You are excited! You want to build your authority and bring a consistent cash flow to your business. And, you have SO much information to share.
STOP. This is where people make the classic rookie mistake – they create products that are WAY too big. They try to cover “everything you need to know about social media” or “all the technology you need to get started online”. The classes are usually LONG – 6 weeks, 8 weeks, with lots of checklists, worksheets, etc. They labor for months getting everything together – then it comes time to actually sell the product – and it doesn't sell. Sound like YOUR first product? It definitely is the story of mine (and of most people I talk to).
The truth is that most people prefer to turn on a faucet and get a glass of water rather than standing in front of a giant fire hose. Only so much knowledge can soak in at one time LOL!. And, people get frustrated when there is so much to learn and they aren't getting it. I had a client ask for a refund on my first product because it was just too much information for her to absorb.
Here are some tips for creating a “right-sized” product for your audience.
1. You want to solve one problem and solve it well.
You are not going to be able to impart your entire encyclopedic knowledge of social media in 12 weeks – no matter how willing the audience is to learn. Pick one small problem to solve – i.e. how to create more engagement on your Facebook page.
2. Figure out out what is causing your audience pain?
Are they frustrated because they can't build list? Are they having trouble closing sales? Do they need help with productivity? How can you help them?
3. Keep it short.
Do not have a class that goes on forever. 6 weeks is OK – 4 weeks is even better. Or, you can do what I did when I was starting out and do one long virtual day (4 hours of content). People want to solve their problems fast and then move on.
4. Don't work for free
The first step if you have a product idea is to create a sales page and sell the product. That way, you aren't spending months creating something that people don't want. This also allows you to tailor the content to the people who have purchased the class. If nobody buys, go back to the drawing board. If too few people buy, you can either cancel and refund – or do a smaller group program.
Want more tips on how to create a product that works? I recorded a webinar on How To Create And Market A Product That Sells. You can get instant access by clicking here.
