-Jim Edwards

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
    http://www.thenetreporter.com
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Do you want to know an interesting fact about books on the Web?

People don’t buy them for their intrinsic worth, just to "own a book for their shelf".

They want to buy a solution to a problem or in plain terms, they want a solution to something… usually right now!

That means your ebook creation doesn’t need to run 300-400 pages.

I see ebooks doing very well with only fifty pages in length.

However, you probably don’t want to get down into the 10-20 page length unless it gives specific directions to buried treasure or gives so much of a "WOW" factor that length doesn’t matter.

So how can you really come up with an ebook in only a few days, even if you didn’t write it yourself?

Well I know four really quick, efficient ways to do just that, without sacrificing your entire life as a tortured author.

#1 - Your "Gold Mind"

First, if you know a subject really well, then just create an ebook using the knowledge in your head. (That’s what I did with my first 3 ebooks.)

If you don’t write that well, then put it together by recording it and getting it transcribed.

Then you edit the transcript or hire an editor to do it for you.

You can create an outline of the points to cover in the ebook and then use a dictation service or a software program to simply "talk out the ebook".

You simply talk out each point in detail using your mastery of the subject.

What you come up with may even surprise you greatly!

#2 - Hire An "Expert"

Second, if you don’t possess the specific expertise on a subject, you’ll want to find someone who does.

Then you will use the expert interview format to create content which can turn into a full-length ebook.

After you come up with a list of questions for the expert, you conduct the interview with a conference call and record it.

Then, as in the first method, a dictation service can turn it into a text version for you.

#3 - Buy Your Way In

A third way to create an ebook product involves buying resale rights to a book already written, or agreeing on a marketing deal with an author with an existing book /ebook.

Many people can write good books, but they simply don’t know how to market them.

This offers a "match made in heaven" for two talents to get together: your marketing ability + their writing ability.

You want to check carefully on three important points though, if you decide to buy resell rights for an ebook project.

1) First, how long ago did the ebook first appear online?

Does it appear "shopworn" from over-exposure or poor marketing?

2) How large a niche market does it target?

A long time ebook with a small niche might not make a good investment.  But if it looks like a lot of new people could use its content, then you might want to buy the resale rights.

3) Last, you want to honestly evaluate the ebook, whatever the age.

Do you like it? Does it contain good, up-to-date information?

Will it deliver on promises and make you feel like you got value for the price?

If you can answer yes to all three, then you probably found a good investment.

#4 - Outsource "The Whole Enchilada"

Finally, the fourth way to create an ebook involves hiring someone to first do research for you on a specific subject, and then hiring someone to write it for you.

You can find services on the Internet which will do the job for you and offer competitive bids based on your requirements.

CAUTION: You want to make sure that you own all rights to whatever content someone produces for you in a "work for hire" agreement.

I recommend using services which can automatically provide this type of agreement as part of the bidding process along with instructions on how to complete such an arrangement with a writer.

You want to remember one thing, no matter which one of the four approaches you use in creating your own ebook.

Your ebook must be of obvious VALUE to your target niche audience. So many people come out with fluff, B.S. and nonsense that when you deliver real, demonstrable VALUE to people, they remember!

That’s how you build up a loyal following of people who eagerly buy up every product you release.

That’s also how you build up a business that lasts for years and doesn’t end up just a flash in the pan (like most online businesses).
 
—-

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-step and click-by-click how to finally create your own money-making mini-sites…

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"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up
Your OWN Moneymaking ‘Mini’ Websites… Without Being a
Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying
Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!"

Click Here => http://www.MiniSiteCreator.com
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

      - by Jim Edwards

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
    http://www.thenetreporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

No matter what you sell online, you can sell more!

Simple surveys provide the fastest way to collect the information and marketing intelligence you need to make more sales.

Whether you sell gift baskets, software, custom homes, ebooks, DVDs, personal services, or even antiques, accept the fact that surveys pave the way to increased sales online.

First, by doing a survey before trying to sell people anything (or even create it in the first place), you don’t guess on what they want to buy.  They will flat out tell you!

Second, if you use a simple survey in the correct way, it can help you compile your own best prospect list.

Run the survey and compile a list of people who respond favorably to certain key questions regarding a product or service, just make sure the people taking your survey understand that you will contact them later.

