This month marks the 2nd year anniversary since the launch of my ebook Desperate Buyers Only.
And even with a growing number of new Internet marketing infoproduct launches, a healthy 188 copies were sold last month. And happy customers still e-mail me…
From Steve Lindhorst, February 19, 2008:
As a national eBay University instructor, I’ve taught thousands of people to use eBay. When I paid for your book I was worried about what my wife would say when she found out I spent money, since we’re on a budget.
I had never written an eBook, not to mention a sales letter for one. Your step by step instructions were so easy to follow, I scribbled out an outline and started writing that night. I edited and polished it, got the sales letter up, and let a few friends know about it.
Within one week I’ve already paid for the book several times over – and I’m just starting! It’s amazing to wake up and find more orders each morning! Your system works. I can’t imagine it could be any simpler.
Steve Lindhorst
http://www.ShowroomSecrets.com
To be honest with you, I don’t think I would’ve done as well as I did if I hadn’t created DBO as a system. Like Steve said, a lot of readers like that I’ve outlined the information as step-by-step process. And then I show the system at work with my own sites.
$50,000 TIP…
If you’re going to write about a lengthy process, don’t just write an ebook, create a system. Market your titles as systems.
Remember, desperate buyers essentially want the direct path to success. And that’s the unwritten promise you provide when selling a system. The word in itself mentally conjures up a roadmap to the promise land.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:27 am
I only wish that I could lay claim to sales of that many ebooks (188) within a month. I think The Ultimate Guide To Products For Resale’s best year was about 200 in one year, much less a month.
Congrats on what is an enviable amount of sales. I love your low key sales copy, and some of the points you make about ebook development are spot on.
A few questions. I noticed that in addition to Yaro, even Chrisg.com was touting the virtues of DBO. Just wondering how you found, or got popular bloggers like Yaro & Chris to sing the praises of your work?
I know that you do not depend on them for your overall sales effort, but the “affiliates and fans” that you have garnered, I would like to know how you went about convincing them of DBO’s bonifides, or how they found you to begin with.
If you have presented that information (how to find or approach affiliates) on this blog, I cannot find it. So, let me apologize in advance if you have fielded this question before.
Finding affiliates has not been my greatest strength. At one time, I tried to plead my case for Affiliates/JV partners via the Warrior Forum. I basically ran into some of the same problems you have mentioned on this blog.
Most, wanted a review copy. Others, e-mailed me detailed questions about how much of the guide I sold, return percentage, etc. All great questions and I was glad to provide information to all requests. The result was dismal. Not one affiliate or JV offer was to be had.
I also tried to contact affiliates outside the forum, who sell the same type of product I provide. Most, had sworn their allegiance to selling database memberships from one particular company. To feature my product, some proclaimed, would be a conflict of interest.
While The Ultimate Guide To Products For Resale does not follow the DBO formula in the strictest sense of solving an immediate problem, i.e., as your sales copy mentions..
“Desperate people - people with throbbing problems, pressing issues, and insane drives - buy on impulse. Desperate people buy on impulse because they’re in an emotionally charged state-of-mind or state-of-being and they want to get out of it.”
There are people “en masse” that are looking for wholesale supplier information covering a range of products. Some have been disappointed with previous purchases of wholesale supplier lists, and are always looking for a better source of information.
In addition, there is a growing segment of the population who want to start a small business, the ability to make additional income, as well as looking for products to resell on Ebay. Demand and want is there. Is it a pressing issue or painful circumstance that motivates people to buy immediately?
I would have to say no, unless someone is desperately looking to change their current financial circumstances and has chosen product marketing as a viable business model. I guess my point here is that the product has proven sales potential and can be a great addition to any affiliate, yet most have chosen to pass.
Sometimes, I am baffled by some of the products that people endorse. I have bought just a few ebooks that were recommended by those who I thought to be credible voices within my sphere of interest. Said ebooks only left me scratching my head as to why they would recommend such pablum.
Yet they will ignore a 230 page ebook, with over 600 suppliers from someone who as experience in the industry, and took about a year to put the information together. I would never create an ebook that that many pages again however!
Anyway, your thoughts or suggestions on approaching and presenting my case to affiliates would be appreciated..
I hope the sales Jaggernaut that is DBO keeps rolling on..
Regards..
Robert C - The Wholesale Products Guy
March 16th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Well, I just finished DBO this morning.
I’m pretty cynical, sarcastic, and bitting.
In fact I was going to ask for my money back after about the 5th page of reading and can this as another useless eBook…
until I got into the “meat and potatoes” that is.
The middle of your book blew my socks off!
I’ve been doing this stuff for over 12 years with 7 websites and a blog and I quickly discovered with all my knowledge of sales and site building you, Alexis, simply explain how to just be honest without the fluff… without the hype.
Simple but powerful is just the way to do it. Period!
Congrats.
Paul