I am planning on putting an eBook that I currently sell as a pdf through Paypal into Amazon in the hopes of getting more exposure, good reviews and the implied Amazon legitimacy that goes with it. Of course, the problem with selling it on Amazon as an eBook is that it is only in the kindle format, which will limit its audience. Here's my question: is there another legitimate site out there that will sell my eBook in a format, such as pdf, that is more generalized so that almost any Windows (or Linux for that matter) user can read it right on his computer? I don't think Barnes and Noble or eBooks will work as it looks like they only work with established authors and I've just been selling my book (rather sporadically) on my site. Is there a respectable site out there that will take my book as is somehow?
I'm in exactly the same boat as you are. How many people really use Kindle? I don't know anyone or have seen or heard of anyone using it. I guess that doesn't matter as long as I get sales from it and if Amazon is pushing it than it must be selling.
Well, yes, I agree that there's no real reason not to sell kindle. You've got nowhere to go but up if you're a small guy. But I really want to do BOTH. In other words, I'd like to sell kindle books on Amazon and pdf (or whatever) format on some other legitimate site if there is such a thing. Any suggestions?
Why don't you try setup the site yourself and sell it. By doing so,you can save on the commission take by middle man. Did you try payloadz?
I am already selling it on my site. But I feel like if I put it on Amazon, it has a more "legitimate" feel to it, esp. when you factor in a few good reviews, etc. Plus, they are buying through Amazon which will make a lot of buyers feel more comfortable from square one.
Tell me more about payloadz if you can. Have they been around for a long time and do they handle transactions very cleanly and reliably? I was hoping to get someone with a household reputation type of name. For example, ebay used to sell ebooks but don't any more. Well, actually, I believe you can sell it on a CD on ebay, but that's kind of weird. Anyway, that would have been perfect but they no longer offer that service... Any ideas are much appreciated...
There are still a couple ways around eBay limitations. You can offer a book on CD with a *Bonus* downloadable copy upon payment. This plays to your buyers desire for instant gratification. Most people don't really care if you send the CD or not. I only sent about one out of every 20 sales. There's also the Classified Ad option that eBay offers you. I think it's $9.99 for a month long ad, but it has to redirect to your sales page. Almost everyone uses their own code to offer their item directly from the eBay page. But if you get caught doing this they will pull your ad. I sold an ebook there a couple of times, but had alot of trouble getting the auctions to stick. The book was an expose describing a method used on eBay and the sellers of these items were forever reporting my ads for one infraction or another and getting them pulled. Since they didn't want their "secret methods" revealed. Just a little FYI
The "bonus downloadable copy" idea sounds great! I appreciate your taking time as I think that would work. I'm not very ebay-savvy. I went onto eBay and looked for "ebook bonus" and didn't have any luck. Do you have a link with an example so I could see how it would work? Also, do you know if emailing the bonus copy is okay versus downloading it? Or would that bring the wrath of the gods? Oh, and also how do I keep from having to do international mailings?!?
Emailing the ebook or downloading are both the same in the eyes of the eBay gods. They call it digital delivery and it's definitely a no-no. Your auction has to offer and people have to be bidding on an actual physical item even tho most buyers just want to download an ebook and be done with it. I would always offer FREE shipping on the CD since I hardly ever actually mailed one. When I did, SmallPotatoes is right, it was only about a buck. International mailing couldn't be much more. If you do ship it just do it the cheapest, slowest way possible.
Thx so much. I went through and looked at a couple of ebooks on ebay and here is what I see: 1. It looks like you can put it on ebay with a Buy Now button instead of putting it to auction or at least I saw an ebook with that but you have to say "Such and Such eBook CD". 2. It looks like you have to put a time limit on it even though there is no real auction going on, right? 3. In the "Buy It Now" box, there is a place where it says "You can also...". I could put in here, I assume, "You can also receive by email (or download) by blah blah blah", right? Sorry to ask these specific questions, but I want to do everything right so that I don't get whacked...