Hello Everyone, Looking For Advice on Products

19 replies
Hi Everyone,

Thanks for this wonderful resource, I've been looking through the forum and there really is a ton of valuable information here!

Back in 2009 I started to get interested in IM. I've been freelancing web design and IT services since I was 16 (24 now) and I've gotten kind of burnt out on it. I want to do something that has some scalability and passivity (creating a product, piece of software, etc.)

Now I'm in somewhat dire straights financially and I started doing the "get rich quick" searches and rediscovered warrior forum =P. Just started really looking through it, glad I purchased a war room membership back in the day. I have an idea for an ebook I could create, but I was wondering if anyone has ideas for how to market test an ebook before I write it?

I'm not looking for a get rich quick scheme, I'm looking to really learn this IM thing.

The biggest thing for me is that I want to offer REAL VALUE to people in exchange for their hard-earned dollars. Looking through clickbank and such I get really cynical about a lot of the products there, picking up women, diet pills, diet advice, make money now quick yes zap boom, it all looks like **** berry or something to me. It all looks like the ads in the back of a playboy. Am I just looking at this all the wrong way?

I feel like I'm stupidly waiting for that "perfect idea" that will never come, at the same time I can't seem to get passionate about any of the products I see out there right now.
#advice #choosing a product #products
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
    Banned
    If it's any consolation, to an extent I agree with you.

    The Internet marketing landscape has gotten extraordinarily boring as of late. Very little innovation or exciting new products on the horizon.

    I guess the most exciting development is mobile marketing and QR codes at the moment.

    But then some proven niches will always stand the test of time. What we call evergreen niches.

    In your case to keep your passion alive rather than plumping for the latest fad, try to identify a niche which really excites you as a person. Something which lights your fire. Ignites your interest. Get you highly excited and animated in your conversations with other people.

    The world is full of ideas and too many people constantly follow the herd. Typically they'll go for the weight loss niche and the make money online niche even though both have been flogged to death in recent years.

    What other hobbies / interests do you have?

    Could you not carve out a good return on your investment (time and money) from this specialized knowledge already in your possession?

    Sometimes you can make more, concentrating your efforts on these smaller more specialized niches than you can constantly looking for the next perfect big thing.

    The latter is like chasing the proverbial rainbow. Unless you're ideally cut out for the task and can come up with a myriad of ideas, forget chasing perfection.

    Just do what you enjoy doing instead.

    This will allow you to be more inventive and innovative and get you thinking outside the box within your chosen niche.

    Hopefully this helps a little bit.

    Best,


    Pete Walker
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    • Profile picture of the author thegmann
      Originally Posted by Pete Walker View Post

      In your case to keep your passion alive rather than plumping for the latest fad, try to identify a niche which really excites you as a person. Something which lights your fire. Ignites your interest. Get you highly excited and animated in your conversations with other people.

      The world is full of ideas and too many people constantly follow the herd. Typically they'll go for the weight loss niche and the make money online niche even though both have been flogged to death in recent years.

      What other hobbies / interests do you have?

      Could you not carve out a good return on your investment (time and money) from this specialized knowledge already in your possession?
      This is what I needed to hear from someone with more experience than me...
      Most of my experience is in web design, running an IT business, adwords, most of that has been "flogged to death", plus as of late I've kind of lost my passion for all things tech-related.

      I've been getting into producing electro-house music, maybe I can think of something involving that...

      I'm no fire-juggler but there's got to be something I can offer.

      Thanks Pete
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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    Originally Posted by thegmann View Post

    The biggest thing for me is that I want to offer REAL VALUE to people in exchange for their hard-earned dollars. Looking through clickbank and such I get really cynical about a lot of the products there, picking up women, diet pills, diet advice, make money now quick yes zap boom, it all looks like **** berry or something to me. It all looks like the ads in the back of a playboy. Am I just looking at this all the wrong way?

