The Internet Marketing Ebook Craze: How to Make Savvy Ebook
Choices
Jeez! Internet marketing Ebooks are everywhere. "Secrets
Revealed" and "Something-or-another Magic". "10,000,000 Killer
Ideas" and "Instant Money Without Working For It". And, of
course, the latest-and-greatest of all...
"How to Crank Out a New Ebook Every 30 Seconds!"
Is this what we call "the ebook craze"? A better name might be
the "Make-a-Quick-Buck Ebook Frenzy!"
Now, don't get me wrong. I like ebooks. I like them a lot. I
love being able to place an order, click download, and be seeing
what I bought light up 480,000 pixels in blazing color on my
computer screen within a matter of minutes.
But, I also want those kilobytes of data to deliver real
substance. "Meaty" stuff that I can sink my teeth into and learn
from. Original ideas that dispatch a psycho-electric charge to
my brain and makes that little light in my head glow bright and
warm.
Sadly, it's been a long while since an ebook has delivered much
more to my hard drive than the current you'd get from a nearly
dead AAA battery.
And is it any wonder? Some authors (and a few of them very
respected Internet marketers) are cranking out one ebook after
another. It seems the onslaught to cash in on the ebook craze is
creating an unending proliferation of poorly done ebooks.
So, how can you weed out the good ebooks from the bad? How can
you know which ones will deliver value for your hard earned
dollar BEFORE you make the investment?
Here's a few "rules of thumb" that I think will serve you well
as you consider your next marketing ebook purchase:
#1 - A QUALITY PRODUCT WILL SELL ON IT'S OWN MERITS
I can't remember how many ebook sales sites I've visited where
half to two-thirds of the sales copy was directed at all the
"valuable(?) bonuses" I'd get with my purchase. This kind of
site screams "LOW QUALITY!" to me.
I've always felt that true quality can stand on it's own. A
product that delivers honest value needs no help from freebies
and will sell completely on it's own merit.
#2 - A HIGH AFFILIATE COMMISSION CAN SIGNAL INFLATED PRICES
Check to see if there is an affiliate program for the ebook. If
so, look at the commission structure. While not always true, a
commission pay out of greater than 25-35% could mean you're
paying an inflated price to make up for the commission.
With commission structures you must exercise your own good
judgement. Just remember that those who make their living by
selling other's products through affiliate programs consider a
25-35% commission a fair return.
#3 - IS THERE A FREE TRIAL DOWNLOAD?
Look for a free trial download of one or two chapters from the
ebook. This is a very good sign of the author's confidence in
the product and your opportunity to get a glimpse of what you'll
be getting with the full "paid-for" version.
Always use this option if available. You can tell a lot about
the ebook and the quality of the content by reading a single
chapter. A free trial download generally comes with a
table-of-contents, too. Here you'll get an idea if the ebook is
going to deliver MORE or LESS than what you expect for the price.
#4 - WATCH FOR THOSE "USE-IT-FOR-A-FULL-YEAR" GUARANTEES
Contrary to what you might believe, a LONG guarantee period
usually signals lower quality.
Think about it. Do you remember what you purchased a year ago?
This type of guarantee can lull you out of a sense of urgency to
evaluate your purchase. The author is likely hoping you will
"download-it-and-forget-it".
I have much more confidence in my ebook purchases when there is
a simple 30 day "no questions asked" money back guarantee. It
signals to me that the author is confident that I will be a
satisfied customer.
#5 - "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR" DOESN'T ALWAYS APPLY
Ebooks literally cost next to nothing to produce and deliver.
Therefore, the prices of digital products are determined
strictly from perceived value. And perceived value is directly
related to good (or bad) sales copy.
Do a little research on the author. Many times you will find
that the content of the author's newest ebook is no more than a
collection of articles posted for FREE at his web site only
re-written in a little more detail.
Think twice before you shell out $97.00 plus for an ebook. With
the current ebook craze you RARELY get what you pay for.
#6 - ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS DEMAND VALUE
Is there a "no questions asked" money back guarantee? If there
is, and you DON'T find a value that meets or exceeds the price
you paid, USE IT!
Unfortunately, this "make-a-quick-buck" craze gives a black-eye
to the quality-conscious ebook publishers and their affiliate
programs. By demanding quality we may eventually see an end to
the current tide of low value ebooks.