Are you thinking about writing an eBook? Have you already written one? So, where is it now? Just sitting around on your computer waiting for you to discover how to market it? Do you have your own Website, a shopping cart, a way to accept payment? Are you ready to sit back and wait for the money to come rolling in? WRONG!
Just because "you build it" doesn't mean they're going to "come". These days it's getting harder than ever before to get people to notice you and the competition is intense. So what's an author to do? Actually, it's not as hard as you might think. There are tons of tools available to you - including Web 2.0 - to help you to market your book - and ramp up your sales. I have a few ideas here to help get your juices flowing. Add them to your sales plan, and use them as a starting point to help you get started on the road to success. First things first, start making a plan before you write one word of your eBook. You're probably never going to get rich from writing one E-book. You need to think big and you need to think ahead. Decide what your main goal is. You may think that your only goal is to make money, but, that goal will be much more meaningful if you can link it to a sincere desire to help others achieve success also. Your eBooks will send that message to everyone who reads them. So, before you start writing your first book, start thinking about your second book. And the first product you can tie into your first book, and the second, and then the third, and so on. So that, in effect, you will be writing a tutorial or set of lessons that will teach your readers everything they might need to know about your subject. The possibilities are endless. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. There are many different lessons and products that can be incorporated into your plan. Try brainstorming as many different ideas as you can. Write them all down. You may not use all of them in your first campaign, but they may inspire future plans. If you have difficulty coming up with ideas, surf the net. Google a few keywords that relate to your subject and see what comes up. Check out some of the sites and see what they are doing. You will get some real inspiration by doing this. For example, could you create a workbook or a set of lessons from your first E-book? How about creating an in depth audio file. What about contacting other experts in your industry and suggesting a joint venture.
Sell your book in bulk. If your book covers any one of a number of popular subjects - self-help or development, home improvement, business, religion - there are probably corporations, organizations or niche markets that are always on the look-out for inexpensive gifts or bonuses for their employees, clients or associates. Offer substantial discounts for orders of, say 50 or more. Your book could be just the ticket. Even if you feel like you're giving them away, what do you think sounds better? Selling one or two books at a time or selling box loads of them? After you have published one or two eBooks and become known as an established author, it's time to take things to the next level. Once you have proven yourself to be an expert, you may be able to be a presenter at seminars or workshops. Or fly all over the world speaking to people about your area of expertise. Or, if you don't like traveling or crowds, put together teleseminars or hold intimate boot camps. Creating joint ventures is the fastest and easiest way to leverage your expertise and start making money. Find other people in similar - but not competing industries as yours. Find ways to provide value to both your own customers as well as cross-selling or upwelling to your partners' customers. As an example, say you own a restaurant. How about collaborating with a local florist to create a special Valentine's Day promotion. Your restaurant could offer free drinks or desserts to any of the florist's customers who bring a special coupon (that you've provided to them) when they come to your restaurant. Your joint venture partner (the florist) gives you roses or carnations to give out to the women when their companion presents you with the special dessert coupon. Do you see how simple that is? Both parties are offering real value that makes their customers happy, and builds loyalty and trust. This also positions both of you as the first people your customers think of when they need flowers or want a romantic restaurant or a place to eat during a special occasion. Both of these results will bring in more sales. This plan works equally well with online ventures. You offer your customers a free product or service and then recommend them to your partner who will also offer them something for free. Both of you will also have other products to sell, and chances are good both of you will benefit. These are just a few suggestions that will help you to get started. But, first, make a plan, set a goal, write it down and get started.
Florence Lilly writes articles on a variety of subjects, including health and fitness, internet business, personal tips and much more. See her website at internet business tips
FLORENCE LILLY
Original source: http://www.amazines.com/EBooks/article_detail.cfm/448786?articleid=448786
