Money on Demand – New revenue streams for online content publishers
Every day, new and exciting ways to make money on the Internet are emerging. Many create opportunities for you and me that did not exist a few years ago. With a little creativity and entrepreneurial enthusiasm, you can create many additional revenue streams to maximize your content website’s profits.
One of the most exciting developments is the creation of on-demand products. You no longer have to have rooms full of stock if you decide to publish your own book or create a CD, or design a range of branded products. There are now many online businesses that will produce and distribute products on demand. Orders automatically go from your website to your production facilities. They print the book or brand a t-shirt or burn a CD, then package it up and mail it to their customer. Stock number Hassle-free.
So what are the best companies to help you create money on demand?
publish your own book
Lulu.com – http://www.lulu.com
Lulu is a revolutionary website that should keep all book publishers up at night. The site allows you to sign up and upload your book script for free. When someone orders your book, you print a copy, professionally bind it, and send it to your customer.
You maintain full control over copyright, design, and pricing.
Lulu charges a fixed amount for the book, so you can decide how much you charge and therefore how much profit you want to make. For a small additional fee, Lulu will provide your book with an ISBN number and ship it to major online bookstores, including Amazon and BarnesAndNoble.com.
Anyone can be an author and all specialized information publishers should consider this service.
Lulu has print centers in the UK and the US.
Burn your own CD or DVD
Custom CD – http://www.customCD.us
There are many opportunities for content website owners to create and sell CDs and DVDs to their fans. Many people place a high value on receiving a physical disc rather than simply downloading digital versions from an Internet site.
• Musicians can create their own albums
• Specialists can create their own “How To Videos”, for example:
or “Learn Photoshop in one day”
or “How to design, build and launch your own website”
or “How to build a perfect garden pond”
• Photographers can sell stock photo libraries
• Software developers can sell the software applications they have developed
CustomCD will burn your CD, print your design on the disc, and send it to your customer. They have production and shipping facilities in the US and Germany.
Create your own brand merchandise
CafePress – http://www.cafepress.com
Zazzle- [http://www.zazzle.com]
Spreadshirt – http://www.spreadshirt.net (Europe)
Now you can create your own designs and transfer them to a wide range of products, including:
• Tshirts
• Hats
• Bags
• Cups
• Posters
• Buttons/Badges
• Decals
• Mouse Pad
Companies with a modern and popular logo can turn it into a source of income. Photographers can find many new ways to monetize their photos. Graphic artists and designers can quickly launch an exciting range of products. The opportunities are endless.
Cafepress is the grandfather of this sector. They have over two million members, eight million products, and add over 14,000 designs every day. Zazzle is the young pretender growing up fast on the inside. Both are based in the US and have plans to expand into Europe. SpreadShirt.net is a company based in Germany serving Europe. They specialize in printing shirts with your designs.
Reactee – http://www.reactee.com
Reactee is an interesting variation on the t-shirt theme. They print slogan T-shirts with an SMS number. People who see the shirt can send an SMS message that will reach the user or the company. This opens up all sorts of marketing and promotional opportunities.
Turn your photos into products
Qoop – http://www.qoop.com
Albumfactory – http://www.albumfactory.co.uk (UK)
If you’re a photographer, there are a few companies that specialize in turning photos into great products that you can sell through your site. Products you can create include:
• Large canvas prints on a professional wooden frame
• Photographic prints
• Photo books
• Posters
• Puzzle
• Mouse pads
for profit podcast
Audible – http://www.audible.com / http://www.audible.co.uk
Many podcasts are free, but some publishers have content so interesting, specialized, or exclusive that they can sell your audio downloads. Audible is the world’s largest site, with more than 30,000 audiobooks and podcasts covering a wide range of topics.
Sell your Photos or Videos to the Press
Scoopt – http://www.scoopt.com (UK)
If you have a photo or video that you think is newsworthy, why not sell it to the press? Scoopt was established to act as a go-between, enabling photographers, freelancers and travelers to quickly reach the right people through relevant news sources. In his own words: “we bridge the gap between the hobbyist photographer and the photography table, and by ‘hobbyist’ we mean anyone with a digital camera or camera phone who just happens to be in the right place at the right time” .
Machine parts! What will they think next?
eMachineParts – [http://www.emachineparts.com]
This takes ordering things on demand to the next level. eMachineParts allows you to download their simple 3D design software. You can then design a product or part of a product and have it machined by a professional and shipped to you.
I’m not exactly sure what I would create using this service, but I know that with a little imagination, some of you will use it, perhaps to create unique jewelry, paperweights, sculptures, or plaques, to name just a few ideas. the top of my head.
Final Thought: Don’t Limit Your Sales To Your Own Website
If you create a great product, don’t restrict selling only through your website. There are many other channels that you can use. Here are some of the most important.
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com / http://www.amazon.co.uk (Click ‘Sell Your Stuff’)
eBay – http://www.ebay.com / http://www.ebay.co.uk
Create a store or sell your books or products for a fixed price or through an auction.
ClickBank – http://www.clickbank.com
Clickbank specializes in promoting and selling eBooks through a huge network of affiliated merchants.
Boundlessgallery – http://www.boundlessgallery.com
A wonderful art gallery where you can sell your art, photos, sculptures, etc.
Second Life – http://www.secondlife.com
For the truly adventurous and go-getters among you, set up your own shop in the explosive world of Second Life.
Conclusion
I hope these ideas have whet your appetite. Good content-based websites have a great opportunity to earn income from multiple streams. Traditionally, revenue came from advertising, affiliate marketing, and subscriptions, but now there are many new and exciting ways to create and sell products without the old-world costs of production, inventory, and distribution. Be creative. Get rich!