If you sell services – as opposed to products – to your clients, then you know there’s only so many billable hours in a day. So how can you earn more revenue when you’re the only person manning the ship? One excellent way is to create and sell products that complement your services. Sounds simple, but how do you decide what to sell? Here at Write Ahead, we’ve been wondering the same thing, so we did some research. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Write an eBook
To have a successful eBook, you first need an idea. Pick a topic you enjoy, but make sure it’s something that will also appeal to a large number of readers in your target market. It’s important to create an outline for your eBook too; this will help you stay on track while you write, so you don’t stray from the main theme or message. After that, it’s all marketing. Who will you sell to? What will the price be? Where (online) will you sell it? Copyblogger offers some ideas on how to complete an eBook project in 30 days.
Create a Tool Kit
What’s a tool kit? Whether cyber products or tangible items, a tool kit is a group of resources designed to help someone reach a desired goal – like starting a business! Natalie Sisson has put together a great tool kit for entrepreneurs to help them start and manage a business online. Maybe dog owners could benefit from a tool kit of training and nutrition resources for their pets. Whatever customer need lies unfulfilled, there is an opportunity to design a tool kit and sell it.
Publish a Hard Copy Book
This option could carry higher costs, but if you have the right type of business, a hard copy book or magazine could be a great way to supplement intangible services. Take one of our clients – The Local Habit – who not only offer a cool online resource for the hottest and most interesting things to do, see and eat in Vancouver, but also sell that resource in a small, easy to carry little black book. Perfect for both locals and tourists, the book is a great go-to resource whenever you’re looking to do something new in the city.
Selling products alongside services can be a great way to supplement revenues and get more people talking about your business. We’re planning to do some of that ourselves – stay tuned to find out more.
