The best way to sell your ideas is to give them away creatively

Posted by Jim in Affiliate Marketing, Creative Ideas, Email Marketing tips, Hot Niche Markets, inspiration 6 comments

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Question sent to me recently:  “A friend asked me how I thought he should sell his new ebook.  What advice would you give him?”

My reply:

I’ve sold nearly 100,000 copies of various information products and ebooks over the last several years so I’m a good guy to ask I suppose.  The secret to success selling ANY information comes down to two concepts in my opinion. First, learn the power of “free” and next learn to find and partner with INFLUENCERS.

For the sake of clarity, an ebook in this article is a simple download file that is most often a PDF file – easily read on any PC, Mac or reading device. I’m not talking about a book that requires an electronic book reader, although there’s no reason you can’t include any books or other information products in this discussion.

While doing all this BE SURE TO GROW YOUR OWN MAILING LIST.

Let’s start with “FREE”:

To leverage the power of free you need to GIVE AWAY whatever you are used to charging money for. Ideally

this is an information product, video, audio etc. so that the value (both real and perceived) is high, and the costs are low.  If you don’t have a high value, free informational product to give away yet then you need to be convinced that this is the way to go. This video might help convince you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df9RRvGAzOI

If you aren’t convinced of the power of “free”, and you aren’t willing to “give away” HIGH VALUE information, then stop here. My advice is useless for you from here forward.

You need to come to the realization that a single book, or info product SHOULD NOT be the end goal or you will struggle to succeed. The end goal is to grow your audience and become influential in the arena of your expertise. More books, products, influence and success will come with time. Success comes in streams when you are a writer. It’s not a sudden gift overnight for 99.999% of us.

The next obvious question:

Once you have a valuable freebie to give away, who can you give it to? Who wants it?

Enter the INFLUENCERS.

An “Influencer” is someone that has the attention of the audience you’d like to reach. It could be a blog, a website, a twitter guru, a magazine editor,  or better yet someone with a large email list of eager, loyal readers.

How to find and partner with an “Influencer”:

A bit of research on Google, facebook and twitter for top sites and experts in your niche that also gather email addresses is your best first bet on finding the influential in your niche.  They aren’t hiding.  NOTE: If you have a hard time finding the influential websites and leaders in your niche then there’s a good chance you are facing a BIG UPHILL climb in establishing yourself in this “new market”.  In other words, “no audience” = “no book sales”.

When selling ANY ebook the BEST place to start is by finding partners that have the attention of your target audience – ideally with a BUNCH of email addresses. Find win/win/win ways to partner with them and you’ll do very well.  If you take my advice from day one you SHOULDN’T EVEN WRITE A BOOK OR A COURSE UNTIL AFTER YOU’VE FOUND AND CAME TO AGREEMENT WITH YOUR KEY INFLUENCERS!

In other words, don’t start with the product, start with the audience building.

some examples:

Have your influential partner offer 3 free chapters of your book to their email mailing list and tag the “free report” with an affiliate link for the rest of the book. The affiliate link ensures that your partner/influencer gets credit for sales made.

Put up a banner ad on the influencers site with a link to your book – tagged with a 50% or more affiliate link of course.

Interview your influential partner, or have them interview you, package it for them (clean up the mp3, put a cool play button on it etc.) and GIVE it to the in exchange for their time. Ask that they post it as content on their site.

Put the influential persons name ON THE COVER as co-author and tell them to give it away for free, or better yet, sell it as great content for their list and on their site. In the book tastefully encourage readers to join your mailing list.

Get the idea? The possibilities are endless, but it all starts with FINDING THE INFLUENCERS that have the attention of your audience.

Some good follow up reading:
You don’t need a website, you need an audience
Email Marketing, The Only “techie” skill you’ll ever need

I love getting feedback! Please leave a comment above by clicking the comment button at the top of this article.

The forum post heard around the world

Posted by Jim in Hot Niche Markets, Offline Biz (IM for Brick-n-mortar) 7 comments

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It all started in Jan. of 2007.

That’s when Andrew Cavanagh first wrote a simple, true, useful story on a popular online discussion forum.

This short story that Andrew shared in that forum post started a virtual avalanche of activity.

