Question by Jeremy Johnson
That’s very kind of you to respond for free. Sure, I’ll ask a question, “What should be the first product I release on my website for public use?”
My answer:
Hi Jeremy,
First off, I really like your website. It is well written and nicely structured. The issues and problems you describe on your website are very common and will most likely attract lots of people who are looking for solutions.
This is a good thing. People who are looking for solutions are most of the time willing to invest in those solutions as well. This means that you already have an audience ready to buy.
As for which product… your website is about productivity and general improvement (personal development). Although you could release a product that caters to all these different areas, it might be a good idea to just start with one.
There are several approaches that you could take
The first one, and probably the easiest one, is to write or release a product about the topic that you, yourself, are most enthusiastic about. It might not be the way to make the most money, but it will be easier to learn new things writing and thinking about something that you enjoy the most.
Another way to go at it is to have a look at your statistics and see where people click the most and on which page they stay the most. It means that this type of topic is extremely interesting for your readers. Also, if you know what type of search words people use when they come to your website and on which page they land, it might give you a good indication of what is most interesting for your audience. It might be more complicated to write or find a product to release when it is not your personal favorite topic, but since the interest of the visitors is already there, the chances are that you will make more money this way.
The last way to go about it (that I can think of anyway 
) is to look where you receive most comments and what type of comments. Comments mean that people are actively involved with the topic. It means that they really care. This, in turn, means that they are more susceptible for sales techniques and more likely to actually buy.
Personally… I would look at all 3 options and see which topic comes close to the top with all 3. That would be my starting point. If they all come out extremely different… ? Well, you can always put all the topics in a big hat and let Lady Luck give you a hand in choosing.
Are you going to create your own products or are you planning to find products of other people to sell on your website?
Own products:
A benefit of creating your own products is that you can guarantee the quality. You know that what you have written is worth reading.
It also means that you are in absolute and total control. You do not depend on other people for answering questions or giving solutions. If they do bad, it will reflect bad on your website.
Of course, creating your own product will take more time. Time that otherwise could be spend on marketing or writing more free advice.
Other products:
One of the major benefits of selling products that other people have made, is time and energy saving. You do not have to invest (in time and energy) in writing your own product, so you can start directly on marketing and making money.
If you do decide to go with other peoples products, be aware what you are selling. It is always a good thing to first look and evaluate the product for yourself, so you are sure that the quality is up to standard of what you want for your website.
My advice:
On the one hand it makes sense to write your own products, but on the other hand there is also no need to invent the wheel twice.
The quality of your website is very high and I like your writing style. I would create my own products combined with selling or having affiliate links with other well-known products.
Write your own products on those topics that you have something to say about that is original. Use affiliate links and sell other peoples products that you yourself have used and found useful. Do make a clear distinction on your website which is which, as to not confuse your clients. After a while you can see which products earn most, and focus on that area of the business.
I believe with this balance between time / energy / originality you are going to benefit most.
Wow! Thanks so much for this well thought out response. I am going to digest this over a few times and respond more. Wow.