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build a list or sell products.

by moneyman7710
39 replies
I have an ebook on Kindle and my kdp select program is about to end. I'm thinking on creating my own Website. But I'm unsure on whether I should use my ebook as a free incentive to sign up to a list or if I should focus on creating a sales page for just selling to book. Any and all input would be appreciated.
#build #list #products #sell
  • Profile picture of the author DavidOlsen
    There's never going to be a absolute answer to that. It depends too much on...

    The book itself
    The Niche it's in
    What the book is about, the angle etc...

    My gut feeling is to create a niche site around the book around the niche and start by promoting the book for sale, if that doesn't work, then you can try it as a giveaway.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    There's a million ways you can tackle this mountain.

    Seriously though...

    If you ask a MILLION marketers... You'll get that many answers.



    I could literally argue for/against ANY of those million answers.

    So my advice? Do what you think is best.

    (Personally, I would create a "Teaser" version of the book, and GIVE THAT AWAY, and then sell your REAL book in the back-end).

    But that's only 1 of infinite possibilities.
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  • Profile picture of the author objectiveman
    John Chow's main focal point of his site is giving a free ebook away for people who subscribe to his list. He said the main point of his site is to get people to subscribe to his list. So offering the book as a free incentive may give you some traction. Just be sure to prune dead email addresses from your list because most email marketing businesses charge per email volume. A number of people have spam email addresses that they use to opt-in to lists to get free offers then never respond to follow ups or autoresponders.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamescanz
    It's doesn't have to be an either or situation...

    Why not both?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Tandan
      Originally Posted by jamescanz View Post

      It's doesn't have to be an either or situation...

      Why not both?
      Exactly. Build a list WHILE selling products. There are thousands of product creators out there who rely on moving products to build a terrific list. If they put out a quality product, the people who pick it up become part of a quality list.
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  • Profile picture of the author zimzalabim
    Absolutely. Do both. It goes hand in hand. Heck, build more than one list........say one to give away a chapter of your book for free as a hook then follow them up and a separate one from people who do buy your stuff.

    Each time you write/release more stuff you have a ready made publicity/marketing tool - your lists...including people who have bought from you before so may well do again.
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    I think that you should test both ways.

    For some people, they make more sales when they build their list and for others, they just like to send people to a sales page.

    The nice thing about your own list is that you can follow up with them in the future about any product and make more sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author EPoltrack77
    You could have a squeeze building your list giving away or talking about a certain portion of your book and then have the full version as a one time offer to help give you some front end cash flow!
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  • Profile picture of the author Klemen Znidar
    I would do both. People who buy from you are worth even more on the list, because ... well you know they already bought your stuff.
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  • Profile picture of the author mangarola
    I have a few EBooks on Kindle in the non-fiction realm and have found that if I give away a chapter or two that's relevant, I can get people to the site and hopefully they will be compelled to buy the full book. Sort of a "look under the cover" idea.

    Good Luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author nicolasmd2112
    You can do both, focus on building a list, then sell your products to that list once its big enough.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gordon King
    I agree with Eric's post.

    Do both, grow your list and sell to your list.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Logan
    Depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to build a long term business around your niche, than you probably should first build a list of potential buyers. But only you know if this book is appropriate to give it away or not.

    If ebook is good, high value, than you should give it away - that way people will trust you next time you will offer them your next product.
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  • Profile picture of the author brutecky
    Sell products to build your list.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    What will you be selling it for on your website?
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  • Profile picture of the author jackieshroff93
    I have three idea to sale online.
    1. Describe item and add picture.
    2. Choose price and shipping option.
    3. Offer the shipping that works best for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author 10kaday
    I would recommend doing both
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    do both and quadruple sales......REALLY!
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  • Profile picture of the author naidyphoon
    Do both moneyman! Build a list of buyers. If you use Paypal to receive money you can get the Aweber app and integrate them. You can do the same with JVZOO and Warriorplus.
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    • Profile picture of the author DuncanStott
      Hi moneyman7710,

      before you do anything, I would strongly suggest that you consider your options based on this criteria.

      Ask yourself these important questions before deciding on the best way forward...

      a. Is my book in a broad buyers niche, that lends itself to the creation of further products and/or are there a worthwhile number of complimentary affiliate products that I can also offer to a potential buyers on my list?

      Note: (Spend a little time online doing a proper research to make sure).

      b. Has my Kindle Sales Record and Amazon Buyer Reviews indicated that this book has sold well enough with positive reviews, which would suggest that it is worth the effort and time involved to promote/sell it from my own website sales page

      If your answer is YES to both... Then here's what I would suggest you do:

      Option 1. Assuming it's a useful short report style ebook (low priced range $2.99 +/-), I would consider creating a PDF version and making it a list building giveaway only. You can still make some money on the backend.
      ...After the squeeze page signup, your autoresponder would typically re-direct them to your thank you page, where you can promote a complimentary affiliate product.

