1 great eBook vs. 5 decent eBooks

by ckbank
14 replies
Sales is a numbers game. Many decent salespeople will tell you this. So, what do you think would make more money? Would the sales volume of 1 great eBook be higher than the sales volume of 5 decent eBooks? What has your experience been? I'm asking this question because if sales is a numbers game, wouldn't it make sense to apply efficiency into your business model? You'd still be providing value with your decent eBooks, but not great value. So, instead of writing 1 eBook in a month, why not write 1 every week? I mean value is still value, unless you provide negative value, if there is such a thing.
#decent #ebook #ebooks #great
  • Profile picture of the author jackcarr
    I think this could be very relative.

    If the high quality e-book has a good reputation and a good buzz around it I would rather sell the high quality e-book.

    I am looking to build a business not just a quick $. I would always try to sell the best quality stuff to my subscribers and users.

    If they buy one great book from you and it helps them, chances are they will come back for more.

    I am probably not the best person to answer as I am very new to the game, but thats my 2 cents
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  • Profile picture of the author SEO Haven
    Higher quality books will go viral easier (if you allow users to share/sell it), resulting in more sales. As for an answer to your questions, it depends on the niche I guess.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    Depends on whether you want repeat customers. Sell them a mediocre product the first time around and they won't return to buy your second product.

    Sales is a numbers game, that's true. But sales is also about building a reputation and a relationship with your customers.

    Rose
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    • Profile picture of the author ckbank
      Originally Posted by Rose Anderson View Post

      Depends on whether you want repeat customers. Sell them a mediocre product the first time around and they won't return to buy your second product.

      Sales is a numbers game, that's true. But sales is also about building a reputation and a relationship with your customers.

      Rose
      Rose, such a great description of what sales is. The balance is always between having a relationship and having good numbers.
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  • Profile picture of the author annie800
    I think the one great ebook would make more money. I prefer ebooks that are well done and have great information.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Blades
    How about one great ebook, and 5 decent bonus ebooks
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  • Profile picture of the author jackcarr
    Alex Blades, you sir just cracked the code of the internet. Thats actually a great idea. Or maybe 5 snippets of other great e-books that they can purchase. Possibly making 6 sales from the sale of 1 e-book?!?
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Blades
      Originally Posted by jackcarr View Post

      Alex Blades, you sir just cracked the code of the internet. Thats actually a great idea. Or maybe 5 snippets of other great e-books that they can purchase. Possibly making 6 sales from the sale of 1 e-book?!?
      Nah, don't sell them, they will add great value to an already great ebook. Let them know the 5 decent ebooks are brand new, and offer them as a bonus. You don't want to scare off buyers by selling too much stuff at once.

      Once all those are done, create a video version of the main ebook, and offer it as an upsell...

      Alex Blades, you sir just cracked the code of the internet.
      Lol, that was cracked many years ago, I am just echoing what I learned from other marketers, and passing it on to you
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve B
        Here's my take on your question:

        If your method of selling books is simply to drive traffic to a sales page then selling 5 books will probably beat selling one book - more choices for the buyer and more chance of matching buyer interest with book title. After all, you're not selling based on content, but rather hoping for the buyer to make an impulsive wallet grab.

        On the other hand . . .

        If your method of selling books relies more on reviews, testimonials, customer ratings and likes, etc, then the highest quality book should rise to the top and outsell lesser books. This is the selling strategy that will win you raving fans and repeat customers - hence more long term selling opportunities.

        The crowd will choose to sell by the first method because it is easier and takes less forethought and effort.

        I'm guessing that authors in the game for the long term would choose the second method even though it's the road less traveled because the rewards will eventually pay off handsomely.

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author Foreigner
          Quality content always win over quantity content. A good idea is to use good content to get subscribers, the upsell the great content.

          You will be using all your content (if directly related) to buils your list and to make sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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    As a customer, I'm far more likely to buy one great ebook that I've heard good things about than 5 so so ebooks that no one is raving about. And, I'm far more likely to buy from a seller that only sells great ebooks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    It depends really. If you sell 5 different ebooks, how will you keep up with backend sales? If you sell 1 ebook in a niche that you want to make a mark in, backend marketing will be easy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin_Hutto
    Honestly the quality of the book has very little to do with sales on the front end if you are pushing lots of traffic to it. The funnel has way more to do with it. However, the quality of the book will impact refund rates, chargeback rates and referrals - which are all very important if you want to have a real business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter Pride
    The quality of your product has nothing to do with how well it sells (only the refund rate).

    You need to ask the question:

    Would I rather 1 extremely well marketed ebook or 5 ebooks with mediocre marketing?

    You could ask the question in another way:

    What is the difference between an awesome ebook and 5 mediocre ebooks if the marketing is exactly the same?
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