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How Much Time Do You Waste?

by Bev Clement
11 replies
It seems that with the guidelines being given, write articles, write an ebook, write a report that people are missing the basic research.

Time is taken to write a book, but what a waste of time and money if there is no market for it.

The first step should always be to test the market to see if there is any call for what you want to do. Don't assume anything, you are likely to be wrong.

I was talking to a client and they had a general idea about their book, but they wanted to go down a route, and the competition would be too high. I said this to them, and the book was in the same niche, but on a different topic.

Look at the whole package, and see what you need to do before you jump in with both feet.

Yes, you need to take action, but taking the wrong action will cost you a lot of money and effort.
#time #waste
  • Profile picture of the author VegasVince
    Originally Posted by Bev Clement View Post

    It seems that with the guidelines being given, write articles, write an ebook, write a report that people are missing the basic research.

    Time is taken to write a book, but what a waste of time and money if there is no market for it.

    The first step should always be to test the market to see if there is any call for what you want to do. Don't assume anything, you are likely to be wrong.

    I was talking to a client and they had a general idea about their book, but they wanted to go down a route, and the competition would be too high. I said this to them, and the book was in the same niche, but on a different topic.

    Look at the whole package, and see what you need to do before you jump in with both feet.

    Yes, you need to take action, but taking the wrong action will cost you a lot of money and effort.

    Good advice as always from the legendary Bev Clement....but I'll take it a step further.

    Most of these people that Bev refers to et al..... should ask one question before they even attempt to waste their time:

    "Does anyone besides me really give a shit about my product as much as I do?

    ".....and if so...will they pay money for it?"

    And then you'se need to shut up, close your eyes...and answer the question honestly. Cuz to do otherwise is a recipe for disaster.

    Cuz the rest of the world never cares about our boring hobbies as much as WE do.

    Just cuz YOU like playing chess while smoking a pipe in the nude...doesn't mean the rest of the world does.....and good luck selling that ebook.

    And God bless your passion.....but it aint gonna sell. Good luck giving it away!

    To add insult to injury....these people with shitty, boring products will spend a lifetime tweaking them...just to get them "right."

    And when they do....the still don't sell! Cuz no one cares. Capiche!

    Sadly.....most of the drivel being pumped out daily...doesn't sell...and what's even worse?

    Most of it couldn't be given away for FREE. I'm stone cold serious. Most shit out there couldn't motivate a friggin' flea.

    And that's the best way to go into any product launch.....

    Ask yourself truthfully...does anyone really care? If so...is there a market who will pay money for my product or book or service etc???

    Could I even give this away for free? And if you don't know....then maybe you just answered the question.

    Those who ask and answer honestly.....are better off then those sheep pushing books on why Spotted Owls twist their heads in the winter. UGGGGG.

    Wasting time....is part of life. But wasting time, effort, heart and soul... creating shit no one cares about is cruel. And needless. Give the public what they want, Warriors. And bill the hell out of 'em for it. Cuz that's as it should be.


    xxx Vegas Vince




    xxx Vegas Vince
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  • Profile picture of the author glchandler
    And if one chose to write this book anyhow, would it not then follow that continued research (and subsequent tweaking) for a less than perfect book could improve its effectiveness and increase lifespan? Or is your time better served to recognize the error, learn your lesson, and let it die a quiet death?
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    • Profile picture of the author mr2monster
      How much time do I waste?

      Well, so far tonight, about 4 hours...
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    • Profile picture of the author VegasVince
      Originally Posted by glchandler View Post

      And if one chose to write this book anyhow, would it not then follow that continued research (and subsequent tweaking) for a less than perfect book could improve its effectiveness and increase lifespan? Or is your time better served to recognize the error, learn your lesson, and let it die a quiet death?

      Hey bro...I don't know what it is you're sellin.

      But if no one cares....all the twisting, bending, and spinning.....isn't gonna change anything.

      And I guess my question to you would be: Why bother?

      If you want to write your life story.....write it. If you want to write about why bumple bees bumple...go for it. But make sure you'se keep your day job.

      If you want to sell something.......you have to sell shit people want.

      It's a concept that's been around since the Cave Men.....sold Tarzan....a hooker namedJane.....for a vine and a sling shot.

      Sales...aint about US. IT'S ABOUT THEM.

      Big difference.

      xxx Vegas Vince
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      • Profile picture of the author dbarnum
        I agree with a lot of what’s said here. But if there is something you are truly passionate about, make it a hobby or volunteer-type project while you focus on paid productive work in the meantime. Examples:

        I work and network with lots of writers in writing groups locally. Some have excellent projects in motion; some don’t and wonder why they are “starving artists.”

        To be a “starving artist” is a mindset, in a way. Either put a business mindset with your artistic mode and make money with your work, or don’t. It’s up to you.

        No one (or hardly anyone but your mom, if she has time and patience) would want to read your entire life history in first person that’s full of hype, crap, accusations, self pity parties, etc. However, if you feel your story just needs to be told, pay to send it to an editor or book reviewer and get a professional opinion - -and LISTEN to it.

        For prisoners (I teach writing workshops & tutor at a local prison) I tell them this, for example, as far as I understand, True Crime books are in the third person (don’t read them, but have seen a couple, so not sure on this as a fact). They are also told from the author’s point of view, not the criminal’s. So if this is of interest, find someone – an attorney, an old reporter or someone else who was a part of the original scenario and work on a joint venture / collaboration.

        Same with other types of books and projects you have going. Find what’s popular that’s close to what you are trying to get out there. Then team up with others to fine tune what you have and get it out in the right format.

        In the meantime, do what works – sell what you know people want - to bring in the $$ to pay bills.
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          And when you're doing that market research, don't believe everything you hear. People fib.

          I wrote an ebook on a travel niche I thought would be pretty good. In fact, I found several forums where people were asking for the information I wanted to cover, and offering to pay for it.

          They lied.

          I won't call it a complete waste of time for two reasons.

          The research I did in actually compiling the ebook filled in gaps in my own knowledge I would have spent time filling anyway.

          More important, the lesson sunk in that what people say with their wallets is far more important from a marketing standpoint than what they say with their mouths or keyboards.
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  • Profile picture of the author vorales
    Good Post Bev. You are right, no point of taking action if take the wrong action.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnReese
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      • Profile picture of the author Elmer Hurlstone
        Passion is a great thing.

        Writers, inventors and--most--mothers have it. We all believe in our "baby". It comes from our very core.

        Like everyone with passion many writers and product developers are so wrapped up in "the project" that they can't conceive that everyone else in their particular world isn't equally enamored.

        "If I build (write, develop, etc.) it they will come..." is great for the movies.

        Like most fantasy it doesn't hold true in real life.

        Elmer Hurlstone
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Chris
        Originally Posted by JohnReese View Post

        Time is somethiang you can nefer get back wo o use it wisely.
        Okay, this is pissing me off. I have to leave soon, so I can't deal with you properly.

        Why are you trying to impersonate John Reese?

        John would never post any poorly written crap like that!

        Get over yourself.

        -Michael

        PS Don't say your not... you list Florida as your state and you link to his site in your profile. Get a life!
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        Internet Business Is Like An Onion... It Has Many Layers... And Sometimes It Stinks.
        Cook it for awhile in some nice butter or olive oil and you might be onto something!

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  • Profile picture of the author clawson44
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  • Profile picture of the author MommyEnterprises
    I waste quite a bit of time because I am easily distracted. Working from home has advantages, but then it has downfalls too! Being a mom of 4, I get distracted quite often.
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    Stefani
    Mommy Enterprises
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