Well, it’s been a month since my last post. I hadn’t planned on taking so long but I have been busy working on my ebook called Fearless Product Creation. This was intended to be a “lite” version of a video course I created by the same name. As I worked on the ebook version, I kept thinking about what many established marketers teach which is: provide massive value and give ‘em your best stuff. Every time I opened my ebook to work on it I’d think of new material I could add. Next thing I know it’s over 40 pages!
Once I had most the content created, I started working on the ecover. Geeze, what a rabbit hole to graphics wonderland that is. My problem is I love playing with graphics. I burned quite a few days playing with different ideas, layouts, images and effects. Then a few more days trying to find free software that would let me twist and warp an image so I could “fit” it to a paperback book template.
Maybe I should just print out the flat image, tape it to a real paperback book cover and take a picture of that and upload it…
“Fiverr guy, here I come…”
Well, not yet. I’ve a few more things to try first.
Anyway, It’s not available yet as I need to finish up the ecover graphics and get everything set up on my site. If it’s not available by the end of the week, someone better call me out ’cause the kids are away all week and I have no excuses!
-Karl
photo by peterastn on Flickr
Your ebook sounds interesting….I’ve read plenty of product creation books but I still struggle to get products out. I think it is the motivation and leap of faith that you need that holds me back. Things like is this going to sell, is anyone interested in this stuff, is this even vaguely original are the kind of questions that go through your head. Look at people like Corbett Barr, he created an audience through his blog and then asked them what they wanted products on. This seems to get round many of the common hindrances to creating a product but building an audience on your blog is tough and takes time. With this strategy you have to spend 12 months or so blogging with very little income hoping that you can develop an audience which is also a leap of faith to some extent.
Hi Ade,
I understand completely the struggles you have. I had those same concerns and continue to question myself at times. But I didn’t want those fears to stop me from at least trying. I knew that if I didn’t at least try, I would never, ever know if I could. I basically decided I would try to complete one short video with no intention of selling it. That way, there was no pressure. I thought of it as an instructional video I’d give to one person who needed the information. It took some time, but when completed I felt much more confident about creating the other videos.
I would start by creating one short, very focused product, be it an ebook or screencast video, with no intention of selling it, or even sharing it publicly (if that helps). This way, you at least get the ball rolling. Ade, you write very well. I think you could create some very good products.
-Karl
Hey Karl,
Just like you, I kind of love tinkering with the graphics side of creating products. I guess it’s the artist inside of us, huh? Although it’s still a rabbit hole for me, I’m welcoming the learning process with a wide grin on my face ‘coz I love to tinker with colors & that sort of thing.
It’s not only the product creation side the reason I’m trying to learn photoshop or what not, I’m also will be doing a facelift on my blog soon. So I guess there’s a lot of must do’s for both of us, lol!
Hey Romi,
Yes – I think there is an artist inside each of us. I’m looking forward to see what changes you make to your website! I’m still changing mine around.
-Karl
Hi Karl,
I really have a problem with product creation so I would be interested to read your book.
As for graphics, photoshop is expensive and not easy to use. I use a program call Real Draw which is pretty simple reasonably priced, has some good tutorials and has book cover templates.
I should outsource my book covers and header graphics but I do like to tinker around myself, which is not very cost effective. Ah well!
Cheers
Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks for the interest in my ebook – it should be available sometime this week!
I took a look at the Real Draw website and I must say it looks like a very cool product. I’ll probably try the trial version. I just need to be careful not to spend too much time on it – which of course I will!
-Karl
Hey Karl,
It’s amazing how quickly you can lose sight of time.
I’m sure you’re ebook cover is going to look just fine, just make sure that you don’t eat into too much of your productive time.
Just think, once you’ve published your latest creation, you’ll have to start thinking of ideas for
your next one! LOL.
Regards,
Dean.
Yep – got it done. You’re right, I need to start thinking about the next product. But for now, I’ll work on getting my Aweber form up and download pages in place. Fun stuff!
-Karl
Hey Karl,
This ebook sounds really good, I like the name “Fearless Product Creation” because that’s what holds a lot of people back from making and selling their own stuff – FEAR!
If you can show people that it’s not too scary once you get going I’m sure you’ll have something of immense value that people will really take to.
Needless to say put me down for a copy
All the Best,
- Noel.
Hi Noel,
I can distinctly remember reading blogs or WF threads explaining the benefits of product creation and me thinking “Nope. Can’t do it. Who am I to write?” ( as I look across my table at a Hemingway novel.) Just out of curiosity I purchased a few of the courses and after going through them realized that product creation, from the Internet Marketers angle, wasn’t nearly as difficult or intimidating as I thought it would be.
I hope you enjoy it.
-Karl
Hi Karl,
Nice post and so very true.
Isn’t it strange how certain things can get a grip of you and waste (in the procrastination sense) time like nothing else.
I come across the same problems all the time, especially in music production. I can be writing a tune then all of a sudden i realize i have been playing with sounds for a whole day and actually put nothing solid together.
Dont get me wrong but its a nightmare when you have a deadline, and constantly playing with things whether it be art or music doesn’t help your deadlines! Oh to be a non perfectionist!
Now i am venturing into the digital art arena which only means more messing around and wasting time, or does it? We all have to relax and just “play” sometimes. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” as one very notable movie actor once said in a particularly awesome film, and damn was he right.
All the best,
Mark