If you tried to think of people involved in product creation, who would come to mind? You may think of Edison, Franklin, or maybe Henry Ford. Would you ever think of yourself as someone who can create a quality product? Product creation is actually relatively easy and product launching is not that tough either! If you follow a few easy to understand steps, you could be starting the product creation and product launching process sooner than you think.

The first step in creating your information product is to know and understand your market. This can be very time-consuming, especially if you are unsure of what to do or where to look to know your market. Studying your niche market and understanding the buzz words and buying patterns can ease the process dramatically. Personally, I would recommend networking with someone who has had success in the niche market you are considering and learn from their results. If they are into product creation and not very business savvy expect some hesitation. If they only sell products and have nothing to do with product launching or product creation you may your first affiliate (sales person)! Something else you can use to find hot trends is with the Google Trends tool.

The second step is the product creation process. Take your niche market and brainstorm ideas and topics relating to it. There are a lot of product launching contests going on recently relating to a newly created internet marketing tool. There are so many aspects to the mentioned niche that literally, and unfortunately, anything can be considered an Internet Marketing tool. The reason that anyone can basically create an Internet Marketing tool is because of something called Private Label Rights products.

What I use private label rights products for, and highly recommend them in this specific manner, is to cure writer’s block especially when it is lingering. Many people base their entire product creation and product launching on a private label rights product. This is where you can start to shine and build a strong brand for yourself. If you set goals for yourself, short-term goals to be exact, you can see your product creation come into being much faster and there is a good chance with less revision needed. If you keep hitting time restraint road blocks; however there is nothing wrong with a slow and steady approach, you can consider outsourcing portions of your project. Outsourcing can be an extremely huge benefit or just as great of a disaster.

You can find someone to outsource work to at a freelance site such as Guru.com or eLance.com. When reviewing proposals it is almost mandatory you perform a background check on them as you are in essence hiring them. Doing a background check on freelancers is as easy as asking for samples of their work and reviewing feedback on the freelance site from previous customers. Depending on the size and requirements of your project this can add up to a decent sized investment, so caution is very important. One tip I always recommend to people looking to hire an individual is to ask them what they can provide you that no one else can. This simple question gives them a chance to “toot their own horn” and acknowledge where they feel most competent as far as their skill set.

The final portion of the product creation and product launching formula is the launch. This can literally make or break the effort, time, and maybe (if you invested) money you put in to your project. There are numerous aspects to product launching and although their relevance is debated in terms to their effect, experts agree all must be followed. The person in your field who you asked for product advice from can help you substantially if you have kept in touch. If not, the first thing you need to do is to create a visually appealing website with flawless design work.

I also mentioned outsourcing before, this is one aspect of product launching I have little strength in and I always outsource this portion. The website does not have to be large however the content (ad copy in Internet Marketing) must be stellar and as perfect as possible. This is where advertising knowledge or experience is beneficial. When the site is set up you now put a lead capture form on your website.

I put two lead capture pages on all products I create on the internet and is one of the best methods of getting a solid start when you are in the product launching stage. When you gain information from a prospect or someone looking to get paid for referring sales you are able to provide them updates or specials. Many people abuse their prospect or affiliate lists by in turn emailing them with a new product daily and I find the recommendations to be totally unrelated to their original need, problem, or interest.

Another stage in the product launching stage is creating a free report or demo version of your product to entice the product to sign up to your email list. Using proper follow up with this can help generate numerous sales for you. One thing you need to ensure is that your free product completely relates to your main product that you are looking to sell.

You are now ready to advertise your product launching to customers as well as the opportunity to sell for affiliates. This is the single aspect that many product creations and launches fail on. It is actually not entirely difficult. One thing you can do is write articles (and a good amount of them) on topics relating to your product. I am a huge advocate of giving a solution in forums. When you join a forum you are normally offered the opportunity to create a signature. In your signature, you should enter the link to your opt-in or lead capture page. When you respond to posts, you are advertising your opportunity.

It is not impossible to create a product and it does not have to take a long time. You need to setup a plan and stick to it. If you get stuck, look at similar and successful products to your own and try and see how they did it. When you sit down and brainstorm you will be surprised with what you can imagine.

