I just read an interesting post by Michele PW on the Solo-e blog called 3 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When They Create Information Products.   Michele discusses the three problems:

1. Creating the wrong product for your ideal market
2. Packaging the product in a way that’s not appropriate or ideal for your market
3. Taking too long to complete the product

In brief, she suggest that you should  create a product that your market “wants”, as opposed to something that you think your market “needs”.  And part of that is making sure you deliver it in a format that the market wants (e.g. ebook vs video).  Not all customers like to read  (I’m one of them). And lately I don’t seem to have patience for watching all the cool new videos  everyone is producing (I just think some of them are too long!).  So, I’m not sure what’s left for someone like me as far as getting information, but if I’m your target market, then you will have to definitely figure it out!

The point to take away from her advice is that IF you are creating a product to sell because you want to profit from it, then you should really focus on what your market is asking for – the old profit vs. passion conundrum.  And with that said, her third point is to get it out there in the market.  You can’t sell what’s not finished!

So take a look at what Michele has to say and try to work it into your product creation strategy.

Here’s a tip: When doing research for your product, go to Amazon.com and look for books and DVDs on your topic. Read the comments and see what people are complaining about or commenting on your competition’s product. For example, I have seen comments that the information wasn’t detailed enough; the format was confusing; there weren’t enough illustrations or photos.  These will help make decisions about the content and format of your own product. Also look for positive comments to see what people like  and be sure to incorporate those elements into your product as well.