Article Presented by:
Willie Crawford
I've published an Internet marketing ezine for much of the past 10 years. Periodically, I've sent out an email survey, or posted to my forum asking my site visitors what ONE thing they want most in my ezine. The single most frequent answer is "step-by-step instructions."
In surveys, emails, forum posts, and private conversations, subscribers have "handed me the keys to the kingdom." They have said, "This is the one thing that we want and need the most." I'm passing this information along to you because, if you're looking for that ONE product that your customers probably want the most, that's it. They want step-by-step instructions on how to do the topic that they joined your list to learn more about. Give them this and they will read every issue of your ezine and never leave you ;-)
What does knowing that your subscribers want step-by-step instructions tell you that you should do? It suggests to me that you should offer them detailed step-by-step instructions in articles, ebooks, and Camtasia-style videos. You should offer them detailed step-by-step how-to in live teleseminars and workshops.
Understand that most of what your subscribers are exposed to explains the "how-to" by just scratching the surface. They read what to do, and even a little of how to do it, but they are left feeling lost. They get the same feeling from most of the software packages that they buy. The help files, tutorials, and demonstration videos barely scratch the surface in explaining how to get the most out of the software. That's why you see so many third-party tutorials on how to use the most popular software packages.
So, how do you tap into the incredibly HUGE need?
My trusted friend and partner, Frank Garon, and I are doing it by putting on a five-part teleseminar series. In the teleseminar series, we teach the things that we've learned about internet marketing over the past ten years that our coaching clients tell us that they want most to learn. You can join this teleseminar series at: http://FrankAndWillie.com
If you get to the site after the teleseminar series has already started, don't fret since we are also recording it. It only made sense to us, since this was what YOU, our subscriber, told us that you wanted. So, as we conduct the teleseminar, we're creating an information product that we'll offer to our clients later. You could do something similar in your niche.
"But what if you don't feel up to putting on a teleseminar series or creating Camtasia videos?" Then you can offer your list recorded teleseminars or step-by-step, how-to training videos created by others.
For a really nice collection of step-by-step how to videos on how to do many of the most common Internet marketing challenges, take a look at: http://TheInternetMarketingInnerCircle.com/11/
This is a collection of how-to videos that you can actually buy a license to. With the license, you sell memberships to the site for $47 for 1 year, or $97 for a lifetime memberships. The license allows you to sell an unlimited number of memberships, have someone else provide a steady stream of new how-to videos, and you keep 100% of the money. What could be easier. I purchased one of these licenses, and do quiet well just marketing the videos. Instructions on how to get the license are included in the teleseminar with Frank Garon.
When Frank and I planned the teleseminar, to add tremendous value, we included a lifetime membership in the step-by-step how-to video site as a part of our package. Why would we do that, and why should you do something similar?
Your clients have different preferred modalities of learning. Some learn best by listening - teleseminars are best for them. Some learn best by watching and doing - videos are best for them. Some learn best by watching a live demonstration and then doing - live workshops are best for them. You should plan on offering your subscribers the step-by-step how-to in whatever format that they prefer.
You no longer need to guess at what your subscribers and site visitors want. If they come to your site to learn how-to do anything, then they want step-by-step instructions. If you want to confirm this, just ask them. Once you've confirmed this, all you need to do is provide it for an endless stream of orders. When you give your customers what they want you don't sell to them, they buy something that they are seeking from you. There's a tremendous difference ;-)
About the Author:
Willie Crawford has taught thousands how to build successful online businesses since late-1996. His membership site contains over 40 interviews of leading online marketers sharing their views on "How To Break Into The Internet Marketing Inner Circle." You can access those powerful and shocking interviews at: http://TheInternetMarketingInnerCircle.com