As the discussion caught fire hundreds of others joined the discussion.

Soon the post that he’d written started to set records as one of the all time most discussed posts in the history of the large forum.

Some of the biggest names in Internet marketing joined in the discussion that ensued in the following days and weeks – and a HUGE trend began to take shape.

In the following months (and now years) the ideas in Andrew’s post created a virtual AVALANCHE of new discussions, opportunities, products, gurus and websites that have all now jumped in on the trend that is still in its relative infancy.

What is this mega-trend?

It’s the “Offline Biz” or “Offline Gold” opportunity.

Simple stated it’s this:

Real world (brick-n-mortar) businesses need what Internet marketers have to offer. These traditional businesses don’t understand the new rules of online business. These businesses need and want YOUR help. Even if you aren’t a “pro” at all this you already know more than they do. These businesses don’t just need a website or a shopping cart – they’ve tried that already and it failed. Instead these businesses need to apply the leverage of online power tools like; email marketing, eBay, facebook and other social marketing tools, blogs etc.

NO TECH SKILLS NEEDED: Better yet, your success as a business coach or consultant working with these businesses has very little to do with your technical skills. The only required skill is your willingness to ENGAGE business owners by asking them a few basic questions about their business. It’s that simple. We even show you how to get them CALLING YOU. If you can ask questions and have a discussion you are qualified to tap into this multi-BILLION dollar opportunity.

I’m proud to say that Andrew and I are now partners on the LARGEST and BEST website where any online entrepreneur like you can go to learn the simple concept that has lead to so much success for so many others. To date we have over 7,000 members and countless success stories.

We teach four basic proven steps:

# 1: Use any of the several proven methods we teach that will put you in contact with the business owners who desperately need your help.

# 2: Learn to talk to these biz owners effectively so that they quickly see the value in what you’re offering and make the smart decision to hire and pay you. No one else teaches this like we do. This is the “make or break” step.

# 3: Make sure you get paid enough in advance that you’re happy doing the work.

# 4: Generate real sales and profits for the businesses who hire you and pay you month after month for the systems you set up (or better yet easily outsource the set up!)

This is our entire strategy spelled out.

Get the full story (and see Andrew’s original forum post) here:

http://www.offlinebiz.com/ofbstory.html

BANDWAGON JUMPERS…

It’s been fun to watch all of the band wagon jumping (we welcome it)!

If you are on any of the “big name” guru mailing lists you’ve likely noticed a trend the past year or so.

They are nearly all talking about (and hyping) “offline biz” related products. Some of the offers are decent, but most of them are a waste of time and nearly all are over priced.

Keep in mind a few facts:

OfflineBiz.com is the BIGGEST membership site dedicated to this topic and we have an active FREE FORUM area. Paid members only have to drop a few dollars to get full access to our training departments and “members only” forum area.

OfflineBiz.com was founded by a guy that’s been doing this business longer than 99% of the other so called “experts” now selling ‘how to’ info in this niche.

OfflineBiz.com is co-owned by the guy that first lit the fire of this concept online

The content is neatly organized into very usable departments in an orderly fashion. No ‘info overload’ syndrome!

OfflineBiz.com is arguably the FIRST site dedicated to these concepts

OfflineBiz.com has more REAL testimonials from REAL people like you than all of the other “experts” put together. What we teach there works.

OfflineBiz.com has the most active dedicated discussion forum IN THE WORLD on this topic. We’ve had over 23,000 posts in our paid members forum area. You can hang out and ask questions of those actively succeeding in this business model. Andrew is there DAILY interacting with members and I’m there several times per week.

Before you buy any courses or listen to any guru’s on the topic of “working with real world businesses” you simply MUST check out OfflineBiz.com.

Have a comment or question? Use the comment link at the top of this article.

Success Story: Family finds time for passions thanks to web business

Posted by Jim in Creative Ideas, Hot Niche Markets, inspiration 2 comments

I love hearing from readers of this newsletter and members of MST (MySilentTeam.com) that are doing great things.

Below I just posted a sample recording where Doug Renz (one of our many content managers for MST) is interviewing fellow MST member Doug Kramer about his online success. Doug Kramer is in full time ministry, he and his wife home-school their kids, they lead busy lives, but they have found creative ways to generate income online while making it all work.

