Does My Special Report Actually Have to Have Content?

36 replies
I'd like to do a special report on making money online to sell to people. It would be something that would be really helpful to them.

But, I'm very busy these days. So, I'm not going to bother with a fancy cover or anything because who cares? I mean, no one gives a second look at those things and all it does is make for a professional presentation of my offer, so who needs that? I mean, sure, it may show the buyer that I actually cared enough about what I'm offering to put it together in a package that was attractive and designed to be easy to read, but I don't know that I really have time for that.

Should be good enough to just use Courier type or something. Maybe I'll go a little fancy and use Comic Sans for the title font. But I think everything else can be Courier or Prestige or something.

Anyway, so I'm going to skip all that fancy stuff because I really don't have time for all that.

Also, I'm very busy these days, so I'm wondering if I actually have to write any content for my special report? All those words are just fluff anyway and if they need a lot of explanation of things, maybe they really need to do something other than Internet marketing. I don't have time to hold their hands and guide them through every step of the process and explain things and stuff. Geesh. Why don't I just do their job for them? But, if I were to go that far, I might as well just do it myself and keep all the cash.

So, you can see the dilemma.

I'm thinking a table of contents should be sufficient. That's all I really have time for. Plus, I hear people don't like long books anyway, so I think they would appreciate not having to read very much. At any rate, the table of contents just give them the basic understanding of what they need to do. If they're too lazy to look things up for themselves, they probably should go work at a fast food joint or something because, clearly, Internet marketing is not for them.

I could leave a bunch of blank pages for them to "print" out with the table of contents and fill in the blanks themselves. I think it would be a great learning tool. Teaches them to be self-reliant and all that. Teaches them that someone is not always going to be there to hold their hand throughout life. Sure, you could argue that I don't need to leave blank pages in the PDF. They could just use blank sheets of paper or something, but I think it's important to leave some blank pages so they realize they have some work to do. Otherwise, they'd think they're all done once they've finished reading the table of contents, and that would not be the case at all.

But, you know, I'm not sure I really have the time to put together a table of contents either. That's a lot of work and I'm really busy with other stuff. Occasionally, I like to take the checks or PayPal funds I get and go to the bank and take out cash, all in singles so I can spend an afternoon just counting the greenbacks. Sometimes, on a weekend, I'll take out pennies or nickels so I can spend more time counting. It's fun. That kind of stuff keeps me busy, so I don't really have the time to put together a whole table of contents.

But, I really want to help people. People need help. There are a lot of people not making money online and they keep getting bad advice, and I feel the need to help them.

Thus, the dilemma.

Maybe I can skip the table of contents too. What do you think? If I come up with a whiz-bang title, that should be sufficient to convey the concept to them. They can come up with their own table of contents and fill in all the blank pages. I think they'll really learn something by doing that. Plus, it will save me like tons of time. What do you think?

I'd really like to sell this thing for $97, so maybe I need a subtitle too, just to help boost the value? It'll be hard to find the time to come up with that subtitle, but if that's what I need to do to make this report worth $97, I'll squeeze in the time to do it somehow.

I'd rather not have to come up with a fancy cover though. Black print on white should be sufficient. They're only paying $97, not $497! LOL.

Thoughts? How long do you think the title needs to be? Maybe a four or five word title with a ten word subtitle? Or would that be overdoing it? I don't want to overburden my buyers with a lot of reading.
#content #report #special
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    I am thinking of commenting on this... but on a second thought, it is too much typing
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731247].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
      I can understand that you're very busy. We all are. So what would you think if I told you there was a way to do even LESS work and yet make more money?

      Sounds good, doesn't it?

      How can lazy people just like you get in on this money-making scheme?

      Simple. Forget about ebooks. Those are so 2012. Instead, create tBooks.

      Yeah, I said tBooks. That's "Telepathy Book" for those of you who're living under a rock.

      All you need is a sales letter and an order button, and you're good to go. And because it has the New Age coolness factor to it, you can charge double or even triple what you normally charge.

      You're welcome.

