I have an idea for a book that I would like to write and sell over the internet. Upon researching the issue I have found free information available on the subject. Should I still pursue this idea? Will people pay for something that is free?
I would suggest if you are wrting a book on a subject that is already covered by the net ..
and what isn't? ...write it directed at
a specific group or niche ..without knowing
what the book is about it is hard to point one in the right direction.
btw ... a booklet is a great way to get started in the writing field ......
I want to write a booklet on how to sell your home with out using a realtor. I did it and was successful and would like to help others. There is some info out there for free...but this would be from my perspective. Now do you have any words of advice? Thanks in advance!
Your booklet idea sounds good but let me caution you on one thing: It may be hard to identify and target your market. In addion you should be able to answer these questions before you begin writing the booklet:
1) How much do you need to make from the sell of the booklet in order for it to be worthwhile?
2) What format will your manual take? Electronic or Printed? Or both?
3) Will you be able to charge enough to have sufficent markup to make a decent per copy profit?
4) Is anyone else selling a similar product? Are they successful?
5) Are there marketing vehicles currently in place that will allow you to reach your market?
6) How big is the pool of prospects?
7) Is this pool big enough to support your answer to #1 above?
8) Can you reach this market cost effectively?
9) Can you come up with a backend product that you can sell to your customers or is this a one time only sell?
Let's begin with the principles of *why* people buy. They are:
Need ~ Which is obvious. They need a toaster, a car, clothes, etc.
Greed ~ Which is the next step up. Just like a child wanting an ice cream cone after seeing another child with one. Or constantly believing the *Grass is always greener* concept. This is a MAJOR factor in WHY people purchase. They will always have a need for something bigger, better stronger, faster or *New and Improved*!!!
Fear ~ The fear of something is a highly under rated selling concept. People fear the loss of money, health, friendship, material possesions. Many even fear the loss of Heaven. Fear is a TREMENDOUS motivator!!!
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To answer your question of whether you should write the book on *Selling Your Home On Your Own*... Certainly you should!!! (With a different title of course!!!) :-)
People will purchase it if you cater to at least one if not all three of the motivators listed above.
Even if there is free info on the internet... Most are to lazy to research it for themselves. They want a nice, neat, tidy little booklet that will save them 6% to 8% on the sale of their home!!! People want *Easy*!!! Look at this below... (Not real great but an example)
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"Mike and Teresa Rodman saved $8,432.00 on the sale of their home!!!"
"Thanks to Lori and her book we were able to save over $8,000.00 in sales commissions!!! Definitely worth the twenty bucks we spent!!! It was easy!!! Anyone could do it!!! Thanks Lori!
Now we can put in the Hot Tub and Deck we've dreamed about!!!".... MIke Rodman, Wyoming
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POWERFUL STUFF!!!
People want to save time (Greed), Save money (Greed), Not pay others a ton of money if they don't have to (Fear), Hot tub and Decks (Need)
Cater to it all Lori... Go for it! You'd have a product that people are interested in. You just need to learn how to hit the *Hot Buttons* of those prospects.
Call some of the FSBO's in your area. (For Sale By Owners) Ask them why they are selling on their own and why. Find out. Again... Powerful Stuff!!!
Information is a powerful tool Lori... Use it to your advantage.
You have a niche market, a product ready to be developed. Now see if it's viable.
You can also call homes that are listed already by realtors. And see if they would've been interested in a *Manual* so they could've saved *thousands* in realtor costs. And if they would have. Then what particular reason would make them purchase your book???
With that information... You now know how to *market* to that particular target niche!!!
Test your market Lori. See if you have a viable market first... Then produce your product. Not before.
This was a wild chance to run into a blog written by you. I have to say...Great job. If you ever get this...please respond. Love and miss you, Your sister, Susan Wissspurrr@aol.com
Dear Lori, Yes you should pursue. You have the idea. You did the research. Most people would rather buy the book than do the resaerch, if they even had the time or knew where to research. You may catch the attention of people interested in your subject, that weren't aware of their interest, prior to seeing your book. Please email me to let me know what you decide. I would like a copy(autoghraphed), without yet knowing the subject,I will buy a copy. I love books . If the subject isn't what I want, I will pass it on to someone else. I hope you Do It! you will never know the outcome if you don't. You have already gooten over the first hurdle, You have an idea for a book! Remember you already made your first sale! I hope this has encouraged you. Best Wishes!
PS. email atwt@ptdprolog.net Sincerely, Sandy
The Real Secret That Will Zing Your Sales In Any Subject...
July 18 1999, 11:56 AM
Hi Lori,
There is excellent advice in this thread, all of it relevant.
But your product will be more successful the more you personalise it.
By this I mean, that the more of your own experience you can bring to the product - booklet or info manual - the better it will sell.
Sure, you can research practically anything now over the internet and produce a booklet on it. but it will only come to life and gather good comment (essential for extended sales), once you can speak from your own experience.
This fact is the most underrated in marketing today.
Because of the anonymousness of internet marketing, your personality - the way you come across in print, your background, your experience - is one of the most essential success factors.
And so yes - people will pay for the free information that you've gathered on the subject, providing it links to your strong 'web personality'.