12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Most Profitable Way to Sell Lists of Information?

by GhostBloggerForHire
9 replies
Seeking the wisdom of experienced warriors...

Considering my options regarding how to sell lists of information (i.e. undiscovered marketing tools for specific niches, hidden job leads in specific niches). Thoughts so far include creating a single landing page with option to buy list (promote via social media, forums, etc.) or creating ebooks with the evergreen data. Re: time investment, list maintenance, profitability...better to opt for the list/landing page option or go for the ebook option?

Also, best options to consider re: creating clear cut terms of service so buyers can't turn around and dispute purchase with PayPal in an effort to obtain free data? Greatly appreciate your feedback to a forum newbie. :confused:
#information #lists #profitable #sell
  • Profile picture of the author lotsofsnow
    Your question or questions are a little confusing.

    You might want to reword the question.
    Signature

    Call Center Fuel - High Volume Data
    Delivering the highest quality leads in virtually all consumer verticals.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8971425].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author GhostBloggerForHire
      Originally Posted by hpgoodboy View Post

      Your question or questions are a little confusing.

      You might want to reword the question.
      -Comparing investment of time/potential payoff, is it more profitable to sell an information list using a landing page with a buy button or is it more profitable to sell the information in the form of an ebook?
      -If information is sold in the form of a list, what is the best way to protect oneself from unscrupulous purchasers?

      Trying to compare my options (sell information as one-shot-deal vs sell in ebook form vs sell as subscription newsletter). Thank you for requesting the re-phrase.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8972374].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
        Originally Posted by GhostBloggerForHire View Post

        -Comparing investment of time/potential payoff, is it more profitable to sell an information list using a landing page with a buy button or is it more profitable to sell the information in the form of an ebook?
        Information lists (with a very few exceptions) tend not to command a premium selling price. You'd probably be better off giving away the info in order to build a subscriber list. Then you could see which subjects were the most popular (for sign-ups) and either create products to suit that market, or find relevant affiliate products.

        .
        Signature

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8972450].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AlexCN
    Originally Posted by GhostBloggerForHire View Post

    Seeking the wisdom of experienced warriors...

    Considering my options regarding how to sell lists of information (i.e. undiscovered marketing tools for specific niches, hidden job leads in specific niches). Thoughts so far include creating a single landing page with option to buy list (promote via social media, forums, etc.) or creating ebooks with the evergreen data. Re: time investment, list maintenance, profitability...better to opt for the list/landing page option or go for the ebook option?

    Also, best options to consider re: creating clear cut terms of service so buyers can't turn around and dispute purchase with PayPal in an effort to obtain free data? Greatly appreciate your feedback to a forum newbie. :confused:

    Yes - sell useful lists, tools and 'secret resources' as information products. That can work great. Remember, as long as you are providing value and/or saving people time, that is a worthwhile purchase for them.

    As far as returns go, that is part of running an info-product business. Don't let that be the 'imagined barrier' that keeps you from giving it a shot!

    Alex
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8972134].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    If you're talking about lists of URLs pointing to resources I agree with Frank. Pretty small demand even though I've seen some very valuable lists out there. There's a really great one in the War Room for free right now but I probably wouldn't buy it if the owner was selling it.

    I created a massive list of book reviewers last year for myself and considered selling it. But lists of links season really quick as sites come and go (leaving behind dead links) so they also take lots of updating. As mentioned, it's probably best to offer them as list builders.

    It's also hard to copyright something like that as the information is readily available to anyone.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8972480].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author GhostBloggerForHire
    Thank you to everyone for your feedback thus far; truly do appreciate it!
    I'm actually not thinking in terms of a premium price, but pricing similar to a basic ebook.
    Some of the information is time-sensitive (early bird gets the worm type of thing), so there would be some effort involved to continue to offer a valuable product that purchasers would find useful. You've given me plenty to think on, especially re: giving part of the product away and then offering a premium version to paid subscribers. Again, thank you to all of you for your feedback.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8972516].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    Sell it as a directory which is downloadable via PDF. I did that a number of years ago for Public Domain sources and information and I made a ton on ClickBank.

    The secret is to have it well organized by category and it's also helpful to have a little blurb under each source telling the reader what it is exactly.

    You could also position them as HotSheets... the possibilities are endless.

    PS. I learned the directory trick from a product called Directory Profits but it no longer is online. It;s an awesome product that I still have today and refer back to occasionally. The author made over $400,000 on one of his directories he sold in classified display ads relating to security and secret sources, etc...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8972799].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author GhostBloggerForHire
      Originally Posted by Mike Hill View Post

      Sell it as a directory which is downloadable via PDF. I did that a number of years ago for Public Domain sources and information and I made a ton on ClickBank.

      The secret is to have it well organized by category and it's also helpful to have a little blurb under each source telling the reader what it is exactly.

      You could also position them as HotSheets... the possibilities are endless.

      PS. I learned the directory trick from a product called Directory Profits but it no longer is online. It;s an awesome product that I still have today and refer back to occasionally. The author made over $400,000 on one of his directories he sold in classified display ads relating to security and secret sources, etc...
      That's another great suggestion. Thanks!
      Total N00b here, but what exactly is a HotSheet? (don't shoot me):confused:
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8972814].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
        Originally Posted by GhostBloggerForHire View Post

        That's another great suggestion. Thanks!
        Total N00b here, but what exactly is a HotSheet? (don't shoot me):confused:
        A hotsheet is bits of information that are of high interest. For example a broker uses hotsheets that are nothing more than leads.

        It's basically quick and easy information you can write that is useful enough to sell. There's quite an underground market for hotsheets of all different types. Just Google "what are hotsheets" and you'll find an abundance of information that will help you look more into this.

        Another good example of a hotsheet is in WalMart... Near the book section and around the magazine racks I saw a separate rack that contained laminated pages with cool information on them. Some were about how to do things on the computer, shortcut keys for using in Photoshop, and other software. Others were weird and intriguing facts, etc..

        You could have a hotsheet on writing a sales letter... or anything that can be used as a reference over and over again would be other good ideas for hotsheets.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8972824].message }}

Trending Topics