Alexis Dawes

Are you interested in creating e-books or other informational products for writers?

Seems like a such a lucrative niche, doesn’t it? I talk to a lot of different people in my everyday travels, and whenever I tell them I’m a writer, there’s almost always some expressed interest in doing what I do. A lot of people want to be writers. Countless. I think it’s amazing.

So it would seem obvious that creating e-books for writers and budding writers would be a profitable point of interest. But for many unsuspecting authors entering this playing field it’s not.

I consider myself fortunate in that I’ve created an e-book for writers that sells really well at Desperate Buyers Only. However the more I talk to other authors focusing on the writing niche, the more I realize that I’m probably an exception, rather than a rule. E-books for writers don’t always fly off the virtual shelf as one might come to believe.

While a gazillion peoople may want to be writers, they are not the heartiest of buyers for ‘how to become a writer’ material. According to the word around town, these folks are downright cheap and somewhat hard to sell to. And that sentiment comes from both newbie’s and authors who are household names in the writing niche industy. It’s like the secret you don’t learn until you’re knee deep in quicksand.

So how do you crack the safe? What does it take to sell to writing material to writers?

It’s really not that difficult when you remember that budding and wannabe writers look at writing as a fantastic adventure. What makes them “oooh” and “ahhhh”?

They think of the fame and notoriety of seeing their name on that piece of paper. Being paid big bucks over and over for something they’ve done only once. Possibly being on television, or seeing their title in the local bookstore. 

For me the natural high of being a writer is the money. I come from a family where my mom had to go without buying $2.00 pantyhose for work in order to send me to private school. Being able to give my family certain luxuries that I didn’t have is a big deal for me.

So when you write your web sites salesletter you have to focus on romanticizing your book. Put some S-E-R-I-O-U-S emotional backbone in it. Don’t just tell me what your book is about, and what I’ll learn.

Writers tend to be natural visualizers. So you have to create your salesletter so that they see the end result of having your e-book. Agora Publishing does a kick ass job in this department. Check out how they sell their copywriting course at (http://www.awaionline.com/copywriting/index.php).

The first several paragraphs don’t even talk about the course. It preps the prospect by introducing them to the lifestyle associated with being a six figure copywriter. “Retire this year and still make more money than most doctors.” That’s powerful stuff. It adds romance to what could be a rather dull writing niche.

One excellent way to do this is by telling your own story at the beginning of the salesletter. Make your prospects feel that you understand them by showing them you’ve been where they are.

If you can’t tell your own story, then show how other writers are making their dreams come true. How much do top writers in your chosen niche typically earn? How many hours do they work? What other perks do they receive?

You don’t want people to ‘want’ your e-book. You want them to salivate for it. You want them to come back on payday. And part of that process is making your topic sexy and exciting.

Good luck!

Alexis