How I made $3,700 but lost thousands more...

[Mark Hess]

This is a case study of sorts...

Back in July I ran a WSO for a course I put together entitled "Scribd Traffic Exposed". This was before Scribd changed some policies and people really seemed to like the course (I received a lot of positive reviews and feedback)

I started off selling the course for $5.00 and ended up offering resell rights to the product. When it was all said and done, I made over $3,700.

But I screwed up...

There was not a single link back to any of my websites in the product.

Now, if you search for "Scribd Traffic Exposed" (in quotes) Google returns 129,000 results.

How many newsletter sign-ups do you think I missed out on with a product that's now being listed on 129,000 websites?

Maybe a lesson in making your ebook go "viral" and making a little bit of money at the same time.

What do I think the perfect "rights" would be for making an ebook go viral?

NO Sell Private Label Rights
NO Claim Full Copyright
YES Sell Master Resale Rights
YES Edit/Alter the Sales Materials
YES Added to Paid Membership Sites
YES Added to Free Membership Sites
NO Can be Broken Down Into Articles
YES Can be Packaged with Other Products
YES Sell at Auction Sites
YES Offered Through Dime Sale Events
YES Offered as Free Bonus (including Email Opt-in's)
YES Given Away for Free


You live and learn... I just wanted to pass this along so you can learn from my mistake but more importantly, I hope that you will see the list building/money making potential....

[fitzwar]

At least you have made money at the start and have learned your lesson for your next successful ebook.

[Roy Carter]

Yes, a frustrating lesson to have to learn the hard way Mark. Still, we learn from our mistakes ey?

[clintmyers]

Congratulations on making so much money from a $5 ebook. Live and learn on the other thing.

[Scott Murdaugh]

Yeah, you want your resell rights products to link back to your site... Only one thing I disagree with [quote/YES Given Away for Free[/quote]...

Don't offer give away rights to a book you're charging people for resell rights for...

Beyond that, if/when I release a product with resell rights I'll be damn sure to link back to one of my money sites... The viral nature is one of... if not THE biggest benefit to this strategy.

-Scott

[LilBlackDress]

I love your ecourse Scribd Exposed and as you know I tracked you down to get more info...but it was not easy! I ended up finding you because of a post you made on WF. You are right about the link back.

I think you should have kept the product and changed it to another PDF site. It is a great course!

BTW on pronunciation.....Scribd rhymes with libbed as in adlibbed. Not scribed as bribed.

[Mark Hess]

Originally Posted by Scott Murdaugh

Yeah, you want your resell rights products to link back to your site... Only one thing I disagree with [quote/YES Given Away for Free

...

-Scott[/QUOTE]

I never really planned to sell the right, it was just on a whim. The [Yes] Given away for free is exactly why I feel the course went somewhat viral.

It's on several large resell rights websites such as: Scribd Traffic Exposed - Video Series - Master Resale Rights

Originally Posted by LilBlackDress

BTW on pronunciation.....Scribd rhymes with libbed as in adlibbed. Not scribed as bribed.

LOL... for years I guess I've been saying it wrong....

[Online Business Mentor]

That is gutting to hear indeed Mark, but a hard lesson like that can prove absolutely priceless, and it doesnt apply to just internet marketing, I myself would not change many mistakes in the past...as if it wasn't for them (whether it be business or life) I wouldn't be the man I am today

[Emily Meeks]

The lessons we learn from our mistakes are invaluable - they're what make us better marketers, along with many other things in life. Go make some money!

[JeffLam]

Thank you Mark for this great lesson.

Your pain is our gain. Really appreciate the important lesson!

[dv8]

Sounds to me like you need to release an updated course.

"Scribd Traffic Exposed 2.0"

And this time, sprinkle in some links.

[BIG Mike]

Just a thought...make a "Lite" version with Give Away rights that promotes a "Pro" one. Make sure both versions have links to your site and you can have the best of both worlds - the Lite one goes viral and the Pro makes the money.

Incidentally, the $5 pricing is awesome - a lot of folks miss the boat when it comes to how much revenue can be pulled in through volume sales, which also builds a much bigger list

[Mark Hess]

Originally Posted by troy23

Hi

I read your post with interest.

I have a couple of questions

a) How did you get it listed on 129,000 websites? Did you use a submitter or put it somewhere to be picked up by other sites?

b) If you offer resale rights, can they still remove your links from the ebook?