      Cheers,

      Becky

      P.S. Keep an eye out for my upcoming WSO: "How I Made a Fortune With tBooks, and How You Can Too!"
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731283].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author myob
      It would be so much easier just to copy something from this website: www.something.com, spin it around a few times, then convert it to pdf - and voilà; you'll really have something.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731314].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by myob View Post

        It would be so much easier just to copy something from this website: www.something.com, spin it around a few times, then convert it to pdf - and voilà; you'll really have something.
        Hmmmmm ... well-named, accurate site: there is undeniably something there ...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731355].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    Forget the special report, just put a "donate" button after you copy and paste someone else's sob story.

    RoD
    Signature
    "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
    - Jim Rohn
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731397].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rose Anderson
    I'll be happy to draw a few pictures for you so you can sell it as a coloring book!!

    For you...my special rate of $50 per page.

    Rose
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731431].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author GoesToEleven
      No way dude, that niche is WAY too crowded!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731474].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author miklanderson2
    I've thought about trying your system, but after no testing whatsover, I came to the conclusion that simply putting a "Buy Now" button on a blank page is hundreds of thousands of times more effective. Once people pay for the product, I'll send them to a blank page with another "Buy Now" button on it for the upsell. Once they're hooked, I'll send a constant barrage of empty e-mails to them, occasionally linking back to my "Buy Now" page, just in case they want to buy my product again.
    Signature

    "A bargain is something you don’t need at a price you can’t resist."
    -Franklin Jones

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731486].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Rogers
    I'm very busy, so will you go buy a lottery ticket for me?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731495].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
      Originally Posted by John Rogers View Post

      I'm very busy, so will you go buy a lottery ticket for me?
      Done. And John, I bought two.

      RoD
      Signature
      "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out."
      - Jim Rohn
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732108].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
    What we have here is a recipe for success.
    Signature

    :)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731533].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joshua Rigley
    Banned
    Procrastination in typing is a very serious epidemi
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731544].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LordKaT
    Does My Special Report Actually Have to Have Content?
    Hah. Have you seen some of the "special reports" that people post online and on these forums? A lot of it is absolute junk.

    Hell, there was one report around these parts that promised to show you how they made thousands of dollars per month, meanwhile it actually contained a tutorial on how to sign up for an affiliate program and that you should link to those products with your affiliate code, then the standard "sign up for my mailing list" garbage at the end.

    Meanwhile the post that I carefully constructed, teaching people how to use live streaming in conjunction with IM was rejected for poor quality content. Sigh ._.

    In short: nope.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731554].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jimvol
    I have subscribed to things like this. After I get the "Free Not Report" I unsubd.

    I can literally take 1 hr to write a 1000-2500 word report. I have a suspicion that you don't have anything to say that has not already been said.

    Been there done that. MMO is full of the blind leading the blind.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731887].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    I would definitely buy that, wait a minute...damn...just got busy again!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7731925].message }}
  • {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732159].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Gee Dan. Can't you just copy and paste links to affiliate ebook products on each page? That way they get content while you get mo money. I know it's really a hassle having to do that much work, but maybe you can find someone on elance that will copy and paste 5,000 links for a buck.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732233].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author carolm
    Who would have thought! A humorous thread - I'll have to hang out here more often!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732312].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Occasionally, I like to take the checks or PayPal funds I get and go to the bank and take out cash, all in singles so I can spend an afternoon just counting the greenbacks.
      All singles? Just 'counting the greenbacks'? All afternoon?

      Yeah, right...

      Originally Posted by John Rogers View Post

      I'm very busy, so will you go buy a lottery ticket for me?
      I did. You lost. You owe me two bucks for the ticket and $95 for picking the numbers. Once you pay me, I can buy Dan's report and 'count some greenbacks' myself. :p

      I also want a refund on Becky's "How to Win the Lottery" tBook...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732367].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author tpw
      Originally Posted by carolm View Post

      Who would have thought! A humorous thread - I'll have to hang out here more often!

      Ha!! Which rock have you been hiding under? Dan is not funny!!
      Signature
      Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
      Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732492].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DonDraper
    once I was at a museum and it had a blank space on the wall as one of the art pieces. The label was "stare"

    thats what a ebook without any content reminds me of
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732331].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jacktackett
    Please hurry up Dan. I'm going to use your content in my own special report. Nothing personal but I think it's kinda rude to keep me waiting.
    Sincerely
    Jack
    Signature
    Let's get Tim the kidney he needs!HELP Tim
    Mega Monster WSO for KimW http://ow.ly/4JdHm


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732453].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mormo
    Once upon a time...
    Build a list.
    The end.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732545].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I wonder why this thread even exists. If it is supposed to be funny, it isn't.
    Obviously it is sarcastic.
    Other than that.......... well enough said.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732581].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author tpw
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I wonder why this thread even exists. If it is supposed to be funny, it isn't.
      Obviously it is sarcastic.
      Other than that.......... well enough said.

