Getting started

The easiest way to get started is to visit www.blogger.com or www.typepad.com. Both contain a simple “3 steps to success” process that helps you publish your first blog within five or ten minutes after you arrive at either site.

Costs are surprisingly inexpensive. Blogger, a part of www.google.com, is a free service. Typepad is free for first 30 days, less than $15.00 a month thereafter. Best of all, you usually don’t have to pay a penny for design or production costs. Both Blogger and Typepad offer dozens of templates, which you can customize by changing colors, layout, or type.

What about content?

Start by taking an inventory of currently available newsletters, special reports, and web site content. Look for content you can use to create an information archive blog, like www.rcpmarketing.info.

Can you extract tips from previous content, so you can create a tips blog, like www.rcpdesign.info or www.rcpwebblog.info? If you often speak at events, conduct workshops, or host teleseminars, create a calendar blog like www.rcpevents.info.

Why not create a commentary blog focusing on an single aspect of your expertise, like www.rcpnewsletters.info, or a book review blog? Because they are so easy and inexpensive, you may want to consider multiple blogs for different markets you serve—or want to serve.

However, here is a rough list of tools you'll need to capture and package your first interview product:

1.Tape Recorder

A basic tape recorder will do job if you plan on just transcibing interview. If you want to create an audio product, though, you should look at some of nicer digital systems like Voice It VTR-3200. That one won't set you back more than $180.

2.Microphone

It's always a good idea to add an external mic, no matter how good your recorder. You want to get loudest, clearest recording possible on first take because there is always some signal loss when you run your audio through sound editing and conversion programs. Make sure you get right mic for your system: most digital recorders require mics which have an analog-to-digital converter.

3.Sound Editing and MP3 Conversion Software

You won't need to invest a dime for this software. There is a fantastic open-source solution available called Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/). This software will enable you to record, edit, add effects, apply noise reduction and a lot more. A free, open-source plug-in will allow you to export your .wav file to .mp3 at any desired bitrate.

Delivery is Easy

Once you have your product edited and ready to go, it's a simple matter to make it available for download. Your PDF or MP3 file can go straight to your server. In order to deliver your product on CD, you can use a service like SwiftCD http://www.swiftcd.com/ ). They will manufacture, package and ship your product straight to customer. Or for Do-It-Yourself options, look over at http://www.cdduplicationplus.com for software and tips.

So, what are you waiting for? Interview products are quick and easy. Audio interviews, in particular, are a lot less common right now than e-books. This gives you perfect opportunity to stand out in your niche, offering more value than competition. There's only one drawback I can think of to this method of product creation: it's so effortless, you might find it addictive!

John Calder is the owner/editor of The Ezine Dot Net. Subscribe Today and get real information YOU can use to help build your online business today! http://www.TheEzine.Net

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