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Do eBooks Just Happen?

by art72
11 replies
Chello Good People!

OK, so I broke off the forum to get some real work done today, and had a very basic idea for a few new posts on a WP site I am starting to populate with content.

While I had a simple plan to just write 3-4 articles today ranging from 700-1200 words to start filling the empty spaces on the site... something weird just happened. :confused:

I started writing on a simple topic, with 5 key points I intended to make, and in snapping out of my writing induced coma, awakened to a 4,150 word blog post... and I hadn't even started on the second key point yet!

Anyway, I didn't post this to be funny. Instead, I think this is a great base for my first eBook, and though it's not complete, it appears to have some greater potential then simply "chopping it up" into a few articles.

What I was wondering was "should" this thing wind up being upwards of 200 -300 pages, and I believe it will, what would you do?...

i.) Package it as a FREE eBook "give-a-away" to build a list with a few affiliate links to the resources referenced inside?

ii.) Roll the dice as a $XX.00 WSO, and still include some links inside for those action takers ready to implement the core principles within the book?

iii.) Throw it on a few affiliate platforms w/ a $XX.95 price tag and offer affiliates 50-75% commissions?

iv.) All Thee Above?

Strangely enough, I realize there's still a great amount of work to do (i.e. finish writing & structure the content, edit, eCover, screenshots, images, etc..) and yet, somehow... I am actually excited to get back to working on it!

So, if anyone would be so kind as to chime in, and perhaps throw a few suggestions my way, in addition to a "Thank-You" in advance, I will likely return the favor by providing 'some' FREE review copies upon it's completion for more insight later.

Also, I elected to write this post as a measure to 'force' myself to finishing this over the next 2-3 weeks, as I really have procrastinated in that of creating my own 'unique' product to date.

For the record, it will not have any 'borrowed content' such as PLR, as I believe this 1st product creation should have an authenticity to it, and hopefully, if all goes well... give me a solid foundation to build upon.

Oh, and might I add, I will likely need a proofreader/editor before releasing it, as I still haven't succumb to trusting my grammar and punctuation. So any suggestions on going about finding an inexpensive alternative for that little problem would also be welcomed!

Thanks for Your Time!

All the Best,

Art
#ebooks #happen
  • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
    Well done for getting it done Art

    Perhaps 'leak' a chapter or two as a freebie but with 200 odd pages, you should have a saleable product there, as long as it provides some serious value.

    Di
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    • Profile picture of the author RHert
      Originally Posted by DianaHeuser View Post

      Well done for getting it done Art

      Perhaps 'leak' a chapter or two as a freebie but with 200 odd pages, you should have a saleable product there, as long as it provides some serious value.

      Di

      Diana is right. I have seen many people do a "condensed" version where it doesn't go into specifics about everything. They give this away free then offer the "Full" version for cash. It seems to work pretty well.
      Just make sure it's crammed full of useful information whether you're giving it away for free or selling it.
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    Thank you both, I hadn't considered that method. As a matter of fact, I have purchased a few products after sampling the goods prior to buying. One which was very well put together, whereby, the video series creator offered access to the first 2 videos FREE w/ opt-in, and if I recall his conversion rates were in the 70-80%.

    Definitely something to consider.

    Thanks,

    Art
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    Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by art72 View Post

    I broke off the forum to get some real work done today
    Must be my memory playing up, again ... I don't recall you asking for time out to work, Art?

    Originally Posted by art72 View Post

    in snapping out of my writing induced coma, awakened to a 4,150 word blog post... and I hadn't even started on the second key point yet!
    Is it about Wordpress, did you say? Well, it certainly sounds like there's going to be enough for an ebook?

    Originally Posted by art72 View Post

    "should" this thing wind up being upwards of 200 -300 pages, and I believe it will, what would you do?...
    200 - 300 pages?! This is an enormous amount of content! Did I read this right (you didn't mean 20 - 30 pages)?

    I have no experience of this (not of WSO's, not of creating products and not of Wordpress either) so I don't know why I'm replying, really, but it strikes me that offering it as a WSO may be a great way of testing the market for it, without loss of generality (or indeed money, as you may say), because it's clearly on a subject that's suitable for a WSO, and with a WSO you can always change your mind and "close" it and/or make other arrangements for marketing the product elsewhere, should you wish to?

