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Kindle ebooks as a fundraiser: Would it work?

by Syzygy999
11 replies
I have lately gotten into Kindle ebook publishing. I have published about 10 titles so far that are making a (very) small income for me.

My wife works for a non-profit social service agency. She is always looking for new ways to raise funds. I had this idea that I might propose to her. I just don't want it to be a big flop. There's probably no way to be sure short of trying it, but any thoughts on its viability would be appreciated.

My idea is for her agency to publish a cookbook on Kindle, with recipes contributed by all of her staff, and then promote it to their list of several thousand supporters.

I know that cookbooks are a traditional way for churches and other organizations to raise funds, but those are usually printed books with big upfront costs. A Kindle-based ebook would have no such costs. I would donate my services for layout, formatting, and uploading to the Kindle system.

It could be priced low -- I'm thinking $2.99, which is where the 70% royalty kicks in on Amazon -- and they would still make a couple of bucks on each one sold.

Many of their supporters will buy things just to help the cause, and for people who like to cook, this could be giving them something of value in return. However ... I have no way of knowing how many of those supporters have Kindle devices. And even if it were explained to them that they can download a free Kindle reading app for their computer, I don't know how many would bother doing that. Also, do cookbook buyers mainly want actual printed books?

I'm just brainstorming this at the moment. Anyone have any experience along this or similar lines?
#ebooks #fundraiser #kindle #work
  • Profile picture of the author LilBlackDress
    Originally Posted by Syzygy999 View Post

    I have lately gotten into Kindle ebook publishing. I have published about 10 titles so far that are making a (very) small income for me.

    My wife works for a non-profit social service agency. She is always looking for new ways to raise funds. I had this idea that I might propose to her. I just don't want it to be a big flop. There's probably no way to be sure short of trying it, but any thoughts on its viability would be appreciated.

    My idea is for her agency to publish a cookbook on Kindle, with recipes contributed by all of her staff, and then promote it to their list of several thousand supporters.

    I know that cookbooks are a traditional way for churches and other organizations to raise funds, but those are usually printed books with big upfront costs. A Kindle-based ebook would have no such costs. I would donate my services for layout, formatting, and uploading to the Kindle system.

    It could be priced low -- I'm thinking $2.99, which is where the 70% royalty kicks in on Amazon -- and they would still make a couple of bucks on each one sold.

    Many of their supporters will buy things just to help the cause, and for people who like to cook, this could be giving them something of value in return. However ... I have no way of knowing how many of those supporters have Kindle devices. And even if it were explained to them that they can download a free Kindle reading app for their computer, I don't know how many would bother doing that. Also, do cookbook buyers mainly want actual printed books?

    I'm just brainstorming this at the moment. Anyone have any experience along this or similar lines?
    I love the idea. Personally, I do not like Kindle cookbooks, to hard to find recipes etc. BUT plenty of people on Amazon do seem to like Kindle cookbooks. Take a look at the ones on there that are popular.

    In addition to the cookbook you could sell stands for the Kindle to prop up the cookbook in the kitchen (along with Kindles) as an Amazon affiliate.
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  • Profile picture of the author gregdavidson727
    Sounds interesting. And the fact that it's for a good cause will make them a far easier sell.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    Yes, it's a very good idea. Since you are going with the 70% royalty, Amazon will also charge a delivery charge based on the size of your book. Most good recipe books have lots of images, which I definitely recommend, so make sure you optimize those image file sizes to be as small as possible (while still getting excellent quality) in order to maximize your profit per sale.
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  • Profile picture of the author gregdavidson727
    Another idea you might want to try is CONTENT LOCKING the ebooks. Basically, require people to fill out an offer in exchange for getting the ebooks for free. You can make $1 or more each time somebody does it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Syzygy999
      Thanks to all of you. This is very encouraging.

      I would have to study how "content locking" works in general, and how it would work with Kindle ebooks in particular.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      I would look at a three part strategy:

      1) Ebook on Kindle ($2.99)
      2) Print book on CreateSpace (Amazon) (~$10)
      3) Membership site with pdf versions (or print formatted) versions of the recipes so cooks could print individual sheets rather than risk their reader or book. ($2/month or $12/year).

