Make a Million with One eBook?!

14 replies
Hi Warriors,

I would like to apologize and say that my title is a little misleading. I run my own content production company which has been a ride in and of itself. Last week for example I made $1500 profit which has not been my greatest, but it isn't too bad either. However, it takes a lot of work to maintain that level of profit with a writing company (especially if you like to proof read everything that goes out the door yourself).

So back on track; naturally I have been looking for ways to make this kind of money (and a lot more) through measures that don't require me working 12 hours a day. To all my clients, don't worry as my writing company will still continue to grow!

With this in mind, I am now writing an ebook on a niche that I know quite well. I want to create the most helpful product that I can and see just how much money I can make with it. However, it takes me around a month to write one ebook (despite having a team of writers, this is my work) and I have started to wonder if because of this, it might be more practical to just promote products that have already been written from Clickbank or eJunkie.

I understand the advantages of both and that there is a hell of a lot more money making potential by writing your own products. But (I hate starting sentences with "But"), I would like to hear the opinions of some Warriors who have been down this road.

Any and all advice appreciated, not just by me, but by others in a similar situation!

Thanks,
Antony.
#ebook #make #million
  • Profile picture of the author ncmedia
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    • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
      Originally Posted by ncmedia View Post

      A million from ONE ebook?

      Nope. Very rare.

      * If you JV with a big fish yeah you can pull a million out of the market and try your best to retain it all (and literally ONE ebook? Maybe the bible might cut it but nowadays it's rare you find ONE ebook. It's more like x ebooks, some videos, audio's, bonuses, retention campaigns etc. I would advise you do NOT launch just ONE .pdf file with a price tag on it - some may argue that it's possible, and it is, but it's silly not to raise the value/deliverables list it's easily done and greatly improves potential vs. a miracle one file wonder).

      * If you establish yourself like FL4I or truth about abs or any #1 product, usually takes at least 6-12 months to get there naturally (without pump/dump list and noob aggregation) then a million isn't that hard. **Outside the MMO niche is better/longer/more sustainable 9/10 times unless you're already an elite/mastermind and huge list owner (again this is rare with one product).

      * If you launch a 'product line' and your products DO convert, eventually your whole slate and all the assets within can make you a million easily, in fact a few affiliates alone can do that for you on any product randomly if it does in fact convert well (< hardest part, conversion mastering to retain good affiliates).

      Don't bank on making your million from one product, one campaign, one site, or one idea. While it may happen you're putting all your eggs into one basket and would be better served trying a few ideas and a few products in a few niches to test yourself and see what you're best matched up with - when something works you scale it, until it works you don't recruit to dead products. Utilize assets that come with said success i.e. your buyer data, JV's long term, back end exercises, future versions of successful products, etc. Be prepared for a lot of trial and error and don't get discouraged if you can't even convert once if it's your first hack at being an automated vendor.
      I take it you've made a lot of money as a vendor, top quality advice.
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      'If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.' Vincent Van Gogh.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Deegan
      Norb is the man. Everything he talks about is based on real world advice and not theory. Things I've read about him and from his experiences have actually shifted my philosophy and have helped me clarify my own future vision and approach.

      Originally Posted by ncmedia View Post

      A million from ONE ebook?

      Nope. Very rare.

      * If you JV with a big fish yeah you can pull a million out of the market and try your best to retain it all (and literally ONE ebook? Maybe the bible might cut it but nowadays it's rare you find ONE ebook. It's more like x ebooks, some videos, audio's, bonuses, retention campaigns etc. I would advise you do NOT launch just ONE .pdf file with a price tag on it - some may argue that it's possible, and it is, but it's silly not to raise the value/deliverables list it's easily done and greatly improves potential vs. a miracle one file wonder).

      * If you establish yourself like FL4I or truth about abs or any #1 product, usually takes at least 6-12 months to get there naturally (without pump/dump list and noob aggregation) then a million isn't that hard. **Outside the MMO niche is better/longer/more sustainable 9/10 times unless you're already an elite/mastermind and huge list owner (again this is rare with one product).

      * If you launch a 'product line' and your products DO convert, eventually your whole slate and all the assets within can make you a million easily, in fact a few affiliates alone can do that for you on any product randomly if it does in fact convert well (< hardest part, conversion mastering to retain good affiliates).

      Don't bank on making your million from one product, one campaign, one site, or one idea. While it may happen you're putting all your eggs into one basket and would be better served trying a few ideas and a few products in a few niches to test yourself and see what you're best matched up with - when something works you scale it, until it works you don't recruit to dead products. Utilize assets that come with said success i.e. your buyer data, JV's long term, back end exercises, future versions of successful products, etc. Be prepared for a lot of trial and error and don't get discouraged if you can't even convert once if it's your first hack at being an automated vendor.
      Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author Huug
    My 2 cents: You'll never get rich working for others...