    You could also combine two of your suggestions above by listing it with DigiResults and having affiliates for it while it's a WSO anyway. And that may actually be a good idea ...

    Originally Posted by art72 View Post

    I still haven't succumb to trusting my grammar and punctuation.
    There are plenty of people here who offer editing/proofreading services. Take a look in Warriors For Hire, and so on. I know I've seen this in sig-files, too. Anyway, if you're stuck, I can't offer, myself, but I'll find you a proofreader from here. I know that I know people here who do this, I just can't immediately remember which writers specifically offer this service ... but it's certainly not going to be a problem to find someone reliable.
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    • Profile picture of the author art72
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      Must be my memory playing up, again ... I don't recall you asking for time out to work, Art?
      Busted again!

      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      Is it about Wordpress, did you say? Well, it certainly sounds like there's going to be enough for an ebook?
      Actually, No. The article(s) I intended to write started off as a WP post, not necessarily about WP. However, in reality the foresight and direction I'd like to formulate inside the book could very well include some Wordpress information.

      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      200 - 300 pages?! This is an enormous amount of content! Did I read this right (you didn't mean 20 - 30 pages)?
      Honestly, I almost refrained from putting a number to it, as it was speculative to the 'outline' of information I intend to cover. With that admission, I sincerely believe it's almost easier for me to write at great lengths, than trying to 'compress' it into 20-30 pages. I guess, the audience will be the greater judge of that, than I.

      I think my key focus is to 'write something' that includes enough content to make it valuable to the reader. While, I have picked up a few jammed packed mini-eBooks (10-30 pages) - I generally feel them to be more gimmicky, then useful.

      Plus, it would be nice to put a $49, $79, or $97 price tag on it, if it is well-received, by readers and affiliates.

      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      You could also combine two of your suggestions above by listing it with DigiResults and having affiliates for it while it's a WSO anyway. And that may actually be a good idea ...
      With all that I have learned here studying the various marketing methods available, it's almost overwhelming. I think creating it as a WSO is probably a good start, and yet it's the one I fear the most, as I'd have to face the forum members if it bombs!

      While I don't have (RAP) yet, when this all comes together, I'd like to offer 'instant commissions' to affiliates through the Rapid Action Profits platform.

      DigiResults, CB, iDavi, PayDotcom, and a few others are also valid options. Since I have standing accounts with all of them already.



      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      There are plenty of people here who offer editing/proofreading services. Take a look in Warriors For Hire, and so on. I know I've seen this in sig-files, too. Anyway, if you're stuck, I can't offer, myself, but I'll find you a proofreader from here. I know that I know people here who do this, I just can't immediately remember which writers specifically offer this service ... but it's certainly not going to be a problem to find someone reliable.
      I certainly can appreciate that offer, Thank-You!

      Now for the hard part, I've committed myself to having this done in 30 days max. Most of the tools, research, and writing should be fairly easy.

      The hard part is NOT deviating from the plan, packaging it all accordingly, and most importantly... getting the approval from those I respect here, as that definitely weighs heavy on delivering & determining the real value to users outside this forum.

      Thanks Alexa.

      All the Best,

      Art
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      Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by art72 View Post

        I sincerely believe it's almost easier for me to write at great lengths, than trying to 'compress' it into 20-30 pages.
        As Mark Twain said: I didn't have time to write a short letter so I just had to write a long one instead.

        Originally Posted by art72 View Post

        Plus, it would be nice to put a $49, $79, or $97 price tag on it, if it is well-received, by readers and affiliates.
        Surely ... but the real money is in a "sales funnel" with upsells, downsells, and so on ... a lot of buyers of a $17 product that's any good will go on to buy a $47 one and then some a $97 one ...

        If you're really looking at 200 - 300 pages it might be worth editing it and cutting it down a bit and still making two (three?) different products out of it? I'm only thinking aloud, here ...

