In today's information age, everyone possesses unique knowledge or skills that others may find valuable. One effective way to share this knowledge is through informational booklets, which can be repurposed into various formats without the need for additional content creation. This article explores the journey of Organizing Solutions, Inc., a company that successfully monetized its expertise through a tips booklet, and provides insights into how you can do the same.
In the early 1990s, the US economy was struggling, and so was Organizing Solutions, Inc., a consulting and speaking company. Despite having no budget, the company produced a tips booklet titled '110 Ideas for Organizing Your Business Life'. This booklet, which contained advice given to clients over eight years, marked the beginning of a successful venture that sold over 500,000 copies in two languages without any advertising expenditure. This venture also sparked the creation of a new business.
To achieve these impressive sales figures, Organizing Solutions, Inc. employed a variety of marketing strategies. Initially, they sent copies of the booklet to national publications, inviting them to excerpt from it and include a tagline encouraging readers to purchase their own copy. This strategy resulted in approximately 15,000 individual sales.
The company then approached major corporations, offering them the booklet at discounted prices for promotional purposes. This strategy led to the sale of about 50,000 copies.
The company's success didn't stop there. They sold non-exclusive reprint rights to a mail-order catalog company, resulting in several hundred thousand additional sales. They also connected with an Italian marketing company online, which licensed the content and created an Italian version of the booklet. This version sold over 100,000 copies when it was bundled with a magazine as a gift to subscribers. The booklet's content has since been licensed in several other languages and formats.
An American public seminar company expressed interest in the booklet and produced an audio program based on it. This program sold about 20,000 copies and led to a 20-minute interview on a major airline's in-flight audio programming. Two companies also licensed the non-exclusive rights to the content and produced laminated guides, paying royalties for each unit sold.
The tips written for the booklet have been repurposed in numerous ways, from calendars and coffee mugs to radio, television, and print campaigns. They've even been transformed into embroidery designs, posters, board games, CDs, and videos.
If you've ever written an article, given a speech or workshop, or had an article written about you, you can transform these formats into informational, bulleted tip formats. By repurposing your content, you can develop products at different price points and formats, catering to a wider audience and various learning styles.
The cost of developing these products can range from zero to a substantial amount. Whenever possible, license your content to others and have the products developed on their budget. You may need to produce a small amount of finished product first for distribution as samples. Always retain the copyright to your material to continue recycling it without limitations.
So, what unique knowledge do you possess that you'd like to share with the world? What existing content can you repurpose? You're sitting on a potential gold mine. Your new products can serve as new profit centers or marketing tools for your current business. So, why wait? Start today!
Plays Well With Others to Become an Instant Author
You wrote a tips booklet. Maybe more than one. Oh wait, are you one of the people who is still thinking about doing one? Not to worry. Wait ‘til you see how easy this gets.
10 Steps to Getting Paid for Your Marketing Materials
How many times have you heard the same sound bites come out of your mouth to your clients, ... and ... almost boring yourself to tears in the process? Imagine ... money directly f
Unleash the International Potential of Booklets to Enhance Your Cash Flow
Does writing a booklet make you an ... ? Yes, it does. That is one of several key reasons to write an ... tips booklet - author status as an expert on your topic. It takes much le
