I’m fascinated by digital products. I looove hearing about how people turn their thoughts and ideas into something that sells.  When you have your own digital products to sell you reap the rewards long after the product was created. It gives you credibility, leverage, and not to mention a nice income!

This is the first interview of many (I hope) that takes a look at a digital product developer and how they got the idea from their head to market and everything else inbetween and after! I hope you learn a thing or two…I know I have!

Peggy Baron is the creator of several digital products but this blog post will focus on her product Easy Article Starters. You can find Peggy at http://www.peggybaron.com/. You can read more about Easy Article Starters here.

Why Did You Decide To Create Easy Article Starters?

Two reasons actually, but they both were based on the needs/desires of others. I had students who were learning how to put together their own PLR stores and they were always asking me what they should write article packs about. Some of them were understandably overwhelmed at all the packs they wanted to write to put on their virtual store shelves.

The other need/want I saw was from people who were confident writers but when they sat down to write their blog posts, they couldn’t think of what to write about. They were wasting so much of their precious time trying to come up with something to just get started on. A 3rd reason that showed itself as I got going was the needs of non-confident writers who wanted a little structure and help.

What Type Of Research Did You Do To Put The Product Together If Any?

Since Easy Article Starters are all about giving people ideas of what to write their own articles about, most of it was coming up with aricle ideas already sitting in my over-active imagination. The closest thing to research was looking around online to trigger some more ideas. My desire was to give people article starters that would give them articles that weren’t the same old thing.

I did have to make some decisions on exactly what an Easy Article Starter would consist of, since this was a new thing and I couldn’t follow someone else’s example. Once I had the format, the rest was fun.

I did ask for a few volunteers from my list who would read them and give me feedback. I wanted to make sure that people really could take them and quickly pop out some articles or blog posts. I got incredible feedback – they gave me some further direction and assured me I was on the right track. Involving my list is incredible useful for me and empowers them. It’s a great way to build relationships.

Were You Nervous It Wouldn’t Sell In The Marketplace?

I wasn’t nervous this time, but I’ve been creating products for a while now. If anything, I had a cautiously optimistic attitude. I wasn’t expecting to get rich since these starters are priced so low, but I was really hoping people would find them useful. I like to be helpful, even though my 18 year old son doesn’t appreciate my helpfulness. 🙂

I was quite excited when I started getting feedback from customers who “got it” and loved them.

What Payment Processor Or Shopping Cart Do You Use?

I use DLGuard for my shopping cart. I’ve been using it since the beginning of time and was attracted to it because of the modest price and the excellent customer service. My cart is integrated with Jrox JAM, which is my affiliate program. I’m not saying this is the best way to go, I’m just saying the costs were reasonable when I first got going. I think DLGuard is really easy to use. I paid them to set it up for me and then I started adding new products to it as I went.

How Did You Decide On The Price?

I pretty much suck at pricing things. I tend to go low because I want to get my products into people’s hands and make sales. I priced each pack of 25 EAS at $12 regularly, but $9 each on the WSO. The WSO is still going, I just keep adding new packs to it as I do them. The WSO is looking a little messy now.

How Did You Get Some Big Names To Promote Your Product?

Since I promote some products from big names, they are willing to promote my stuff too. It’s always best to give before you receive!

I was thrilled to have one big name email me that she loved EAS and asked if she could promote. I hadn’t even asked her to (yet). Another top dog marketer approached me at NAMS and asked if she could get a complimentary pack and do a promotional case study. Of course I said yes and it turned out wonderful.

That reminds me of something – when you send an email to someone who you hope will promote for you, always send a complimentary copy of the product along with the email. That doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily promote, but it is a courtesy you should extend. Always build up a relationship first.

Any Advice You Can Give To Those Who Want To Start Creating Their Own Product?

Sometimes your product will, quite frankly, bomb. But you learn from the experience, lick your wounds, make it better or move on to create another product. I’ve learned the hard way it’s always better to create something that people want and are searching for, rather than something you just feel like making.

Then there are the times when your product really hits home with people and they send you love letters of thanks. THAT, is what makes it all worth while!

Grab your free sample of Easy Article Starters here!

I’m going to have to dissect this interview in another blog post because Peggy brought out a few very important points! In the meantime let me know what you think below!