For information products, getting the idea is the most important part. The first thing I want to tell you all is that it will feel like every topic under the sun has been covered before. The truth is, it probably has. Unless you are presenting an idea that nobody has heard about before, chances are it exists out there. However, do not let that discourage you from creating your info-product on that subject.

The reason I ask people not to get discouraged is because everyone will present information differently and everyone has their own spin on a topic. You will say things differently and provide a different point of view than anyone else will. So, even if it exists already, create it anyway and put your spin on it.

As for coming up with the ideas for info-products, there are a few ways to do this.

The first involves surveying your audience. Invite them to ask you questions via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or using a service like Formspring. Formspring allows people to post you questions which you can answer publicly or, privately in an info-product format.

The second method involves listening. Begin really listening to your audience, your potential clients and your clients. What are their primary frustrations and how can you help solve them? Information products are meant to be easily consumed and they are meant to solve a problem quickly. If you can do that for the people who are already buying from you, you have a winning product.

The third method involves recycling content you already have. For example, if you are an avid blogger, you probably already have enough material to create an e-book or audio program or teleseminar out of. Simply recycle the content, put a fresh spin on it and sell it on your website.

Affiliate revenue is one of my favorite ways to earn passive income because it’s easy to do, easy to implement and it’s actually helpful for the target audience receiving your message.

The basic question you want to ask yourself, as it relates to affiliate revenue, is “Is there an opportunity here for me to earn income?” So, whenever you think about mentioning a service, product, person or company, check to see if they have an affiliate program or a referral program and join it.

The way that I manage my affiliate programs is by keeping a spreadsheet of all of the tools and companies that I use often and love to pieces. Then, whenever I have someone who is requesting a referral to a specific service or a specific resource, I pull up my spreadsheet, grab the affiliate link and utilize it.

You can also incorporate your own affiliate program to boost your sales. This means that other people will promote your products and services so that they too can earn a commission. This is still considered a source of income for you because these are salespeople who are acting on your behalf without it costing you a single penny.

Anytime you launch a new product or service, invite your colleagues and the general public to become an affiliate. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to reach beyond the circle of people that you know. Affiliates can be a very powerful resource in any business.