Whether you are looking for your first lead-in information product just launching your information product publishing business as outlined in the 6-Week InfoProduct Profits Formula, adding to an existing information product bundle or creating high-profit, higher-priced back-end products such as Audio CD’s – conducting expert interviews is perhaps the single best technique for generating compelling content fast.
Not only do experts provide you with INSTANT content, but they also help raise your Authority rating with your target market.
When you are breaking into a new market, where you have no list, zero reputation and virtually no branding – you need to leverage authority figures to help you gain quick access to your marketplace.
How do brand new online marketers achieve massive lists of 10,000 or more subscribers in just months – there is only one way and that is leveraging the power of experts.
SO – HOW DO I GET EXPERTS TO AGREE TO CONDUCT THESE INTERVIEWS
The #1 obstacle that prvents aspiring infoproduct publishers and marketers from tapping into the masses of expertise and making a small fortune in their marketplace is knowing how to approach experts getting them to agree to be interviewed.
I know this area well – when I first started out online I gained the trust and acceptance of dozens of the biggest names in internet marketing within just 3-short weeks recording more than 20 interviews with experts – what an amazing rush and the results were beyond my wildest dreams in terms of generating momentum, subscribers and a name in the marketplace.
How did I get them to agree — here are some tips I used that you can follow to help you conduct expert interviews:
1. Buy a product from them. I like to always start a relationship with an expert by investing in them – then you have something "inside" to talk with them about. If you truly are interested enough in what they have to say, then it’s worth investing in one or more of their products – it will make your interview better too. A great way to get through to the experts is to start an email (after purchasing their product with) "Feedback On Your Product" – then give them an honest testimonial telling them how much you enjoyed their product – benefits, etc…. Then – in a subsequent email or by phone you can follow up with them on the question of an interview.
2. Have a clear point to the interview. Instead of just saying "I want to interview you" say "I want to interview you on X topic which will give you the chance to share your knowledge about X and even mention your primary sites" Experts are no different than any top business leader – they are BIG thinkers who are attracted by the BIG idea. Above any other technique – if you come across as passionate and have a BIG idea in your marketplace then you will find experts will open the door much wider for you.
3. What is the end purpose? When I take the time to conduct an interview I like to know how wide the distribution will be. What are your plans to promote our interview? After all – publicity is the #1 reason that experts will agree to be interviewed.
4. Offer the expert a professionally edited copy – even better if you offer to have it transcribed for them so they have a print and an audio version that they can use as they wish. In the case where you are worried about them having the same copy as you have – plan 10-12 questions and tell them up front that you will edit out 3-4 of the best and give them rights to the best-of version while you retain rights to the entire version.
5. Depending on your target market, sometimes it’s worth it to pay the expert $100 or more – depending on how *exclusive* they are. I’ve rarely had to use this technique – often by being creative with choices 1-4 you don’t have to get into issues of payment, however in many cases it certainly would be worth paying in terms of the content and credibility an expert will give you.
Don’t fear conducting expert interviews – no matter how new and inexperienced you are, just do it and you will find momentum will build for you.
Jeff
