Should I write an ebook?

33 replies
Should I?

The ebook wouldn't not be a classic "I made enough to bail-out AIG and repay US gov debts in one hour!!!"

It'd rather be my story; how I started at the age of 13, what I did, and where I am right now.

Of course, I did make (a lot) of money in that time.

I'm not thinking of charging the ebook itself a lot (probably $9 on WSO, more on Clickbank).

So, I am just wondering - would you pay $9 to read a story of a 13-year old kid who started working on websites in pretty bad conditions, to a 19-year old guy (kid, okay ) who has two companies that generate more than average American earns per year?

I must add I have quite humorous and interesting writing style.

Thanks,
Bo
#ebook #write
  • Profile picture of the author BrainDance
    Hi Bo,
    The selling point would be your story of course as well as whether or not you are for real (I'm not saying you arent!).
    There are loads of stories on how people 'made thousands' and so on, frankly I'm tired of them and never buy them regardless.
    I think your age and your accomplishments would be a good selling point, an inspiration perhaps. Question is how much will people pay for inspiration, and what exactly are you selling, if anything.
    Many use their stories to get others to buy something else, few use their stories to encourage and prod others along in their own journey.
    Personally. I would read the ebook simply for the story itself.
    Hope all goes well
    LindaB
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  • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
    No, I assure you, it's real.

    Well, other than inspirational, it also has techniques I used to get to this point and, for the most, the mistakes I made.

    Thanks Linda!
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  • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
    Well, that makes sense too. However, honestly, internet marketers (such as people on this forum) are not the target for my business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Droopy Dawg
    Originally Posted by Bo Mill View Post

    Should I?

    The ebook wouldn't not be a classic "I made enough to bail-out AIG and repay US gov debts in one hour!!!"

    It'd rather be my story; how I started at the age of 13, what I did, and where I am right now.

    Of course, I did make (a lot) of money in that time.

    I'm not thinking of charging the ebook itself a lot (probably $9 on WSO, more on Clickbank).

    So, I am just wondering - would you pay $9 to read a story of a 13-year old kid who started working on websites in pretty bad conditions, to a 19-year old guy (kid, okay ) who has two companies that generate more than average American earns per year?

    I must add I have quite humorous and interesting writing style.

    Thanks,
    Bo

    In short... yes... as long as you state what the EXACTLY they do to generate that income

    Go for it man it won't hurt!
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  • Profile picture of the author AlanS2323
    Many people say to make an ebook about anything and act as if it will sell like hotcakes. But in my own limited experience, people will not pay for an ebook unless it is literally the only place they can get the info they really want. So I'd say to make sure your ebook is about something extraordinary people can't read about elsewhere.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
    Thanks to all.

    I believe my story is quite interesting. It is my opinion that the book will be rather inspiring - and that's what a lot of Warriors need.
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    • Profile picture of the author bigtay
      Sounds like an interesting story to me. Would do very well here, I would say.
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    • Profile picture of the author timpears
      Maybe it is just me, but you mentioned something about this not being directed towards the IM market, and that reinforced my thought that this sounds more like something I might find on Amazon. I am not a book publisher, and don't even know any. But from what you said, this sounds like it might make a decent hard back, rather than an ebook. Maybe I am crazy, but you did ask for opinions, didn't you?
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      Tim Pears

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  • Profile picture of the author spires
    Hi Bo

    Just to let you know, I tested selling one of my ebooks for different amount including $9, but I found that $7 was the higher converter.

    And yes, If the story is enticing and you can get people interested from your sales pitch, then there is no reason why not

    Good Luck
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  • Profile picture of the author absolutelee
    Hi Bo, I think this is an awesome idea. I'm always willing to risk a few of my "hard earned" dollars on learning more about success. Go for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author 2PercentPlan
    Thats a very good idea. Thanks product creator.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
    Thank you all.

    I decided - I will write the eBook.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve L
      Originally Posted by Bo Mill View Post

      Thank you all.

      I decided - I will write the eBook.
      how about when you're done writing it, give me a copy to read. I'll let you know if I found it to contain useful content at least.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve L
    Originally Posted by ProductCreator View Post

    One way to test is to use a technique I learned in Tim Ferris' 4 Hour Work Week.

    Create a sales page.
    Link the order button to a page that says "thanks for your interest, the book isn't ready yet, please register here to find out when it will be"
    Drive Adwords traffic
    Monitor the number of hits the "order page" gets.

    Although not everyone who clicks an order button are definite buyers, I think that most are.

    You could be sure by having another order page nested underneath, the first merely summarising the order (like many people already use to increase conversions anyway).
    that was definitely one of the best idea's i took from the 4 Hour Work Week, good stuff!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mangozoom
    Go for it ... I believe in enjoying the journey and if the idea of writing an ebook butters your bread then do it.

    Set the price at $37 so that affiliates will want to promote it though ... not sure you need this advice as you seem to have made a lot of money

    let me know when its done ... I'll take a look

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author USEO
    Originally Posted by Bo Mill View Post

    Should I?...
    Why not? I'm sure you'd enjoy writing it. I've been thinking about doing the same recently.

    Plenty of great short stories strung together... like the time in 2007 when I paid The RJ $2,000 for 7 seconds of his time...

    Funny thing was I only actually handed over $1950 to his PA*. (Still have the other $50 in my wallet signed by a bunch of US Marines - respect - I met in the Village Pub in Carlsbad C.A....) Classic

    Originally Posted by Bo Mill View Post

    would you pay $9 to read a story of...
    Yes, just as another thought you probably wouldn't get too many refund requests for a product that is just factual...

    Strewth I could buy 5 with the RJ $50 dollar bill... Still wondering what to do with it..