There are a lot of MLM companies advertising themselves as good home-based businesses on the web nowadays, and most of the reviews that are written rave about a certain company and its promises of wealth beyond your wildest dreams! The sites create the illusion that you are going to amass this great wealth as soon as you join up. Because I am not affiliated with ANY of these companies, I write unbiased, informative reviews on MLM home-based business companies using on as much information as I can find. I read the negative reviews as well as the positive and I try to figure out what’s going on with the negative reviews. I look beyond the buzz and the upbeat music to give you a substantial review that is designed to assist you in your quest for a legitimate company.Review or misconception?There seems to be a key thread with the negative reviews. The writer of the review is frustrated or angry because none of the “claims” about wealth came true instantly. I get the feeling that these reviewers are forgetting to look beyond the glitz and glamour hype that these companies are putting out there. Most companies have extremely upbeat, dynamic, colorful websites with fabulous testimonials about the company’s product and wealth potential. They are trying to get you excited about their company as your home-based business and it tends to work! Even the most cynical consumer out there can be taken in by some of these claims. The fact is, if you do not understand the world of Multi-level marketing, you are not going to understand how they work and whether or not you will be able to make money. I am reading negative reviews about companies, when in actual fact, the reviewer simply didn’t understand the process of creating a “downline” or team of sales people.But Can It Work?Is it possible to make money with an MLM as your home-based business? Of course it is. However, it requires an extreme effort and some market savvy. The success of your product or company will depend solely on your ability to market yourself and the product you are selling. You will need to have the ability to reach thousands (probably more) of potential new prospects. You absolutely,without fail,must have the ability to create a huge “downline” for MLM sales to be lucrative. Can you do this selling to your friends and neighbors and co-workers and family? Nope, you honestly can not. I think this is the over-looked aspect with MLM sales. It is so difficult to earn a living at MLM sales if you don’t know the tricks of the trade. You have to know going into it that the massive downline is how you will make a lucrative income. Unfortunately, if you are not at the top of a multi-level marketing company, you probably aren’t going to be the guy on the website with the Lamborghini, the mansion, the pool and the supermodel. But, you might be able to make a lucrative income with this type of home-based business, if you know how to market yourself and your product.Do Your Homework!Before you make any decisions about joining any MLM company, please be sure you understand the terms and conditions of sales, and develop a game plan for your own home-based business so that you will be a success story. Thoroughly investigate the company before you commit. Read all the reviews, good and bad. Try to get a feel about the reviewers. See if you can determine whether you might have a legitimately a bad business venture or if the reviewer simply didn’t understand that firm’s terms, conditions, compensation plan pay outs, etc, and has decided the company is a “scam.” Always be sure to understand the compensation plan. Familiarize yourself with any terminology you are unfamiliar with. It’s your money, know what you are getting into and know what you can expect back! I can not stress enough to anyone, a home-based business in MLM sales can be quite lucrative, but it is a highly competitive field, fraught with more failures than successes. Will you have what it takes to be successful and beat out your competition?

