As you will know, one key method of producing information products is to create an eBook / Report with articles or interviews from Top industry experts.
(HINT - if you get a number of ‘experts’ to participate, then this really improves things for you. Firstly, you have expert advice from a range of people in the business, often the advice may differ slightly, and this is a great benefit to see how views change.
Plus, the more experts involved in your project, the better - this gives more credibility.
Finally, you could develop a series of article on the back of the project, cross-referencing answers from experts, or using responses from one expert at a time, then following on later with the next set of responses from the next expert.. (HINT - great for setting up an effective auto responder series.)
To create you very own version of this, simply approach a number of key figures in the world of business, marketing and the internet.
Then, give them a little background to who you are.
(HINT - here’s a great place to ‘blow your own trumpet’ as they say…. don’t undersell yourself, but at the same time, don’t oversell either!)
Now - tell them a little more about what you are doing….. something like this..
“I have spent a long time studying your material and products and, like many I have come to respect you. Now I wish to compile high-level input from you and your industry colleagues, to distribute via my list, affiliate program and contacts.”
Now the next part is VERY important…. they will want to know just how they benefit from helping you with your product….. so tell them something like this….
“What’s in it for you?
Publicity! Any publicity is good publicity! This opportunity gives you ‘carte blanche’ to say anything and everything on the questions asked, and anything else you want to say. You and your business will get more exposure to potentially thousands of possible customers. Your answers can be as long, detailed and thorough as you like, plus they can be as frank as you wish.
I will not edit the copy of your response (unless you use bad language!!)”
Next - show you are serious, and put in some (not too many) restrictions, and give good reason for doing so….
“I would prefer it if you could keep the number of blatant product ‘plugs’ down to a minimum! One reason for this, is that I have learned over the years that this activity tends to lose the article credibility and is sometimes seen as an advertisement rather than informative copy. I would also like to replace any product links / URL’s with my affiliate links URLs for you service or product - unless you disagree of course.”
Then tell them they can put in a resource box, this is expected across the industry, and they will want to put their resource box into their contribution too. So tell them….
“Finally, your ‘resource box’ can be as detailed as you like and include a Bio if you wish. No limitation on the size of this.”
Also tell them that promotion of the final item will (or could, depending on whether you are able to do all of this) include a high quality eBook Cover, Full Website with Header Graphics, and Detailed Sales Letter and so on.
Now tell them what the basis of the ‘interview’ is……
“I have prepared 12 topics / questions which I have presented to each of the people I have invited to participate. The twelve may contain more than one question, but this is aimed at building more ‘atmosphere’ to the topic and it is not necessarily required to answer each sub question. Likewise, there are sections where I have asked for your Top 3 (or so) Tips. There is nothing to suggest that you must give exactly 3 (or so) replies! More would be better, less if you prefer. It’s up to you!”
Next follow on something like this….
“I would heartily welcome your expert views and input on this project, and I would very much appreciate you kind cooperation.”
“I am seeking to finalise and publish this book by then end of MONTH this year, and would like to have your much valued responses by DATE if at all possible.”
(HINT - the reason for this is to ensure that everyone who is contributing to your ebook / report, has the same deadline to work to)
“Looking forward to hearing from you……………here are the twelve questions / topics I have prepared (please note - all contributors will have the exact same questions and unlimited copy space to respond)”
Kindest regards
YOUR NAME
YOUR CONTACT DETAILS.
That’s it for PART 1 of Interview with Experts.
In PART 2, I give a list of detailed questions which you could use when you contact the experts.
Copyright © 2004 Gary Durkin
All rights reserved worldwide.
Gary Durkin is the owner of http://www.247-Profit.com
http://www.247-Traffic.com as well as other successful online businesses.
And the creator of the Serling Combination
Tags: book, create, expert, internet, interview, own, product, writebook, create, expert, internet, interview, own, product, writeShare This
Following on the PART 1, where I outlined the basis and reasons for doing a project like this, here is a list of 12 questions which you could use when contacting the Experts. (you can change amend as you like to suit your project)
TWELVE QUESTIONS FOR INTERVIEWING THE REAL EXPERTS
1. The Internet is jam-packed with Biz-Ops, Offers, Hype and Promises. MLM, Pyramid Selling, Get Rich Quick Schemes, Gifting Programs……………..
Each day thousands of new people go online to find ways of replacing or supplementing their income. What pointers / advice would you give to anyone who is considering this and the obvious pitfalls they can encounter?
