Detours

Have you ever heard the phrase “set it and forget it”? That’s part of what I love about buyer’s guides. You can create something helpful, publish it, and give people a resource they can discover long after you’ve finished writing it. Someone could be reading your guide while you’re at a soccer game, making dinner, or sleeping. And if they purchase through your affiliate link, that helpful recommendation could earn you a commission. I’m Angie Norris, and this is Side Hustle GPS. Today, we’re stopping in Discovery District to explore Buyer’s Guides. People have options. Sometimes, way too many options. They open twenty tabs, read conflicting opinions, and still don’t know what to buy. You can help them narrow it down. A buyer’s guide helps someone choose what fits their needs, their budget, and their situation. In my world, that could be software, creator equipment, sports mom essentials, or travel gear. In your world, it might be cake decorating tools, sourdough supplies, or golf equipment. Think about the things you already research. What do people ask your opinion about? What have you learned that could save someone else time? That knowledge gives you a place to start. And your guide doesn’t have to be complicated. You might choose three options: one for a beginner, one for someone with a smaller budget, and one for someone who needs more features. Explain what each option does, who it fits, and what someone should consider before buying. Maybe the more expensive option includes features they’ll never use. Maybe the least expensive one won’t do the one thing they really need. Helping someone understand that is valuable. You can publish your guide as a blog post, an ebook, a printable handout, or a resource on your website. You could also create a short video that walks through your top picks and points people toward the full guide. One piece of research can give you several ways to share. And there are different ways to earn. You can include affiliate links and earn commissions on qualifying purchases. You can create a guide featuring your own products or services. Or you can charge a business to research and prepare a guide for its customers. If you’re using affiliate links, clearly explain that you may earn a commission. And recommend based on what fits the reader. AI can help you move faster. Give it your audience, their budget, their priorities, and reliable product information. Ask it to organize a comparison, outline the guide, or turn your notes into clear descriptions. Then check the details and add your judgment. Be clear about which products you’ve personally used. You might outline a simple guide in ten minutes. A researched comparison will take longer. And while I love the “set it and forget it” idea, put a reminder on your calendar to revisit it. Prices change. Products disappear. Links break. A useful guide deserves a little upkeep. Your first money move? Choose one buying question you hear often and create a guide with three well-researched options. Tell readers who each option is for, what matters most, and where they can learn more. Publish it somewhere you can update it, then share it with someone who has that question. So, what purchase could you make less overwhelming for someone else? Explore Buyer’s Guides in Discovery District at SideHustleGPS.com. You don’t have to give people more choices. You can help them understand the choices they already have. Clarity is a gift.