‘A successful marketing strategy is not based on doing what you like but liking what you do…’Are you looking for information to build and grow a home-based business? If so, you are in the right place! Here you will find information on implementing a successful marketing campaign and growing your home based business.The ProblemMany home-based business owners don’t know how to best market their businesses. Some ignore marketing altogether, hoping that customers or website visitors will appear out of thin air. Others market in a scattershot way producing untargeted traffic or unqualified prospects. Either approach will keep you from achieving your business potential and reaching your financial goals and possibly even damage your reputation.The SolutionWhether you’ve been thinking about starting a home business or you’re already a seasoned home-based business owner, the principle remains the same. Your business’ survival and success rests on how effectively you market your business or product. Examine some of the following marketing strategies and tools to help you boost your home based business profits.Home-Based Business AdvantageLow overhead costs, no commute to work and the ability to work around your children are some of the few advantages for home based business owners. Gear your marketing efforts to capitalize on these and other home-based strengths including:Adaptability – Information Technology has escalated the rate of change in the marketplace. To survive and thrive, you must be prepared to act, and act quickly. As a home-based business owner, you can make adjustments instantly, without having to cut through the red tape of bureaucratic decision-making procedures common in larger businesses.Technology – Computers, the Internet, PDA’s, and other emerging technologies can take home based businesses to a more level playing field with bigger companies, empowering home based business owners to accomplish tasks that used to require hiring staff to perform. Try to keep up-to-speed with technology.Flexibility. – Unlike traditional businesses that require full-time attention and high overhead costs, home based businesses can be operated part-time, at low cost, and depending on your financial goals can be phased into full-time operations.Taking Your Business To The Next LevelA common reason home businesses fail is because owners neglect the up-front planning needed to position their ventures. Once you have defined your market position and where you want to take your business in the 12 months you will have moved one step closer to success.If you already have a business begin by taking inventory of where your business is right now. What specific goods and services do you provide? How do you set yourself apart? What is your business’ reputation? How are you perceived by your customers or clients as far as your prices, reliability, and other elements of your products or services?The next step is to project where you want to take your business in the 12 months. What market position do you want to occupy? Is the niche market you want large enough? How will your benefits outsell those provided by the competition? Do you have the ability, capital, resources and support to make your market position a reality? Your answers will give you the information you need to begin designing or updating your marketing plan.Planning AheadOnce you have determined where you want to go, outline the essential steps to get there. Begin by writing a one sentence purpose (mission) statement for your marketing campaign. The rest of your plan should include a brief description of each of the following:Benefits of your products and services.Your target market.What marketing tools will best help you achieve your mission.Your market niche. What sets you apart in the market place.Your marketing budget.Keep your marketing plan brief. The more concise you make your marketing plan, the more effective it will be in evaluating your marketing efforts.Finding Your NicheThis is often the hardest task for a beginning home-based business owner but also one of the most crucial. In order for your venture to survive in a competitive marketplace, you must distinguish yourself from other businesses and find a niche. What makes your business unique? Why should someone choose to buy from you over a competitor? Prospective clients want to know. If you can give them a compelling answer, you will position yourself as a leader in your industry boosting your profit potential. Research your market thoroughly before jumping in.Marketing ToolsNo matter how you choose to publicize your business, one quality will set you apart from your competitors: The ability to write effective ad copy. You’re vying for the attention of consumers bombarded each day with advertisements. It is estimated that the average person is exposed to over 1,200 advertising messages per DAY! Make sure your advertisement stands out from the rest of this ‘noise’.When you have determined your market position and drawn up a marketing plan you are ready to start spreading the word about your products and services. One effective way is using the existing offline media in your area. You have a variety of media choices depending upon your target market and your advertising budget including magazines, newspapers, television, radio, and the internet. Start by evaluating how and where your competitors advertise. What’s working for them? Take their best ideas; then design your own winning layout, positioning yourself as having the best offer.The Importance of HeadlinesAs the first phrases seen in advertising copy, headlines should arouse enough interest in the reader so that they will want to read or listen on to learn more about your business or product. To get ideas about what headlines will work best for you, scan different types of ad copy, particularly those from your competitors. Create a swipe file of different ads and ideas that you come across from different sources. But remember to be careful of using other peoples copyrighted material.Capture your customer’s interest with a compelling statement of offerHighlight the most important benefitsOffer extreme valueMake a call strong call to action.Testing Your AdsAdvertising can be expensive, but for just about any business a mandatory investment. To get the most out of your ads, test them by the following criteria:What is the quantity of leads or prospects that the ad generates? Compare this amount in terms of a unit cost of advertising (dollars in advertising per leads generated).How many of these leads convert into sales? Different advertising media due to the audiences they target will vary in the numbers of actual closes.Continually check the response from your ads, make changes or run a new ad if necessary. Use ad trackers and keep testing, testing testing until you achieve the response required.Internet MarketingImagine! You can have a salesperson working for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week even while you sleep. A web site and effective use of e-mail marketing can turn your small home-based business into a global business putting you on a level playing field with large corporations. With easy and afforbable web design tools getting a web site up and running is within reach of everybody.Sell Benefits Not Features!Any seasoned business owner knows that it costs five times more to sell to a new prospect than to an existing client. Studies show that each satisfied customer will spread the good word about your business to at least one other person. On the reverse side of the coin a dissatisfied customer will complain to up to five or ten potential customers. Your mission in getting customer referrals to turn passive satisfied customers into actively enthusiastic supporters who will promote your business. The best way to do this is through:Offering outstanding value to your customersDelivering your product on time.Solving customer’s problems.Maintaining regular contact with customers through feedback formsFollowing up your customers regularly.Creating long-term relationships with customers.Personalising your product or service.Finally…Whether you’re just launching your home based business or have been building one for years, don’t allow lack of information keep you from achieving your financial dreams. Study your marketing options and decide which marketing strategy will best position you for long-term success.Declan O’Reilly