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Claude Whitacre got me writing my first Kindle book

by ewenmack
23 replies
Claude opened my eyes to writing a book for Kindle.

However I didn't see a subject in me.

2 nights ago I listened to this Podcast How To Publish Your First Kindle With Special Guest John Carlton
in which John Carlton, the copywriter, was telling his experiences.

He made it seem much more easier in terms of not being constrained
by what we know as a print book.

Ok, I still had to find a subject.

Then it struck me.

Write about what people mostly come to me for...
fixing their ads.

And all I have to have is a book on my case studies,
those challenges and how I set about fixing them.

Cool.

No books on the subject and despite all the books on ad writing and marketing,
people still have challenges when it comes to writing their own ads.

They can see how other peoples problems were fixed and
how one of the many examples could apply to them.

It's not a long slog on how to do things.

Many people learn by example.

And if they are still struggling they are shown how
they can contact me for assistance.

And unlike traditional publishers, we control the number
and types of offers we put into it.

Went straight to work after listening to that Podcast.
Got the title and Introduction chapter written the same night.

On to the first chapter now.

Well worth your while to listen to the Podcast and you may find
your aha moment as far as the subject to write on, like I did.

Best,
Ewen
#book #claude #kindle #whittaker #writing
  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    I want to release a kindle book too as well down the road. I'm real excited to see you doing it and make sure to put it in your sig. I'll let my members know about it for sure when you have it out.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

      I want to release a kindle book too as well down the road. I'm real excited to see you doing it and make sure to put it in your sig. I'll let my members know about it for sure when you have it out.
      Thank you.

      I gotta tell you it's nowhere as difficult as I first thought.

      The reason is because it's drawing up from my memory of what I had to go through for my clients.

      And writing like I do here.

      Non of the proper grammar crap you were taught at school.

      So it sets you free to write, or type, as you damn well want!

      What subject are you thinking of writing about?

      Best,
      Ewen
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      • Profile picture of the author patadeperro
        May I suggest you to make a printing version of your book? people still gives a lot of value to the tangible items and you can use it as a lead generation tool, here is an idea: go to linkedin and go to the groups of industries you want to help (carpet cleaners for instance) and send your book to the directors, CEO and ask them for their opinion or feedback, after that tell them if you can contact them again to get their feedback more than one will be willing to start a project with you, you have the doors wide open.

        And this is where you can print your books on demand, it is a company from Amazon:

        https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/
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        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          Originally Posted by patadeperro View Post

          May I suggest you to make a printing version of your book? people still gives a lot of value to the tangible items and you can use it as a lead generation tool, here is an idea: go to linkedin and go to the groups of industries you want to help (carpet cleaners for instance) and send your book to the directors, CEO and ask them for their opinion or feedback, after that tell them if you can contact them again to get their feedback more than one will be willing to start a project with you, you have the doors wide open.

          And this is where you can print your books on demand, it is a company from Amazon:

          https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/
          Yes I'm fully aware of Create Space, been in there.

          Great idea about Linkedin.

          Thank you.

          Best,
          Ewen
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      • Profile picture of the author bob ross
        Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

        Thank you.

        I gotta tell you it's nowhere as difficult as I first thought.

        The reason is because it's drawing up from my memory of what I had to go through for my clients.

        And writing like I do here.

        Non of the proper grammar crap you were taught at school.

        So it sets you free to write, or type, as you damn well want!

        What subject are you thinking of writing about?

        Best,
        Ewen
        Right, it's only intimidating to think about but once you actually get to it it's pretty easy to put together. I find that getting all the parts and chatpers together first makes the whole process easier.

        If I can get the table of contents all determined first, it's pretty easy to pound the content.

        Personally, I'd like to release a kindle book that helps small business owners advertise effectively on the cheap.
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        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

          Right, it's only intimidating to think about but once you actually get to it it's pretty easy to put together. I find that getting all the parts and chatpers together first makes the whole process easier.

          If I can get the table of contents all determined first, it's pretty easy to pound the content.

          Personally, I'd like to release a kindle book that helps small business owners advertise effectively on the cheap.
          Oh that would naturally lead to giant postcards which they
          can get design and printing through you.

          Yes!

          Best,
          Ewen
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          • Profile picture of the author bob ross
            Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

            Oh that would naturally lead to giant postcards which they
            can get design and printing through you.

            Yes!

            Best,
            Ewen
            and rack cards, brochures, flyers, business cards, letterhead, notepads, mailing services, design services, LOL!

            With you, I'm sure you'll get copywriting work out of it. Kindle does seem like a great place to get your product to the masses efficiently.
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            • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
              Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

              and rack cards, brochures, flyers, business cards, letterhead, notepads, mailing services, design services, LOL!

              With you, I'm sure you'll get copywriting work out of it. Kindle does seem like a great place to get your product to the masses efficiently.
              Really it's being paid to advertise when you think about it.

              You can have a new offer at the end of each chapter!

              Yeah the printing lead in will be massive for you...
              all recurring biz.

              Way to go!

              Best,
              Ewen
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        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          Originally Posted by bob ross View Post


          Personally, I'd like to release a kindle book that helps small business owners advertise effectively on the cheap.
          Here's your book title...

          ----------------------------------------------
          Big Money Little Ads
          Because you deserve to know the inside secrets
          ----------------------------------------------

          Best,
          Ewen
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          • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
            Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

            Thank you.

            I gotta tell you it's nowhere as difficult as I first thought.

            The reason is because it's drawing up from my memory of what I had to go through for my clients.

            And writing like I do here.

            Non of the proper grammar crap you were taught at school.

            So it sets you free to write, or type, as you damn well want!
            Getting started is the hard part.

