Should I affiliate...or compete?

by ST33Z
18 replies
Hello all. hoping to get a bit of feedback on my noob question.

I've found a niche i'd like to market. i've procured about five solid .com/.net domain names that get between 1600-5400 exact local matches monthly. it's very specific and there isn't a ton of good information or resources online that i've found.

I've only found one person with a $15 ebook on the topic. i've tried reaching out to this person in an effort to partner/resell their ebook...with no luck. they don't have it on clickbank and there are no affiliate links that I can find.

my question is; since they are not responsive to requests to send them more busine$$...how can i compete against them? can i rewrite their ebook and start my own clickbank campaign? what are the implications of doing such a thing?

i'm confident [using BTF methods] that I can take the top few spots on Google. i'll charge slightly less than they are and have a much better web presence (their site is crap).

any feedback/advice would be much appreciated.

thanks: steve
#affiliate #affiliateor #compete #copyright #ebook
  • Profile picture of the author DylanJames
    I'd go with your plan. Create your own product, clickbank it, recruit salespeople by selling your affiliate program (not your product..your affiliate program), and make your comp wish he opened your email!
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    • Profile picture of the author ST33Z
      Originally Posted by DylanJames View Post

      I'd go with your plan. Create your own product, clickbank it, recruit salespeople by selling your affiliate program (not your product..your affiliate program), and make your comp wish he opened your email!
      Thanks for the feedback, Dylan...that's what I'm thinking.

      My main concern is copyright infringement. What is the best way to take their ebook and rewrite it while not infringing on their publishing/copyrights?

      Are there services that do such a thing?
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      • Profile picture of the author Aaron Elliott
        Originally Posted by ST33Z View Post

        Thanks for the feedback, Dylan...that's what I'm thinking.

        My main concern is copyright infringement. What is the best way to take their ebook and rewrite it while not infringing on their publishing/copyrights?

        Are there services that do such a thing?
        Dont copy their book find information and write your own. Take notes from their book yes. Goto Amazon check out the best sellers for that niche, look at the contents page and take notes of that.

        You want your own product right? Not a remake of someone elses ebook.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by ST33Z View Post

    I've only found one person with a $15 ebook on the topic.
    That can be very good: very little competition for you if you decide to produce your own product.

    It can also be worrying, though: it can signify that those keywords are not buying keywords and/or that it's a niche in which it's difficult to make any money.

    Originally Posted by ST33Z View Post

    can i rewrite their ebook
    No; that's stealing.

    Originally Posted by ST33Z View Post

    what are the implications of doing such a thing?
    The bad ones are loss of reputation, loss of websites/hosting/domains, and litigation. Don't even think about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Originally Posted by ST33Z View Post

    what are the implications of doing such a thing?
    If they have a registered copyright on their book, a lawsuit could cost you a minimum of $25,000 for statutory penalties, plus you could end up having to reimburse them for their attorneys' costs, plus your own legal fees, of course.
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    Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

    Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author James Foster
    Without knowing more about the niche, I'd actually say avoid it.

    If no one is completing in that market, it's probably with good reason. There's no money in it. (There are plenty of terms that get a lot of searches but aren't worth a dime)
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Sounds to me as if some lateral thinking is what's needed here.

      As others have said, don't even think of rewriting someone else's ebook.

      What about doing your own research and, say, producing a series of videos which you can sell. Your own videos, based on your own research and knowledge.

      Or putting up a blog style site with loads of info and google ads

      Or starting a forum on the topic and monetising that with adsense and cpa

      I'm sure with a bit more thought and a bit of research you can come up with something of your own.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    You can't legally rewrite someone else's content, but you can do your own research and write/create your own product and compete. You could also outsource the writing if that's not your thing. Just be sure your outsourcer writes an original product and doesn't just steal from someone else. Or, you could buy PLR on the topic and rewrite it.
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author karlarcher
    Back to the niche research by the sounds of it. Enjoy.
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  • Profile picture of the author ST33Z
    Thanks for the feedback everyone.