Then offer them a special deal or advanced access to the product because they responded to the survey questions.

A simple survey also operates with several hidden psychological benefits for boosting your sales.

On the subconscious level for existing customers or prospects it shows them that you actually care about what they think.

Conducting a survey demonstrates your concern for what they really want, instead of just trying to force-feed them a one-size-fits-all product or service!  People appreciate that type of attitude and it shows up in increased sales for you down the road.

A simple survey also gets the audience thinking and wondering about WHY you did the survey in the first place.  "Will he bring out something really different and good?" "How can I get it?" "How much will it cost?" "Will it help me?"

The survey also builds anticipation for a product or service, even if you don’t offer it yet!

Doesn’t it sound great to get people mentally waiting in line so they can buy?

It all comes from just running a simple survey which asks their opinions.

Make sure you structure your survey questions properly to find out what you need to know, but avoid getting answers that will actually throw you off track.

You need to take a three pronged approach in designing your survey so you get the meaningful information you need.

First ask if they fall into a certain specialized group or interest like Realtor, gourmet chef, or thoroughbred racehorse trainer?

Then, if they do fall into your target niche, ask them what they specifically want to buy.

For example: a software developer could ask Realtors about their specific needs for prospecting software and if certain features were important or not.

The third type of question pinpoints the level of interest: very interested, kind of interested, or just barely interested.

By conducting your surveys this way, you not only get the valuable marketing intelligence you need, but you build goodwill and anticipation in the marketplace, along with a targeted prospect list to boot. What a deal!

–
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-step and click-by-click how to finally create your own money-making mini-sites…

-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up
Your OWN Moneymaking ‘Mini’ Websites… Without Being a
Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying
Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!"

Click Here => http://www.MiniSiteCreator.com
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

      - by Jim Edwards

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
    http://www.thenetreporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The things I did ten years ago on the Internet now belong in the Dark Ages.

Things I did five years ago seem quaint and so 2002, like my dad’s scanner (though he considers himself cutting edge with his old 20th century photos).  Even things I did last year seem out of date now.

I always stay on the edge wondering what will come out next to shake up things that work so well right now. Even basic websites can’t remain immune from the ever-changing world of the Internet.

The first trend I see for websites involves "video-only" landing pages.  I don’t mean web "infomercials" either.  I mean a landing page where the whole emphasis of the page focuses on the video as the star of the show.

It uses the same classic direct response advertising methods as a conventional "mini-site" to grab people. A video landing page uses a headline to grab attention combined with bullets to build further interest.  It then uses a call to action in the video and on the web page to entice people to take further action.

Now don’t fall into the trap of thinking that with video you don’t need to worry about length.  A twenty minute video would probably kill your sales.  You want a 3-5 minute video to fit in with what you offer on your website.

When properly scripted, the amount of content and sales information you can cram into even 3 minutes would amaze you.

The next trend started happening because of the Google "Slap!"  Google divides their search page into two sections, a free side on the left and a paid advertising side on the right.  A conflict develops when people go online to find content meet up with smart marketers want to develop leads from their paid ads on Google.

Google started getting complaints about forced opt-in pages and "sales pitch" websites and decided to "slap" those advertisers which don’t look like "real" (corporate) websites.

If you want to buy ads on Google and avoid the "slap", you must set up your site with what I call "stealth" content or, for lack of a better word, non-obvious content.  You can use content from places like Wikipedia.com, the public domain, and even your existing content. The key to success is to make sure that your website navigation remains somewhat inaccessible and not distracting (usually at the bottom of the page).

Bottom Line: You want Google’s content robot to come look at your site and see that you do offer content, but when your prospects visit the page they only see your sales message and must hunt for anything extra.

The third hot trend uses mini-site sales letters and blogs together for a double whammy effect in your marketing.  Let’s say you launch a new product.

First, you use a blog to build interest towards the launch day with videos, articles and relevant information.  You use the blog to create a dialogue, which builds over a fairly short period of time.

Next, you launch a mini-site that works as your 24/7 sales person to whom your blog refers people who want to find out more specifics on your product. Together your blog and mini-site keep prospects engaged and then sell them when they get into the buying mood.

