and speak at conventions from Las Vegas to Orlando.
Names, face & brand recognition skyrocket, credibility skyrockets, and each of those recordings and events leads to others promoting you regularly.
Enda
December 13th, 2009 7:27 am
Relatively new to all of this and now scouring your blog for all the tips I have been overloaded with information to be honest and glad to have found this blog. It just makes so much more sense than many of the others and the first one I have seen, where it actually says you need to work hard.
I have always believed that hard work is always required and at long last is great to see that written down instead of the usual hype and bluster.
Having my own product was something I have always wondered about. I have been in business for years and have a good knowledge and have written most of it down over the years. I have it in a set of word documents and hopefully useful to someone.
You have now solved one problem for me so thanks for that. Having read your blog, is there any reason not to have your own product – sound so simple now. I promise you it wasn’t half an hour ago.
Also read you basics blog, wish I ahd seen that 10 weeks ago.
donny gamble
December 13th, 2009 1:11 pm
While thinking of the 2 scenarios, every tactics or strategy is welcome but the thing is what, when, where will you deliver. There were so many products that could lift you up–making some descent money on it. Although, it varies on person to person and what is that product. It will take time but its worth waiting for.
donny gamble
December 13th, 2009 1:13 pm
While thinking of the 2 scenarios, every tactics or strategy is welcome but the thing is what, when, where will you deliver. There were so many products that could lift you up–making some descent money on it. It will take time but its worth waiting for.
John Sullivan
December 14th, 2009 2:40 pm
Wow I have been busy and not by for a bit and it was great to stop by and catch an excellent post
thanks Darren gave me much to think about
Happy Holidays
Ajith Edassery
December 14th, 2009 8:07 pm
You are absolutely right! Having own product/unique services to sell along with branding is the key to success. A lot of bloggers are stuck in the tier 2 or 3 or income stream and recognition mainly because they don’t have anything unique to offer.
Make Money
December 14th, 2009 11:53 pm
This is a important tip. But I really can not think out what can create to sell. The e-book is the easiest to write, But now there are too many this kind of products online!
Twitr Pros
December 15th, 2009 2:41 pm
Excellent post Darren. I think this all comes back to establishing ourselves as an authoritative voices in our communities. When we’re able to point at a product, we establish ourselves as people with valuable information/in valuable positions.
Jakk Ogden from Technology Blogged
December 16th, 2009 1:02 am
Nice post. My blog was recently converted from the Blogger platform to Wordpress and as such I had to think ‘what can I offer people that they want?’ (and being a blogger with no actual product this is key).
I have found these posts very easy to follow and educational, thank you.
enciktitan
December 16th, 2009 7:28 pm
i agree with that. I have my own product and it sold well. Hope it will help them to earn some money too.
Rodelio B. Lagahit
December 16th, 2009 10:14 pm
i couldn’t agree more! right now, i’m still scouting for great products to sell this holiday season… i know it’s too late but worth giving the shot…
krissy knox
December 17th, 2009 3:29 am
Thanks for a fantastic post, Darren. It’s very informative and very encouraging. It gives us the courage to go out there and begin to market ourselves and our own products. Thanks again for the post. Oh, and that’s cool that you got your son the CD. You must be a great Dad. ;)
Chris De La Rosa
December 17th, 2009 6:02 am
Great advice. Only after 10 years of promoting other people’s products am I making the steps to create my own product. Something I can bran and associate it with my online presence (niche).
The first thing I did was to survey my readers to know what problems they have so that I can address those issues in my product.
regards
Chris
Gsniper
December 17th, 2009 9:30 am
Agree, you should have your own product to sell however don’t make the huge mistake of doing your own product before you even have a bit of experience.
I always recommend doing affiliate marketing first, build up that experience and money…. and than yes, move into your own product development and marketing.
DC Practice Tools
December 17th, 2009 10:39 am
Not only was the performer capitalizing on the opportunity to be heard and make some extra cash by offering a product for sell. He was marketing himself also. Creating a following of fans….the only thing that would have made it more of a sweet set up would have been capturing the names and email address of the ones who bought or even the ones just watching. Just like on blogs….people lurk and read for weeks maybe before they subscribe or even comment. By getting their information he could have continued his engagement with his fans. Like letting them know if and when he performed again or a new CD.
I don’t know…I suppose he could have place information inside his CD jacket giving people a directive to his MySpace, Facebook or website.
I hope he did.
This post was great…so much to learn and much more to implement…and then more to learn.
Faisal Khan
December 17th, 2009 10:12 pm
After having a website for developers for 9 years, it was only this post that inspired me enough to finally put a product to sell.
Thanks Darren and everyone.
Opensource ASP.NET Newsletter.
http://www.stardeveloper.com/newsletter/
Kevin @ SuperSmartEbook
December 21st, 2009 9:50 pm
I know a guy who used to do affiliate marketing (selling other people products) then he recently produced his very own product(ebook) and he just multiplied his income but it wasn’t an easy journey to create a product, a lot of efforts but it pays off at the end
Great post!