    I'm not out to steal someones ebook and sell it as my own. But, surely I can rewrite the information in my own words and market their remedy.

    The niche is a remedy for treating a fairly uncommon and very unpleasant skin condition. I actually had this condition a year ago...and believe me, I would have paid any amount for the information provided in this ebook. It's not contagious or life threatening...but, very unpleasant for about 3 months.

    Anyway...surely the remedy described in the ebook is not copyright'able?

    This would be my first attempt at a clickbank campaign and real first shot at IM. I've read a lot, listened to a ton, and watched even more...and I'm ready to take action. I expect this to be a learning experience as much as anything else.

    I guess I really need more guidance in the copyright area than anything else. If it's truly a fine line...maybe I should be more diligent about contacting the individual and becoming an affiliate?

    Suggestions/feedback/criticism...all welcomed.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Is this remedy something the author of the book you found created, or is it something that can be documented from other sources?

      That is, if your book relies essentially on rewriting the original book or the old school teacher instruction of "putting it in your own words," you're going to be on shaky ground.

      If it is something you can research (through sources other than the competing book) and document, then you're going to be better off.
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      Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

      Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
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      • Profile picture of the author ST33Z
        Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

        Is this remedy something the author of the book you found created, or is it something that can be documented from other sources?
        No...they didn't "create" the remedy. They simply direct you to apply a certain topical ointment found at your local vitamin/herbal store and then supplement with an internal herbal remedy for a certain amount of time. oddly enough...it worked when nothing else did (even pharmaceuticals).

        Yes...you could likely find out this information on your own if you spoke to the right individuals and did enough research on your own. The author just puts it in one handy ebook.

        Thank you everyone for the great feedback/ideas/suggestions. I'll be brainstorming.
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        • Profile picture of the author karlarcher
          Hi ST33Z.

          It sounds like a niche i've done a little work in (scar reduction, acne, etc). If you want swap a few ideas i'm happy to share what i've done. PM me if you wish.

          Karl
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          • Profile picture of the author ST33Z
            Originally Posted by karlarcher View Post

            Hi ST33Z.

            It sounds like a niche i've done a little work in (scar reduction, acne, etc). If you want swap a few ideas i'm happy to share what i've done. PM me if you wish.

            Karl
            thanks so much for the offer, karl. I'm a noob, so I'm not able to PM you. please PM me your contact info and i'll get in touch asap.

            thanks: steve
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            • Profile picture of the author karlarcher
              Hi Steve,

              I'm a noob too so have just realised i have the same PM issue. Catch up with me on twitter. karldevere66.

              Karl
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  • Profile picture of the author RussRuffino
    Here's what you do:

    * Find forums related to the niche. Read the "Sticky" threads and post your own thread asking what people's BIGGEST questions in the niche are.

    * Take the answers to your thread, go to Barnes and Noble and RESEARCH the answers to those questions.

    * Compile the answers into an e-book. Record an audio version, then use PowerPoint + Camtasia to record a video version. Now you have an entry level info product (the book - sell for $27 or so) and premium audio/video versions (sell for $67 - 97).

    * Create a sales letter that is leaps and bounds better than your competition. Hire a graphic designer on this forum for cheap, and/or use Optimize Press. Include video in your sales letter.

    By doing this, you can over-price and out-market your competition. Set your affiliate commission to a competitive percentage, have a better sales page, and affiliates will start promoting YOUR product instead of theirs, and you're golden.

    The find a new niche - wash, rinse, repeat.

    All you have to do is OUT-MARKET your competition.

    R
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  • Profile picture of the author b0n4r
    Just go to Freelancer or a similar site and hire a qualified copyrighter to write the ebook.
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  • Profile picture of the author ara67
    if there is no market for it then you will be wasting time, make sure you find a market maybe that's why he did not respond, no good market for it.......
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