So I’ve started a new information product, an e-book plus other learning aids, and it’s about information products. It’s an idea I had over a year ago, and it all gelled last month.
I’ll release it in late summer and, believe me, you’ll hear much more about over the next couple of months.
The Problem
Just so happens I’m waaaaay busy writing PowerPoint lecture outlines for a college textbook. It’s an interesting subject and I’m making about $70 per hour, and the money will pay my bills for the next few weeks.
So I don’t have much time right now for my new info product, even though I’m really stoked about it.
The Solution
30 Minutes a Day…
I give myself 30 minutes a day to work on the project. The advantages?
- I’m engaged
- I’m making progress
- I’m maintaining momentum
Specifically I’m…
Capturing Ideas
I always have a small digital recorder in my pocket. Mine’s a fancy one that doubles as an mp3 player and thumb drive. (Read more about how I use digital recorders to capture ideas.)
Whenever I think of new material I want to put in the product, I whip out the recorder and dictate it.
Making a Detailed Outline
Take it from a me, a guy who’s had a couple million words published, including three trade paperbacks, over a hundred articles in magazines and newspapers, and 200+ manuals and other projects for college textbook publishers:
You need a thorough, detailed outline of your e-book — and any other product you’re creating.
It makes the writing flow much easier and much faster, and you’ll have a much better ebook when you’re done.
Writing the Sales Page
Creating sales page copy isn’t easy. I take the Third Tribe Marketing approach (affiliate link), which helps a lot, but it’s still a hurdle. Getting it done early on removes an important obstacle in the process. (See sales pages I’ve written by clicking the covers of my e-books in the right column.)
And Soon I’ll Start Writing the Ebook
The outline is coming along nicely, and I’ll do the sales page soon.
Just 30 Minutes a Day…
I’ll finish this big writing project next week. I have a couple of smaller writing projects going also, but I’ll be able to give my new product a lot more time.
How do you tackle a project like this when you only have a very limited time to devote to it? Any suggestion for how I could do this better during this busy period?
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Dedicating time is a great technique. I’ve been doing it all year, putting aside 1 hour in the morning. Once the writing was finished, I started working on sales page, graphics, promotion, etc. Everything is progressing very nicely. No fuss no muss.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..I unlaunched the **** out of my ebook – Navarro & Dunford done bass ackwards
Dave, you and I have a lot in common. I also find that morning is the best time to get high-priority tasks done.
I’ll be reading your blog to find out when your new product is complete.
Hi John,
I just did a lesson (lesson – 23) on keeping the products fresh, in my featured content area of my Blog. I would love to tie in your new E-Book. That would be really cool! Keep us updated.
Jeffrey´s last blog ..Now Comes The Money, Right? Kinda! Lesson – 23
Hello Jeffrey. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I’ll definitely let you know about my progress on the ebook.
Just left a comment on your blog, an older post about donation buttons.
Thanks John,
Hey, do me a favor will you? Stop back by and read the newest post on “Google Caffeine” in “Jeffrey’s Corner”. I was finishing up when you stopped by and I think you will find it useful. If you could leave your comments concerning your own experiences with the new search engine, it would really be of help to me. Thanx!
Jeffrey´s last blog ..Now Comes The Money, Right? Kinda! Lesson – 23
Jeffrey, just read and commented. Caffeine will help some sites and hurt others.
Hey John,
Thanks for the info. Also appreciate you directing us to check out your sales pages. I’ll have to detail those out and see how they are broken down, etc.
Best of luck on the Info Products. Sounds like you also have a nice side gig there with the $70/hour. Cool.
Brandon
TheInfoPreneur´s last blog ..What is Your Why: The 1 Post to Watch This Week
Brandon, thanks for stopping by. And I’d love to know what you think of the sales pages.
One of them explains how I get those $70 per hour writing projects.
John,
Dedicating 30 minutess a day to your new project is a great approach. By doing that, you are balancing all the others things you have to do to run your business.
One question though: What could your stop or reduce time on to make it one hour a day?
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Overcoming Blogging Burnout: Here Is How
Andrew, great question.
I just finished the big writing project for the college textbook publisher yesterday afternoon, so now I have a lot more time to devote to the new product.
But we should always look at what is less important that we can do less of.
John,
One of the things I learned in corporate life. Look at what we can stop or do less of – so we find time to do more of other things.
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Blogging Guide: More FeedBack On Our Free Guide
Andrew, this is my main time management focus right now, and it’s making me both happier and more productive.
John,
This is an encouraging tip. Proves that even a small commitment per day will yield big results.
I was doing my frequent “Power Hour” on my eBook for awhile (like you, the morning was working out best), but got away from that. As a result, my Info Product languishes due to many other commitments and general busy-ness!
However, I’ll try to get back on task, knowing that even 30 minutes a day will produce greater results than sporadic bursts of writing “when I have the time.”
Thanks!
@nikolas_allen
Nikolas Allen´s last blog ..New Art- Nudes
Nikolas, it’s important to maintain steady progress, even if it seems like the progress is slight. I find it keeps my drive and determination going.
Wow…that’s a great problem to have. You are obviously busy
That’s a great solution to your problem John!
I think sometimes we get stuck b/c we realize we are limited in time to work on the stuff we really want to develop and grow. But by taking baby steps, such as 30min a day, we can slowly create the foundation and grow from there…much like a seed, water it a little every day and watch it slowly grow it this beautiful flower.
Good for you…I will definitely use this advice as I too get challenged in finding time to move forward with some of my products. Ciao
Good luck with your product creation Michele. You’re on my feed, so I’ll be watching…
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