      Cross promote the other two in every product. Stress that the money is going to an organization they already support. Get a good turnout, and the books could gain traction and generate sales on their own.

      Originally Posted by seobro View Post

      Hi 999:
      I also use Kindle to get a very small income. Well, your idea sounds super. Sadly, only about 10% of average people have a kindle, but you can download software to view e-books on a PC or mac.

      Kindle option is great if you have a virtual church, as most members are digital savvy. Not sure on your group. It depends on ages. OK are most of your members old or young.
      Age has nothing to do with it. I know a lot of older folks that are all over this bandwagon.

      Not owning a Kindle is not a barrier, either. Amazon provides free apps for PCs, tablets and most smartphones. "No Kindle" is no excuse.

      Originally Posted by Alex Mensah View Post

      Yes content locking them is a really good strategy to use for promoting your ebooks.
      For a non-profit or charity, content locking could look a bit sleazy. Actually, IMO, it's a bit on the sleazy side regardless.
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    It has been done before, and it has been done very successfully by some.

    In fact, there was a product released that discussed this very method.
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  • Profile picture of the author cashcow
    You should definitely try this … especially if you can get a lot of buyers through her list of supporters. As you know, those sales will help get it ranked in categories and on the also bought lists at Amazon which will produce more sales!

    I don't know about the content locking …. I'm pretty sure Amazon doesn't do that and besides you want the money from the cookbook, right? You don't want to give it for free…

    But what you SHOULD do is write all about the organization it benefits inside the book, then maybe offer the buyer something else if they signup for the organizations list (if it has/wants a list) and then they would have a way to contact these people to try to maybe sell them more cookbooks for their cause.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark .W. James
    My sincere reccomendation?

    Go to :
    Code:
    http://home.bookbub.com/advertise/
    This place is expensive! given that your book is for $2.99, they will charge you about 600 bucks to send your offer to their list of 200k+ subscribers.... as per their stats, they get over 10k free ebook downloads and 1k paid ebook downloads.... even if you get 400 downloads, you will easily recover your money invested... get a lot of reviews and then the downloads will start on their own....

    I know someone who has tried their fantasy section and he was pretty damn happy with the results...


    It is VERY important to convey that the recipees in your guide are unique and were invented by you.. (if that is true)... there are thousands of free recipes out there.... you need to give them a reason to buy yours...
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    • Profile picture of the author cashcow
      Originally Posted by Mark .W. James View Post

      My sincere reccomendation?

      Go to :
      Code:
      http://home.bookbub.com/advertise/
      This place is expensive! given that your book is for $2.99, they will charge you about 600 bucks to send your offer to their list of 200k+ subscribers.... as per their stats, they get over 10k free ebook downloads and 1k paid ebook downloads.... even if you get 400 downloads, you will easily recover your money invested... get a lot of reviews and then the downloads will start on their own....

      I know someone who has tried their fantasy section and he was pretty damn happy with the results...


      It is VERY important to convey that the recipees in your guide are unique and were invented by you.. (if that is true)... there are thousands of free recipes out there.... you need to give them a reason to buy yours...
      That's a good idea.

      You have to be having a price reduction on your book though (has to be discounted by at least 50%), but if you price the book at $2.99 and then offer a deal for .99 it would only cost you $240 for the ad. If you offered it for free then it would only be $120 for the ad.

      I think they only accept books of 150 pages or more (at least thats the rule for fiction) and you probably need some good reviews on it too. But worth looking into.
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    Hi 999:
    I also use Kindle to get a very small income. Well, your idea sounds super. Sadly, only about 10% of average people have a kindle, but you can download software to view e-books on a PC or mac.

    Kindle option is great if you have a virtual church, as most members are digital savvy. Not sure on your group. It depends on ages. OK are most of your members old or young.
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    http://www.seobro.com
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