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I’m always looking for fellow bloggers to link up with.  If you have a website or blog that you would like to add to my list here, please send me a brief email.  I do not accept paid links on this website, so you will have to create a reciprocal link on your site to be added.

If you are interested in joining my Blogroll with a link exchange, then shoot me an email at the following address:

Here are some quick ideas for creating a profitable information product from your very own blog…

1.  Expand one fruitful post into a much larger piece.
Look for posts that you could easily expand into chapters or subtopics.  Perhaps it’s a post you’d love to write more about but felt limited by the blogging medium.  Here, you’re putting passion ahead of testing and viability, but that’s not always a bad thing.  Remember, you’re just looking for something fruitful to get the wheels turning.

2.  Use a post-series and add supplementary materials for added value.
I can think of a number of great series out there in the blogosphere that have really contributed to my life and, frankly, I probably would have paid for the information.  Unfortunately, once material is available for your readers, it’s a bit hard to justify simply collecting all the posts into one easy-to-download ebook for a price.  But… you might be able to take that series and “repackage” it along with some other additional “exclusive” material. 

3.  Rank your posts by popularity and create a related product.
Figure out what your readers really like.  Then, use that post as a starting point for your brainstorming process.  Connect this idea with #1 above for extra punch.

4.  Work on a joint venture product or co-author an ebook with regular commentators.
This idea makes the most of the “social” or “networking” benefit of being a blogger.  You might find another avid info marketer out there who wants to team up under your lead.  Or, you may find a handful of folks who’d willingly contribute to the work for a kickback – link to their site, royalty, etc.  Two minds are always better than one.  Three or nine are awesome!

5.  Review natural search hits to uncover profitable keywords.
Are you using HitTail?  Well, you really should be by now.  Whatever your method, figure out how people are getting to your site and create a pool of keywords for generating ideas.  Sometimes the audience has a way with words, if you know what I mean. 

These are not fail-proof plans for creating an information product – just helpful starting points or hubs for creating something truly great. 

If you’re a blogger and you enjoy writing and communicating with a hungry market, then information products may be a shoe-in for you. 

On the other hand, you may just uncover lots of new ideas for future blog posts.  Either way, it’s all right there at your feet.  Have fun!

Related Articles:

• Your Niche Website is a Gold Mine for Info Marketing Data
• How to Upsell Your Customers and Clients
• 10 Steps to Writing an Ebook - Part 1
• How to Write a Focused Blog
• Google Trends

I read a great definition of entrepreneur recently:

“One who creates value by shifting economic resources from low yield activities to areas where they would be more productive.”

As abstract as this may sound, it hits the nail on the head and provides a great basis for any kind of “entrepreneur” litmus test.

The idea of being an entrepreneur is a popular one, especially in the United States where rags-to-riches stories abound. The very idea of an “American Dream” is often closely linked to successfully deciphering the capitalist code.

Yet, to be an “entrepreneur” in the true sense requires very specific set of attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that are all too often misunderstood. If you’re going to become a true entrepreneur, you’ll need to understand one very important distinction right away-

Self Employed v. Business Owner
For an in-depth look at this critical distinction, be sure to check out The E-Myth and The Cashflow Quadrant.

So, first, what’s similar between the self-employee and the business owner (or entrepreneur)?

Right off the bat, this should be obvious enough: Both own a business and both profit from the operation of that business.

The critical difference rests in the individual’s role in the owned business. Of course, the self-employed individual works in the business and, in many cases, actually is the business. Michael Gerber refers to this difference as working in a business vs. working on a business.

Internet Entrepreneur v. Blogger
Let’s look at one classic example in the Internet business world that continues to baffle me.

I remember starting my first websites after learning about the impressive success of other Internet entrepreneurs with affiliate marketing business models employing easy-to-use blogs as a content management system.

The basic idea here – as in virtually all affiliate marketing arrangements – is to create relevant content that promotes specific ads and then generates a boatload of cash.

Since blogs have become commonplace in the niche marketing world, tons of new bloggers enter the blogosphere each day hoping to claim their piece of the internet-profits pie.

What I find remarkable about this movement – one which I pursued for a brief period in my earliest days of internet business – is many of these “bloggers” consider themselves *internet entrepreneurs.* As we can see, traditional “blogging” is merely self-employment online, even in the most successful cases.

Yes, there are plenty of exceptions to this rule, but I want to be clear: I am speaking of viable Internet business models only – not blogging for pure enjoyment or genuine contribution. I also want to rule out those bloggers who truly recognize the self-employment nature of their work. Hey- if that suits you, then so be it. Some have even effectively combined profit and passion in some very inspiring ways and deserve a respectful nod here.

Also, I certainly don’t want to dismiss blogging as a viable part of an Internet business model’s big picture. Obviously, I find a lot of value in continually contributing to the content here at MindfulEntrepreneur.com and I know it will definitely contribute to my success with future products.

But as I have come to understand the most effective forms of Internet business models, and especially those that most suit my long-term business vision, I have learned to use blogging more for niche profile-building and pure enjoyment than anything else.

As of this writing, I continue to run some ads and affiliate links here. The vast majority of my online income comes from product sales and not affiliate earnings, but I think the ads actually add value to my site for visitors and me. I’m sure this presentation will change soon enough.

Mindset is Everything
I return to this central point again and again, but I do so for good reason: it’s a good point!

Your mindset – that is, how you think about your role in any business – plays a very strong role in determining the ultimate success or failure of your venture. If you constantly see yourself as absolutely essential to daily operations, your “business” will be nothing more than a job. On the other hand, if you manage to remove yourself from the equation, even gradually at first, you will see great long-term results!

Reader Toolbox:

Its a good investment to pay off college loans as quickly as possible! If conventional loans are not for you, check out alternative student loans so that you can have money for college. Many student loans are low interest and a good choice.

If you are planning to write 70-296, try getting 70-270 under your belt first. This will also ensure you success in 70-284.

Related Articles:

• Begin with the End in Mind: Navigating the Road to Internet Business Success
• Maximize Your Self Concept for Business Success
• Time Management for Internet Entrepreneurs 2.0
• The Entrepreneur’s Key to Success: Feature Interview – Yaro Starak
• Your Niche Website is a Gold Mine for Info Marketing Data
• How to Integrate Personal & Business Development
• The Entrepreneur's "Declaration of Independence"
• Creating Passive Streams of Income
• Time Management for Internet Entrepreneurs

Here’s a classic keyword tool for your information marketing success:

Overture Keyword Selector

Many of you may already know about and use this keyword generator, but I’m often surprised by how many still don’t.

If you’re not thinking in terms of “top keywords” for your projects, you may be missing the boat in a big way.

Try out Overture and start enhancing your blogging, web development, and information products today!

Related Articles:

• A Great Resource for Information Publishing!
• 10 Cheap and Easy Marketing Ideas under $100
• Sell Books From Home – New eBook Release!
• How to Use PPC Advertising with Google Adwords
• 10 Steps to Writing an Ebook - Part 1

If you haven’t heard already, the SOBCon 2007 event will be held this May 11 & 12.

A full description of the event is available at the official SOBCon 07 website.

Here’s a snapshot:

• Take your blogging to the next level with access to the experts
• Make lasting connections between your business vision & your blog
• Participate in an interactive conference intended to make YOU a success

Ticket pricing information is available at the website (link above). Check it out today!

(And let me know if you’re going…)

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