Information is a hot commodity on the internet. There’s a good reason for that. The Internet is an amazing place where you can get information on any topic imaginable, even in the wee hours of the morning.

The problem with information in books at the bookstore is that many times it is not specific enough. I don’t want to know everything there is to know about audio engineering, I just want to know how to record a talk, edit it and burn it to a CD to sell on my web site. Try finding that at your local Barnes and Noble! But it is relatively easy to find an ebook about that topic on the Internet. Even better, a video!

Information on the internet is more current than print information. Once a book is written, it takes about one year to edit a book, send it to the publisher, print it, and get it onto store shelves. In that time, a lot of information may become outdated. By contrast, e-books are up-to-date, containing cutting-edge information. E-books are easy to update electronically, so it’s easy to keep them current.

Information products help to boost my internet sales, and they can help you, too. Information products include e-books, videos, and special reports. But they also include things like tele-seminars. Membership sites and subscriptions to paid newsletters are great ways to make the most of information technology.

Where do you start with an information product?

Start by finding your niche – figure out what your customers want.

Yes, it sounds simplistic, but give it some serious thought. What they want and what you think they want may be two different things. You are knowledgeable about your topic, and that knowledge can help you to create an exceptional product. But before you start, you need to understand that your customers don’t have your knowledge. They may be asking different questions. The measure of your success is the measure of how well you answer their questions.

Capture the first name and email address of each of your clients. Add an extra field into the form, and ask them for their questions. Trust me, after the first hundred responses, you will have an excellent idea of their needs and concerns! This will help you meet their needs. The information that you gather can be used in future promotions, helping you find new clients for your business. Use that information for sales letters and more.

In part 2 of this article, I will share five amazing tips for creating incredibly profitable information products.