            Keep on keeping on like you're doing, Ewen, but when you've finished the book, if you don't mind a suggestion, get someone else to edit it. You could proof your book a dozen times but even an average editor will find mistakes you missed. I speak from experience.

            You probably know that already, but there may be others you've inspired to write a book who wouldn't do that.

            Find someone you work well with. My editor doesn't go crazy and try to make everything grammatically perfect. That's important to me because sometimes I say things imperfectly intentionally. She does just enough to keep from looking dumb.

            Go get 'em, Ewen!
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            Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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            • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
              Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

              Keep on keeping on like you're doing, Ewen, but when you've finished the book, if you don't mind a suggestion, get someone else to edit it.
              Thanks Dennis.

              Have a copywriter, who has a sharp eye for details, offered to keep out
              my dumb mistakes from the finished book.

              Best,
              Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author Kilterman
    Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

    Claude opened my eyes to writing a book for Kindle.

    However I didn't see a subject in me.

    2 nights ago I listened to this Podcast How To Publish Your First Kindle With Special Guest John Carlton
    in which John Carlton, the copywriter, was telling his experiences.

    He made it seem much more easier in terms of not being constrained
    by what we know as a print book.

    Ok, I still had to find a subject.

    Then it struck me.

    Write about what people mostly come to me for...
    fixing their ads.

    And all I have to have is a book on my case studies,
    those challenges and how I set about fixing them.

    Cool.

    No books on the subject and despite all the books on ad writing and marketing,
    people still have challenges when it comes to writing their own ads.

    They can see how other peoples problems were fixed and
    how one of the many examples could apply to them.

    It's not a long slog on how to do things.

    Many people learn by example.

    And if they are still struggling they are shown how
    they can contact me for assistance.

    And unlike traditional publishers, we control the number
    and types of offers we put into it.

    Went straight to work after listening to that Podcast.
    Got the title and Introduction chapter written.

    On to the first chapter now.

    Well worth your while to listen to the Podcast and you may find
    your aha moment as far as the subject to write on, like I did.

    Best,
    Ewen

    Not going to lie Ewen. I would buy it. I lurk around your posts as you seem like silent genius. I am definitely a fan and you inspire me with your posts / thoughts even when you don't intend to. There is many brilliant folks around these forums and I consider you one near the top.

    Please make this book.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Originally Posted by Kilterman View Post

      Not going to lie Ewen. I would buy it. I lurk around your posts as you seem like silent genius. I am definitely a fan and you inspire me with your posts / thoughts even when you don't intend to. There is many brilliant folks around these forums and I consider you one near the top.

      Please make this book.
      Thank you.

      It's just something I love doing and
      that Podcast help me get the subject nailed.

      So with all the interest and support
      as well as my already excitement about putting some of my stored up knowledge in one place, It's going to happen!

      Thank you again.

      Best,
      Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    The funny thing is...if you had made a post here and asked what your book should be about - many of us would have told you the answer you worked so hard to find! Your posts here about fixing advertising is largely what we know you for.

    It is interesting - we are all these multi-layered people in real life but all those layers can get in our way. When you said what you finally picked as a subject I thought "Duh! That is EXACTLY what you should write about."

    The more regular members here could probably all tell each other what to write a book about.

    Thanks for posting Ewen - your book is going to be great.
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    Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Duh moment indeed!

      I think there is something magical
      when you discover it yourself in
      a flashing moment rather than slogging it out.

      I didn't give much thought on a topic
      before.

      It would be interesting if members could
      find a subject that they think is right for others.

      Worth a shot for others to put forward.

      Best,
      Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    Let's start with someone who posted on this thread:

    bob ross = "How to win BIG with Direct Mail for your small business" <--- Super valuable to the average business owner I consult with.
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    Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Originally Posted by Dan McCoy View Post

      Let's start with someone who posted on this thread:

      bob ross = "How to win BIG with Direct Mail for your small business" <--- Super valuable to the average business owner I consult with.
      Bob has already got the subject nailed,
      which is the hardest part.

      Yes he may like ideas for the title,
      just may make him put it out faster!

      Best,
      Ewen
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Ewen; First, thanks for the mention.

        Make sure you don't just turn the book into one long ad for your services. Give great content, and maybe a last chapter on "Should you do this yourself?" or something similar. An offer on the last page.

        But you have to give great content first. I know you know this.

        One of the keys to lots of Kindle sales is that people give you great reviews. Great reviews sell books. If you have a real bad review among the first few reviews...your sales are dead.

        And used the KDP program to give away free copies of your book. It really helps the paid sales. And it gets you reviews.

        There are dozens of websites that will list a free Kindle book...for free.
        And select worldwide distribution. Every month somebody in some other country buys a boat load of books from me, maybe to pass out to employees or clients. Amazon will handle all the distribution for you.

        And write multiple books on related subjects. Having 3 good books out there will sell 10 times as many copies as one book.

        One thing I see that I don't understand...and author will write a Kindle book on bee keeping, flower arranging, teaching a deaf child, making deserts out of cabbage....that sort of thing. No book sells the other books.

        Each book is a sales letter for your other books. And they are all sales letters for your services.

        Wow! It's 2:38 in the morning! Bye.
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        One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

        What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
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  • Profile picture of the author PanteraIM
    I have been thinking about this on and off for awhile, too.

    What Claude says is right; reviews sell, and one negative review can kill all your future business.

    I've noticed that they often start with an idea at the start of the book and repeat it throughout the various chapters while keeping its' narrow focus.
    There's also no room for fluff or useless conjecture: it's just value, value, value.

    Claude has it down with his content and kindle marketing, each form of media funnels into the next that leads to real offline customers.
    Have you considered writing a book about kindle/content marketing, Claude? There's a few of us that would lap that up without thinking.
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    you cant hold no groove if you ain't got no pocket.

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