Shall I split up my book into 3 different books?

7 replies
I am currently writing my next ebook about cover design and creation. The first part is about "what makes a good cover". So I talk about titles, fonts, colors, hooks, images, keywords etc. So nothing about HOW to actually get this done. This is currently about 60 pages. The second part is : How to create such a cover yourself using a piece of software (in this case GIMP). So this is all about image editing. These are step by step instructions how to create such a cover. (making selections, layers, creating outlines, brushes, composing images, effects etc.). I think this will be at least a 100-120 pages because there are a lot of screenshots.

My initial idea was, to make just one book, with PART I and Part II. And price it 3.99 or 4.99 given that the delivery costs would be higher than a pure text book.

But lately I have been playing with the following idea: Publish the first part as one book at 3.99, the second part as another book priced at 4.99 and throw in a third book which is actually a bundle that contains both part I and Part II (normally 8.98) for 5.99. (33% off).

The advantages:
-I will have 3 books in one go, so more exposure.
-Customers can buy the part that just interests them. Those that want to know what makes a good cover, but want to create it with photoshop, would order book 1, those that know already what to put on a cover but have no image editing skills would order book 2 and those that are completely lost would take the bundle

Disadvantages: I would have to make 3 covers. Ok. that's not a big deal.
I run the risk that people will only order Part I or Part II, which would bring in less than the bundle.

Any thoughts if this seems a good idea?
#amazon #book #books #ebook #kindle #split
  • Profile picture of the author elusian
    I like it. Just make sure each book is large enough and well written enough to have a high perceived value. And naturally, include a link to your other books on the last page.
    Signature
    [$1000 Commissions] Watch this webinar to find out how to earn $1000 Commissions straight to Your Paypal Account.. http://www.BUYDFYCOM
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9539228].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
    You have the right idea.

    Non-fiction in KDP is, among other things, about volume. I have several hundred books (some written myself, some outsourced) in the system. In your case, though, I think it depends if people truly need all 3 or if they can get away with just owning one. If the majority may just a want single book, a single area, then it may be a good idea to release three; on the other hand, if the typical reader will require all 3, they may find it a bit of a cheat to have to purchase them separately, and may look for a single book that covers everything. So it depends on that factor and whether or not there's a competing book covering everything.
    Signature

    I Coach: Learn More | My Latest WF Thread: Dead Domains/ Passive Traffic

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9539243].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author flyingdutch
      I don't think I'm cheating anyone.

      book 1 = PART I
      book 2= PART II
      book 3 = PART I AND PART II.

      I just have to make sure that people that fall on book 1 or 2 clearly are informed that they only get that specific part and that if they want both parts they are better of to buy book 3.

      As for competing books: most, if not all books that I've written, were initiated because I didn't find a GOOD book on the subject, so I try to make something better.

      PS: "several hundred books". That's rather impressive. Mind telling me your author name to have a look at your catalog? (you can also PM me)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9539428].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
        Originally Posted by flyingdutch View Post


        PS: "several hundred books". That's rather impressive. Mind telling me your author name to have a look at your catalog? (you can also PM me)
        Stephen King.
        Signature

        I Coach: Learn More | My Latest WF Thread: Dead Domains/ Passive Traffic

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9539443].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author LuckyIMer
        Originally Posted by flyingdutch View Post

        I don't think I'm cheating anyone.

        book 1 = PART I
        book 2= PART II
        book 3 = PART I AND PART II.
        Slitting the book into 3 parts is a good approach specially if the the book 2 depends on 2 and 1, etc.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9539627].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author x3xsolxdierx3x
    Flyingdutch,

    When I read your post, I immediately thought of something I did.

    In 4,000+ posts, I don't think I've ever asked anyone to click on my signature link, but, I did something with my WSO that may be beneficial to study here.

    Since my WSO product has since expired/gone out-dated, due to several big changes in the subject matter and environment, there are no links to purchase through there anyway.

    ...I basically created multiple books that really all stood on their own, had individual covers designed for each, and assigned a VALUE to each.

    You really have to SHOW people the value they are receiving.

    My initial idea was to consolidate them all into ONE giant book (sounds like our thinking was similar), but, it made sense to do it the way I did....having the book subject matter seamlessly flow from one book to the next--they all stood alone, could be sold alone, but were also sold as part of a package (i.e. a "system").

    Does your subject matter lend to being called a "system"?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9539618].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Unless you are really, really, really clear on what people get in each volume, I predict a stream of one and two star reviews.

    Not because the content is bad, or even less than what's promised. But because it's not what people will expect. People will feel bamboozled if they get to the end of book one and they find "now, if you want to know how to do this, buy book 2". Same with book 2 - "okay he said how to to such and such, but how do I start with the right idea - oh, I have to buy book 1".

    If you want another example, look at how much anger is expressed here in this forum against sellers of incomplete products, where the only way to use the product is to buy one or more upsells.

    If I were going to follow this strategy, and it can be very good when done right, I'd start with the set. Launch that, and follow up with the other two. In their copy, mention that you are splitting off this volume from the main set in order to help people who only want this part.

    It's not like fiction where you can sell a whole series after someone buys just one book in that series.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9539947].message }}

Trending Topics