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Now you may feel a little nervous about the first offer paid product. You're thinking, “What if no one buys it? What if I mess something up? Will people think my product is good?” I promise these are all normal feelings. But I'm here to tell you that pitching that first paid thing doesn't have to be scary. There is a secret to getting it right and getting people to want to buy from you.
The secret is to make sure your first paid offering actually helps people in a meaningful way. If it does, then people will be willing to pay. You just have to focus on the customer and their needs – don't worry about the money or the sales part.
Let me give you an example. Say you've been blogging for a while and you've built up your marketing knowledge. You have shared many free tips and tools on your blog. Now you have come up with this amazing marketing course that will take anyone from a beginner to a Facebook advertising pro in just a few weeks. You've packed it with checklists, examples, tutorials and more. You know it would help people set up their businesses.
In that case, placing the course behind a simple paywall at a fair price makes perfect sense. You are providing real value and solving a problem for your audience. As long as it's done right, people will happily pay for something that really can help their business grow. The secret is to focus on how you can use your talents and knowledge to help others – not just jump into selling for the sake of making money.
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1. Choose the right type of product to develop
You will need to choose the best type of product to create based on your strengths and available time. Some options to consider are one ebookonline course, software tool or membership community.
For a first-time entrepreneur with limited resources, an eBook or short video course is generally easier to produce. You can use widely available software such as Microsoft Word or Google Slides to easily author content and format it into a professional-looking file.
While a membership community or complex software can generate more long-term income, the initial costs and ongoing maintenance make these more difficult for a startup. Stick with options you can create yourself or with minimal outside help, such as hiring a designer for layouts. Simplicity is key for your first paid offer.
2. Outline clear marketing benefits and outcomes
Once you know your customers' problems intimately, outline the clear benefits and specific results they will gain from your product when you market it. AVOID lofty and impersonal claims which may seem controversial.
Instead, provide real customer examples of issues resolved and measurable results achieved, such as “reducing time on repetitive tasks by 50%,” “avoiding $500 per month in fines,” or “increasing of sales results by 15% per month”. Consumers need to predict very clearly how their situation will improve after a purchase.
Back up claims with proof points like case studies, screenshots, and before/after comparisons. Provide one money back guarantee to alleviate any reservations about value. With clarity, you'll convert hesitant prospects by easing concerns and prompting customers to take action.
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3. Price the product for maximum value and sales
Prices is an area that entrepreneurs often miss the mark for their first product launch. It is essential to strike the right balance of providing good value to the customer while earning a fair profit yourself.
research competitors price to understand industry standards for similar offerings. However, don't just match prices – your specific solution is unique, so your value proposition should also require unique positioning.
Consider one-time purchase and monthly subscription models depending on product type and customer ROI. Create multiple purchase options such as individual, bundle and annual memberships for flexibility.
Test with a discount in the market to prove the value of your product before raising prices once sales prove the value. Customers may perceive less value in very low or very high ticket products, so aim for an attractive mid-range range.
4. Use social media and paid advertising to promote
It's not enough to just have a perfect product ready – you need it the promotion to gain awareness and attract buyers. Social media platforms and paid advertising offer invaluable ways to promote efficiently on a budget – try using an all-in-one solution that can help with marketing, payment processing and managing customer loyalty programs.
Now you need to create high-quality, bite-sized content to post regularly to relevant LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram groups and profiles. Valuable videos, infographics and blog posts that educate or entertain will gain organic reach and distribution.
Google Ads and Facebook/Instagram Ads can be extremely helpful in targeting potential customers by interest, behavior, location and other demographics. Set a daily budget and let the platform bid competitively for clicks and leads.
Tracking pixel data through acquisition channels is essential. Monitor stats to improve creatives, copy and target over time for better ROI. Promotion is half the secret – devoting at least 20% of your launch budget here is essential.
5. Provide exceptional customer experience after the sale
Once people buy, the job isn't over—it's just begun. Customers will judge you based on their entire experience, not just the initial sale. Also focus on providing the best possible post-purchase experience.
By following the steps above—focusing on real value, making the purchase simple, and testing carefully at first—you put yourself in the best position to succeed with your first paid offer. People will see that you have their real needs in mind and that you are a safe choice they can trust. And when you put customers first like that, the cash side tends to follow.