e-Business-Formula Internet Marketing Discussion Forum

[thebookmaker]

ok, so i wrote an ebook a few months back that has been selling steadily at a relatively low volume...(about ten units per month). because of this, i am beginning to think that maybe i should take a new direction with my marketing plan. i've seriously contemplated giving the book away for free and just relying on affiliate sales to generate income.

there is one particular product that goes "hand-in-hand" with the concept of my book, and seems to be gaining popularity. however, before i take this step, i would love to hear some ideas about how to market free ebooks effectively. i don't want to diminish the perceived value of my book only to see that giving it away doesn't produce greater results.

for those of you who have some experience, i would definitely appreciate your honest opinions.

thanks

[Kevin Robb]

Hi "Bookmaker"

We are happy to help but how about an introduction first so we know who we are conversing with

Perhaps you could provide us with a URL so we can evaluate your product a little more before passing judgement and offering some advice.

Cheers

Kevin Robb

[zedbiz]

Show us your sales page,and how you are marketing it now. Then we can give some constructive advice.

As for Free ebooks - there are many places on the net to distribute them, but the best is the same type of marketing plan as you would for a paid book, but instead give it to them for free.
Jack

[thebookmaker]

oops!

sorry guys, i guess i jumped the gun.
i just left a post on the intro's forum.

so, the url is www.myspaceincomestream.com

all constructive criticism is welcome.

thanks again,
Ej

[Steve MacLellan]

Hi EJ,

You said:
[quote]all constructive criticism is welcome[/quote]

I saw the word W**** and closed my browser tab.

I worked at places when I was starting out in the workforce where colorful language flowed freely, unchecked. And this is only my opinion, but I don't feel it has a place in business.

I couldn't offer any other advice than this... as I said, I stopped reading as soon as I saw that.

Regards,
Steve MacLellan

[Thumperfive]

I have to agree with the above - while common courtesy is pretty rare in the public eye these days, there are still some words that are offensive - and given that half the surfers who would visit your site are women, it's just not an appropriate word.

might as well be using the "c" word...

*shrugs*

[thebookmaker]

great!

i definitely do welcome all your opinions, and i appreciate your honesty. you know, i did contemplate using that wording just because of the exact reasons you both explained, but believe it or not, my sales actually increased because of it. i've been bouncing back and forth between keeping the sales page the way it is or changing the wording back to the "less offensive" type. i think that i continued with it, because i wasn't motivated or creative enough to come up with an alternative.

if i did offend you, then i do apologize. it's unfortunate, but that phrase is very common in the myspace community and has taken on a meaning of its own. nevertheless, i went ahead and changed the pitch page, so feel free to "roast" it without having to read through any other profanity.

thanks again,
ej

[Kevin Robb]

Hi EJ,

I agree with the other posters here in regards to the language used on your site, however...

It is acknowledged that the use of such language is common within the MySpace community but two things come to mind:

1) Are existing MySpace users your only potential market?

and ...

2) How many people that are currently not MySpace users might be interested in your product but are turned off purchasing your product because of the language used?

Remember that you only have a few seconds to capture your website visitors attention, do it wrong and they are gone forever...Steve's comments above proves what I am saying.

You might have the best product in the world but your visitors will never know that if you scare them away in the first few moments they visit your site.

It was constructive criticism that you asked for so I trust you see our comments in that light.

As an aside if you want to send me a copy of your book I would be happy to review it for you and pass an honest opinion as to it's content, who knows you may even get a testimonial

Cheers

Kevin Robb

[thebookmaker]

Kevin,

I really do appreciate an type of input that you or any other members offer. As I mentioned earlier, I expect to hear some criticism, so long as it helps me improve my focus or direction. Everything that you guys mentioned is awesome...really, take your best shot..."roast" my sales page if you have to. I need to hear this stuff, so I can get better at this.

As for the free copy...no problem. If want to send me a private email with your mailbox address, I'll be happy to send you one.

Thanks again,
Ej

[jimmys devoted]

I am not so easily offended atlanguage. Its really just amatter of personal offence. But tempering it just atad for futire customers would be abit better.
Not onto whats really going on withyourmarketing.
You ahve anumber fo off web options open to you.
You could put an article ina newspaper about what yu ahve written to drive traffic to your sales.
You coudl print up afew volumes and arrange for abook signing to generate future or reserved sales.
Granted that abit expensive but sales are immediate.

You could start a matching website. and lets not forget up;odaing sample chapters ot google who link to your sales.