    Go for it...

    C IPK

    * It only took me 3 seconds tao say what needed saying so he got overpaid anyway
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  • Profile picture of the author WinsonYeung
    Since you say are you successful now, why not offer the product as free and use it to build a brand for yourself ? Ask yourself this
    Reputable Branding or $$$ ?

    ~Winson
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    • Profile picture of the author USEO
      Originally Posted by WinsonYeung View Post

      Since you say are you successful now, why not offer the product as free and use it to build a brand for yourself ? Ask yourself this
      Reputable Branding or $$$ ?

      ~Winson
      Fair point... that was my plan.

      I still think $9 is fair enough for an interesting short story though.

      Free may prove a better strategy for building some cred and an interested list..
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    • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
      Originally Posted by WinsonYeung View Post

      Since you say are you successful now, why not offer the product as free and use it to build a brand for yourself ? Ask yourself this
      Reputable Branding or $$$ ?

      ~Winson
      That makes sense. However, I still do want to see some cash inflow. The majority of my businesses' profits go to my college funds. As I am not a US citizen, I pay more than $50,000 a year for total college costs.

      Also, as I said in my previous post, my business does not target internet marketers, so credibility (on this forum), other than personal "fame", would not mean as much. I am still thinking of putting a price tag of $9 or $7. I believe that is fair.

      Thank you all for your suggestions and posts.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Scott
    Originally Posted by ProductCreator View Post

    One way to test is to use a technique I learned in Tim Ferris' 4 Hour Work Week.

    Create a sales page.
    Link the order button to a page that says "thanks for your interest, the book isn't ready yet, please register here to find out when it will be"
    Drive Adwords traffic
    Monitor the number of hits the "order page" gets.

    Although not everyone who clicks an order button are definite buyers, I think that most are.

    You could be sure by having another order page nested underneath, the first merely summarising the order (like many people already use to increase conversions anyway).
    My experience has been exactly the opposite; out of maybe 30 people clicking through to my order page, ONE of them will buy.

    I've tested payment processors (PDC, CB and PayPal) so I'm pretty sure it's not a buggy system.

    Possibly my marketing is faulty somewhere, but a lot of people click those links (depending, of course, on how you write your copy) just to look, I think.

    -Dan
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesviago
    Originally Posted by ProductCreator View Post

    One way to test is to use a technique I learned in Tim Ferris' 4 Hour Work Week.

    Create a sales page.
    Link the order button to a page that says "thanks for your interest, the book isn't ready yet, please register here to find out when it will be"
    Drive Adwords traffic
    Monitor the number of hits the "order page" gets.

    Although not everyone who clicks an order button are definite buyers, I think that most are.

    You could be sure by having another order page nested underneath, the first merely summarising the order (like many people already use to increase conversions anyway).
    we tried this with an eReport a few months ago - but just for fun we added that the report would be "ready soon" and that we are taking pre-orders for $7 (and that the release price would be $27). we were stunned when people actually paid $7 for an eReport that would be released in 4-5 weeks time.

    we sent them the rough draft about 2 weeks early, and the final copy on time as promised, and then released the report as promised, on time, for $27. well, we made more money from the pre-orders!

    we are going to try that again sometime - or you could try it and let me know what happens
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  • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
    I just wanted to let you know guys that the book is doing rather good!

    There are already 4 pages (so far), and I have divided book into Chapters, with Drop Cap... looks more like a "real" book than an eReport or something rather.

    Thanks for your encouragement!

    Bo
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  • Profile picture of the author Craig Fenton
    Hi Bo:

    Good luck with the project. To enhance the story why not turn it into a combination journey for your 6 years on the internet and the success with a blueprint of how people of all backgrounds that have desire can make money. It may not be millions but if you can offer a step by step plan that would let the newcomer have even a few hundred dollars in their pocket you would be inspiring a future generation to start a proper work ethic at an early age. Go for it!
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    • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
      Originally Posted by Craig Fenton View Post

      Hi Bo:

      Good luck with the project. To enhance the story why not turn it into a combination journey for your 6 years on the internet and the success with a blueprint of how people of all backgrounds that have desire can make money. It may not be millions but if you can offer a step by step plan that would let the newcomer have even a few hundred dollars in their pocket you would be inspiring a future generation to start a proper work ethic at an early age. Go for it!
      Hi Craig,

      Thank you for the encouragement. I am happy to tell you that the book is exactly what you suggested
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  • Profile picture of the author dorim
    Can you prove how much you earn?
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    • Profile picture of the author IMChick
      Just saw your WSO posted. Good Luck.

      I would be interested to know how an inspirational offering is received on the WSO's, as opposed to a step by step method with tutorials, if you are willing to share some data.
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  • Profile picture of the author Maria Gudelis
    Hey Bo -just posted on your wso...I'll review it for ya,

    noticed you aren't using any graphics.... if you are looking for a great place to get some cheap graphics etc. to put in your ad copy etc.

    I use forums digital point dot com and get great ecovers etc. done for $10 to $20!

    cheers, Maria
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  • Profile picture of the author Rahul_TLV
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe's Market
      Great idea for your book and maybe you will be an inspiration to just one person and change their life. That would great.
      Good Luck and I hope you inspire many.

      Joe
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  • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
    All good reviews, but there's an interesting thing - I haven't sold a single copy yet
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  • Profile picture of the author Bo Mill
    No, this is not a hard book. It's an ebook. And it is directed towards the IM market
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  • Profile picture of the author Daisuke
    It's called $7 secrets. You make 10-15 page ebooks and sell them all for $7. Once you get better at it and become more known you can start making them longer and selling for $29.
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