Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before?

[cloudchaser22]

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

[Capone]

Are you joking? It's certainly Not illegal but possibly unethical.

Look out for the Golf Police

[Eric Stanley]

No, it's definitely not illegal?

[Kevin Riley]

Not that I ever heard of. That would be a ridiculous law. Of course, there are some countries with very ridiculous laws, but then they probably deem most of our books illegal.

[Kevin_Hutto]

I dont know if its illegal, but certainly not too smart.

Golf isnt a game you can read about and teach someone... Plus there is tons of free content out there from big names.... And because your content is going to be intermediate at best, you will have lots of refunds.

[Kevin Riley]

Originally Posted by Capone

Are you joking? It's certainly Not illegal but possibly unethical.

Look out for the Golf Police

Not even unethical, unless you are saying that you are a golf expert.

I myself have only ever played four games of golf in my life. I found it the most boring game on the planet, second only to Tiddly Winks. However, if I wanted to, I could write a golf-related book. As a fitness buff and gym rat, I could write a book that outlines an exercise program for golfers to improve their drive. I may not know golf, but I know kinesiology and can determine what kind of exercise would best equip a golfer for a strong swing.

[valerieSONORA]

Illegal? Of course not. I doubt lawmakers have that kind of time on their hands to pass such a silly law. And people saying they do not know whether or not there is no law saying "it's illegal to sell a golf e-book if you are not a golfer" is kind of unbelievable as well.

[myob]

You may get a lot of refund requests if your book causes the player to waggle resulting in yips.

[sylviad]

Kevin makes some good points. It depends how you research the topic. If you interview a golf pro (or several), you're really just relating what they said. Cripes, I can't imagine how many things I've written on that I know absolutely nothing about. It's all in the approach and how efficient you are at turning someone's explanations into text that anyone can follow.

Why would you think it's illegal? People do it all the time. What would be illegal is telling people that YOU are a golf pro, trainer or expert when you are not and that these are your golf tips, when they aren't.

Sylvia

PS: Oh. You didn't specify that this was a book YOU wrote. If it's someone else's book, what's the problem?

[jhongren]

In affiliate marketing, it is easy to promote products
and we can promote anything under the sun.

Even in this case, which products will you promote?

Personally, I feel we have to protect our clients'
(email subscribers) interests and we only promote
items which we personally feel is going to make
a difference to their lives, be it in sports, golf
whatsoever...

So to promote or not, I guess is your choice.

But will it make your clients trust you more and
continue to buy what you will recommend in the
future?

My 2 cents,
John

[cloudchaser22]

Thank guys for your very informative responses. The question wasn't just based on golf, but also on the bigger picture, such as selling things you have no experience in, but have researched and willing to help other people. I especially liked the analogy with the astronaut post.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Joe Walks into a software store. He goes up to the front desk and says to
the manager, "Can I see that box up there?" He points to a box that says
"Instant Website Builder."

The manager gets the box and hands it to Joe.

Joe asks the manager, "What does this do?"

The manager grabs hold of the box, turns it to the back and begins to read...

"Instant Website Builder is a WYSIWYG push button solution to designing
your own web site...etc."

Joe says, "Hmmm...sounds good. I'll take it."

The manager didn't even know the freaking software existed let alone
know what it did.

But he sold it and made his money from selling it.

Don't misrepresent your knowledge of the product and there is nothing
illegal OR immoral about selling it.

[sylviad]

Well, it wouldn't be illegal. It certainly would help, though, if you had some experience with whatever you're promoting. I write about some aspects of mental health that I only have a little experience in, but my first-hand knowledge of other areas of mental health gives me enough insight to be able to offer valuable input on those other areas.

Hope that makes sense. It's getting late and I'm trying to do 2 things at once here.

Sylvia

[Hesaidblissfully]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Thank guys for your very informative responses. The question wasn't just based on golf, but also on the bigger picture, such as selling things you have no experience in, but have researched and willing to help other people. I especially liked the analogy with the astronaut post.

I actually had a similar question to this in mind. Specifically, how would you write the sales page for something that you've personally never had to use. In most of the sales pages I've seen, the author tells their "story" of how they learned xyz and the results they got with it.