      Dan doesn't know how to be funny, but he does understand tongue-in-cheek. :rolleyes:

      This thread exists because Dan thought he could enlighten some of the misinformed, and because none of the moderators feel that he overstepped the purpose of the forum.
      Signature
      Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
      Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7735085].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author onSubie
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I wonder why this thread even exists. If it is supposed to be funny, it isn't.
      Obviously it is sarcastic.
      Other than that.......... well enough said.

      Yet, of all the threads on the forum, this is the one you chose to actually take the time to reply to....

      I actually thought it was hilarious. There are occasional attempts at this kind of facetious humour on WF. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

      I thought this worked exceptionally well because I actually had to get past the first couple of paragraphs with a face palm before I realized it was satirical...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7735148].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Geez - a disappointment to content spinners everywhere. How do you switch around the words in a blank report?
        Signature
        Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7735185].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Brandon Tanner
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          Geez - a disappointment to content spinners everywhere. How do you switch around the words in a blank report?
          This video explains how. Pay very close attention to it, because sometimes it's hard to see the blank words as they're being switched around...


          Bonus points for anyone who can spot the Ninja that briefly appears about half way through the video.
          Signature

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7740402].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jimvol
    I vote sticky!!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7732674].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author karlmay1980
    I dont think you have time to create a title or even create the buy now button for that.

    For $5 get on Fiverr and see if someone can do it for you (only when you have time).
    Signature
    Want To Make Your First £10,000 Online?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7735178].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Williams
    Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

    Thoughts? How long do you think the title needs to be? Maybe a four or five word title with a ten word subtitle? Or would that be overdoing it? I don't want to overburden my buyers with a lot of reading.
    I would recommend "spinning" the titles to make 5 pdfs and 12 ppt slides for videos. You are going to need the upsells ...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7735225].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I just thought of a great title:

      "Find the Hidden Message and Get Paid TODAY"

      That could be fun to watch...
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7740170].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

    Thoughts? How long do you think the title needs to be? Maybe a four or five word title with a ten word subtitle? Or would that be overdoing it? I don't want to overburden my buyers with a lot of reading.
    I like this idea here. Well, wait...

    ...maybe a 3 word title, with 5 word subtitle. Here's what it could be:

    TITLE: Make Money NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    SUBTITLE: Eat, Sleep, And Drink Money

    Sounds good?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7740776].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Harvey Segal
      Dan

      I have to say I'm disappointed with your posting and in particular this statement

      Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post


      So, you can see the dilemma.
      If you think that is a dilemma then you're obviously not aware of the next stage in making money online.

      It's like this.

      You'll be working away when suddenly you get a darned Email from your affiliate program

      == Congratulations. You have made a sale !
      == You have earned commission of $75

      What a time waster.

      You have to stop what you're doing and then do two things

      1) You have to read the email
      2) You have to delete it

      Sometimes you'll get say 30 of these in one day.

      That can easily chop a good 5 minutes off of your working day and for what ?

      A petty $2000 or so.


      Surely there's no comparable obstacle or difficulty in the world of IM ?

      * If your hard disc crashes just go out and buy another PC

      * If Google bans all your pages just set up another site


      But it's THIS - the incessant flood of commission notifications - that will finally wear you down.

      Experts reckon it's reason number one for the growing numbers simply quitting the internet marketing scene.

      So Dan although you say

      "There are a lot of people not making money online and they keep getting bad advice, and I feel the need to help them"

      I think you have done a grave disservice by failing to warn your audience of this dire hazard.



      .
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7741002].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nicholasb
    HA! I cant tell you how many questions I get like that a day.

    To answer your question though a simple title Like "Buy This Report Now So I can Be Rich" should be a pretty good title.

    As far as content don't worry about it, just make it 30 pages of nothing but affiliate links, and I'm sure you'll be a millionaire buy the time you wake up in the morning.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7741154].message }}

Trending Topics