When I first started self-publishing and creating eBooks, I was all mixed up. I wanted to sell what I wanted to sell, whether people wanted to buy it or not *lol*. My hubby had a lot more experience in the retail industry than I did, so he kept telling me, “You can’t sell that one LaShanda, you have to sell the one that People Want to buy.” Being the stubborn gal that I can sometimes be, I stuck to my guns and pitched the Books I wanted to sell, until I bought a vendor table at the Harlem Book fair and got the biggest shock of my life!
The Solution: Create eBooks that People WANT or NEED to Buy
At the time all I wanted to do was sell my educational guide for Black Parents and Students, but all everybody else wanted was my cute, children’s book! Of course you know the hubby gave me the “I told you so look!” And that’s when it hit me! Whether you are selling print books or eBooks, you have to sell what people want to buy, NOT what you want to sell.
At the Harlem Book fair I realized that people wanted to buy my African American Children’s Book, that was the definitely the best seller of the bunch. On the flip side, online, people really want to buy my how-to eBooks for Entrepreneurs. Many entrepreneurs want and need to know what I know, which is why my eBook sales continue to increase every month.
The Question: How do you increase your eBook Sales?
If you really want to know how to create eBooks that sell, I suggest reading the one eBook that tells it all, “Desperate Buyers Only” by Alexis Dawes. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that this eBook was $77, but I grit my teeth and bought it because I NEEDED to hear what Alexis had to say and honestly, my purchase is a testament to her point. When you cater to desperate buyers, people who have problems that you can really fix, they are the easiest people to sell to because Need and Desire trump price every time.
Trust me when I say, simply knowing that you need to sell to desperate buyers, is not enough. In order to understand the system behind steady and increased eBook Sales, you have to read the book, “Desperate Buyers Only”. While you are reading, you feel like Alexis is taking you by the hand and giving you an all access, step by step understanding of how eBook Sales and Internet Marketing actually work.
As soon as you start, on the very first page, Alexis jumps into the how and why of creating eBooks that sell. She breaks down how you can:
- Find a Profitable Topic and a Target Audience who wants to Buy what You are Selling
- She Details Her Own Sales Copy, so you can see how to write down your pitch
- She goes over pricing and how you can charge big bucks for Free content
- She shows you how to research your topic and really connect with your buyers
- Plus her system can truly be applied to any Internet Marketing System, not just selling eBooks
Related Article by SistaSense: How to Create eBooks Online
Additional Tip: Use E-Junkie for ebook delivery and your affiliate program. It all ties into PayPal (or other payment processors) and it’s only $5 a month.
Comments
Just as Lavada suggested, its important to at least try BUT at the same time you have to be aware of who your target market is and if they are looking for your type of product or service. I would suggest looking for other eBooks or Coaching Services catering to teenagers around collection and career goals. As a matter of face, I do believe one of our members wrote something similar and she just submitted it to our eBooks Directory - http://mybbwo.com/page/ebooks-1
Market Research is important. People often ask me how I do so well selling my eBooks and apart of the equation was the fact that my eBooks are just answers to questions people are asking me... I kind of have a gut instinct they will sell because people tell me they are looking specifically for that type of information.
Is every day a great sales day, honestly NO. That's where good marketing, consistency, and developing other revenue streams comes in. All together, it works for me but that is not important. The key is to get started so you can figure out what works for you. -lh
I do understand where Lashanda is coming from. Just because you build it doesn't mean they will come. That is my biggest fear especially given my target market (teenagers) and product (education/motivation).
I do believe many people - including successful entrepreneurs - do things because it is something they hold dear, regardless of whether or not it is the popular thing to do. You are right about the packaging, I know I have good content, but I will need to step up the packaging and marketing to get the product out there.
Thanks for that!
For years I have felt like I have been missing something, no matter how happy I might be. I have had this unyielding desire to connect with young women and coach them on making passion based college and career choices. I have been fighting this desire for years because I didn't know what to do with it, but I can't quiet that pull in me and it keeps coming back - I am passionate about it. I have decided to listen and respond.
Writing a book is the way I have chosen to do this. Will it sell? I have NO idea, but I have to do it. There is no turning back for me.
Do you have any suggestions aside from buying the book you mentioned because it sounds like you're telling me I'm making a huge mistake and yet I can't help going full steam ahead and in fact am working on the last chapter - trying to include "words of inspiration" from women living their passions - oddly this is the hardest part because of lack of support from other successful women. You would think other accomplished women would want to offer words of encouragement and wisdom to our young girls to save them some of the hardships we have had to endure.
In any case, I hope to begin establishing myself as an expert- based on years of torturing myself with this. Funny enough I have a folder stuffed with information on this topic MORE than enough for the book I never intended to write, funny how God and the universe works in spite of ourselves.