But if, say, you've compiled a book of weight loss secrets, but YOU'VE personally never had to lose weight, how do you work your story in and connect with the reader?

Sorry to hijack your thread, dude

[Li Weng]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

No it's not illegal.

It's perfectly fine to leverage other expert's knowledge.

If you've interviewed Tiger Woods and other pro golfers
and decided to compile this info into a golf book even if
you've never touched the golf club in your life, do you think
it's wrong?

Kinda obvious.

It's only UNETHICAL if you've just made it up.

[Hesaidblissfully]

Originally Posted by Hesaidblissfully

I actually had a similar question to this in mind. Specifically, how would you write the sales page for something that you've personally never had to use. In most of the sales pages I've seen, the author tells their "story" of how they learned xyz and the results they got with it.

But if, say, you've compiled a book of weight loss secrets, but YOU'VE personally never had to lose weight, how do you work your story in and connect with the reader?

Sorry to hijack your thread, dude

Actually, now that I think about it, I do recall seeing a couple of sales letters where the story was "how I met x-person who discovered y-amazing secret". So I guess that would be the way.

[Chuck Evans]

It's certainly not illegal - but the reasons why players are NOT getting any better is because of mis-information both by teachers AND students!

Just because you have "researched" a subject doesn't mean that you KNOW anything about it or have a practical application of the knowledge. If you are going to tell someone how to do something then you had better be able to back it up!

I know someone that did exactly what you are talking about. They did not play golf, never taught golf, and in fact couldn't hardly spell golf! They did their "research" wrote a golf instruction book and waited for the money to come in.

They sold a few books but got a lot of questions about how to do certain shots, what certain verbiage meant in the book etc and they could NOT answer ANY of the questions! The majority of sales got refunded and this person went on to something that they had a knowledge of!

If you look at all of the information published in books, articles, videos etc about golf the majority of it has the same mis-informed ring, covering the "basics," or fundamentals - what are those by the way?

1. Grip - not a fundamental - almost every grip type in the world has been used to win tournaments so that cannot be a basic.

2. Aim - not a fundamental - there are NO players that aim directly to the target. But rather in the vicinity of the target.

3. Alignment - not a fundamental - Some players aim left, some right. ALL types of aim and alignment have won tournaments - again NOT a basic.

4. Posture - not a fundamental - Hogan stood tall, Moe Norman didn't bend his knees, Hubert Green was bent over - again NOT a basic.

Can you see what I am getting to? There are NO commonalities between the greatest players in these regards. They do ALL have several things in common though.

1. They strike the ground in FRONT of the golf ball - ball first then turf - in approximately the same spot every time!
2. They apply enough force to play the shot at hand.
3. They don't dribble the ball down the fairway
4. They play a predictable ball flight - usually either a slight curve to the right or to the left.

Golf is like any other motor skill. It takes training, scientifically based information and NOT this is how I do it so YOU should too!

We didn't get out of bed this morning and float to the ceiling...WHY...gravity!

It is a LAW of science that keeps us on the ground and not floating into the clouds! The laws of force and motion apply to everything we do and golf is no exception!

So if you are going to do a book on golf - find someone that can give you answers and thoughts based on science and NOT the same old garbage that has been rehashed forever! Golfers don't want to read it, they want something that has substance and NOT B.S.!

chuck

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Absolutely NOT illegal, and NOT unethical, if you have (as you stated) done the RESEARCH on it. I've read many books on space missions written by authors who have never, ever been in space. They have, however, done all of the scientific research on the subject, and none of them CLAIM to have been in space.

So long as you don't claim to be an experienced expert on golf.

[RevenueRabbi]

no, its not illegal.

is is probably illegal (where in the world do you live?) to say "i played golf and beat tiger woods" on your salespage if you haven't.

[sevenish]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

If it be *illegal*, book store merchants and clerks worldwide are in trouble.

[Emailrevealer]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

The prisons are overflowing with wannabe golf writers doing hard time.

[milamber]

How would it be illegal? This is funny..

