This is a question I think a lot of people need an answer to:
Just how effective are ebooks these days?
I ask because we all know that the: “Free ebook when you sign up to our mailing list” is just a ploy to get you to optin. Everything is free upfront but further down the line you will be mailed and asked to buy something else. Everyone does it and has done it for a many years now, but is it effective any more?
I’d like your take on this because if the ebook is dead (and RIP in my opinion) what is going to replace it? We still need folks to sign up to our newsletters – but how do we entice them now?
Come on – get commenting and lets see if we can decide on the next big thing and then jump aboard before the train leaves. Anyone who comments will get their latest blog post stumbled by me.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Well you can always offer a free ebook….How about a free audio ebook. step it up a notch maybe even video educating someone on a certain subject…a valuable list…..something to bride the one who is to opt in…think outside the box and lure them in!!! There are a lot of digital products you can buy master resale rights so that you can sell and keep 100 percent of the profits…or buy private label rights to put your name on it…but at least change the content 20 percent at least or just add content or package different ebooks!!!
October 15th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Hi Digital Bodega – thanks for the comment.
I agree with you about the video – I’m about to do something along those lines so stay tuned.
And I’ve had a look at some of the private label stuff – but what I have found is rubbish. If you know any good places to recommend then I’d love to know.
Ian
October 15th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Hello Digital B,
interesting post. I think the average non techie Joe is much more comfortable than they used to be to be watching video on a computer now.
I suspect ebooks will remain popular for some time. They seem common, but many average users are finding that familiarity helpful. I like audio too – it can seem more personal and again if this is presented well i think will help.
However would love to hear what the next thing is, and be a little ahead.
Lance
October 15th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
People have been predicting the death of the Ebook for a few years now, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere. Of course it’s a great thing to add audio or video to your freeline offerings – the StomperNet guys are a great example of this – but it isn’t necessary in all markets yet. I think it really depends on how saturated your market is. If you’re trying to sell internet marketing stuff – well, you better have audio, video and maybe a free pony to get people to sign up to your list. For different niches, though, especially with older customers, that just isn’t necessary.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
The give away Ebook is working well for me for six months of the year, currently adding 5 or 6 names to my list weekly. I need to do another one for the other six months.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I have been hearing a lot about ebooks still, several entrepreneurs
online still promoting them and the fact that there are still a lot
of people who haven’t gotten their feet wet with online marketing,
this may still be viable.
I agree yes everyone wants to sell you something else.
But its really going to be up to the business online, if they are
offering a valuable product or service to get people to opt in.
You have to have a niche or market that is growing.
Obviously family related issues, financial and health are growing,
but there’s the baby boomer market too.
I have several websites and blogs and a lot of people are doing the
videos on youtube, podcasting etc, this is growing but on the flip
side many people are nervous about downloading anything too.
not sure if this helped, just some pros and cons…
thanks
October 16th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Books are good because they don’t take up the huge amounts of bandwidth of (especially) video. Not everyone is on cable.
They are also a better way to deliver information – quicker, scanable, you can go back to particular places. Most of the videos are as big a waste of time as junk e-books. All those interviews where the people spend half the time congratulating each other on how great they are!
I think e-books will be around as long as people fill them with good content.
October 20th, 2008 at 5:02 am
I actually love ebooks. I pretty much eat them like chocolate. I print them out and hop on the treadmill and read while I workout each day.
I like that ebooks give you instant gratification (you find them, you press a button, and you get them right away) and are usually on niche topics that the print publishers usually can’t tackle.
October 24th, 2008 at 1:32 am
amen….long live the ebook
June 30th, 2009 at 3:21 am
There are numerous different ways to promote ebooks of millions. If one of your goals is to go to a millionaire or make a six figure income on the internet then consider launching manuscripts online by quantity. Most people just set a goal to make million dollars over the Internet and it’s good but most plans do not exist to make this kind to earn income because the money is there only purpose.
June 30th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Antonio
Thanks for the comments. I still think ebooks are finished though, to the extend that I have removed mine and my mailing list subscription and gone to a donation model.
I have to say at the moment – neither work as a revenue source for me.
I think there is a tipping point to this, if you are at the low end of the blogging spectrum (as 90% of bloggers are) then you plug away and make zero money. I reckon only 10% are money makers and they only get there after they have reached their tipping point.
I also think the tipping point is a complicated equation, it’s not just traffic or readers or popularity – it’s a blend of many things, ebooks might be part of that blend – but I somehow doubt it.
July 25th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I prefer to read printed version than electronic version… because my eyes are getting tired if too long read ebook in front of computer screen.