I’m asking you: What information would you pay for?
Ian Lurie Dec 28 2007
Ever the capitalist, I’m looking for ways to earn a bit more money online these days.
I’m considering:
- Creating a series of MP3s talking about internet marketing strategy.
- Writing an ebook, Conversation Marketing 2, and selling that.
- Selling answers, literally: Folks come to Conversation Marketing, ask a question, I answer it. If you like the answer, you pay for it.
But then I realized, I should just ask. What would you pay for? What would you consider a waste? Answer with a comment, below.
I appreciate your feedback.

Ian Lurie
CEO
Ian Lurie is CEO and founder of Portent Inc. He's recorded training for Lynda.com, writes regularly for the Portent Blog and has been published on AllThingsD, Forbes.com and TechCrunch. Ian speaks at conferences around the world, including SearchLove, MozCon, SIC and ad:Tech. Follow him on Twitter at portentint. He also just published a book about strategy for services businesses: One Trick Ponies Get Shot, available on Kindle. Read More
How about an exclusive podcast giving me all of your best-kept SEO secrets?
I’m not one to purchase information (except books), but if I were to “join” or purchase something online, it would be something like the SEOBook or similar to Rand’s article about the last or “secret” 10% for conversation marketing – http://tinyurl.com/2mzldh
If this were my job, or if I start heading into marketing, I would buy:
1. An exclusive enewsletter (Jim Logan did this).
2. A constantly updated eBook.
3. An exclusive community for $100/year membership.
4. A community that shares the last 10% of information.
I’m thinking “community” and I’m thinking “exclusive.” Credit to Seth Godin – http://tinyurl.com/2sn2cq
Personally, I think eBooks and podcasting is a little old (maybe it’s just me.)
I actually think that selling answers is a different idea… sort of a PPQ (pay-per-question) sort of deal. Keep it simple – 1 question and 1 question only for a small fee. Might at least be worth a try.
I might be inclined to use it. I never thought I’d buy songs on iTunes, but I do. Might work out for Ian’s PPQ, too!