Monthly archives for June, 2009

Creativity and Writing Ebooks Part 2

Jun30
2009 Leave a Comment

Written by Help Desk

Lord Tunderin’ Jaysus, bye …. why does my accent change whenever I mention COD?

I know I’m fishin’ for an intro with that one. Bait at least it isn’t as bad as my second pun!

(You know you’re in trouble when your intro has more puns than your entire blog entry)!

Alright already … I need to explain what COD is and why it’s important — before you crawl down the ether and throttle me.

COD is the big three ….

Content
Organization
Delivery

It is the way we decide if any information content product (i.e. speech, ebook, course) is well done.

The first question we (should) ask ourselves is “Is the content good?” “Did I learn anything new?” “Was the content valid (i.e. right)?” “Was the content relevant?”.

The second question we (should) ask is “Was the content presented in an organized, well thought-out way?” “Did the content make sense?” “Was the argument well presented?”

The third is “Was the content presented clearly, in a way that was easily understood, and in a way that did not distract from the content and the argument?”

Now in reality, we don’t always judge in this fashion — we tend to do DOC rather than COD. But we should.

BTW, in this case, I am using argument as it’s used in logic or in debating. It is the proof that is presented rather than the.disagreement that obscures it

So when you are writing an ebook (or a speech, presentation or script), you need to keep COD in mind … and let the DOC look after himself!

Have Fun! Keep Learning! And Get Earning!

Glen

Posted in Write a "how to" book - Tagged blog, book, Change, course, IM, Part, Write a "how to" book

Creativity and Writing Ebooks Part 1

Jun25
2009 Leave a Comment

Written by Help Desk

It’s strange but writers of fiction seem to be of two schools … the sit down and write and what you get is wonderful (aka the HIGH ART school of writing), and the plan it out to the n’th degree school.

The first group think of writing as High Art … and high art shouldn’t be limited by craft. Like painting it is the creativity of the artist that matters. What they forget is that the great artists were craftsmen first … who often spent decades developing their craft … long before they were arttists.

On the other hand, there is a group of writers (mystery writers usually) who look at what they do as a craft. And their craft requires that they plan every step out before they start to write. In fact some of them create network diagrams (what is happening to who vs when) which rival some of the most complex projects I’ve worked on.

So where’s the truth?

With fiction it belongs between the two … there is something to be said for stream of consciousness writing and also there is a need for writing to a plan.

In non-fiction those rules don’t really belong.

In non-fiction there is only one valid answer. You are writing to your readers’ need for information. Creativity comes in determining how you identify that need, how you fulfill that need and how you fill in the holes (the English as it were). Between those points you need to be very clear and very organized … planned in detail. Why? Because unlike fiction where the journey and the words matter, in non-fiction it is the ideas and information that matter.

Remember the cod – fish!

Have Fun! Keep Learning! And Get Earning!

Glen

Posted in Write a "how to" book - Tagged artist, book, IM, Part, point, word, work, Write, Write a "how to" book

Why Create Ebooks …. Part 3 for Internet Marketers and Information Product Sales

Jun22
2009 5 Comments

Written by Help Desk

So you’re selling information products are you? Or are you an internet marketing genius who’s just realized that selling your own digital products is where the money is?

By now you’ve probably realized just how much work there is in creating information products (in other words how to books and DVDs).

First off, our system we have to create ebooks is part of an overall system to create information products — learning content in non-intertnet marketing (IM) circles. Things such as live seminars, webinars, recorded seminars, interviews, books and articles. Whether they are delivered as traditionally published or self-published, CDs, DVDs, or books. Or delivered as digital products in the form of mp3, Youtube videos and ebooks.

Once you learn writing ebooks with our system, you’ll be able to create any form of information product. Yes, there are differences — that’s why we have a comprehensive course!

So, why is writing an ebook so important?

By writing your own ebooks you gain in x ways:

It establishes or increases your credibility.
Books have higher value in your customers’ opinion than other media.
Who knows more about your niche? You? Or some nameless person you’ll never meet?
A book can be quickly and easily changed from digital to physical product.
A book is flexible — give it to your client in the form they want — or both!
A book doesn’t require you to practice, practice, practice. Great if you get bored easily!
Customers are used to paying high prices for non-fiction books.
You’ll own the material — no one else can compete!

And to cap the benefits off … it really doesn’t take any longer to write a book than it does to design, write and practice a seminar with the same information.

Even if you decide only to write one book, even if you hated English in school — you need to write at least one book.

Posted in Building an eBiz, Write a "how to" book - Tagged book, Change, course, credibility, how to, IM, Part, system, web, word, work, Write, Write a "how to" book

Why Create Ebooks … Part 2 For Consultants and other Professionals

Jun19
2009 2 Comments

Written by Help Desk

Consultants and other professionals rely on their reputation. After all, what are you really selling? Your time? Well, you may be selling that but that’s not what your client is buying!

Your client buys a solution to their problem. They determine that you are the solution by several techniques:

past or current experience or knowledge
your reputation
recommendations from colleagues
recommendations from friends
recommendations from suppliers
testimonials
gut feelings
amongst other ways

Writing your own book — ebook or otherwise — will help you with four of these.

When you get an inquiry just send out a “complementary” (i.e. free) copy of your book (or an email with your book). Tell the client, “Read this first. It will tell you what I’m all about and give you a feel for what I can do for you.”

If the client reads the book, they will have personal knowledge of what your philosophy is. That’s the best technique.

The fact that you have a book will increase your reputation. That’s two out of the four techniques with one mailing — pretty good huh?

If you publish your book traditionally, then you have a recommendation from the publisher and the bookseller…. suppliers with great influence.

In any case, you typically will have testimonials on the back cover (called cover copy).

Three to Four Positive Recommendations with just one EBOOK or traditional BOOK!

As my uncle says … “You can’t beat that with a stick!”

Posted in Write a "how to" book - Tagged book, IM, Part, technique, time

Why Create ebooks? Part 1

Jun18
2009 3 Comments

Written by Help Desk

There are alot of great reasons for writing an ebook.

First off, it helps to establish your credibility. After all, if you didn’t know your subject you’d never be able to fill up 60+ pages with information.
Second, it gives you a product with perceived value. We’re all used to having to pay for non-fictiion books. And we’re used to books being widely priced … anywhere from $10.95 to $100. So paying a premium doesn’t reflect badly.
Third, they can be made to look professional with very little work. Note that I’m not talking about writing the book. I’m talking about editing and formatiing it. Making the finished work look professional. Making a video professional is difficult and can be expensive.
Fourth, they do not have to be physical to be valued. A DVD is valued but not a video. They are freely available on YouTube. A CD is valued but not an mpeg. An ebook is valued almost as much as a self-published book.
Fifth, they are almost pure profit. The cost of development even if ghost written is quite reasonable.

The truth is that, ebooks rely very heavily on the perceived value of their near cousins the commercial non-fiction book. A commercial non-fiction book is a very expensive proposition. Publishers do not like losing money on them. So as consumers we automatically believe that if they’ve published it, the book must be of value.

A well designed self-published book or ebook can borrow on that reputation.