There were a couple of things I’ve been wanting to mention over the past couple of weeks.

So I lumped them all together today.

1) I’ve added a new links section in the right hand column of this blog, called “Who Reads AlexisDawes.com?”.

I’m inviting you – my foxy reader – to send me your link and a quick description. (Let’s keep it PG-13 though.)

I will alternate links on a periodic basis, giving everyone a little free publicity.

Just my way of saying THANKS  for coming back again and again, and showing your support.

I do appreciate it.

2) FINALLY… I have a new e-report coming out next week.

It’s called The Book is in the Buzz.

* Price – a paltry $19.95.

* Description – I’ve compiled hundreds of web sites where you can learn what topics online users desire the most.

For example, in Desperate Buyers Only I recommend writing about solving certain health problems.

Wanna know what health problems people are most desperate to alleviate?

CureZone has a list of the top 300 support forums, categorized by the number of pageviews.

A quick browse will tell what problems are most pressing, as well as some potential solutions.

If choosing a topic is one of your biggest hurdles, The Book is in the Buzz will definitely keep your cup overflowing.

Keep tuned in to this blog for more information.

3) If there are any topics you’d like to see me cover in this blog, please don’t be shy.

Drop me a line at (travelwithme AT gmail DOT com).

4) A LOT of people sign up to become sellers through my Paydotcom link.

Way more than I imagined actually would.

But… only a minute percentage have actually gone on sell ebooks.

Lots of dreamers, but very few honest to goodness do-ers.

That’s part of the reason why it is very much possible to do well in this business.

Remember that the next time you cry, “I can’t do this because everybody else is doing it too!”

A bientot,

Alexis Dawes

If you’ve been following this blog, then you know I’m a realist.

My goal is to show you that making a living selling ebooks is definitely within your reach.

On the other hand, I also like to give you a birds eye view of the downright ugly parts of this business.

I mean even $50 million dollar lottery winners have problems. So there’s no use in sugarcoating the facts here.

With that said, I think it’s only fair to open your eyes to the possibility that one day you may create an ebook that doesn’t sell.

A friend once told me that he actually got a bag of coal for Christmas one year.

While his brother danced around with new remote control cars, and video games, he sat moping in the corner with the most horrific Christmas gift ever.

Well my dear reader, that’s a prime example of how you’ll feel if you ever have a non-selling ebook. It ain’t a happy day.

But as the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

And knowing that it can happen prepares you mentally to move in alternative directions. And that’s what today’s blog is all about.

So what can you do when desperate times call for desperate measures?

1) Sell the reprint rights.

This is the one I do most of the time.

I have a short list of people who want to know when I’m selling the reprint rights to my products. Or I put the entire web site on eBay, and auction it off.

Sometimes I make big bucks. Other times I do okay. It just depends on the subject matter.

2) Give it away.

If you’ve already got a backend product, it might be worthwhile to give away the non-selling product.

This way you’re using it as a permanent marketing tool for promoting the backend product.

I find this is a good way for newbies to gain massive exposure they might otherwise not obtain.

By the way, you don’t necessarily have to give away the non-seller as an ebook. You can break down each section, and distribute it as an ecourse.

Now you’re collecting e-mail addresses, and you’re able to continuously market to these prospects.

3) Turn it into an online class.

Universal Class is a fairly busy web site that allows experts to create their own fee-based courses.

They have categories ranging from accounting, business, cooking, arts and crafts, new age, real estate, and much more.

They promote your class, and you earn 60% for each seat filled, minus the transaction fee’s.

Just a quick browse shows classes ranging from $23-$160+.

Information on leading your own class can be found at (http://www.universalclass.com/myinterests/teachonline.htm).

Plan ahead and grow rich,

Alexis Dawes

When I write about creating and selling ebooks, I’m not necessarily writing for a beginner in this field.

Even Desperate Buyers Only is geared towards people who have some previous knowledge about marketing online. I really don’t delve into the basics because I think there’s more than enough information already available.

With that said, there are certain types of questions that I receive from writers who are just beginning to test the ebook waters.

Today’s post will answer the most frequently asked.

* If I begin using your techniques, how long will it take before I start making money?

Usually when people ask this question it’s because they’ve been fallen prey to the ‘get rich quick’ mentality.

Read my lips… I DON’T teach how to get rich quick.

I show you how to make steady money day after day. That might be just $20 a day, depending on what you’re selling.

Secondly, I honestly cannot determine how long it will take anyone to start earning money.

That is wholly based on how hard you work… your previous knowledge… how much you have to spend… how much time you have… and a variety of other factors.

I’ve had new ebook authors say they’ve started earning money almost immediately.

I’ve had others say they haven’t earned anything. But upon examination of their strategies, there was always something crucial missing.

So to answer that question, it really depends on you and your efforts/skills.

* What do you consider the critical elements for selling ebooks online?

The behind-the-scenes elements include: Your own domain name, web hosting (no freebies like geocities, xanga, etc), payment processor like Paypal (forget about getting your own merchant account till you’ve developed some volume), a neat, well organized web site (doesn’t have to have graphics and all the bells and whistles… but it must be neat and organized), and some type of affiliate management system (like Paydotcom or Clickbank).

The sell-the-ebook elements are: The skills to sit your butt down and write a super salesletter, the ability to seek out a good topic.

* A lot of marketers say “the money is in the list,” but you don’t. How are you able to make money without an e-mail list of prospects?

Some people like to drive stick shifts.

Other people like to drive automatics.

Both groups of drivers get from Point A to Point B. But in different styles of transport.

According to other marketers, lists are good to have. And I have no doubt they’re 100% right.

I just don’t have the va-va-va-voom to get subscribers, worry if my e-mails are reaching them, etc.

I simply choose to use other marketing methods that match my personal work style.

Which is why I suggest that as a beginner you try a little of everything. Then you can decide what works best for you.

You’ll never know what you want to do, or what you’re good at, till you try.

* What’s the biggest mistake newbies typically make?

They give up too fast.

If you’re a newbie you’re supposed to make mistakes.

You’re supposed to waste some money. And if you can’t afford to lose any, then be ready to waste lots of time.

It’s all a part of your learning curve. Not something to be feared or avoided.

The pain of childbirth seems so horrific when you’re in labor. But once you see that beautiful little face, the pain is absolutely meaningless.

Same type of experience when you’re starting to sell ebooks.

* What’s the typical refund rate for ebook sellers?

For me it’s 2%-4%.

I honestly don’t know if that’s good or bad.

And I guess it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re making significantly more than you’re refunding.

* Who are your favorite gurus? Who do you learn from?

I like Dan Kennedy because he’s got a ton of real world marketing experience across many industries.

I like John Carlton because his salesletter skills are no nonsense. He has a down-to-earth style that makes me feel like I’m reading something from an old friend.

I like Allen Says because he’s got a philosophical way of thinking. He see’s unique aspects of things that most people glaze right over.

I’ve learned a lot from Monthly Copywriting Genius. The interviews are extremely insightful.

Bill Myers has a great selection of all around business ideas on his subscription site.

Gary Halbert’s storywriting skills are just plain awesome. He always gets me like a deer caught in the headlights.

Michel Fortin’s blog is one of my favorites. Great insights that he clearly puts a lot of thought into.

Willie Crawford is a really smart guy. Sometimes he lets loose these amazing secrets in his free articles that freakin’ blow my mind. Seriously. Kaboom.

Hmmm… there are others. But we’ll talk about that later.

(BTW, did you notice that many of my favorites are copywriters? That should give you a lot of insight into where I place my chips.)

Be a smart newbie and grow rich,

Alexis Dawes