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

A couple of weeks ago – on my birthday no less – I dislocated my patella. In laymans terms that’s my kneecap. That oh so necessary bone that helps keep your leg moving properly.

I’ve always had funny acting kneecaps. On occassion they pop out of place. But they’ve always popped right back in. Not this time.

This time I lightly hit my kneed on the bed, it popped out, I fell on the empty socket, and it went back in. With the exception of the SEARING pain for the first 10 minutes, everything was fine over the next hour. Then all of sudden I sat down to use the WC, and my knee just went kaput. It looked like half a grapefruit had been implanted in my knee. And I have slender (but shapely – wink, wink) legs, so you could REALLY tell something was wrong.

As my saga progresses I go to the hospital and the doctors tell me my kneecap is out of place, and that I’ve probably torn some ligaments. They reduce the patella (set it back to its normal position), and send me home with a full leg brace, crutches, and a rousing version of “Happy Birthday.”

Oh yeah, and did I mention I was on vacation, outside of my home country? With my 4 year old in tow, nonetheless. Just call me Superwoman on crutches.

So anyway I’m sitting in my comfy rental wondering about the fate of my knee. Actually I was boo-hoo-ing my eyes out. When will I be able to walk… what can be done to prevent another severe dislocation… did I need surgery… questions, questions galore.

I hit the Internet looking for information on dislocated petellas. I wanted to get intimate with my ailment. There were several decent pages worth of sites on Google. But only 3 really good sites. And none of them seemed to fully answer all of my questions.

So what does this story have to do with creating information products?

Everything.

It just goes to show that topics can indeed be born from your real life experiences.

As of right now, I’m a desperate buyer for anything related to strengthening the knee, or explaining the finer points of knee dislocation. And there’s really no information for me to buy.

I admit, there’s probably not a huge demand for this type of information. This is truly a niche-y topic. But it’s an injury that will continue to occur forever. (Or at least until they start giving away bionic knees at birth.)

But here’s the grabber that could point to dollar signs. There were a few really good knee injury forums where lot’s of questions had been asked – and yet they hadn’t been answered. I mean people were pouring out their knee injury stories, clearly seeking advice, and they weren’t being responded to. That tells me people with similar injuries as mine are indeed seeking information, and not finding it.

I would have never noticed this under normal circumstances. I mean who really gives a furry cats butt about dislocated kneecaps? The only reason why you think about them is if you have one. And with everybody trying self-diagnose nowadays, the first place they turn outside of their physician is the Internet.

So for those of you who feel like you have nothing to contribute to the information publishing world – think again. Look at your own life. Your own hardships. Your injuries. Your failings.

Misery can be turned into hard, cold cash.

Alexis

http://www.DesperateBuyersOnly.com

Super affiliates are like ‘the chosen ones’ in the eyes of many budding information product publishers and authors. And there’s a very good reason for that.

If a super affiliate decides to market your product, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to see a healthy spike in your sales. And if multiple super affiliates promote your product, it’s like getting 5 out of 6 winning lottery numbers. Not quite the big jackpot… but some reallllly decent pocket change.

There are several information products out there that’ll tell you how to get affiliates, where you should list your site, etc. I’m sure they’re probably fantastic reading. Unfortunately, I can’t give any of them a yay or a nay.

I don’t go hunting down affiliates. I really hate rejection!

I just know how I’ve attracted super affiliates, without having to ask a single one.

1) I create unique information products that people actually want. Which anyone can do, if you try hard enough. (Or if you need some assistance, see my Desperate Buyers Only e-book.)

2) I take several weeks to write my salesletters. Not several days. Not while I’m watching Billy and Mandy on the Cartoon Network with my kids. I said WEEKS.

I might write an entire salesletter, scrap 70% of it, and rewrite based on the remaining 30%. I’ve been known to throw away entire salesletters after writing for weeks already, and start over from scratch.

Once every blue moon, I sit down and crank out something in a matter of days. But most times I’m very nit picky about what I write in my sales material.

As a result, all of my super affiliates have commented favorably about my salesletters. It’s the primary reason why they want to sell my information products. They know if the salesletter is well written, half the battle is won. If the product is also good, it’s a grand slam. They know what generates profits. So I take my cue from them.

So if you want to attract the people who can deliver stellar paydays, don’t fiddle-faddle around with your sales copy. Do it ‘write.’ And create information products that have your own unique edge.

There’s your $10,000 tip for the week.