How to provide your customers with real value, use small reports and other information products. There are many benefits to creating downloadable mini reports, tips sheets and special reports. The good news is, it’s relatively easy to start, there is not much up front costs, and you don’t have to have any special skills or training. The following are some reasons why you should get started and some tips to help you along the way.
Small reports and other digital information products can be very profitable or they can be used to promote your products or personal expertise. You simply create the report, tip sheet etc. once and each customer or potential customer simply downloads a copy of it. The best thing is you don’t have to pay printers’ fees, postage, shipping, or any other production fees.
Once you have created a small report, you can sell or give it away over and over again. Keep in mind that you will have to promote your report. Unlike an e-book, a small report only needs to be around 5 to 15 pages. You can easily write that many pages within a week or less. You do not need any prior writing experience but you should have good grammar and language skills. If you do not have the skills or don’t like writing, you can always hire a ghostwriter to create your report for you.
Special reports can be written on any subject imaginable, then given away online to promote products. Write your report about anything that is closely related to your main product. You could present a problem that can be solved by your product, or it could detail new ways of using it or how to get the most out of it.
It is important to provide value, this is information that your potential customers can use and will enjoy reading. If you write a report that is just an advertisement for your product in disguise, your readers will see through it.
How do you know if your report will provide your customer with real value? Regina Baker asks the tough question, “Are You Selling Lemons?” to help you answer that question. She makes some great points which can help you determine if your report has value and if you should sell it or give it away.
Give your potential customers something that they can use, they will be much more inclined to listen to your message which greatly increases the possibility that they will buy your product.
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Hi Melody, thanks for mentioning my take on reports and providing real content for your customers.
I concur with your statement that it is VERY important to provide compelling content to your readers. There’s enough hype online without us adding to it
The real message however, comes from doing the proper research, providing real resources and tips on how to create a smashing report while leaving the reader with a call to action that produces the results they’re looking for.
Nice post!