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This year I am no longer writing ebooks, and in the next few days I’ll be selling off my existing stock and removing them from sale. Ha! I hear my regular readers exclaim… aren’t you writing the Google+ 30 day challenge for Nikki Pilkington? And the Pinterest one? Of course the answer is yes, I am but these ebooks will be different; they contain audio interviews.
Why am I selling up? You already know that creating and selling your own information products online is a great addition to your business. But did you know that there is a large extension of products you can create that goes beyond the traditional ebook? Of course you did…
Here are a few other information product structures that can really make a difference to your business, take your existing ebook and see where you can expand upon it.
Ecourses – Ecourses are Ebooks with an added “oomph.” A full course holds higher perceived value because it will usually consist of a main guide or tutorial and also include other materials such as audios, study sheets, tips sheets, etc.
There is no one size fits all structure to creating an Ecourse but a good rule of thumb is that it will include additional materials such as audios and worksheets.
Look at your existing ebooks content and see where it can be expanded upon. Do you have tasks or action points that can be expanded into detailed worksheets?
Would a great set of audio interviews add more value to what you already have?
Video Courses – Video courses are fantastic for really connecting with your market place and audience. A video course will include full video teaching of your topic. The videos can be recordings from a seminar class or workshops. And you can use either video format in which the speaker directs the student or screen capture video where you teach the viewer on screen. I use Jing for my videos – it keeps them under 5 minutes making it easily digestible. Jing is also very reasonably priced at $15.
A good way to add content and variety to a video course is to include a typed transcript of the information found on the videos. This gives people a place to refer to and make notes in the margins of the print outs. A list of resources and suggested further reading adds additional value to your course participant.
Online Seminar Classes – You may choose to structure your course as a series of online seminars. Participants can meet once a week (or more often if you’d prefer) for an online class. These classes can be interactive through a web conference room or a simple seminar style phone-in.
With the latter participates listen to the speaker on the telephone and then have the option to ask questions during the Q & A sessions. Often the Q&A sessions are the most valuable part of the course. It’s here you learn what additional tools are needed and what upsells can be created as well as what’s working and what’s not.
Online Members Area – Some information products are structured around an online learning community. This will include private access to a membership website where the course and information is held for the student.
It can include a combination of
- pdf transcripts,
- instructional videos,
- a section to submit questions
- a forum.
It’s up to each individual to structure the area according to the needs of their business and customers.
An online members area can be a great interactive way to sell information. Because there is so much going on behind the scenes these type of products tend to have a higher perceived value.
Print products – Although a lot of information products online are digital, you can still create higher-end print products. This can be done as an addition to your lower-end information products or as your main business. Print information products often hold higher value. Most courses are very meaty and include a variety of medias, transcripts, audios, dvds, how-to sheets, and more bundled up and sent to the participant.
How are you going to venture beyond the ebook this year?
Sarah Arrow
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Hi Sarah
I am considering doing a reflective, daily encouragment eBook, or even maybe looking into having it published. This is something I would love to do
I get the daily devotional emails from Made to Crave (thank you for introducing me to them) and I love them. I also have the audio now. So, yes there is a marketplace for daily encouragement ebooks and email courses.
Hello Sarah,
First timer on your blog and I am glad I came. You have open our eyes to a whole new world with your suggestions and methods to turn an ebook to something much more interesting.
I don’t think we fully realize how fast forward our society is moving towards technology.
Audio, video in a eBook… Sounds great.
Stevie
Stevie recently posted..Catch Him And Keep Him
Hi Stevie, thanks for the comment
I think we have to go beyond the ebook to serve our audiences now and become truly multi-media
Thanks Sarah, great post:)
I think it’s a case of whilst ebooks are valuable there is so much more value from ecourses/videos/audio/membership sites etc. and often the same amount of work can be put into them.
It’s also a case of understanding that people like to learn in a different way, some people love reading, others like the video or audio and the more choice you give them it can often help sell it plus of course bump the price up!
I’m looking forward to launching my new internet marketing product soon which has the mix of ecourse/audio etc.
Twitter: lilachbullock
I’m looking forward to your launch too, I know how much hard work has gone into the product (from the both of us, me nudging, I mean motivating you
). The brainstorming that went into the product to get the right thing for your audience and the tremendous research that you undertook – it had to be something more than an ebook 
This is a wonderful list of tips and ideas Sarah. When you said you are getting off the ebook train it caught my attention. I have always felt ebooks were a bit boring and needed more to get folks a better experience. So I have used some of your ideas, I have a video course, have transcribed my videos for ecourses but I will be taking away some of your other ideas which will bring a better experience that will help to keep your audience coming back.
Lynn Brown recently posted..Cool Things You Can Do with Video Marketing
Hi Lynn, and welcome
My best selling ebook is the Zero to Ebook and it will hurt to remove it from sale, but it has the potential to be so much more than an ebook. With tools like Vook I can embed video but where can people network and boost their motivation?
I bet your video courses perform better as video rather than a book.
Very well timed! How did you know I was grappling with this issue, hmmm?
I am in the process now of creating my first e-course—and I aim to create the kind of value you discuss above. Content will include audios, pdf transcripts, worksheets, resources for learning more, and one or more live Q&A calls.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
Twitter: themusclediva
Can’t wait Mary, I’ll be your first member (unless it involves doing exercise in which case I’ll need the promise of a Snickers to join
).
I still like ebooks, but courses offer better value and take the same amount of time to create as an ebook.
(dofollow)
Sarah Arrow recently posted..Intoxicated on success…? This will help!
Twitter: saraharrow
I think that video courses are very helpful not only for their creators, but also for there viewers. SO I guess that this is a marvelous alternative
I’m not a big fan of video, I prefer a book but you have to provide what your audience wants and they love video
Thanks so much Sarah! I’m considering an instructional ebook myself and the information you have given does help me out so much. Thank You! The E-Course is something I would be interested in doing.
Thanks Again!
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Twitter: donna_tribe
An ecourse is a great way of expanding your ebook and presenting it so it doesn’t overwhelm your buyers – good luck
I’m definitely adding other than ebook products this year. This is a great resource of what the options are!
Twitter: yolandafacio
Thanks Yolanda, it’s time to up our game
I also think that video can be much helpful for readers. Thanks a lot for sharing this information
Hi Sarah,
I’m venturing both into and beyond ebooks this year, so I hope there’s still a market for ebooks
I ran courses on the Moodle platform for a couple of years and then last year I decided (with some trepidation) to take the whole thing down and work on setting it up as a membership site instead – with the aim of simplifying everything for the learners and for myself.
I hope the ebooks and membership site will complement each other, and learners who don’t want to commit to signing up to the membership site can buy ebooks and worksheets etc. I guess I won’t know until I try, but I’m looking forward to finding out what works and what doesn’t
Twitter: StudyingOnline
Hi Sarah
I came across something this very day that advised not to think of your ebook as an ebook but as the centrepiece of a marketing campaign:
Worth more than just a ponder on methinks!
I came across something this very day that advised not to think of your ebook as an ebook but as the centrepiece of a marketing campaign
That’s good advice Lawrence, thanks for sharing it with us
I’ve ventured into the world of print publishing, which is hard work, but I’m also looking at creating some online safety courses in the near future.
I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on your site for hints and tips along the way…
Wishing you well (as always)
Charles
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