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What's the Best Number for Items in an eBook?

by Mark Kaye
14 replies
Weird question:

What's the best number of items to put in an ebook?

For example,

***101 Uses for Toilet Paper Rolls

***25 Things Every Blogger Should Know

***50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

***42 Trails To Hike Before You Die

Is there a certain science of psychology behind these kinds of titles?

I know that a lot of people are scared of the number 13 so that's probably bad.

The number 8 is popular, but I don;t know if people would buy a book that only teaches you 8 things.

101 is common but, in my opinion, is wayyyyy to long.

Any thoughts or advice? How do you decide how many items to put in your reports?
#ebook #items #number
  • Profile picture of the author Shaolinsteve
    I think that it's important to establish your potential customers first. If your doing an ebook about something, check blogs and articles and look for responses.

    I think it's a bore reading a huge list. I personally wouldn't see the need to go beyond 30. If you can give value to each point then go ahead.

    Overall...

    The best ebook is one that helps people to solve their problem and not just look for ideas that could easily be found on blogs and all. If your writing tips from 1-50 for example, you will need to go into as much detail and give people the steps to follow in order to achieve that outcome.


    All The Best,
    Steve.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Kaye
      Originally Posted by Shaolinsteve View Post

      The best ebook is one that helps people to solve their problem and not just look for ideas that could easily be found on blogs and all. If your writing tips from 1-50 for example, you will need to go into as much detail and give people the steps to follow in order to achieve that outcome.
      Right!

      I have about a page of info about each particular point. I make the headline statement and then go into a three or four paragraph description. I think TOO much of that is a turn off.

      Plus, there is the old adage..."leave 'em wanting more!"
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  • Profile picture of the author twister85
    I think 50 is a mature number and good looking!
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  • Profile picture of the author RyanGillam
    I've written a few eBooks in the past for people. It seems that many of them get hung up on the '37' number. I have no idea why.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Kaye
      Originally Posted by RyanGillam View Post

      I've written a few eBooks in the past for people. It seems that many of them get hung up on the '37' number. I have no idea why.
      When you say "Hung Up" do you mean that's where they stop reading or that's the number they like best?
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      • Profile picture of the author RyanGillam
        Originally Posted by Mark Kaye View Post

        When you say "Hung Up" do you mean that's where they stop reading or that's the number they like best?
        I meant that is the number they seem to like the best. It's always '37 top recipes for bread machines' '37 ways to stop your dog farting' or '37 top ways to pleasure your wife with a toothbrush' (I actually had to write that last eBook, and I have no idea what sort of list he was building with it....and neither do I want to know!)
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        • Profile picture of the author Mark Kaye
          Originally Posted by RyanGillam View Post

          I meant that is the number they seem to like the best. It's always '37 top recipes for bread machines' '37 ways to stop your dog farting' or '37 top ways to pleasure your wife with a toothbrush' (I actually had to write that last eBook, and I have no idea what sort of list he was building with it....and neither do I want to know!)
          That's interesting. I was thinking of something odd like 42 or 27. But 37 could work.

          By the way I googled that toothbrush book and found nothing. Have a copy laying around?
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  • Profile picture of the author Gengis
    I've read alot on the subject of Marketing and supposedly there's something about ending a number with 7 that triggers the brain to buy alot quicker..

    For example ..7, 87, 97, 89.77 or 107...
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    • Profile picture of the author Sumit thakur
      Originally Posted by Gengis View Post

      I've read alot on the subject of Marketing and supposedly there's something about ending a number with 7 that triggers the brain to buy alot quicker..

      For example ..7, 87, 97, 89.77 or 107...
      yes that's true in marketing world , as per survey 47 sells better than 49 also 97 sells better than 99 .
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      • Profile picture of the author Gengis
        Originally Posted by Sumit thakur View Post

        yes that's true in marketing world , as per survey 47 sells better than 49 also 97 sells better than 99 .


        Yessir. So I always end with a 7 with my info products..
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    I've always heard that numbers ending in 7 and 9 work best but that was always in reference to pricing, not titles. In addition to those, 101 is also popular.
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    • Profile picture of the author brentb
      I am pretty sure the right number depends on the topic and the content you are looking to provide.

      101 may sound good but if you only have 5 'tips' then 5 is the right number. 5 stretched to 101 will be terrible to read!

      Also if your book needs 103 points, don't push it down to 37, you are either leaving out important info or condensing points so they aren't organized into a logical manner.

      Sure the title is important but do you want people to say 'catchy title but the book sucks' or 'hmm this is a great book!'. Consumers don't really care about the title after purchase, period. They do care about if your book makes sense and is helpful.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    "I don't believe in psychology, I believe in good moves"-Bobby Fischer

    I think more important, is that you're delivering top notch content to your target demographic.

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  • Profile picture of the author wonderfullife
    In my opinion, the content comes first. It is important to make your readers benefit from your ebook. And then you will remember your title(easy and best numbers) very well. At the same time, the title is a key point to attract your readers.
    You care the best numbers for your ebook. From this point, at least, I think you are concentrate on the every detail for your business. You will succeed in this ebook.
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