by easilydoable on 5/25/11, 3:36 PM with 20 comments
Two years ago, I created a balloon distribution business that was earning me upwards of $300 per day every day, but last November, I got into a terrible accident that has disabled me temporarily and I have not been able to do the work.
So I decided to write an 18 page report about my business and sell it on the Internet for a nominal price and also offered money back guarantee. I had someone setup a nice website that was linked to my paypal account and I placed ads on Google, Yahoo, and Facebook to attract customers. I spent $100 to advertise on each site and after my $300 was used up, I had received only 11 orders. Not only that but Google suspended my account for violating their terms of service.
Since then, I have tried various online marketing methods and sold over a 100 copies of my report but I feel like the amount of time I spend marketing the business simply does not justify the returns.
That's why I turn to you. For many people on this forum, marketing their skills and products online is a major part of how they earn their money so I am really hoping you all can shed some light.
Thanks -Samir
by faz on 5/25/11, 5:45 PM
1. I have seen many popular book/product sales sites and usually it is a one page site which pitches the idea and shows through testimonials what can be done. You could use a similar format for your site.
2. The copy writing on your site needs some work. It's a sales pitch so it's gotta be convincing.
3. As @djb_hackernews pointed out in his comment, ebooks usually work out for bloggers or 'celebrities' who already have a following. Perhaps you could start a blog about your ideas [since you mentioned you have worked on many other ideas before]. This way you would slowly but steadily get some regular readers. Also this would help in future ebooks you would like to sell.
4. You have displayed a couple of testimonials on your site. Maybe you could have some of your customers who have actually implemented the business to post some photos/videos talking about how your ebook helped them. This way your testimonials become engaging.
And BTW, the site definitely needs an overhaul.
by CyberFonic on 5/26/11, 12:29 AM
You could add value to the book and create a franchise. For example add starter stock, etc and sell the package for say $99.
You would need to identify the sorts of people who are most likely to be interested and motivated to run such a biz, maybe part-time and then target them specifically.
Or, you could sell a master-franchise to a balloon manufacturer or distributor as a way for them to increase their sales.
by BasilAwad on 5/25/11, 3:57 PM
by djb_hackernews on 5/25/11, 4:15 PM
If you can, I'd up your marketing budget.
Also, ebooks and the like really only work if you already have a reputation, either through blog followers, newsletters etc. There is a sea of how to make money on the internet type ebooks, so it's that much more difficult to market.
by gallerytungsten on 5/25/11, 4:14 PM
by easilydoable on 5/25/11, 4:03 PM
thanks -Samir
by blackisthelight on 5/25/11, 4:09 PM