Thanks for an interesting post

Paul

I received this PM (I hope Paul doesn't mind) but someone may have a similiar question so here goes...

I did not use any type of submitter, these things just happen. If you are signed up to a lot of mailing lists you will see offers for Master Resale Rights products all the time. So while the product is listed on 120,000+ sites, there were thousands more e-mails sent out promoting it.

The second part of the question dealing with the rights...

I posted the rights that I would use in the original post:

NO Sell Private Label Rights
NO Claim Full Copyright
YES Sell Master Resale Rights
YES Edit/Alter the Sales Materials
YES Added to Paid Membership Sites
YES Added to Free Membership Sites
NO Can be Broken Down Into Articles
YES Can be Packaged with Other Products
YES Sell at Auction Sites
YES Offered Through Dime Sale Events
YES Offered as Free Bonus (including Email Opt-in's)
YES Given Away for Free

You can adjust the rights anyway you see fit, but theses rights will prevent people from editing your product and removing the links. I also would choose the "Yes Given Away for Free" right to get maximum exposure to the product.

People are always looking for something valuable to give their lists, attract optins at giveaway events, or offer your product as a bonus. For instance, I have purchased many products with this option to help add value to the information I'm giving my list.

Digging a little deeper...

One of the reasons why this product went "viral" was because I originally created it for personal use only (meaning it couldn't be resold with rights).

Too many times people try to create viral products filled with junk PLR content and wonder why the ebook never gains traction with the target audience. Remember to create a product that is fit for sale. It will have your name on it so make sure it's quality.

(If you are looking for a great guide to creating products I recommend Paul Coleman's guide: http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...own-sales.html)

Also, when you are creating your product in either MS Word or OpenOffice make sure to use the "footer" option and attach your website address to each page

Perceived value...

I created a WSO that got a lot of positive feedback from PAYING customers. I then turned around and sold the rights for $12 to previous customers and $17 for people who never purchased the original WSO. Around 50% of resell rights sales came from people who never purchased the product before. But based on all of the testimonials from the original thread, they knew they were getting a quality product.

(There are some people who make their living from selling master resale rights products. These people will generally not buy a ebook unless rights are included)

For me, the most important part of all of this is that you're (I would have) built a list of BUYERS practically on autopilot.

People will buy the product from these master resale sites and some will join your list. Other people will receive the product for free, join your list, but they will have an idea of the quality of your products making it easier to sell them in the future.

If I receive some interest from people wanting to learning more. I may just create a course and place it in the War Room and/or in the Free Ebooks Section of the forum....

[troy23]

Mark

Thanks for replying here....I don't mind at all.

One thing I would like to ask

"If you are signed up to a lot of mailing lists you will see offers for Master Resale Rights products all the time."

I've not seen any lists asking for Master Resale Rights products - could you list a few here worth signing up for so that I can get an idea.

Will this work for any niche or just the money making niche?

Thanks again

Paul

[Profit-smart]

Life is a consistent learning experience. Anyone who think's their infallible, has exposed a greater flaw than any less successful, experienced, and even ambitious person.

Business, like life; is also a constant learning experience. You learned something =]

Perhaps in a few month's we'll see a new post from you- "How I made tens of thousands of dollars".

And it will be because of a more refined, polished version of the marketing method you launched your scribd book with.

I dont believe in failure, just mistakes. Failure, is solely for people who believe themselves beyond fallibility.

So dont feel down! At least you learned something, and instead of counting the dollars you lost because you didnt think of it before; think of the money you'll make because you know what to do next time around.

-Jordan

[Mark Hess]

Originally Posted by troy23

Mark

Thanks for replying here....I don't mind at all.

One thing I would like to ask

"If you are signed up to a lot of mailing lists you will see offers for Master Resale Rights products all the time."

I've not seen any lists asking for Master Resale Rights products - could you list a few here worth signing up for so that I can get an idea.

Will this work for any niche or just the money making niche?

Thanks again

Paul

Many people will offer you products that they bought elsewhere from sites like: Private Label Rights, Master Resale Rights, Master Resell Rights, Private Label Resale Rights, ebook, video, software

Sometimes these people will pass on the resell rights to you, sometimes they won't.

Six-Bucks.com - New Hot & Cheap eBooks, Software and Scripts is another

I firmly believe this will work in any niche but I'm not 100% sure since I have not tested it.

[troy23]

Mark

Excellent.

Many thanks for this.

You should definitely produce another set of tutorials. I'd purchase one and I am sure many others here would also.

Paul