Neil
December 23rd, 2009 9:30 am
I’ve learned a new technique for creating your own product (one that people will want and pay for) that I have been able to promote on my Social Media Marketing Plus Blog. It’s easier than it used to be and here’s why. Get yourself a Mind Mapping software tool and lay out a process, a methodology or something that seems complex, that when you model it and detail the 1-2-3-X steps, you clear up the confusion.
Mike Barlow
December 25th, 2009 5:32 am
Thanks for a fabulous post. I’m setting some 2010 goals. We already have a product (a guidebook / scavenger hunt for kids visiting Yosemite National Park), but you’ve shown me a different way to connect with our audience that I hadn’t seen before. Thanks much!
Make Money
December 26th, 2009 12:07 am
I totally agree with you. I have my own product and it sold well. Hope it will help the newbies to earn some money too.
Carma
December 30th, 2009 3:06 am
I agree that having a product or a value added service is essential. It gives more of an opportunity for success for the seller. Plus it shows that the seller is serious, focused and enjoying what he or she is doing. I know when I go in to a coffee shop for a simple cup of coffee if the cashier is pleasant to me that is value added service and I’ll go back. If she is rude, I will hesitate. Or if I visit a website that is difficult to navigate through I won’t go back. Adding products, services and information does draw people to your business.
Scentsy Texas
December 30th, 2009 7:37 pm
I also think it is important to have a good relationship with your customers and the best way to accomplish this is to be genuine and sincere. People know a phony when they see one.
Fun FREE Giveaways
December 30th, 2009 7:39 pm
With information overload, the best way to get customers is by word of mouth. With that in mind, keep your customers happy and they will tell someone and so on and so on….
Scentsy
December 30th, 2009 7:41 pm
I agree that coming across as a professional and letting people know you are serious and passionate about your product is important, just as the street performer was by creating a CD.
Rene Silva
December 31st, 2009 3:14 am
By far one of the best advices everyone could ever receive is the one you gave us in this post U_U. I love the analogy, and this happens everyday.
Thanks for this post.
Connie
January 2nd, 2010 4:51 pm
Great article. Your own niche product/blog is going to produce more revenue than a copy cat or advertising someone else’s products.
Arron Mcdaries
January 15th, 2010 2:31 pm
I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you that I really loved this entry. It was full of great information and creativity, both of which we always need.
Steve
January 16th, 2010 3:57 pm
Seems like producing a good eBook isn’t too difficult these days with a lot of PLR material out there in addition to cheap VAs from other countries looking to do work for $6 an hour.
Scentsy
January 29th, 2010 9:16 am
My brother and I came up with our own product last year and we have found that people definitely take us more seriously since doing that. We have a pretty strong community of followers now.
I agree with everything you’ve said.
Charleen Antal
February 5th, 2010 5:40 pm
Lol this reminds me of that quote “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Neil
February 11th, 2010 8:06 am
Truer words were never spoken, especially in the IM online world. As an adjunct to this mantra, its also prudent to forget trying to sell what you’re passionate about vs. what the market is asking for or better still, demanding in large volumes.
I’ve been tracking the stats and emerging trends on how and why video marketing is critical to online success and how even the average guy can compete in a competitive niche w/out having to fork up major dollars in the process.
This is one of the reasons why I am focusing on Video Marketing as a main staple in my online marketing efforts.
Dave Lianelli
February 16th, 2010 7:45 am
Hey Darren,
that post hit the bullseye! I’ve had a consulting business for a few years and saw that I always trade time for money. Even when increasing hourly fees you still have an income cap.
With product sales you don’t have the income cap and don’t have time issues either. Once the system and the support is taken care of, you, the entrepreneur can start other projects.
Regards,
Dave
David Free
February 19th, 2010 11:06 am
Great read, well-written. The problem I think is that when visitors hover their mouse into your name and see that url directing to a blogger profile in their status bar, its more likely that they won’t click it.
Janice Clark
February 21st, 2010 9:44 pm
Its not easy starting a small business in which you invest so much of your time and money on it, but this will give new small business owners an edge in selling their products. I too benefited from this information that you shared, thank you.
nelson@bathroom shower
February 25th, 2010 11:03 pm
Its great to have your own product to sell and really the importance of the selling of your own product is tremedous when its done very accurately.
Thomas O
March 1st, 2010 10:38 pm
This is a great post at a great time.
While offering a product isn’t the ‘one shot, one kill’ road to legitimacy and success that many here are seeming to believe, it does show a level of seriousness and professionalism that as part of an overall presentation can work in your favor.
Reading this strengthened my belief that the final section of my front page would be devoted to the products I already have for sale.
Thanks!
Thomas @ MMA.BS
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