    I feel like I'm stupidly waiting for that "perfect idea" that will never come, at the same time I can't seem to get passionate about any of the products I see out there right now.
    I have a few thoughts on this-

    For one thing, know that you're not alone. My wife saw the sales page of a popular CB weight loss product and was like "Who would BUY that? It looks like such as scam!"

    I'm thinking that if you don't like any of the products on CB, you could write your own, right?

    It's not just about the product though- its about the niche. If you want to get in the weight loss niche for example, there are SO many things you can promote- including legit programs like P90X, treadmills, etc.

    So have you thought about not just the product, but what niche you're interested in?

    For example I like the computer game Rift, which is pretty hot right now.

    Maybe you like- ionno- mountain biking.

    If you could start promoting mountain bikes as an affiliate you could make BANK.

    Thats why a lot of guys recommend starting in a niche you like.
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    • Profile picture of the author thegmann
      Originally Posted by AYoungMillionaire View Post

      I have a few thoughts on this-

      For one thing, know that you're not alone. My wife saw the sales page of a popular CB weight loss product and was like "Who would BUY that? It looks like such as scam!"

      I'm thinking that if you don't like any of the products on CB, you could write your own, right?

      It's not just about the product though- its about the niche. If you want to get in the weight loss niche for example, there are SO many things you can promote- including legit programs like P90X, treadmills, etc.

      So have you thought about not just the product, but what niche you're interested in?

      For example I like the computer game Rift, which is pretty hot right now.

      Maybe you like- ionno- mountain biking.

      If you could start promoting mountain bikes as an affiliate you could make BANK.

      Thats why a lot of guys recommend starting in a niche you like.
      Haha, yeah that's what I think when I look at any sales page these days, but I think that it's just because I've seen many of them. I'm analyzing it like "well that's to create false scarcity" etc.

      A niche I like... that's like asking what kind of job I'd love to do, if I knew I'd be doing it! I'm finding it hard to get excited about anything right now, except for the idea of making money- maybe that's really the deeper issue.

      I guess I'll give myself a time deadline to pick something, hmmm, that idea makes me very uncomfortable... growth? Yes!
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      • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
        Banned
        Originally Posted by thegmann View Post

        I'm finding it hard to get excited about anything right now, except for the idea of making money- maybe that's really the deeper issue.
        Nail. Head.

        Don't worry or even think about the money angle. For now concentrate on delivering high value to other people.

        People will buy into you or your knowledge if they perceive that for the exchange of monies to you there is a greater benefit to be gained from your expert knowledge than their current frustration or pain experienced.

        Think about this ^ for a second. Read it again if you have to.

        Now, what can you do better than somebody else by a factor of 10%?

        Take electronic music for example...

        What do you enjoy in this niche? Are you a DJ? Do you enjoy mixing tracks at home on your turntables? How do you come up with new styles? How do you get your audience screaming out for more on the dancefloor?

        You can bet your bottom dollar in this niche that these particular questions are somebody elses pain right now.

        Can you alleviate their pain or frustration? Can you solve their problem/s?

        You'll make more money doing something you enjoy doing over some task which has become flat and boring to your personality.

        Also consider running workshops teaching others how to make their own electronic music. For example lets say you charge $40 for a 2 hour class. And you attract 10 people to sign up for your interactive workshop once a week for a 12 week 'course' paid for in full in advance.

        This will give you $400 per week minimum for 3 months for little more than 2 hours work per week. Scale it up for more profit.

        You can cross apply this to any teaching niche you choose.

        Simple idea for you to take action on which will get you away from all of this techy non creative malarkey which obviously bores you these days to tears.

        Does this help?

        Btw what kind of electronic music are you into?

        Back in the day... ( <---- The clue is in the eye's )

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        • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
          I think it's a great idea to expand into more products and areas but you also say you're in rather bad financial straits. At this point, it might be more sensible to use what you know to make money now, since you need it, and work on the other stuff in your odd hours. At least until the finances are more stable.
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          • Profile picture of the author thegmann
            Originally Posted by Tina Golden View Post

            I think it's a great idea to expand into more products and areas but you also say you're in rather bad financial straits. At this point, it might be more sensible to use what you know to make money now, since you need it, and work on the other stuff in your odd hours. At least until the finances are more stable.
            Thanks Tina for the down to earth view. I agree and it's what I'm doing, I'm on the prowl for work I can do now, I might have a web design job coming up but that's never reliable until there's money in my bank account. I'm sure something will come along- it always has in the past.

