A publisher’s role is simple
The 6 most important factors in choosing a topic (in order of priority) topic (in order of priority)
1. Am I interested in topic? This is numero uno for a reason. It is the most important factor to consider when whittling down your list of possible topics.
Even if you outsource much of the writing, you will need to keep abreast of everything related to your topic. Being interested in it just makes sense – dollars and cents, really!
2. Are there any advertisers in the topic I’m
considering? This should be self-evident. There is no point in having a beautiful site on the topic of Eskimo Art, let’s say, if there are no advertisers to help you make it profitable. You will need at least a few different products or services in order to offer your visitor some comparative choices. Soon I will show you where to find thousands of advertisers to choose from.
3. Can I build a decent “keyword list” about this topic? In the next training module, Step-3, you will learn about the strategic importance of “keywords”.
Keywords are the exact phrases that people type into search engines. Amazingly, you will be able to get an exact count of EVERY SINGLE KEYWORD PHRASE entered into the major search engines for the previous 60 days. You should consider the DEMAND for these keywords (your potential topics) and keywords that may be related to your potential topics before making any decisions. After all, there’s no sense in having a great site on “men’s bow ties”, – even if there ARE several good affiliate programs available, – if only 6 people searched that subject in the previous month. Remember what I stressed earlier: A little time and research will go a long way here and will save you both time and money in the long run.
4. How good is their ‘creative’? The word ‘creative’
is an advertising industry term that refers to a websites’ ability to properly communicate to, or persuade, its target audience. As a visitor to the merchants’ site – are you impressed? Would YOU buy anything yourself? If not, why not? The thing to remember is: conversion rate, which is simply the percentage of total visitors ‘converted’ into paying customers. As you may suspect, it makes no sense to feature an advertiser whose site is so confusing
that people don’t buy. As you gain experience at this you’ll develop a ‘feel’ for which advertisers will convert well. In other words, which advertisers have good ‘creative’?
5. How generous is their program? Depending on the topic, there will be a wide variety of commission options. Some advertisers pay a percentage of the sale and some a flat fee, while other advertisers pay a generous fee for each visitor. Some have a
commission for inquiries or registrations, while others cut you a check for only approved
transactions. Obviously, you will need to consider this when determining your topic. For now, no worries! I’ll offer some guidelines for all of this in Step-7.
6. Is it a subject I’m familiar with? Of course, it would be nice to write about topics you’re familiar with, as I stressed in Step-1. However, I realize this may not be possible, although it is my first choice.
No, it’s not ABSOLUTELY necessary because your focus will be on researching the Net for information related to your industry and distilling the vast
amounts of knowledge found there into well-written words for each page of your site. I like to think of it as gobbling up information, digesting it and
regurgitating it for the general public. Anyway, the point is that you can become an expert on a topic if you are not one now. In fact, in Step-5, you will be taught exactly how to research and write your
content using the Internet. I will also show you how to use eLance, a freelance website that boasts
talented writers that will work for nominal fees, many with experience in this specific area. We’ll go into more about eLance later. For now, if you do decide to craft your own copy, you will quickly find that it is no more difficult than a grade 9 high school composition assignment. So, forget about your fear of NOT being a writer. I taught dozens of people this process. Like you, they may have initially been absolutely petrified at the thought of publishing an article on the Net. The good news: they all delight in
writing and publishing their own articles now and you can too. So, relax. You CAN do it.
Baby step #1
It’s time for a treasure hunt
If you’re serious about succeeding in this field, and you can, you have to spend some time finding topic ideas that pique your interest and the interest of visitors to your site.
Now, this is not a tough process, so do not feel intimidated or overwhelmed – instead, we’re going to have some fun with this.
While there is no equation, no exact science formulation for figuring this out, I can tell you that finding the right topic pays off and by investing a small amount of time on this now, you are sure to start off on the right path and, better yet, stay there!
Contrary to popular belief, this will be painless. In fact, it will be easy and fun and hugely beneficial.
Start NOW by printing a few copies of the BIG List in the Appendix of this manual. Next, simply walking into your kitchen with BIG List in hand. Take a seat.
Now, write down what you see.
The goal when you have completed this short, fun process filling out your own BIG List: To have 100 good topic ideas to choose from!
Let’s get started!
For instance, when I walk in my kitchen, I see a coffee maker, juicer, microwave, bar stools, kitchen table and chairs, a set of knives in a wooden block (that Arlene paid
$600 for, I might add), oven, refrigerator, CD radio player, kitchen cabinets, mini blinds, vinyl laminate flooring,
accessories and, of course, the proverbial kitchen sink.
