I’ve been a subscriber of the Jim Edwards I Gotta Tell You Newsletter for some time now and I gotta tell you, it’s an awesome newsletter.
His newsletters are always packed with valuable information detailing ways to get more traffic to your site, list building techniques, how to write and profit from ebooks, and a ton more. What I really like about this guy is he simply shows you how he makes millions of dollars himself, many times through free webinars.
His latest newsletter, just emailed to me last night, talks about 7 mistakes many ebook authors make. It’s a fantastic article and a must read if you’re ever considering writing your own ebook (as is his newsletter). With his permission, I am reprinting it here for you to read.
For full disclosure, please note that the links in this article to his ebook, eBook Secrets Exposed are affiliate links. I did, however, purchase this ebook myself and think it’s packed with great information for ebook writers.
And if you’re looking for an ebook packed with a ton more information about writing and publishing your very own ebook, you might like to check out his other book, How to Write and Publish your own eBook… in as little as 7 Days. That, my friends, was an awesome book and I highly recommend it.
Ok enough jibber jabbering. Here’s the article – enjoy!
eBooks are the hottest thing going on the Web right now!
Authors with the entrepreneurial instinct are making anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars per month – that’s right, per month – by selling ebooks
online.
Why are some authors doing so much better than others?
We’ve discovered seven key mistakes that most ebook authors make (and in doing so, hold themselves back from major success):
1. They don’t write to a specific, target audience.
The biggest mistake most ebook authors make is they don’t clearly define, identify and visualize who they are selling their ebook to. On the Web, to be successful, you must
write to a specific group of people who have specific interests. Make sure that you know exactly who is going to buy your ebook, and where you can find them online.
2. They don’t automate as many of their business activities as possible.
Selling ebooks, though it is highly profitable, is not a business where you make hundreds of dollars per sale.
Automate everything you can – credit card processing, ebook delivery, as much technical support as possible. If you can’t automate a function, delegate it to someone else.
3. They don’t have a compelling title for their ebook.
Use words that convey the benefit of what’s in the ebook, as well as words your audience is familiar with.
A bad title for an ebook: “Online Marketing for Newbies.” A good title for the same book: “97 Ways to Promote Your Website – No Experience Required.”
4. They try to cover too much ground.
Many ebook authors convey a lot of information but don’t cover anything in-depth. As a result, they never fully explain anything in enough detail to provide any useful value to their readers. This is a very bad mistake to make, especially when it comes to how-to ebooks, which happen to be the best type to write.
5. They are not proactive in their marketing.
It would be nice if marketing for your ebook simply happened on its own – but it doesn’t. You have to do it yourself.
After you’ve promoted your ebook to the people on your own mailing list (if you have one), then you have to contact other Website owners and persuade them to be your affiliates. You should do this continually.
6. They don’t differentiate their ebook from its competitors.
When you choose your topic, even if there are a hundred other ebooks out there on same general subject, choose an angle for yours that will make it easy for yours to be distinguished from the others.
For example, right now job-hunting ebooks are very popular. There are dozens that are big sellers. “Secrets of Breaking Into Pharmaceutical Sales” has a very specific title that sets it apart from the competition, and is aimed at a clearly identified target audience.
Incidentally, it’s selling very well itself.
7. They write ebooks that nobody will pay for.
Many ebook authors write about information that either people can get for free, or that people are not actually interested in enough to pay for the information.
Before you invest weeks or months into the writing of your ebook, invest a little time investigating whether other ebooks in the same subject area are selling on the Web.
So, there you have it – the seven big mistakes to avoid. Remember, the opportunities are plentiful – and huge – right now for anyone who wants to become a best-selling ebook author.
Simply use common sense, follow our advice, and let your literary career flourish!
Jim Edwards and David Garfinkel are co-authors of “eBook Secrets Exposed: How to Make Massive Amounts of Money in Record Time With Your Own eBook (whether you wrote it or not!),” the authoritative guide to publishing and marketing ebooks on the Web.
Guerrilla Marketing author Jay Conrad Levinson says, “If there ever was a ‘must-read’ for this century, it’s this book.” For more information:
Click here ==> eBook Secrets Exposed
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:44 am
I agree, these e-books authors are simply providing too general and already available knowledge. It is not worthy of our time since they even charge us money.
Rian´s last blog ..Efren Penaflorida is 2009 CNN Hero of the Year
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Hi Rian. Agreed, too general sucks. As with most information contained in ebooks, you can find the info on the web unless it talks about personal experiences, but what makes it worth buying is when it’s all laid out properly and gives you specific things to do.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Hi John – I like the Seven Day Ebook. I started using it to write an ebook earlier in the year but my life kind of went wrong, so I didn’t finish it yet. But I will.
And I’ll definitely be subscribing to the newsletter too. I see some of those mistakes happen a lot. And I know some really good writers who just don’t have good enough titles to make folk want to buy. Then there’s others who will bring out one book after another but it’s not stuff anyone really wants to buy.
I feel bad for people who do that because they really believe they’ve written the next big thing.
I just hope I pick the right titles and topics myself. It’s really hard to judge your own stuff. I’ve written info products before but a long time ago, when there was much less competition on the net.
BTW – I’ll get that IP address we talked about and email you it later in the morning. I’m only awake cos the rain woke me. Ta.
Cath Lawson´s last blog ..2 Things A New Business Must Do
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Hey Cath. As I recall, I purchased the 7 Day ebook from your site. It really is packed with a lot of great info. I worry sometimes about the ebook I’m just now finishing up – a WordPress security ebook.
It’s the kind of book every WordPress blogger “should” buy and learn, but many don’t think is that serious until something happens to their blog. Plus, that stuff isn’t fun, nor does it make them money (unless they resell the ebook).
You’re such a good person, Cath, and it really sucks how bad of a year you and your family has had, but there’s always a horizon.
Thanks for stopping by. I really need to visit my circle of blogs in my RSS reader. To be honest, I’ve just been a little lazy lately and not allowing myself enough time to diversify my work.
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
This just might make me go into pharmaceutical sales!
But seriously, as you may know I have quite a few blogging buddies. Two of them have already published e-books and when I hear about others planning to publish theirs I will for sure direct then to this post, John. Thanks!
Ans as to your comment to Cath “…many don’t think [blog security] is that serious until something happens to their blog.” Ain’t that the truth!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
It’s so true, Jannie … so true.
I like your first comment, “This just might make me go into pharmaceutical sales!”
Hey, it makes me just wanna go be a garbage disposal assistant inspector or something. How bout that one!