        Originally Posted by art72 View Post

        I think creating it as a WSO is probably a good start, and yet it's the one I fear the most, as I'd have to face the forum members if it bombs!
        Yes ... but it's a good "test" and you learn from it that way.

        I suspect, though, that $47 is regarded as steep for a WSO from a "new vendor". I haven't done a WSO and don't buy nearly as many as I used to at one time, but this is my impression, anyway.

        Over the last 2 years, the WSO-selling community has shot itself firmly and cleanly in the elegantly high-heeled foot and trained the market "only to buy cheap stuff". Really - you might be better, in a few ways, starting with something smaller (or with "some of it") as a $17 product? Just my perspective. :confused:

        Originally Posted by art72 View Post

        While I don't have (RAP) yet, when this all comes together, I'd like to offer 'instant commissions' to affiliates through the Rapid Action Profits platform.

        DigiResults, CB, iDavi, PayDotcom, and a few others are also valid options.
        Maybe ...

        DigiResults, CB and Rap, certainly. Because they pay the affiliates.

        It'll be very difficult for a new vendor to get serious affiliates while they're dependent on the vendor for payment. Many won't even look, on that basis. (Many will, too, but maybe not "serious" affiliates?). So maybe not PayDotCom?

        Originally Posted by art72 View Post

        I certainly can appreciate that offer, Thank-You!
        No prob - let me know and remind me, nearer "finishing time", I'm sure I can easily find someone professional and very reasonably priced.

        Good luck and good wishes ...
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  • Profile picture of the author investasap
    Yeah i think its best to give say at least 1 chapter of quallity content and then as long as good quallity they will fighting to get there hands on your product
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Nothing to lose by trying to make money.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
    Go for it Art...

    Can the free ebook idea. (and take to heart Alexa's pricing guidelines, above)

    1. Make it into one or more sellable products, and offer it via WSO with affiliates (just because that's going to be an easy way to get affiliate signups)!

    2. If it becomes multiple products - mail your next offer to your "buyers" list from Step 1, first. Then (after 3-5 days) release it to the affiliates that signed up in step 1, so they can promote the new offer to their lists (but this time, to your own sales page, rather than to a WSO). Continue building your buyers list.

    Drip each product one at a time, using the method in step 2, each time.

    You'll be getting back-end sales, from an ever-growing buyers list, and you'll be announcing each new product to your affiliates to give them back-end revenue potential, as well (they are your best possible repeat traffic engine).

    There's yet another step, but get step 1 done, first.
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    Sid Hale
    Coming Soon... Rapid Action Profits (Pro)

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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    Thank You Alexa and Sid!

    I hadn't really fully entertained the lower price idea until gestating the suggestion to 'group' the content into smaller 'bite size' chunks... and behold, a new way of thinking was born!

    So, theoretically, you both have impregnated my brain with some great advice.

    On a serious note, after processing the suggestions, especially breaking it up into 2-3 products... this resolves the higher ticket price, leverages the market, and enables me to see how this could be of greater benefit in list building, completes the sales-funnel, creates a an affiliate base, and establishes a multiple-product line... all-in-one, brilliant!

    Which leads me to thinking almost 'chronologically' or in stages whereby, each 'chunk' could leave off with another 'seed' of insight, prepping users for the next release... which can/will be expanded upon, or designed to compliment the first.

    As a cultivator of sort, this is ground breaking advice, as it coincides with my desire to benefit all parties involved.

    Step 2 - This particularly struck a nerve. Just 4-5 months ago, I invested in some awesome minisite templates/salespages with the all the bells and whistles (i.e. graphics, customizable banners, opt-in, etc...) confident that one day, I'd put my own products on them.

    *In reflection, it amazes me that back then... 80% of the discussion above was a foreign language to me, and now it all makes perfect sense, and I am literally that much closer to making it all a reality.

    So to those enduring the learning curve, there is no greater feeling then looking back, and seeing the progress you've made, even though at times looking forward often reveals; there is still much to be learned.

    Thank You to all whom have broadened my vision, now I can see what all the hard work has afforded me... a greater understanding, and a reason to press on.

    All the Best,

    Art
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    Atop a tree with Buddha ain't a bad place to take rest!
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