[Chris Lockwood]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

That law only applies to badminton, but I heard that Obama plans to extend it to also cover croquet as soon as he is sworn into office.

Analysts disagree over how the European Union will respond.

[Anthonyaa]

Greetings, just check out some of those big bookstores and purchase a book. I can assure you that the owner knows nothing about, and may have never read that book.

It would be a good idea to get some valid information about what golfers may want to read, and use it to promote your e-book.

It's Not Illegal!

[ritesh2408]

No its not illegal.. But the thing is if you haven't played golf, You will not probably write a good ebook on golf

[melanied]

Originally Posted by Emailrevealer

The prisons are overflowing with wannabe golf writers doing hard time.

I love that! Made me LOL.

[cloudchaser22]

Very funny responses guys, especially the joke on badminton and croquet. I also received a free golf lesson from Chuck Evans, thank you for that. Maybe you should write an e-book on how to play golf!

Ritesh2408, that might not be true. I'm not sure if people done it before, but I'm sure someone could write a good e-book on golf if they did the proper research on it.

[AndrewCavanagh]

Is it illegal for a doctor to amputate a limb even though he's never had a limb amputated before?

Is it illegal for a phsychiatrist to give medication to treat multiple personality disorder even though he's never had multiple personality disorder before?

Is it illegal for a real estate to sell a million dollar mansion even though he's never lived in a mansion himself?

Is it illegal for a swim coach like Laurie Lawrence to help his swimmers win gold, silver and bronze medals at the olympics even though he was never a good enough swimmer to make the Australian team let alone win a medal at the olympics?

Is it illegal for a golf coach to help Tiger Woods become the greatest golfer in history even though he's never been the greatest golfer in history himself?

The obvious answer is no for all these questions.

The real issue is whether you're providing genuine value with the information you're selling and whether you're actually able to help your readers with their golf game.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

[Daniel Scott]

Originally Posted by Chuck Evans

It's certainly not illegal - but the reasons why players are NOT getting any better is because of mis-information both by teachers AND students!

Just because you have "researched" a subject doesn't mean that you KNOW anything about it or have a practical application of the knowledge. If you are going to tell someone how to do something then you had better be able to back it up!

I know someone that did exactly what you are talking about. They did not play golf, never taught golf, and in fact couldn't hardly spell golf! They did their "research" wrote a golf instruction book and waited for the money to come in.

They sold a few books but got a lot of questions about how to do certain shots, what certain verbiage meant in the book etc and they could NOT answer ANY of the questions! The majority of sales got refunded and this person went on to something that they had a knowledge of!

If you look at all of the information published in books, articles, videos etc about golf the majority of it has the same mis-informed ring, covering the "basics," or fundamentals - what are those by the way?

1. Grip - not a fundamental - almost every grip type in the world has been used to win tournaments so that cannot be a basic.

2. Aim - not a fundamental - there are NO players that aim directly to the target. But rather in the vicinity of the target.

3. Alignment - not a fundamental - Some players aim left, some right. ALL types of aim and alignment have won tournaments - again NOT a basic.

4. Posture - not a fundamental - Hogan stood tall, Moe Norman didn't bend his knees, Hubert Green was bent over - again NOT a basic.

Can you see what I am getting to? There are NO commonalities between the greatest players in these regards. They do ALL have several things in common though.

1. They strike the ground in FRONT of the golf ball - ball first then turf - in approximately the same spot every time!
2. They apply enough force to play the shot at hand.
3. They don't dribble the ball down the fairway
4. They play a predictable ball flight - usually either a slight curve to the right or to the left.

Golf is like any other motor skill. It takes training, scientifically based information and NOT this is how I do it so YOU should too!

We didn't get out of bed this morning and float to the ceiling...WHY...gravity!

It is a LAW of science that keeps us on the ground and not floating into the clouds! The laws of force and motion apply to everything we do and golf is no exception!

So if you are going to do a book on golf - find someone that can give you answers and thoughts based on science and NOT the same old garbage that has been rehashed forever! Golfers don't want to read it, they want something that has substance and NOT B.S.!

chuck

Chuck, THANK YOU SO MUCH for this awesome post.