As with any trend, these will change and adapt over time. But from my direct, day-to-day business experience online, smart online marketers - regardless of your business - will take heed of these trends and apply them to your online business right now.

–
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the
creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-
step and click-by-click how to finally create your own
money-making mini-sites…

-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up
Your OWN Moneymaking ‘Mini’ Websites… Without Being a
Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying
Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!"

Click Here => http://www.MiniSiteCreator.com
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

      - by Jim Edwards

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
    http://www.thenetreporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The following websites warrant a close look simply because
they rate so darn useful! In fact, you might just want to
tear this article out of the paper right now and put it up
on your fridge — because I know you’ll need it sooner or
later!

* Hard to Find 800 #’s *
Let’s face it. When you want customer support, it seems
like the phone number you need is the last phone number on
earth you can find, especially a toll-free support number.
Enter www.HardToFind800Numbers.com to the rescue.

The tag line on the site sums up the service, "You keep
them in business. Yet they hide from you. Until now."
Boasting 800 numbers for Microsoft, Amazon, eBay, Paypal
and more, the site makes it easier to avoid adding insult
to injury by paying per-minute for the privilege of waiting
on hold.

* Rentometer.com *
www.Rentometer.com enables you to compare rental rates on one
property or apartment against rents in the surrounding
area. The site uses a "mashup" with Google Maps to show not
only what other properties rent for, but their exact
locations relative to the property you entered.

The site rates especially useful for homeowners weighing
renting vs. selling their property and need a fast
thumbnail sketch of rental rates in the immediate area. Oh,
and if you currently rent, the site can give you an idea
whether your rental rate puts you at the top or bottom of
the local scale.

* DaFont.com *
Despite that fact that everyone typically only uses 2 or 3
different fonts (Arial and Times New Roman for me), a whole
world of cool and useful fonts exists online. Log on to
www.DaFont.com, browse through over 7,000 different fonts
separated by category, and then spice up your greeting
cards, web graphics and more.

Most of the fonts work with both PC and Mac, but the site
assumes you know how to install a font on your computer.
For PC, simply unzip the font in your Windows /Fonts/
directory. For Mac, consult your help files.

* OldVersion.com *
Ever upgraded to a newer version of a software product and
almost instantly regretted it? Log on to www.OldVersion.com and
download one of over 170+ common software programs with
upgrades that left people less than impressed.

For example, need to test your PDF file on an older version
of Acrobat Reader? OldVersion.com lets you dial back the
clock all the way to Acrobat Reader 2.0 (along with
versions 3-7).

* Any Chat - Anywhere *
If you like online chat, I’ll bet you maintain more that
one ID on multiple online chat services.  Well instead of
installing several different chat software programs or even
installing any software at all, you can use www.Meebo.com.

Meebo.com enables you to chat on MSN, AIM, Google Talk, and
Yahoo! with just your web browser and makes a great way to
chat either from either home or on the road.

* Convert File Formats *
www.Zamzar.com makes it easy to convert files from most popular
image, document and video formats into another. Previously
you had to scour the web to find an app to convert each
type of file, but Zamzar.com will convert files up to 100MB
in 4 steps at no charge (and my tests on Word docs and PDF
files proved very promising).

Well worth a look before you buy a piece of software just
to convert a single file from one format to another.

–
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the
creator of an amazing course that will teach you step-by-
step and click-by-click how to finally create your own
money-making mini-sites…

-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up
Your OWN Moneymaking ‘Mini’ Websites… Without Being a
Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying
Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!"

Click Here => http://www.MiniSiteCreator.com
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- by Jim Edwards

© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

There’s a mental "hump" over which everyone must jump before they buy anything online. It doesn’t matter what you sell, every single customer must throw a little switch in their minds before they pull out their credit card to buy. What makes them throw that mental switch? Anyone who buys anything online does so because of 2 basic emotions and one (or more) of four basic buying motivators.

People buy 99% of everything sold online for one of 4 basic reasons.

First, they buy because of money.

They buy based on how much money they can make or save as a result of purchasing. In fact, making money is the number one reason people buy just about any "info-product" online.

Now, you might say, "My product has nothing to do with making money! How does this help me?" Well, could you put a spin on your product that would help people save money or make money?

