How To Sell Your Product Online

Many people begin blogging without any clear purpose to their site.

When we first realise the possibilities of writing our thoughts and tips and having them read…that alone is seductive enough to make us take the jump and start our blogs.

However, as time goes on, it becomes apparent that the blogs without a sales purpose in mind, or a specific product, are less likely to generate revenue than those who sit alongside, and support, a service or product of some sort.

Online advertising alone does not (usually) make us millionaires!

The way to enhance your blog proposition is to develop a useful, cost-effective and in-demand product which draws people to your site, and then gets them coming back again, and again.

E-books, membership courses and other products are all helpful when it comes to supporting your blog, and your services, as they demonstrate your knowledge of your niche subject.

How I chose the right product for my blog business

As a blog development and blog maintenance business, I knew I needed something really helpful when it came to developing a ‘killer’ product.

The Research is KEY

I sat down and thought about what I had learned from my industry since I began my business. I then asked my visitors and customers for their thoughts and input.

This market analysis is the first stage in establishing whether a new product can be of use.

My research showed that:

• People were becoming frustrated at the lack of ‘help’ available to them when it came to getting their blogs set up and making an income

• Much of the advice available to new starters was discouragingly technical, which put people off

• Many people were worried about signing up for things which sounded like scams, such as ‘how to get rich quick’ ideas

• The internet can be a bewildering place when it comes to sourcing high-quality, low-cost products to help with blog optimization.

• People wanted to know the steps (and in which order) to take to make an income on-line

Armed with this knowledge of my potential market, I developed the Income Blogging Guide Membership course.

When developing a product for the first time to sell, it’s important to understand what it is people really need, rather than what you think they need.

I have made that mistake in the past. I spent a huge amount of time creating a product that I thought people wanted. I did no research. I asked no one for input. I was naive and arrogant. I knew it would sell. IT DIDN’T!

Taking the research for the Blogging Membership course, I identified the following areas in which people most needed help:

• How to set up and customize your blog so it is attractive for both humans and search engines

• How to get traffic and build a loyal readership

• How to monetize your blog to make money for you

• How to create simple products to sell

• How to write sales pages that make people want to buy your product

• How to reduce your working hours and get some freedom back via outsourcing

…all in simple to follow steps.

Plus provide the best hands-on support I could possibly offer. Support was by far the biggest concern. Having access to me, the product creator was crucial. Hence the adding of weekly live teleconference and forums was a must.

The FEAR Held Me Back

But I wasn’t going to add this support, at first. The membership was originally going to be weekly step-by-step lessons only. But the research made me realized the support side was crucial and I thought I would have to put the project on hold.

Why?

Although I know many of the tips…technique…tricks…whatever you want to call them about blogging, I’m not really a technical coder or wizard. I thought what if someone asks me some technical question that I cannot answer. I’d look a fool.

The fear stopped me in my tracks.

The PARTNERSHIP

And that’s where Joel Williams (aka the blog tech guy) came in. Joel and I met on a forum a while ago and we had helped each other. I was explaining my concern and we agreed on a partnership.

Not only did Joel bring with him the technical skills (he is technical mentor to some of the world’s most famous bloggers) but, of course, his experience of blogging as well.

So now we had two heads creating the membership course. Having someone on your side that is a partner is a great way to make things happen. We would set each other deadlines and that really focussed us.

By carefully listening to people who contacted me for help, doing the research and, luckily finding the right person to fill the ‘gaps’, Joel and I developed a product that was not only helpful, but cost-effective for people.

So far, the course has been met with a great reception. The feedback we receive is awesome and the satisfaction we get from helping people is so rewarding.

If you’d like to see what the course covers in more detail, check out this link:

Blogging Guide Membership