            I'm just so tired of this rollercoaster, living paycheck to paycheck, never being able to save anything, mostly because of my lack of passion, not because there's any lack of work. It's my own fault I've continued doing something I'm not into to the point that the only thing that gets me off my ass to find another job is getting a bill.

            So yes, I'm looking for work, and at the same time looking to get something else started.
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        • Profile picture of the author thegmann
          Originally Posted by Pete Walker View Post

          Nail. Head.

          Don't worry or even think about the money angle. For now concentrate on delivering high value to other people.

          People will buy into you or your knowledge if they perceive that for the exchange of monies to you there is a greater benefit to be gained from your expert knowledge than their current frustration or pain experienced.

          Think about this ^ for a second. Read it again if you have to.

          Now, what can you do better than somebody else by a factor of 10%?

          Take electronic music for example...

          What do you enjoy in this niche? Are you a DJ? Do you enjoy mixing tracks at home on your turntables? How do you come up with new styles? How do you get your audience screaming out for more on the dancefloor?

          You can bet your bottom dollar in this niche that these particular questions are somebody elses pain right now.

          Can you alleviate their pain or frustration? Can you solve their problem/s?

          You'll make more money doing something you enjoy doing over some task which has become flat and boring to your personality.

          Also consider running workshops teaching others how to make their own electronic music. For example lets say you charge $40 for a 2 hour class. And you attract 10 people to sign up for your interactive workshop once a week for a 12 week 'course' paid for in full in advance.

          This will give you $400 per week minimum for 3 months for little more than 2 hours work per week. Scale it up for more profit.

          You can cross apply this to any teaching niche you choose.

          Simple idea for you to take action on which will get you away from all of this techy non creative malarkey which obviously bores you these days to tears.

          Does this help?

          Btw what kind of electronic music are you into?

          Back in the day... ( <---- The clue is in the eye's )

          YouTube - &#x202a;Sheyba - Ganesh [1995]&#x202c;&rlm;
          Haha, "give more of yourself", if you haven't seen it I highly recommend this Earl Nightingale video:
          I'm amazed at how quickly you analyzed that one "niche" and broke it down into the problems in that niche, and seeing it from their point of view.

          Yes I'm a DJ at home for fun, with the occasional birthday party, mostly though I'm into the actual production- using ableton, finding cool sounds, building beats, and making songs from "scratch".

          Artists I like: Skrillex, Deadmau5, Datsik, Bloody Beatroots, Zedd, Miles Dyson, Fedde Le Grand, etc.

          Haha yes, it's all in the eyes :p. Been there, done that, time to make some money .

          Though I will admit I spent 2 hours watching deadmau5 stream live from his studio last night just so I could see what equipment he's using.

          Never heard of the artist but that song was pretty awesome.

          I like the teaching niche idea... though I feel like I'm not an "expert" on anything in it per se. It's mostly just a hobby, only been doing it for like 2 years, but yes, I like where you've taken this. I am feeling glimmers of hope!
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          • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
            Banned
            Originally Posted by thegmann View Post

            I'm amazed at how quickly you analyzed that one "niche" and broke it down into the problems in that niche, and seeing it from their point of view.
            It goes with the territory of being a professional copywriter. After a while it comes quite naturally seeing problems though the eyes of other people and coming up with their simple ideal solution.

            Thank you for the compliment.
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  • Profile picture of the author NoBSGuy
    Originally Posted by thegmann View Post

    Hi Everyone,

    Thanks for this wonderful resource, I've been looking through the forum and there really is a ton of valuable information here!

