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are your ecovers deceptive?

by BizBooks
17 replies
should 7 page reports (and im being generous, meaning seven pages INCLUDING cover, table of contents, index, and lots of BIIIG graphics) really have an ecover showing a 400 page hardcover book?

or should they be careful to show a softcover thin book?

same goes for showing 17 CDs for a 30 minute audio?
#deceptive #ecovers
  • Profile picture of the author myob
    There is nothing wrong with it in my opinion, as long as you clearly state on your sales page how many pages the report is or long the audio is. The image may be used to show how valuable the report is as long as your ad copy can justify it. If the image is way out of line with your offer, however, you may open yourself up to unnecessary refund requests. Same goes for over-hyping sales copy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Francis Ochoco
    I once sold a 20 page ebook on eBay using an ecover image of a 50 page book.

    A customer who bought my ebook complained that she thought she was buying an ebook with at least 50 pages.

    So although most people understand that an ecover is just a graphic for marketing purposes, I think its best to go the safe route and make sure the ecover accurately depicts your product to avoid complaints and refunds.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    I think that he ecover should be as close as possible to the size
    of the book. I try to make my "special resports" with small, thin
    spiral-bound looking ecovers. This indicates a little about the
    size of the 'book'.

    On the other hand I've seen "50-page" ebooks that were really
    short reports with blown-up fonts to artificially inflate the
    number of pages. Soon as I see this I know that the quality
    of the information will also be "fluffed up".

    -Ray L.,
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  • Profile picture of the author BizBooks
    The more i think about this, the more I am convinced that "reports" need think, magazine lstyle covers, while books need "hardcover" ebook images.

    (although Robert Plank, for example, doesn't use ecovers at all for a while now.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Arine Mark
    They bought you cover rather than your product. If that's what you want, then there's nothing wrong. Good for you on short term.
    I would rather stay away and over-deliver than over-promise.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    I think that an ebook/report cover should as closely resemble the size of the ebook/report as possible. I don't agree with using thick ebook covers for a short report even if they state how many pages it is. If you hire a good graphics designer (rather using templates or software) you can still make your report look valuable.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
    I think you would get more refunds that way...
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  • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
    I'm in the camp that says the graphic should match the actual product as close as possible. Skimmers in particular may read the headline, a couple bullet points, the P.S. ... and then glance at the graphic. They'll get the wrong impression if the graphic doesn't reflect the actual product.

    It would be like me selling a Chevy Monte Carlo and putting up a picture of a Corvette instead. They're both cars. They're both Chevrolets. But the picture is completely misleading. (Even if the ad DOES make it clear what the buyer is actually buying.)

    Or imagine if you went to a fast food restaurant, and they depicted their "small" beverage as this huge 32 ounce cup. You order your Coke only to find all you're really getting is a shot glass of Coke. People would be upset.

    Cheers,
    Becky
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  • Profile picture of the author Sirius Lin
    Even if it's a downloadable product, people still want the image to be reflective of the actual product. If you're selling a 7-page ebook, a thin spiral or magazine-style ecover is best. I don't know about others, but if I saw a thick hardcover ecover and buy the ebook, only to find it less than 20 pages, I'd feel I didn't get my money's worth even if I paid an appropriate price for the amount of content I received.

    ~ Sirius
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  • Profile picture of the author Darren Mothersele
    Of course the image should depict what is actually being sold. Anything other than this would be against the trade descriptions act.
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  • Profile picture of the author BizBooks
    Thanks Darren. I'll check that out!
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  • Profile picture of the author Eric Reed
    Originally Posted by BizBooks View Post

    should 7 page reports (and im being generous, meaning seven pages INCLUDING cover, table of contents, index, and lots of BIIIG graphics) really have an ecover showing a 400 page hardcover book?

    or should they be careful to show a softcover thin book?

    same goes for showing 17 CDs for a 30 minute audio?
    You know the old saying..."never judge a book by it's cover" lol,

    Seriously though, I always try to match the cover style with the project, unless instructed differently by the client. A good web graphic artist will usually ask for specific details like, type of product and description, color combos, type of cover, etc. and go from there.

    But as a rule, ecovers are just that... a cover or visual reference to entice someone to check out your product. After that, it's the sales copy and substance or value of your product that sells it.

    In general, if you have a good presentation, good product and truthful advertising, you shouldn't have to worry about refunds.

    Eric
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  • Profile picture of the author Stephen Saha
    I think if you are using a graphics it means you are branding your product in a professional way. Most people buying your product knows for virtual items the graphic is just a selling tool but still people get confused if theres a big difference between the graphics and the product. So i think you should try to keep it as close as possible and also mention clearly that its a virtual product.

    The use of big fonts and useless graphics to increase the page count is a poor way to convince buyers. It will surely create a negative impact if overdone.

    Rgds,

    Stephen
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  • Profile picture of the author robocallaghan
    The trade descriptions act was replaced by the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    We are used to goods/services in the UK being as described and fit for purpose it sold for. I'm sure its the same in the US? If you sell via clickbank I'm wondering if you end up complying with both the seller and buyers countries conditions and maybe even the country of the credit card? Anyone know?

    Rob.
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  • Profile picture of the author bendiggs
    I think actually graphics are a great way to display the value of your product, and for it to communicate to the customer what they're actually getting.
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    • Profile picture of the author Amanda_Davis
      I really don't think there's any value in it. Why would you need to do this? You're only going to lead to disappointment - and that's something you really want to avoid in this space... as it just reduces your credibility and increases refunds!
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      • Profile picture of the author windfall_results
        Originally Posted by Amanda_Davis View Post

        I really don't think there's any value in it. Why would you need to do this? You're only going to lead to disappointment - and that's something you really want to avoid in this space... as it just reduces your credibility and increases refunds!
        Very good point Amanda.

        In my marketing efforts, I always attempt to under-promise and over-deliver. In doing so, the buying experience is better and this leads to future sales, referrals, testimonials, and many benefits. Giving people a false sense that they are receiving something more bountiful than they actually will is foolish in my opinion.

        Deception like this may work in terms of a revenue boost in the very short term, but it is no way to build credibility.
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