    Wouldn't you much rather have your own product and having affiliates promoting your product than having to promote several products yourself to get the same return?

    Also think about how much time and thus money you would be spending on SEO if you are promoting other people's products and having to worry about the competition all day long.. I would always choose to have my own products.

    Start small, scale it up and keep in mind that your time can only be spent once
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  • Profile picture of the author AHayes183
    Very good replies from both of you. I wasn't particularly aiming to make a million with one product (misleading title again); but would like to consider creating a brand of authority products that cover a number of markets. I know its going to be hard work and while it is a fear that my first product wont convert well, it is a learning process.

    Something you said Huug - "You'll never get rich working for others.." makes me think of my bar tending days years ago. Eventually I decided I wanted to be the one drinking the beer, not serving it. I guess the transformation is happening all over again!

    Thanks again for your responses.
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    • Profile picture of the author ncmedia
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      • Profile picture of the author AHayes183
        Originally Posted by ncmedia View Post

        ^ You want to be the guy that owns the building, and gives the beer away free to hot blondes at will

        (or fella's whatever floats your boat - being socially correct and all...).

        Cheers,
        N.
        Lol, I live in Norway at the moment, you don't need to tell me twice. In any event, there's no need for social/political correctness online - surely.
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  • Profile picture of the author AHayes183
    Does anyone else have any more experience when it comes to creating their own product vs selling ready-made products?
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    • If 100 affiliates sell my product I make as much money as if I sell 33 of my own. So I love having affiliates, but owning the product and making money from your own sales as well as affiliates is where it's at.

      It is always easier to sell your own product to your own audience, vs someone else's product.

      My 2 cents on the issue.
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      • Profile picture of the author AHayes183
        Originally Posted by Chris The Traffic Blogger View Post

        If 100 affiliates sell my product I make as much money as if I sell 33 of my own. So I love having affiliates, but owning the product and making money from your own sales as well as affiliates is where it's at.

        It is always easier to sell your own product to your own audience, vs someone else's product.

        My 2 cents on the issue.
        Hi Chris,

        That's very true and one of the reasons why I decided to write an ebook in the first place. At least by writing something you should (theoretically) be knowledgeable/passionate about the subject. However, you will also know that you have a solid product - which is important for people like me who aren't natural salesmen!

        Thanks for the response though, this is definitely helping to cure my indecision.

        Regards,
        Antony.
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  • Profile picture of the author NateRivers
    I have a few information products and I would agree with Chris the Blogger-- It's pretty sweet to have affiliates selling your stuff while you make 100% on your own efforts. Minus clickbank's dictator taxes.

    JK clickbank I'm very grateful for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    One of the biggest reasons people don't make a lot more money with their own products is because they give up too soon on the promotion or do not know the different ways to promote their own book.

    They tend to throw out a few emails, ask a few people to be their affiliates and that's about it. If there book doesn't sell they give up.

    There are tons of ways to sell your own books online but it involves rolling up your sleeves and becoming creative. Exhaust all avenues available to you and to do that properly it would probably take a few months if not a year to do properly.

    Another thing the majority of product owners do not do is improving the sales process along the way. Testing sales copy, testing ad copy, testing price points, testing different offers, testing different free reports, etc.

    Not to mention the many different ways to sell your books offline too. It takes a carefully planned strategy and most people just don't want to put in the work, which is a shame because they put a lot of time into a quality book (hopefully).

    This is just my opinion of course but I do speak from experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author AHayes183
    That is very true. I suppose it is easy for people to easily get disheartened when they see little return for their monumental efforts. I guess what it comes down to, is doing it successfully just once to understand how to do it again.

    For example, when I initially started my content company, I thought that it would only take a nice website and quality articles to keep me busy. However, while both of those are a necessity, its the hard work, dedication and trial and error that moved my company along. So you have a very valid point there.

    This works for anything in life and internet marketing in particular - especially with all the "Make Thousands with this System" ebooks that have a habit of throwing people off.

    In any event, this thread has had many words of wisdom so thanks to everyone who has contributed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Wolster
    It will also depend on the niche that you have chosen to write about.

    If your market isn't there it doesn't mater how good the content is.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
    Originally Posted by AHayes183 View Post

    Make a Million with One eBook?!
    It's been done.

    The world's first mass-market eBook was released by Stephen King in 2000. Priced at $2.50, over 400,000 were downloaded in the 24 hours....
    Riding the Bullet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    In 2001, King tried the same thing again -- but this time, readers paid on a chapter-by-chapter basis, and King's net profit was around a half million dollars....
    Stephen King reveals The Plant profit ? The Register
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  • Profile picture of the author finleyjohn90
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Silas Hart
      There's been eBooks that have made the owner and his/her affiliates a million and more. Some of those eBooks shouldn't have made anyone $10.00.
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