I wrote a book and now am ready to get it published. I really don't want to go the ebook route to start. I like the idea of someone buying a book and having an actual copy of it in their hands. Question is my site computerrepairbusiness.net is setup and ready to go. But, I don't want it to come across as some junk marketing scam like so many out there. Anyone have an idea of another way to go about it? Thks
I guess my post was vague. I know how to get it published and will be sending in off in a few weeks to get that done. Was wondering if maybe I should be going a different direction with the site in order to get sales. Like I said don't want it to come across as just BS...
There are a couple paths that you could go. Technically if you wish to have a printed book only, you could go by the traditional book sale places (Amazon, B&N, etc) and that would get you an immediate degree of professionalism that you are looking for. While I've never gone that route, I read that obtaining an ISBN number and such was relatively easy. If you want to advertise the book via your website with your initial goals in mind, I'd instead focus on a professional site layout instead of the single sales page, and point them to Amazon/B&N/etc as your sales link. I think that an ebook can be pitched professionally, it's all in the content/intent of the book, the sales copy and how the copy is written. I think you have some good ideas with your initial page, but as it is written, it does have the appearance of the typical marketing push. But it doesn't have to be that way. Again, it's all in the copy. HTH -Ray
Ray...appreciate the comments. Don't think im' gonna do the ISBN deal. I know how to do it but it runs like $300 for it if you own the ISBN number. That is half the amount just to publish the book. It's well written i've had it proofed by some professionals and it's about 130 pages of content. Plus, i'm gonna have downloads of actual proposals, business plan, etc. Guess maybe I need to change the look of the site.
Yeah "hand" honestly you have to change the look of the site, looks too pushy and to be honest with you as humans have actually 1 sec time frame of knowing if a site is professional or not by just looking at the design and everything else. Work on that first impression of your site is every important, not everybody has the time to check everything or read thru everything either unless they are comfortable with design and your approach. Good Luck!
501....thks for your respons also. I actually thought I had a good look going to the site no i guess i'll have to find some different design to go with.
Hand, I published one of my books via lulu.com. They will issue you with an ISBN number and distribute your book to Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $99.95. Personally, I think you can make more of a profit going the eBook route.
I looked at lulu and the others. But, I am going with a publisher out of New York Endeavor Printing that seems like an honest guy. And he has helped me in the writing. I called lulu and about a half dozen others. Like the idea of being able to pick up the phone prior to selecting and he didn't have a big sales pitch but answered all my questions. I may also make it an e-book available for download but really want the published part to have also. It may be the only book I ever publish so I just want to do it right. And yes now that I look at the site more it does look like a sales letter. So it WILL be changed hopefully tonight.
I didn't want to say it but I think you'd have great success going the ebook route as well. I just didn't want to push much because it appeared that you had made up your mind. In all honesty, I feel you should go the complete opposite route of where you are going. I think you should stick with the sales pitch, just polish it up a bit. The content that you are providing (I read your site word for word) looks terrific and honestly THAT is what will differentiate you between being a fly-by-night and a professional. FYI - I've been an IT person for over 12 years with many years of personal consulting and mom-and-pop experience, and it really wouldn't have mattered how you pitched your website, back when I wanted to run my own shop I was desperately looking for the info that you provide and would have killed to have your book! Okay, maybe I wouldn't kill but I'd give my mom a charlie-horse or something. Anyway, if I were you, I'd go the exact opposite. I'd sell it mainly as an ebook with the option of paying more for a bound copy. I realize this may be tough if you feel committed to this guy and he'll only do them in bulk, but there are a few places out there that will print one-offs as you need them if I understand correctly. Again to summarize, I think you have a great product here, and it's the wording and the content that determines if you are a fly-by-night or a professional. In my experience, if someone is looking for specific content, and they stumble upon a one-page sales letter, it doesn't matter if they hate them or not they'll still take a few seconds to read it. Unless they only want free information in which they wouldn't by an ebook or a regular book. Some food for thought! -Ray
Ray, Really appreicate your input. I am not ruling out an e-book. But I do want to have the book itself also. But, yes i'll offer the ebook for a discounted price. It's not as much that I feel committed to the guy. And I have no doubt for a few less dollars I could go elsewhere. But, to me him answering the phone and being the owner vice a sales person persay and answering all my questions throughout it makes me more than willing to pay for his service. I can do an order for as small as "100" copies, which is what I plan on doing. If you want to elaborate on the "just polish it up a bit" feel free.. Like yourself been in the business for many years and I too would of been happy to pay for this type of content. Plus, I'm going to offer all the documents for download i.e. proposal, business plan, etc.. Here is what the book will consist of: Why a business Getting established Planning day/weekKeep documented notes Follow through Follow up Sweat small things Customer service Do it with a passion Warranties Resellers Outsourced Competition Marketing Web design Hiring techs Service contracts Proposals Software Home/Store Franchise/No franchise
The book obviously sounds very thorough. I would print the 100 copies as you say and go the ebook sales path as well. As for polishing the site up, I'm unfortunately no pro I only have my personal ideas. If you want, contact me via PM and we'll chat a bit.
I would tend to agree with RayH too. You should do both...sell the ebook and bound book. The ebook would obviously be cheaper, but you will probably find that more folks buy the ebook. As for the site, save the sales letter format for a landing page from Google Adwords or AdCenter. I would make the main site more informative. I would recommend you go more in the direction of one of these three authors. They all have the "give just enough free info to get you hooked" approach. Brian Tracy http://www.briantracy.com/ Dan S. Kennedy http://www.dankennedy.com/index.php Seth Godin http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/ I like Seth's approach the best (IMHO), Brian comes in second, and Dan's is okay, but I don't like how you can't pause/mute his autoplay video. I realize it is going to take a little more work, but it will definitely make you look more professional. Plus if you are going to offer up mock biz plans etc. then you need somewhere to display examples. Good luck with it. PurplePeeps
purplepeeps thks for the comments real good examples. Only problem I see is those people look like they publish and publish and publish. This will probably be my one and only unless I do updates to it. But, I will take what you said and somehow implement it into the equation....Again thks much
Make the site a nice looking blog that updates regularly with content relevant to whatever your book teaches. Best route to take.