I don't think you should go into an niche where you don't know what you're talking about. Period.

Think to yourself - how would you like to buy a book, spend hours following the instructions only to realize that the information is crap?

And unless you really know the subject, sometimes it's hard to know the difference.

I have people emailing me all the time telling me how helpful my information has been and how much it has improved their lives.

This is because I KNOW what I'm talking about, and I constantly back it up with field testing and research. Pretty much every good author I know is in the same boat.

If you want to be a bull**** artist and write about stuff you know nothing about, get a university/college degree. I have two of them in music, and let me tell you, some of the people who I studied with are atrocious and listening to them play, you would never think they even OWNED an instrument, let alone had a degree in the performance of one!

The same goes for many professions - teachers are terrible for being crap at their job but still getting recognition.

We need to be honest with ourselves and give 100% in only putting the best possible information out on the market. I believe it will pay dividends, but even if it doesn't - could you live with putting out books that may or may not be useful?

Take the methods in your ebook. Apply them. If they work, great. If not - rewrite the damn thing until you have a method that DOES work.

-Dan

[Dhira]

Of course it's not "illegal" why would you think it is?

Advice giving, and opinion sharing are not illegal.......

[Vince Runza Online]

Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh

Is it illegal for a doctor to amputate a limb even though he's never had a limb amputated before?

Personally, I'd be a little concerned about an amputee surgeon -- especially if it's an arm!

[Andrei Rotariu]

Promote the product. Just dont lie and create a product about how to play golf if you never done it.... Like some IMers do

[apollocreed]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

Yes it is illegal. The FBI are probably reading your post right now and are on to you.

[howudoin]

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

Illegal! Hell No.
I don't think there is possibly any law which can call it illegal. If thats illegal then I wonder how many "Review" sites can be deemed as illegal using the same reason!

Unethical---Again No, as long as you don't claim to be the expert yourself. Approach the information in an honest manner and present it with your own USP (Unique selling proposition), to stand out from the crowd (of other sellers) in the same market.

Bhupinder

[howudoin]

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

Illegal! Hell No.
I don't think there is possibly any law which can call it illegal. If thats illegal then I wonder how many "Review" sites can be deemed as illegal using the same reason!

Unethical---Again No, as long as you don't claim to be the expert yourself. Approach the information in an honest manner and present it with your own USP (Unique selling proposition), to stand out from the crowd (of other sellers) in the same market.

Bhupinder

[Chuck Evans]

Maybe you should write an e-book on how to play golf!

Already have, along with 100's of articles for golf publications, hours and hours of training videos, and numerous successful infomercials!

chuck

[Mark Coverdale]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

It is highly illegal. YOU WILL BE JAILED FOREVER!!!!!

Don't do it. Drop everything and run.

[Mark Coverdale]

Oh, by the way, I was only joking.

[Qbiz]

Is it illegal - not in my view. Lets be frank - if it were illegal to sell an infoproduct on a subject in which the seller had no personal experience I dread to think how many niche marketers would be in the dock!

However some might argue there might be an ethical issue. I agree with several of the warriors comments regarding the source of the content you are proposing to deliver.

I see absolutely no problem if you are conveying quality information from professionals, reknowned coaches or experts etc. I suppose the bottom line is to make sure your research is robust and you are using creditable sources.

Regards

George

[jayden.fellze]

The whole idea is about how strong your research is. If you can get help from an expert to enable your book to be factually correct and you have studied the subject well through research it should be of great help. Problems are unlikely.

[JohnMcCabe]

Originally Posted by valerieSONORA

Illegal? Of course not. I doubt lawmakers have that kind of time on their hands to pass such a silly law. And people saying they do not know whether or not there is no law saying "it's illegal to sell a golf e-book if you are not a golfer" is kind of unbelievable as well.

Valerie, it appears you've never had to sit through a legislative session. While waiting to be called for jury duty, the torture was compounded by CSpan on the waiting room TV. From the speeches that afternoon, I'm certain that many legislators would propose that law in a minute if they thought it might buy them another vote or two...