      Option 2. If it's a higher priced value filled big ebook, then again create PDF version, plus a marketing sales funnel. Become a Seller on one of the popular platforms like JVZoo, Digiresults or DPD etc.

      Here's a useful tip. JVZoo makes it easy to sell your book plus they offer a free easy automated way to build your customer buyers list via their API connection with Getresponse.

      Wishing you every success moving forward!

      Cheers from a fellow IM'er and also successful Kindle Author.
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  • Profile picture of the author gcbmark20
    Hi,

    Here's what you could do.

    Think of 10 most commonly asked questions someone would like to know
    about your topic and just answer them.

    Once you've written out 10 answers, use that as as a FREE giveaway.

    Then as soon as someone opts in for that FREE gift, you could then
    direct them to your paid offer.

    You now have them on your list so you can follow up with them and
    they have already either bought or have at least seen your offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author sree94
    The other issue with saying "build both" is that some niches just don't really lend themselves to list building

    But generally speaking, if you can, build a list
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  • Profile picture of the author Ghoster
    I would vote on using the book as a loss-leader if you can write more. A healthy list will benefit you more in the long-run.
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    • Profile picture of the author cyberdenizen
      Do both. Building relationships and giving good value are both important in Internet marketing. If you're just going to sell products without building a list, people will just pay for your product and that might just be the end of the story. If you build a list, establish rapport and trust with your subscribers, and give tons of value to them, you can sell to them again and again.

      You can give away the first chapter of your book or perhaps a free report. You can also offer a free email course, a podcast, or a video. You can also do a free webinar to get more subscribers.
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      • Profile picture of the author Peter R
        I agree.

        Do both, develop or write something of great value and of course use it to build your list. You can outsource a big part of your product's production as well, and your list will love you if you give them something of quality and value.
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  • Profile picture of the author automationhero
    How quality is the book? If you believe that it is good quality and can sell then create other mini ebooks and/or video courses to build your list to then promote your ebook.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    Originally Posted by moneyman7710 View Post

    I have an ebook on Kindle and my kdp select program is about to end. I'm thinking on creating my own Website. But I'm unsure on whether I should use my ebook as a free incentive to sign up to a list or if I should focus on creating a sales page for just selling to book. Any and all input would be appreciated.

    In general, full ebooks are not the best lead magnets. Something more specific and "impulse buy like" generally out-converts a long ebook.

    So I would do both.

    First come up with a good lead magnet (it's not hard). Then sell your ebook on the backend.

    Best of both worlds.

    ...and then I would develop a full business around it...a full backend, etc
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  • Profile picture of the author clever7
    It’s hard to make people subscribe to your list. You have to give them a gift. Give them a free ebook that will make them desire to buy the one you are selling.








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  • Profile picture of the author lukeblower
    Just my twopence worth, but definitely do both- the money's in the list.
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  • Profile picture of the author RichardMayo
    Do both, but creating that List will bring you money down the line as well, good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Khondoker
    Get sign ups before you think of making money!
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  • Profile picture of the author DeonN
    I go with the masses, and say do both. Why leave any money on the table?
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    • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
      You do want to have both a reason to subscribe to your list (so that you can communicate with your marketplace, keep in touch with them as not everyone will be ready to buy your book right away, but will in the coming days-weeks, and so you can sell them additional ebooks and books in the future) AND have a sales page that sells your ebook or (ideally) a bundle that can be sold for more than just a $5 or $10 Kindle ebook

      Here are 3 suggestions you can use to come up with an incentive without giving away your entire ebook:

      1. Have someone interview you (could be audio only via Skype or at a computer or ideally video, even lower end video cameras take excellent videos) about the book - you bring out the major points and can give away access to the audio/video

      2. Pull out the first 1-2 chapters and give those away as well as offering your list access to future updates

      3. Put together a 5-7 page written report or email sequence that enhances the content in your book. This can be short and sweet, but addresses the desire your market would have for buying your book in the first place

      Jeff
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  • Profile picture of the author topnichewebsites
    Depends on the size of the ebook, if it really large than I would give a sneak preview of the first few pages for optin and then sale the whole thing on a diff sales page.

    Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Khalil Bashir
    You could give a free snippet of what's in the ebook on the front and then drive the traffic that opts in to receive the information to your website where you are selling the full ebook. Then you can follow up in the near future with any new information or offerings that you have.
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