I sell information online, so it goes without saying that I'm taking risks with my products. The nature of the internet and other media makes it easy for people to pass along for free the products that should otherwise be paid for. So how do I run my business and at the same time protect my products? Here are a few methods that have worked for me.

In my experience, a password protected membership website works better than almost any other tool or technique. In fact, I keep the information products I sell on a protected website rather than in a PDF. Then, when someone wants access to one of my products, he or she has to enter a user name and a password. If there is any problem with the payment, that person cannot see the information.

I have found that this kind of measure ensures that my more costly courses (and therefore my bottom line) don't circulate for free.

I also limit customer access through Clickbank.  It's a payment processor that can keep out those with unauthorized access.  At the point of payment, a customer enters his or her credit card information.  If it's valid info, then Clickbank allows the customer to download your page and therefore access to your product.

The unfortunate limitation of Clickbank is that once a customer has access to your product, he or she can share it with anyone at any time.

With certain products, namely my ebooks, I use a lower set price such as $27 for each item. I then promote my monthly audio membership (fairly reasonable at $19.97 a month) to those who buy an ebook as a way to encourage them to commit. This technique is incredibly effective in helping me keep track of those who are buying my products.

I also offer a gold membership level. Those who subscribe pay a higher monthly fee, which allows me to purchase my membership software known as AMember. I can then keep track of user names and passwords for my paying customers so that I can limit access.

This last one may sound a bit old-fashioned in this day and age, but I also use the honor system. That is to say, I remind my reader at the beginning of an ebook that it is not free. I also give them a way to report anyone who violates this rule. Because people don't want to be considered a thief and are generally wiling to do the right thing, I've found the honor system works!

In the end, I cannot protect all of my products all of the time, but I can at least try to limit unwanted and unauthorized users and thereby protect my bottom line.