And, if I open the kitchen cabinets, I see much more – stainless steel cookware, dishes, glassware, bake ware, recycle bin, toaster oven, blender, etc.
Now, you do the same and make notes on everything you see.
What you are doing here is making a list of potential topics for your websites – any one of these could potentially be a topic for your site, as you’ll see when you explore Step-5.
Within your list of topics, you are going to find your ideas for your very own online specialty boutique. No more shopping mall mentality. We’re going high-end here – a truly unique site that appeals to you and your visitors and will generate revenue.
Now, make sure you follow-through right now with this important step. Do not skip ahead without walking through your home, looking in your yard, even your garden shed. After all, if you have spent money on it, others will, too.
As you wrap-up in the kitchen, let’s take a peek in your family room.
In my family room, I see lamps, an entertainment center, a chesterfield, leather arm chairs, silk plants, a throw rug, coffee table, ottoman, television, DVD player, gas
fireplace, a silk flower arrangement, candles, window coverings, TV trays and so on.
Admittedly, Arlene just performed a real “Debbie Travis makeover” on our home. It looks great and has given me lots of new ideas for topics.
And, when she added the new paint – giving everything a fresh new look – it occurred to me that this in itself is a trend and one that could easily be tapped into.
Do you see where I am going with this?
Now, take your hunt into your bedrooms and bathrooms.
Keep in mind what made you purchase certain items, and consider each item’s (aka potential topic) popularity (aka earning potential). This may very well be your target audience!
Back to our lists – In our family game room, I quickly spot our pool table and related items, a dartboard, card table and stereo.
In our bedrooms, I see bed frames, mattresses,
nightstands, lamps, feather pillows, linens, etc. In the bathrooms, I find shower curtains, bathmats, shower organizers, the usual toiletries, a trashcan and bathroom fixtures – toilet tissue holder, towel rack, etc.
Now, let’s take our treasure hunt outdoors.
Once outside in my yard, I see a birdbath, wooden bench, garden shed, patio furniture (table, chairs and umbrella), little garden gnomes, a BBQ, plants, trees and shrubs, concrete driveway, cedar deck and a 6’ privacy fence.
Include outdoor items on your list now, too.
Next, let’s head back inside and take a look around your closet(s). In mine, I find a vacuum cleaner, luggage, closet organizers, clothing, shoes, accessories such as ties and belts, etc.
Don’t forget your garage. In mine, I see jack stands, a hydraulic jack, and a lawn mower, weed eater, rakes and shovel, and of course, my Shelby Cobra! ☺
When I look at the outside of the house itself I see doors and windows, cedar shakes, stucco, gutters, and so on.
The idea here: become very, very product focused!
And stay there.
Now, once back in your office or place of work, do the same thing. Look at everything with an eagle’s eye. For instance, you’re sure to find a photocopier, fax machine, desks and chairs. What else do you see? Add these to your BIG List.
And, if you work in a particular industry, focus some efforts on this. If you are a carpenter (as I am by trade), your “office” equipment undoubtedly includes a table saw, a circular saw, drill, hammers and the like. Don’t forget to add these to your BIG List.
Admittedly, I am not a mall-goer. My wife, Arlene, on the other hand, loves to shop. If you can relate to this, head to the mall. Look around for topic ideas and make sure to have your BIG List tucked under your arm or in your
pocket because you are going to be adding lots of ideas on this trip. Take notes on what exactly piques your interest and the interest of others shopping in the mall.
Another great area to explore when topic treasure hunting is hobbies. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
What do members of your family do and how about your friends? How do they spend their leisure time?
Along this line of thought, my son Justin plays the
saxophone (or used to) and my daughter Shelby plays the guitar. Why not a site around either one of those topics?
Maybe a good topic to explore on your site is drums or even another musical instrument. The truth is that you are only as limited as your imagination.
Thinking further about my children, Adam, my oldest son, loves model trains and sailing ships. Now, there’s another topic idea.
And, I love muscle cars.
You see, there are lots and lots of topics that will be just right for you and a defined target audience – all it takes is a little treasure hunting!
And, to gather all the nuggets you need for financial success, you need a BIG List of possible topics.
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CAUTION:
Do NOT move forward until you havecompleted your BIG List. This is crucial and the information in your BIG List will allow you to progress! So, if you have not completed your BIG List, do so NOW!