I went to a live networking event last night, something I rarely do anymore. Because online networking is so efficient—I can reach so many more people more easily and quickly, I don’t have to wear panty hose, and I don’t have to eat rubber chicken—I rarely do the live networking events. But this was an unusual one because it stemmed from an online networking site, LinkedIn. Someone started a San Diego branch of LinkedIn, so all these folks who had met online, could now come and meet live!

I enjoyed it, because, let’s face it, I have to go out of the house some time! But what was really gratifying about the event is that after everyone introduced themselves and we had general networking, a bunch of people came up to me with the classic line, “I’ve been thinking about writing a book…” I get this a lot when I tell people I’m an author and ghostwriter, and most who take my card never follow up. And even when I follow up, they flake out.

But in my introduction I said, “I believe everyone has a book in them. And if you’re a service provider selling your time for dollars, you must write a book or other information product for passive income.” Well, you wouldn’t believe some of the book ideas that I heard about last night. I won’t share them here because if these people do ever write their book, I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag. But some of the ideas were really out there.

I believe that if you have a passion, if you have a niche, if you have an expertise, if you have specialized knowledge, then you have a book in you. How can I help you get it out?

Happy info-products!
Andrea

Andrea Susan Glass, founder of www.WritersWay.com

Okay, so you’re finally ready to write your first information product. And you’re drawing a blank. You may be thinking: What should I write about? What do I have to say that people might be interested in reading? Isn’t everything that needs to be said already been written about? Well, if that were the case there wouldn’t be 50,000 new books published every year. Do you think all those authors thought there was nothing more to say?

Here’s the secret: people have problems and you have solutions. That’s it! Most info-products are solutions to problems. At least, the most successful ones are. The biggest selling info-products on the Internet teach people how to make money online, at home, or in a particular kind of business; or they show people how to lose weight, look more attractive, or find that special someone’ or they are about a specific niche like raising rotweillers, potty training toddlers, or improving your golf game.

Surely, you have solutions to problems. You are an expert in your field, be it legal matters, financial matters, hair care, real estate, health, or how to write an info-product! Do a little searching in search engines with keywords relevant to your area of specialty. See what solutions are already out there. See where you can fill a gap, and create a niche. See if there’s a big enough market. Mark Victor Hansen advises people to “get rich in their niche.” A narrow niche with a hungry audience whose needs are not being served is perfect for your info-product.

Now sit down and start creating…

Andrea Susan Glass, founder of www.WritersWay.com

Choosing a topic for your article is a very important step to writing your article. You need to carefully consider what you want to write about.

First, you need to write on a subject you are familiar with. Don’t choose a topic you think is great fun, but you know nothing about. You want to position yourself as the expert, so research first whatever you lack knowledge or confidence in.

Make sure your topic is narrow enough to ensure you stay on point and prevent rambling on a tangent. However, if you are too narrow, you may find you lack enough information to write a decent size article. If this is the problem, broaden your topic a little to open up your field of information.

Research your niche. You know something others don’t. You are an expert at your business. Exploit that in your article. Select the topic that can establish you as an expert and have readers thinking, “This person knows what they are talking about! I trust them.”

Selecting the wrong topic could be the downfall of your article. Choose one that promotes you, your business, and your expertise. Remember to keep it simple and straightforward, and always provide enormous value!