    Back in 2009 I started to get interested in IM. I've been freelancing web design and IT services since I was 16 (24 now) and I've gotten kind of burnt out on it. I want to do something that has some scalability and passivity (creating a product, piece of software, etc.)

    Now I'm in somewhat dire straights financially and I started doing the "get rich quick" searches and rediscovered warrior forum =P. Just started really looking through it, glad I purchased a war room membership back in the day. I have an idea for an ebook I could create, but I was wondering if anyone has ideas for how to market test an ebook before I write it?

    I'm not looking for a get rich quick scheme, I'm looking to really learn this IM thing.

    The biggest thing for me is that I want to offer REAL VALUE to people in exchange for their hard-earned dollars. Looking through clickbank and such I get really cynical about a lot of the products there, picking up women, diet pills, diet advice, make money now quick yes zap boom, it all looks like **** berry or something to me. It all looks like the ads in the back of a playboy. Am I just looking at this all the wrong way?

    I feel like I'm stupidly waiting for that "perfect idea" that will never come, at the same time I can't seem to get passionate about any of the products I see out there right now.

    Hi there,

    imo some of the top notch IM courses out there derive from clickbank ( coincidence ?) . You only need to choose wisely and pick the diamonds out of the sand.

    Good courses to start out your IM journey include Rapid Profit Formula, Commission Formula, and Google Sniper 2.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by thegmann View Post

    I can't seem to get passionate about any of the products I see out there right now.
    If it helps at all, my own little 10-point checklist for selecting ClickBank products is in this post. I can't promise "passion" from it, but regularly increasing monthly income can be kind of heart-warming, in a sense. I agree with DeLighter's comment above about diamonds and sand.
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  • Profile picture of the author Troy Broussard
    My best advice is this. You've already got an idea and want to deliver value - that's a great start. Unless you're just in a bad niche, your passion and value go a long, long way.

    My speculation is that the topic you've chosen to write about is something that is meaningful to you and just stick to that. Provide genuine value and focus on a larger quality site with quality content. I know there are lots of mini-site type products out there, but those don't have the longevity as a larger quality site with quality content. Google is pushing hard towards authority (as was evident in Panda) and continues to go that route.

    So put the same effort into building a quality site as you seem prepared to put into a quality product. Then work on the basics:

    * sales funnel
    * autoresponder
    * more products at various price points
    * quality shopping cart
    * perhaps a membership tie in if it makes sense in your niche
    * etc, etc...

    That would be my advice...

    Good luck and let us know how it goes...
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    • Profile picture of the author thegmann
      Originally Posted by Troy Broussard View Post

      My best advice is this. You've already got an idea and want to deliver value - that's a great start. Unless you're just in a bad niche, your passion and value go a long, long way.

      My speculation is that the topic you've chosen to write about is something that is meaningful to you and just stick to that. Provide genuine value and focus on a larger quality site with quality content. I know there are lots of mini-site type products out there, but those don't have the longevity as a larger quality site with quality content. Google is pushing hard towards authority (as was evident in Panda) and continues to go that route.

      So put the same effort into building a quality site as you seem prepared to put into a quality product. Then work on the basics:

      * sales funnel
      * autoresponder
      * more products at various price points
      * quality shopping cart
      * perhaps a membership tie in if it makes sense in your niche
      * etc, etc...

      That would be my advice...

      Good luck and let us know how it goes...
      The topic I've chosen is actually a cookbook for a specific diet plan, and the book would be made specifically for meals you can prepare ahead of time- like 21 meals for the week prepared all at once- that stay fresh and fit the diet and don't take much work to prepare.

      I already built a little "minisite" pitch when I was getting my idea together, I wouldn't say health is my "passion" but it's definitely something I think about on a daily basis. I had the idea because I was searching for a similar thing and could not find one that looked at all decent.

      Yes, a membership tie-in is viable if I do it a bit differently, recurring revenue just has a nice ring to it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Troy Broussard
        Originally Posted by thegmann View Post

        The topic I've chosen is actually a cookbook for a specific diet plan, and the book would be made specifically for meals you can prepare ahead of time- like 21 meals for the week prepared all at once- that stay fresh and fit the diet and don't take much work to prepare.

