subject: Creating Information Products: 5 Top Research Tips [print this page] If you want your information product to stand head and shoulders above the one offered by your competition then you need to make sure it is unique. If you want to make sure that your product will not only sell well but be recommended to others by your customers then you need to spend some time researching your topic. Here are the five go-to places you should visit to complete your research.
1. Google
The first place most people go to when they want answers to their questions is Google. Of course there are other search engines that you could use but the activity remains the same, use search phrases such as 'how to' or 'ways to' along with your keywords to generate a wealth of useful places for you to start your research.
2. Information hubs
Your next stop should then be to visit websites like Wikipedia, eHow and HowStuffWorks to learn even more about your topic. Once again search for your keywords and make notes of the general themes, issues and problems that are being faced within your chosen niche.
When you have noted down at least ten themes or issues you are ready to start digging a bit deeper.
3. Targeted search
Now you need to start drilling down into the topics you have highlighted to really become an expert in these areas. You can then use a speciality search engine like Questia to drill down into relevant books or even journals. Now go back to your favourite search engine and look beyond page one's results to see the golden nuggets of information that the average searcher doesn't even look at.
4. Forums
You should also spend some time searching the popular niches in your forums. Here you will find people in your target niche openly discussing the problems and issues that they have and searching for answers. There are usually resident experts on niche forums who will be providing information and specialist resources that you might not have come across.
5. Library
In the modern age of the Internet we all too often forget that research mecca that is the library. Topics like Internet marketing that change rapidly are best researched online, but if you're interested in creating an information product on a perennial topic like gardening, baby care or golf then books are a brilliant place to find the information you need. Dig out your library card and devote an afternoon to reading books; pay close attention to the contents pages to see how other people have organised the information relating to your topic.
