| p>So you've decided to start publishing an | | | | 1) Add a page to your web site where visitors can |
| e-newsletter, or you'd like to develop a Special | | | | submit questions. |
| Report as an added-value for your customers, or | | | | You could title it "What is your most pressing |
| maybe you've even decided to teach a teleclass or a | | | | question about [insert your topic of expertise here]. |
| seminar as a way to bring prospects into your | | | | Make sure the page is visible and accessible from all |
| business. | | | | of your web pages. Consider promoting this service |
| So now you have to decide what you're going to | | | | throughout your web site to drive people to that |
| write or speak about. So just how do you come up | | | | page to submit a question. |
| with content for your free information products that | | | | 2) Purchase the domain name "askYOURNAME.com" |
| you know your prospects and customers will be | | | | (where "YOURNAME" is your first and last name). |
| interested in? | | | | Publicize this web page as a service and great place |
| Well, you can start with looking at the knowledge | | | | for consumers to get their most pressing questions, |
| you have that could truly benefit your prospects and | | | | in your subject area, answered. Registering domains |
| customers. What do you know a lot about, that your | | | | is cheap, and you can always point it to a page in |
| customers and prospects don't? What information | | | | your existing web site if you don't want to pay |
| could you provide that could help them to improve | | | | additional web hosting fees. |
| their business, or make them happier, or show them | | | | 3) Include an email address, or web page address in |
| a different way to do something, or provide them | | | | your e-newsletter. |
| with tips on how to buy or use the product or | | | | Or in any other forms of regular communication. Use |
| service you provide? | | | | this email address to invite your prospects and clients |
| The key is finding out what information your | | | | to submit their questions. Odds are if one prospect |
| prospects and customers need or want most. Asking | | | | or client has a question, there are many others who |
| them is the easiest way to find out, and it is a great | | | | also have the same question. |
| way to generate content for your information | | | | 4) Create a survey. |
| products. | | | | If you do presentations or seminars, hand out a |
| If you have made arrangements to speak to a | | | | survey at the end to find out what attendees liked |
| group, ask the person coordinating your talk if there | | | | best about your presentation (it's always a good idea |
| is a way to survey the group as to their most | | | | to get feedback anyway), and to find out if there |
| important questions relative to your line of business. | | | | are other relevant areas they would like to see you |
| For example, if you offer Wellness Coaching Services | | | | speak on, or if they have questions they'd like |
| and you are speaking to a group of corporate | | | | answered. |
| executives, find out what their burning questions are | | | | 5) Keep your eyes open and your customers in mind |
| related to wellness. | | | | when you read trade publications, magazines or |
| In a corporate environment, they should be able to | | | | newspapers. |
| quickly and easily compile this information via an email | | | | If you come across something you think would be of |
| sent out to all employees who have been invited to | | | | interest to your prospects and customers, share it. Is |
| your talk. Knowing that your goal is to speak directly | | | | something going on in the news that is relevant to |
| to their concerns, they will probably be more likely to | | | | your product or service? Write about it. |
| attend as well. | | | | In addition to using this information to drive |
| When you get the results of your survey, look for | | | | newsletter or presentation content, you can also use |
| common or recurring questions and focus your talk | | | | it to develop articles and content for your website, |
| on the answers to these questions. Save any | | | | or to write Special Reports, Tips Sheets, or How-To |
| remaining questions as topics for your e-newsletter. | | | | Guides. |
| You can use this as an incentive to get attendees to | | | | These are all great ways to provide added value to |
| register for your e-newsletter by saying at the end | | | | your prospects and customers, and to give them a |
| of your talk "If I didn't cover your most pressing | | | | chance to get to know you. Consumers do business |
| question, I invite you to register for my free | | | | with those they know and trust. Creating |
| e-newsletter where I will address all remaining | | | | relationships with your prospects and customers using |
| questions." | | | | free information products is a great way to develop |
| Here are five more ways to generate ideas and | | | | this trust. And it's one of the cheapest, easiest and |
| content: | | | | most effective ways you can market your business. |