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Ritesh2408, that might not be true. I'm not sure if people done it before, but I'm sure someone could write a good e-book on golf if they did the proper research on it.

Cloudchaser22, I'll believe that when I see it. Just the idea that you could do "proper research" without knowing at least the rudiments of the game is questionable. You have no context for knowing if your source is credible or not.

It would be like the Pope writing a sex manual...

Why not get out from behind your computer screen and take a lesson or two? Or go to a driving range and hit a couple of buckets of balls just to get a feel for the swing?

Take your "proper research" and see if you can get results from it. If you can, then you will really have something. As the MLMers say, you'll be a "product of the product."

Otherwise, the world doesn't really need another regurgitation of a few articles on EZA or back issues of Golf magazine...

[koolphoto]

I don't think it is illegal. I think it would be unethical if you claimed to be a golf pro or expert recommending the book.

I think if you haven't read it and are recommending it then that too would be unethical.

I don't see a problem If you are selling it on the basis of testimonials or what other people think.

I feel some new marketers don't understand their potential customers. They are looking to make money and don't think beyond this.

I think that there are so much garbage products on the internet that buyers become a little jaded and afraid to buy products after awhile. I believe it hurts the marketers that create or promote quality products.

As a buyer I find it a crap shoot whether a product is worth the price. So I am sometimes reluctant to try it.

[cloudchaser22]

Great points guys. I've learned a lot about e-book creating rules and what not. Thanks everyone for your inputs here.

Oh and Chuck, good for you! I wish you the best in your golfing e-books because you obviously have established yourself as a golfing expert. You are, as golfers would say, "Tearing it up."

[Mike Hill]

No way its definitely not illegal or immoral... Look at all those publishing companies out there... Do you think they learned about everything they sell? What they do is find an expert to write or edit the product. Heck even a good interview with an expert or even an avid golfer will do the trick.

Know any golfers who have something unique about them? Look at John Carlton's sales letter "The One Legged Golfer"

Mike Hill

[absbica]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

I have been golfing since the age of 7, along with a couple high school state championships and played 4 years in college...so I know a thing or two about golf

What kind of content would be in this book? The only thing I can think of that would make it "illegal" is if the content you are pushing in the ebook came from existing books..so basically copyright infrigement.

But, if its original material you are writing then you would be ok. "Only" caveat is if you are a golfer yourself and you slap your name on it, technically you would lose your amateur status because you are teaching people how to play golf, which makes you a professional. Even if you don't know a lick about golf...if you "make" money from teaching, you are a professional which simply means you can't enter amateur tournaments.

I run a golf blog and so I am careful what i do...but they worry more about john doe taking someone out to the range and getting paid to give them a real lesson versus selling them an ebook to read.

But irregardless...as long as the material in the book is yours or you have the right to use that material...its not illegal.

[whitewindow2009]

No, not at all. I dont think so there is anything wrong in selling something in which you yourself are not pro but then also you have enough knowledge about that sport. there is no law which can stop you from doing this. Who told you you are not allowed? You are absolutely doing a legal thing and no one can pin point you on that.

[Scott Ames]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

The cops are just waiting for you to sell that book then bust down your door.

No... its not illegal. Its done all the time.

[gdavis01]

No it's not illegal we'd all be broke if that was the case.

[Mike McBride]

Ya know ... I think the OP may have gotten the point by now!

[Scott Million]

Originally Posted by cloudchaser22

Is it illegal to sell a e-book about golf to other people if you've never played it before, say if you done the research on it to help others improve their game?

Illegal?

Yes or no?

Nope, not illegal. Just don't claim to be a golfer .

I would give away your ebook to a few golfers and use their testimonials as proof it works, so you don't have to make false claims on your sales letter.

In fact, they don't even need to 'use' the information in the book. They can just say, "I've been golfing for XX years and I can attest that this report is perfect for those looking to x, y, and z, and I recommend it to anyone who's serious about golfing."

It's their opinion so it's true

Hope that helps. I sell a lot of products I know nothing about. That's the beauty of report-style reviews. You don't need to claim anything, just give them the product specifics and a "here's where you can buy it" link.

Scott