As technology becomes increasingly powerful and affordable, more and more people are able to produce professional products, whether they be digital or physical, without the need for external distributors. What are the ramifications of this, and what part can the Internet play in developing one’s own products?

Producing many traditionally complex or professional products has, for a long time, been the exclusive province of larger organisations, or those with access to larger or specialised equipment. Indeed, we have often made a clear and easy distinction as to whether something is ‘homemade’ or ‘bought’. These days, the affordability of facilities and the availability of knowledge required to use them effectively means that these two terms can often be one and the same.

Take, for example, birthday or greeting cards. At one point it would be prohibitively difficult to make one’s own to the standard of those sold in shops. Not only were there barriers in terms of the quality of materials, but also with printing said cards, and even creating a design to equal those in a high street card shop.

In modern times, though, such barriers have been totally removed. All manner of printing materials are available, and even the facilities for printing have been made available to all for even the largest of jobs. Affordable printers that fit in the home can compete with any professional outlet, and graphic design software is straightforward to acquire, and at a relatively reasonable price.

There are similar services available online that publish and distribute books for a small fee. The book can be written in an electronic format, as opposed to the bulky manuscripts of the past, and then submitted by a third party specialising in the service. In this way any one person can publish a novel or instructional reference work, and without all of the paraphernalia associated with the process previously.

Of course, the success of any such venture is a different matter. However, larger companies can continue to make their money by handling the distribution and development platform for the user, and any personal promotion of a product can be left to the creator.

The main point to remember is that the barriers to producing such items are coming down as software and equipment becomes more and more advanced and the companies selling them attempt to reach a larger and larger audience. And as for the knowledge and experience required to do so effectively and to a professional standard, as always, the Internet is there to help, whether the knowledge is acquired through online tutorials, distance learning courses on the subject, or forum-based discourse.

So as this trend continues, we end up seeing the line between homemade and professionally produced products blurred even further. The only thing one need bring to the table is talent and enthusiasm!