Real people doing great things. It’s inspirational.

The content team of MST is constantly adding hand picked, pre-approved training, interviews and bonuses to the site. Everything is approved by me, but I’m not the only one finding great content for members to benefit from.

This interview sample is a tiny taste of what is waiting for you inside MySilentTeam.com. Join the thousands of others that have already discovered the growing community that is “MySilentTeam.com”. Our discussion forums, experts, and training await…

Here’s a couple minutes of sample from the 30 minute interview:

If you don’t see the play button above (or if it doesn’t work) here’s the MP3 file:
Doug Kramer Interviewed by MST Content Manager Doug Renz

P.S. You’ll hear Doug mention my “List Building Course” on the audio. If you are interested in checking it out it’s on this website: http://www.ListBuildingClass.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Success story: Using eBay and youtube to grow a raving fan base

Posted by Jim in Creative Ideas, ebay tips, Hot Niche Markets, inspiration 36 comments

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I got a great email a couple days ago and decided to post it here in my blog.

After the email I’ll point out a few great lessons.

Here’s the cool email I received (edited for clarity):

Jim,

I gotta give you credit for my story. You are the one who showed me eBay and how to harness it by driving traffic to my site as well as YouTube  etc. My efforts have now spurred a great cult following of my business. My thanks to you.

My Story:

I use to be an indie filmmaker, it was my dream since I was a small kid that I wanted to see my work up on the big screen, I wrote, directed, edited, and produced 10 films all on my own.  I did them all on my own because I just did not have the $$ to hire people, so I made them dirt cheap.

I got into the Tribeca Film Festival, won numerous awards, and even had a feature action film go international.  All was great!  But there was no income really, I worked odd jobs to make a buck.  Late twenties hit and I said I needed to make some money. I couldn’t keep bumming off my folks.  But I did not want to work for anyone else either.  I knew I had the talents and the skills to do my own thing.

My idea:

All through my college and filmmaking years I had a classic VW, but I knew nothing about other cars. I only knew the bug. I am an artist so ya gotta have a bug.  I grabbed a 1968 beetle rotted to hell for $350.00 and I wanted to restore it.  My father thought I was crazy but we did it together.  I knew nothing about restoring cars, my dad had some mechanical skills when he was young working in a Brooklyn garage, but we had never worked on a VW.

Thanks to the internet, there are many resources to learn any craft you want.  If you have a drive and a desire to do something great and be independent, there’s never been a better time to be alive than now!

I learned these skills from you Mr. Cockrum, and sold that Bugger on eBay motors!  We made money!  My father and I looked at each other and said, “we gotta get into this!”  So from a one car garage to now a 2000sq ft facility, we are kicking butt!  We developed a nice track record on eBay and we are now taking orders for my “Build-A-Bug” program.  We are running our business with a year and a half wait time. People want us to build a bug just for them!

What made me stand out from the crowd is that I used my filmmaking skills to shoot my bugs with music, titles, FX, you name it.  No one is doing what I am doing when it comes to selling on eBay motors.  All bidders are exposed to over 50 pics of my cars and FULL HD video professionally shot.

I also do ‘How To’ Tips on Beetle restoration thrown up on YouTube (id is brighteyefilms), that lead me to sell a full two hour DVD on Headliner installation, (I sell the DVD using Kunaki.com like you showed me).  I answer two hours of fan mail in the morning and two hours at night just for the bug biz.

Sorry this is so long winded, but my example shows if you have a passion to be success ful with a product you love, you can do it.  Every resource is available out there for you.  I am always learning and staying up to date with the trends, this will give you the edge and make you stand out from your competition.

Chris Vallone
HoP into a BuG
ClassicVWbugs.com

Independent Film Producer
BrightEyeFilms.com

My response to Chris (and some lessons for YOU):

Thanks for the great email Chris. There are a few great lessons in there and I have a few observations that I want to expand on. By the way – we just recently bought a ’68 VW bug for my wife (pic below) so your email really jumped out at me.

