When creating a free report for your mailing list it is important to keep on topic.  If you have a blog about cat supplies but offer a free report on dog grooming, that doesn’t reach your target audience.  You want your free report to match the niche of your site or the list of leads you captured won’t do you any good.

Of course it is always a good idea to add in affiliate links were possible in your free report.  Now don’t just put affiliate links to put them in.  Yes, while it would be nice to make a little bit of money from the affiliate links in the report, you want the links to appear natural.  Don’t force the affiliate link or content in your report where it shouldn’t be in the first place.  Just make sure to include a disclosure somewhere in the report to be in accordance with the new FAA rules.

If you want your report to go viral, then just give it away.   Don’t require a person to optin to a mailing list or sign up for anything.  Just give it away for free.  If your readers find your information worth sharing, and you encourage them to do so by giving them the right to give your report away for free, you will be able to have your name, status and links within the report passed around without any effort on your part – simply because others are willing to do so for you!

Free reports can help drive traffic to your business and brand yourself.  If you are looking to start creating a free report for your blog or online business, seek God’s guidance for the topic and He’s assistance in writing it.

One of my goals for the month of January is to get back into the saddle, so to speak.  The Mom Mastermind‘s Affiliantenaire accountability group changed it’s meeting time, so I am not longer able to meet with them.  That hurt me – not having that accountability.

So my new plan is to spend at least an hour a week working through the lessons.  I am actually going to schedule it in my calendar, along with all my other work.  I know the information that Jimmy D. Brown gives is good.   I know it works.  It is just a matter of me actually doing the work.

Is anyone else going through the Affiliatenaire membership program?  Looking for an accountability partner?

So on to my update.  I have gotten behind in the lessons but am at least staying up-to-date with my accountability group.  One thing I didn’t realize is how much writing it takes.  Wow – I feel like all I do is write one article after another.  While I don’t mind writing articles, it’s not something I love to do.  Of course I also have the option of using PLR and/or hiring a ghostwriter.

Jimmy D. Brown gives great information in his lessons and I love how down to earth he writes.  It not hard to follow along.  He makes it seem almost effortless and motivates you to get to work in each and every lesson.

I also missed my accountability group meeting this past week due to a sick son.  I missed having that chance to discuss everything with the other Mom Masterminds members also going through the Affiliatenaire program.  It’s a great chance to get ideas, ask questions, get feedback, and brainstorm together.

I still have a way to go, but I am looking forward to completely the program and increasing my online income.

A while back I blogged about my experience with Kelly McCausey’s 42 Day Launch Incubator program.  It was a great learning experience!  I have since launched another information product, Start A Christian Review Blog.  The 42 Day Launch Incubator is a great way to learn the ins and outs of creating a successful information product.

Kelly is once again offering the group coaching session for the 42 Day Launch Incubator!  This is the same class I went through and loved.  It was a lot of work, but it was worth it.  If you have ever wanted to create an information product – here is your chance!

For those of you who do not know, PLR stands for Private Label Rights.  Private Label Rights (PLR) articles are privately branded articles that you can use on your website or blog without having to add an author credit bio box. PLR (Private Label Rights) Articles can be posted to your blog or website as if you had written the articles yourself.  It is content you can use for your blog, information products, article marketing, etc, as if they were your own.

I personally like using PLR.  I nomally modify the PLR article but it gives me a starting place.  I am horrible at trying to come up with content and PLR helps me with that.  Hopefully it can help you too.

I have also created an affiliate program for Christian Mom PLR.  I am paying 50% commission on every sale affiliates refer.  I would love to have you join as an affiliate!

Do you use PLR?  Do you like it?  What article topics would you like to see?

photo credit: Eric Rice

I just recently released my first ebook, Start A Christian Review Blog.  I was able to take a basic subject, starting a review blog, but add my faith to it, Christianity.  It is a product I am proud to promote because it aligns with my faith.

Writing an ebook is tough.  The process is long and there are many decisions you have to make along the way. But writing is just half the job. If you’re self publishing, after you’re done writing, you have to promote and market it to.

One of the best tools to use when working on a project as large like writing an ebook, is a checklist. It helps you figure out what you should be doing, where you’re heading and how far along in the process you are.

Here’s a checklist I found, created by people who are experienced in ebook writing and marketing. They’ve allowed me to share it with you.   Download ebook writing & marketing checklist

Because I am a work at home mom and have family obligations I put first, I was unable to complete each assigned task in the 31 Days To Build A Better Blog as they were given out.  I was always a couple days behind.  But that’s ok.  The point is to build a better blog in however long it take, not necessarily in 31 days.  I still have yet to actually finish the series.

So when Darren released the 31 Days To A Better Blog workbook, I bought it immeditaly.  I love the layout of the workbook plus it gives me the ability to print it out and put it in my blogging binder.

If you have not yet heard about the 31 Days To A Better Blog workbook, I highly recommend that you check it out.

I was nervous when I first started the 42 Days Launch Incubator because I had never published an information product before nor had I ever had any coaching.  After our first meeting however all my nervousness and fears were laid to rest.  The entire process was enjoyable and I learned so much stuff.  I never fully understood how much hard work goes in to creating and marketing a information product.  I now have a brand new appreciation for those who produce good information products and the work they put into it.

Through the 42 Days Launch Incubator I created and released a free special report, You Can Win Mom, held a web seminar answering common questions about winning contests and giveaways, and created my own information product with bonuses, How To Win Mom, all within 6 week.  Granted this was my first information product and it still could use some more work but I was very excited to get it released!

If you are going to release a new information product or want to market some of your past products, I highly recommend Kelly’s 42 Days Launch Incubator.  You actaully have two options – a self study plan or a coaching plan.  The self study plan is only $29 and includes a step by step guide and audio.  The coaching plan includes the step by step guide, audio, and coaching sessions with Kelly.  I highy recommend the coaching sessions with Kelly, especially if you are new to information products like I was.