Finally – you have learned the secrets of digging out those Public Domain Content gems.

Once you have “figured it out” – the light bulb is burning bright – then what?

I got this question today -

Good Morning Debra,

I have a question that maybe you could cover in one of your newsletters…

If you have quite a bit Public Domain information on a subject about particular collectible items or historical information (vs info products used to sell affiliate products), how do you decide whether to turn the Public Domain info into a book (ebook or traditional) to sell on eBay or other venues or use the information to build a website monetized with Google Adsense, Amazon, eBay Partner Network, etc. 

What is your process for making the decision?

I am really enjoying your newsletters and finding them very helpful.

Thank you for all you do!

Darlene

Does this email sound like you wrote it?

It looks like one I wrote to Logan over 2 years ago… asking virtually the same question.

Now that I “know” how to find Public Domain content – How do I choose what to do with it?

The first thing that usually happens when you have your first  “Holy Cow – This Is Amazing” light bulb moment…

OVERWHELM

So much content – so little time. 

How do you choose what to do?

Darlene want’s to know how “I” choose.  With so many options… how do I know what to do?

Well… the smart girl (or guy) would have a plan in place.  That way we wouldn’t spend wasted time trying to figure out what to do. 

I’m not always that smart.

This is a loose list of my “brainstorming”:

I Have A Niche Idea Related To Modern Day Products…

Most modern day products (not all) have Public Domain content that is related in some way…

I might have a coffee related niche idea – and coffee has been around for a very long time.  I can use coffee related Public Domain content in a blog – and use Adsense and Affiliate (coffee and coffee maker) products as the “money makers”.

The Public Domain  content fills the blog with “keyword” rich articles for the search engines to slurp up – and readers like it as well.

Win – Win!

The bonus – You never know what someone will type in to the search bar and find your site.  It’s amazing what “keywords” are in Public Domain content that will help your new blog get “Found”.

• Once you see (from your stats) what is popular – you can build on that and get more traffic to the blog.
• I don’t bother with creating any of my own products out of Public Domain content for this type of niche at this time.
• Later – I might use a “POD” product site like Zazzle and create some Coffee Mugs with old Public Domain coffee related posters and offer them on this site.

I Have Collected History Related Public Domain Content…

Historical information is searched for on the internet! Period.

Wikipedia and Encyclopedias are published online – filled with historical data.  These are “Very” popular websites.

How can “You” use history related Public Domain content? Glad you asked…

***Use the content to build a huge niche blog. I have started several blogs that have the word “history” in the domain. The reader is going to know this is exactly what he is going to get… History.

The history of a state – town – country – are all great subjects.  Why? Because you have a ton of Public Domain content to choose from. Books and Magazines were all filled to the brim with articles and content dealing with people, places, and events.  Even newspapers were filled to the brim with what is now “History”.

Anyone who has landed on these sites is interested in the history of the topic.

Use Adsense if it makes sense…. try it and see if it makes money. Adsense has not worked particular well for me on “history” related blogs.

Amazon and eBay are filled to the brim with books, DVD’s and small gifts that are perfect for anyone who is interested in this history niche.  Offer these products – all that you can find!

This is where the “choosing” part comes into play:

Once a blog – filled with great Public Domain History Related Content – is getting traffic… and you “KNOW” it’s going to be popular… then you start thinking of your “own” product creation.

I’ve made the mistake of creating the product – “Before” I knew what the market needed and wanted. Now I wait…

Once I can see (from my stats) what are the “Hot” topics on this blog – I’ll think about doing one (or all) of a few ideas:

• Start a “newsletter list” and use Public Domain content to create a “free report” to give away.
• Design products (calendars, coffee mugs, t-shirts) that relate to this “Hot” topic. Sell them on my own site – and take orders from local tourist attractions. (Wholesale in Quantity)
• Gather together all the articles I’ve posted about the “Hot” topic – add a bunch more content and create an ebook.
• Take that ebook pdf and use it on Amazons “CreateSpace” to create a physical book. Let Amazon sell it for you.
• List the physical book  on my blog – everywhere.
• Take that physical book to local tourist attractions and sell the book (wholesale in quantity)
• Sell the book on eBay
• You get the idea…

*** The Twist to History Related Public Domain – Travel.  In case you didn’t know – I’m getting ready to start traveling to Italy!  The short version of this story… my Navy son is going to be stationed in Naples, Italy. You can guess the rest…

You also may not know that I travel to Mexico – A lot! I live on the Mexico border – so we go across for lunch or shopping often. We also take long weekend trips about 6 times a year. And… every summer we travel to the coast for a week to 10 days.  And… we are investigating the option of living in Mexico when we get ready to retire.

Needless to say – I know many things about traveling to Mexico and am learning a great deal about traveling and living in Italy.

I may not publish a “travel” book (tooo much competition) but I did find a great little book about someone who did travel to Italy. A diary of sorts. I think I’ll publish that book on Amazon CreateSpace.

Big Hint! You can write-off some of the travel expenses to these destinations… If you are actively working on making money in a related niche.

Another Big Hint! The Public Domain is filled with content related to Mexico and Italy travel – history – and events.

Another Big “HUGE” Hint! Advertisers on Google pay out big money (Adsense)  for Travel related topics.

But – Debra… I’m Not Traveling Anywhere!

Hey – You – Think outside the box you just put yourself in.

I’m not going to Italy for a while - but I have several blogs already filled with content that is related to “travel-ing” to or in Italy. I don’t have to be in Italy – or going to Italy – to build these blogs filled with great content.

I‘m not retired (yet) and moving to Mexico... this idea is still in the “investigation” stage. But – if I’m thinking about Mexico for retirement – you can bet hundreds (thousands) of other Baby Boomers are thinking the same thing.  What is stopping me from sharing what I learn on a blog? And making a few bucks along the way?

What is Stopping You from doing the same thing?

About The Author:

Debra Conrad is an online entrepreneur, information publisher, and author that has been using Public Domain material to create profitable products and businesses since 2007. She is also co-author of "The Public Domain Treasure Hunter's Survival Kit" available here. For more info Debra, click here.

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