Some great business lessons for my blog readers:

• Chris is using youtube to grow his audience. The goal of using youtube shouldn’t be limited to only showing a video to perspective buyers of any one item though.  Youtube is “viral” and your message can spread. I hope you are growing an email mailing list (using aweber.com etc.) As interested prospects stop by to see your vids they’ll love to join your email list if you give them a reason to.
• If you aren’t growing a following or a mailing list yet the best way to do so is by GIVING AWAY great advice and information and requesting an email address in exchange for it. Check out my listbuildingclass.com course for all the details of getting into simple (yet VERY powerful) email marketing.
  
• The value of an email list is huge, but the biggest immediate benefit is that you can easily announce to your audience when something new goes up for sale, or you can sell high profit affiliate offers, info products etc. Remember, at least 70% good solid content and no more than 30% “selling” to your list.  Remember email has a 50:1 R.O.I (return on investment) - no other advertisement strategy in the history of business even comes close.
  
• While it’s true that Chris had some great skills to start with (his filming ability), it’s simply not necessary to posses skills like these yourself.  Producing simple video is 90% as effective as fully professional video, and as for the car building skills he could have just as easily partnered with a local custom builder that wasn’t using effective online strategies. The partnership would be a great win/win and no new skills would be needed by either party.
• Notice that Chris incorporated information products that he can sell with HUGE profit margins to his eager customer base.
  
• I love the way Chris “used” eBay as a tool to grow his “off eBay” business. That’s what I’ve been teaching for years and I love hearing success stories.
  
• I loved the “no excuses” comment you made. I completely agree that RIGHT NOW is the best time in the history of the world to be an entrepreneur. The Internet makes it all so accessible. We have NO excuse not to pursue our business dreams.

I’m writing a book right now that includes success stories like Chris’s. Leave a comment on this blog post if you have a story you’d like to contribute, or leave a comment or any question about this article.

To comment click the “comment” link at the top of this article.

Selling new and used books online

Posted by Jim in Creative Ideas, Hot Niche Markets 6 comments

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One of the steadiest niche markets to get into for years has been the used books niche. I’m talking about “real” books (not ebooks).

You have to know what you are doing, but it can be a goldmine of opportunity with inventory available in abundant supply.

Some rules of thumb when buying used books:

Avoid these:

• cookbooks
• fiction books in general
• any “book club” books
• any reprints of popular books (look for first editions)
• encyclopedias
• mass market paperbacks

Buy these instead:

• obscure non-fiction
• plain looking books (no fancy covers or graphics)
• old art books
• hobbyist books (older is better)

Keep in mind that you make your money when you BUY your inventory…not when you sell it! This means you should check the recently closed auctions on eBay, or recent sell prices on Amazon.com before investing in a title for resell.  Any web enabled cell phone can do the job. Just go to amazon.com for example and do a title search to see current pricing. Once you get serious about the biz there are automated ways to scan and price check multiple books per minute while browsing a stack of potential inventory.

Finding inventory to sell can be as easy as placing a free craigslist.com ad in your local town. For example, and ad that says “I pay cash for quality, used, first edition books. Call at me ###-####”, will likely produce good results and costs you nothing to try.

Members of MySilentTeam.com have several resources available to them from the top experts in the “sell used books online” field. It’s all part of their membership. Most recently we’ve added a brand new book by Henry Neff.

Henry Neff began selling books on eBay in 2005. Having a lifelong love affair with reading and collecting books he decided he could help others become successful booksellers. Today he is an eBay Top Rated PowerSeller that is considered an expert in used and antiquarian books.

Henry is a an eBay Certified Education Specialist and Trading Assistant. Henry has taught many people how to sell on eBay as well as in community technology training centers. We are proud that hie is available to members to help them grow their online book selling business.

Just one more reason to join MySilentTeam.com if you haven’t yet!

If  want a copy of Henry’s book there are only two ways to get it (for now). Search eBay for the phrase “How to sell books on eBay Neff” and make sure to buy it from the seller “buckcreekmarketing” – that’s Henry’s account.

or…join MySilentTeam.com and enjoy Henry’s book as well as hundreds of other bonuses and benefits that come with your membership.

Thanks to Henry for this fantastic new bonus for MySilentTeam.com!

Leave a comment or tip about selling books online using the comment link at the top of this article.