        I already built a little "minisite" pitch when I was getting my idea together, I wouldn't say health is my "passion" but it's definitely something I think about on a daily basis. I had the idea because I was searching for a similar thing and could not find one that looked at all decent.

        Yes, a membership tie-in is viable if I do it a bit differently, recurring revenue just has a nice ring to it.
        I don't have *any* experience in that particular niche... but... I've heard anything in the recipe/cookbook type niche can be very hard to convert because many people simply expect it to be for free since there are so many free recipes online.

        Again, please do NOT take that for the gospel as I've not worked in or tested that niche specifically, but I would caution some healthy skepticism before spending too much time, money or effort.
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        • Profile picture of the author chrishonda
          As a follow-up...

          Troy has a good point. I can see people being unwilling to pay for "mere recipes". I guess I forget sometimes because health and fitness is my actual field. So I have a different view about paying for things pertaining to it.

          That's also the reason I'm asking about WSOs and niche. IM is not my first love (although I'm giving it a close second...falling harder every day! :p)
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        • Profile picture of the author thegmann
          Originally Posted by Troy Broussard View Post

          I don't have *any* experience in that particular niche... but... I've heard anything in the recipe/cookbook type niche can be very hard to convert because many people simply expect it to be for free since there are so many free recipes online.

          Again, please do NOT take that for the gospel as I've not worked in or tested that niche specifically, but I would caution some healthy skepticism before spending too much time, money or effort.

          Those are my thoughts as well, BUT based on the specific diet I'm thinking of I think that it would be valuable enough to the niche following that diet to pay for. Because the target audience would be looking to save time, save money on food, be efficient, eat the same meals regularly, etc. So I think it's at least worth a shot. It took me a good 10-12 hours of research and 3 weeks of cooking to really get my diet down to something I could prepare in an hour on sunday, something that tasted good enough to eat repeatedly, and something that fit the "diet plan" I'm targeting. Not to mention it's the first diet I've actually lost weight on I haven't been hungry.

          WTF I think I'm actually getting excited about this.
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  • Profile picture of the author chrishonda
    I think that's a great idea! I would definitely buy a cookbook like that! It' a real need out there to be able to cook/eat healthily without having to chop a salad every four hours. I bet you explode upon launch!

    So how would you market something like that? Being on the forum, you hear a lot about WSOs. But I imagine if you're not in the IM niche, those don't work as well. Am I wrong? I ask because I've been thinking about doing a product of my own. I thought a WSO might be a good jump start for me (financially and otherwise). But I assumed I'd have to stay within the IM niche. Just curious...
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  • Profile picture of the author Troy Broussard
    One of the hardest things in marketing is to not let your own beliefs impact your marketing. I, for example, really loathe video training. I like well written eBooks that I can print, take notes on, etc... I read very quickly and can go through them quickly.

    Videos on the other hand are "serial" and slow me down and annoy me most of the time as someone meanders around a subject for 10 minutes rather than getting to the point.

    The problem is, for most people, it's the opposite and when it comes to sales in my niche, there is more "value" associated with videos... So you have to let your passion work for you but control it and not let it work against you at the same time.

    The art of marketing... :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author thegmann
      Originally Posted by Troy Broussard View Post

      One of the hardest things in marketing is to not let your own beliefs impact your marketing. I, for example, really loathe video training. I like well written eBooks that I can print, take notes on, etc... I read very quickly and can go through them quickly.

      Videos on the other hand are "serial" and slow me down and annoy me most of the time as someone meanders around a subject for 10 minutes rather than getting to the point.

      The problem is, for most people, it's the opposite and when it comes to sales in my niche, there is more "value" associated with videos... So you have to let your passion work for you but control it and not let it work against you at the same time.

      The art of marketing... :-)
      I agree, I always go straight to the "Transcript" button in the products I've paid for.
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