2. One of the key ingredients to success, is Multiple Income Streams. Personally, I am a firm believer in this but often newbies AND NetVeterans alike make the assumption that by simply joining every available program, they can achieve a steady flow of multiple incomes, but in reality this hardly ever happens. Are you a supporter of the MIS method and how would you combine successfully different products, services and / or offerings into one main business? And WHY?
3. Often, figures are banded around that some 95% of people on the Net do not make money, or even lose money online. That figure is obviously difficult to prove accurately but there is still some element of truth behind it. I have helped many people to understand where the go wrong, but can you give your personal top 3 reasons why you believe such a high proportion of people fail?
4. Over the years, I have seen many people become disheartened by the lack of ‘instant financial gratification’, or in other words ‘ making big bucks overnight!’ - that they assume will happen as soon as they go online. If we took the ‘wake up and smell the coffee’ approach - in your opinion how long should people (especially the inexperienced) expect to wait before they see some return of their investment, a steady flow of income and of course, their first million dollars?! And …..WHY?
5. I run three businesses, generating seven figures a year and personally earning six figures. But - it is hard work, very hard. The rewards are great and play-time is excellent! I constantly strive to work smarter NOT harder, by researching and learning (by successes AND failures!). There is I believe, a misconception that you can run an online business successfully, in a few hours (or less!) a week. Do you subscribe to this opinion? How much effort do you view as being optimal for developing, creating, growing and sustaining a successful Internet Business? And of course…..WHY?
6. Most, if not all the gurus, Big Dogs, and Top Marketers tend to agree, that the real money is in the backend. In other words, true profit comes from follow-up sales to existing customers or to your opt-in list subscribers. Again, I totally agree. However, one of the biggest problems facing many online businesses (especially the new starters) is actually getting customers, and building an opt-in list. This all boils down to one thing - TRAFFIC. No traffic, No Prospects, No Customers, No Sales, No Back-end. No Profit.
Can you give your top 5 traffic producing tips that would get a newbie off the ground, or even to enhance traffic to a site / business who is looking to grow?
7. Technology! There are so many products, systems and software packages available today, it is overwhelming to many. Often, people will buy every piece of software, all the systems and every product because they think they need it to succeed. However, that may not be the case. Do you think a business can be created and run successfully with just a few key elements? Which 5 ‘things’ do you suggest that new entrepreneurs seriously need to consider to have a successful online business. (I would prefer generic recommendations rather than blatant plugs please!!)
8. Products. Every business must sell something. Either a product (physical or digital), a service, or even a concept / idea. There is a camp which recommends creating your own products, and another which suggests selling someone else’s. What are your feelings on this, what advice can you give and what problems may be encountered which could be avoided with guidance?
9. Marketing. This is the Big One! I have over ten years of success in international sales, I have done (and still do) research and study marketing techniques, ideas and methods. I have bought and read thousands of dollars worth of eBooks, Books, Courses and Training Materials - by some (if not all) of the worlds most successful netpreneurs and marketing experts. I do this because it is something I love to do, I compare and contrast various concepts - then adopt and adapt to my needs. But, this takes a great deal of time and money, and not everyone can do this. So for those who do not have the time or money to do this, what are your Top Five Tips for effective and efficient marketing?
10. Affiliate / Associate Programs. Many recommend getting involved in these as a doorway to selling products, others suggest creating your own products or service then starting your own Affiliate / Associate program. Some programs pay as little as 5% commission, others pay up to 50% commission or more. Some charge a fee to join up, others are free. Are Affiliate Programs / Associate Programs a good idea? Are they worth joining or even creating your own? What tips, pointers, guidance and advice do you have on this subject?
11. I would bet good money on this, but I strongly believe that you have made mistakes in business over the years…..I know I have! But of course, you have also had successes. Can you list for me the top three mistakes you have had - and how you learned from them, plus your biggest three successes in business……and how you learned from these too, and how the readers can learn from your success and failure?
12. So……..where do we go from here? What is the future of the internet? How can eBusiness develop? What is YOUR vision of things to come? If YOU controlled the WWW - what would YOU do? If you had to advise people on what to expect in the future, what would you tell them?
13. BONUS Question! Your chance to add anything else you want!
That’s it! Part 1 and Part 2 together, put it into action, follow up, follow though, and create you own product, with help from the experts!
Good luck.
***************************************
Copyright © 2004 Gary Durkin
All rights reserved worldwide.
Gary Durkin is the owner of http://www.247-Profit.com
http://www.247-Traffic.com as well as other successful online businesses.
And the creator of the Serling Combination
Tags: book, create, expert, internet, interview, own, product, writebook, create, expert, internet, interview, own, product, writeShare This