For example: if you sell anything to do with golf (equipment, videos, clothing, etc.) you could add a report that explains how to get more business by playing golf with clients. I bet Realtors, insurance agents, and investment advisors would buy whatever product you sold just to get the bonus report about making money while playing golf.

The second reason anybody buys online involves time and effort.

People simply don’t have enough hours in the day to get everything done. They buy products in the hope of saving a few minutes or alleviating some mundane task.

Saving time and effort is one of the reasons software sells so well online because people hope (sometimes in vain) to offload tasks to their computer.

Show people how your product saves them time and reduces effort and you’ve got a great angle to help increase sales.

The third reason people buy online is to escape either physical or mental pain.

Online pharmacies succeed, even though they represent a risky proposition, because people with physical problems need medicine and can’t afford to get it any other way (adding mental anguish to the mix).

One way to position your product or service to alleviate pain is by explaining how you take the worry out of the transaction. Explain how others put all the risk on the customer while you actually remove it through your guarantees, testimonials and proof that your product delivers as promised.

The fourth biggest reason people buy online revolves around the promise of increased popularity and social success.

Why do you think people buy stylish clothes, perfume, books on how to pick up women, or acne treatments? They buy these, and thousands of other things, because they want to feel better about themselves and operate more confidently in social situations!

You can help increase sales of just about any online item by explaining to your customers how smart they’ll look or how they can brag about the money they saved. No matter what you sell, take a little extra time to explain to your customers how they will look good and feel smart purchasing from you.

No matter which of these four buying motivators you invoke, two emotions will intensify their effectiveness: "fear" and "greed."

Normally fear in online selling revolves around fear of loss. Offline retailers try to invoke fear of loss by holding sales (deadlines with financial incentives), but they hold sales so often they lose much of their effectiveness (example: the weekly furniture ads on TV declaring once in a lifetime deals this weekend only).

Online, you can effectively use fear of loss by threatening to raise the price at any time, only offer a limited number of bonuses, or only make an offer good until a certain date.

Greed will also intensify the buying motivation by giving people a self-serving reason to buy now. Greed can be as simple as telling them how much money they can make / save as a result of making a purchase now as opposed to waiting.

But greed can also take a more emotional form where customers covet the feeling they’ll get by making purchase. Whether it’s a good feeling from buying a loved-one that perfect toy or gift, or the feeling of smug satisfaction from snagging one of the most popular gifts this holiday season, consumers are greedy for both material and emotional gain. Explain to them how they can satisfy their greed and you win!

Now, you might say, "Gee Jim, this sounds great, but I don’t see how all this comes together to sell online. Give me an example!"

Okay, let’s take one of the most mundane yet competitive items of the Christmas season: gift cards.

Everyone sells them, yet the marketing for gift cards both online and offline absolutely stinks. Retailers hawk gift cards by either hanging them on a rack or putting a button on their website that says "We have gift cards." Yet every single one of them misses an opportunity to cash-in with gift cards if they would just explain to people why they should buy in terms of the four motivators.

In fact, gift card retailers make the oldest and most fatal mistake in all of sales: selling on features rather than on benefits.

In other words, they try to sell based on what the gift cards do (let someone pick what they want) rather than on what gift cards do for the person who buys them. Gift cards actually help you save on gas (save money) because they don’t necessitate you driving all over town trying to chase down a gift (save time / avoid wasted effort) the person you’re buying for may not want anyway (mental pain of rejection). In fact, a gift card from a store your friend or loved one really likes will make your gift the most popular one under the tree (social success).

You can increase your online sales just by shifting the emphasis off what the product or service does and onto what it does for the person buying it, along with putting your message within the context of as many of the four main reasons people buy as you can.

Then, by intensifying your prospects’ desire through the effective use of fear and greed, you can truly explode your sales over the competition.

All it takes is a little bit of careful thought, some basic explanation to your customers, and the motivation to do a tiny bit more that others are willing to do in their marketing.

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"Finally! A Quick and Easy Way For YOU to Painlessly Set Up
Your OWN Moneymaking ‘Mini’ Websites… Without Being a
Computer Geek, Buying Expensive Software, or Paying
Outrageous Fees To A Webmaster!"

Click Here => http://www.MiniSiteCreator.com
-=-=-==-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-