Selling Content Online?

[TexasLarry]

Does anyone here run a website where they sell "content" online?

This could be paper books, eBooks, or charging for access to content.

Thanks,

Larry in Texas

 

[fisicx]

I do.

What's the question?

 

[TexasLarry]

I do.

What's the question?

Hi!

What do you sell? Books? Access to online content? Something else?

And what is your website/business about?

 

[fisicx]

Does it matter?

What is it you want to know about selling content online?

 

[TexasLarry]

Does it matter?

What is it you want to know about selling content online?

I asked, so I suppose it does...

Looking for someone that has been successful selling content online, and curious to know how long it took them to start making money.

I am writing IT books, and as I work on them am wondering if a person can even make a dime on what I'm doing?!

Joined this website to learn from people who have successful start-up business...

 

[fisicx]

If that's all you need to know... I got my first order the same day the product went online.

However, it was a product that I knew people wanted.

There are zillions of IT books so the chances of you making any money is very slim.

 

[TexasLarry]

If that's all you need to know... I got my first order the same day the product went online.

However, it was a product that I knew people wanted.

And what might that be?

There are zillions of IT books so the chances of you making any money is very slim.

That encouraging...

FWIW, I'm writing books and content that I believe will be in demand and which is not on the market...

But I'm more interested in learning about what other people sell online and the successes and failures they have had.

Sometimes the best way to learn is by learning from people doing different things...

 

[Noah]

But I'm more interested in learning about what other people sell online and the successes and failures they have had.

Sometimes the best way to learn is by learning from people doing different things...

You seem to be asking for a lot; what do you think all this learning is worth to you? What do you think the time and effort to educate you is worth?

Maybe someone's written a book about it.

 

[TexasLarry]

You seem to be asking for a lot; what do you think all this learning is worth to you? What do you think the time and effort to educate you is worth?

Maybe someone's written a book about it.

This website was supposedly set up for people to share information and ideas.

Not sure what you are implying.

If you don't want to share your thoughts or experiences then why are you posting here?

Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder...

 

[Noah]

This website was supposedly set up for people to share information and ideas.

Not sure what you are implying.

If you don't want to share your thoughts or experiences then why are you posting here?

Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder...

I was trying to point out that you are asking very open questions; open questions take a lot of time and effort to answer, and you should consider the value of this, both to yourself and the people who might respond.

Asking a clearly-defined question is much more likely to elicit helpful responses - or you could try insulting people who have shared their thoughts.

 

[TexasLarry]

I was trying to point out that you are asking very open questions; open questions take a lot of time and effort to answer, and you should consider the value of this, both to yourself and the people who might respond.

Asking a clearly-defined question is much more likely to elicit helpful responses - or you could try insulting people who have shared their thoughts.

That goes hand and hand with starting a business and having lots of uncertainty.

If you read this thread, I don't think it is too painful for anyone to answer my two basic questions, which were...

1.) Does anyone here sell content online? (e.g. paper books, eBooks, etc.)

2.) If so, how long did it take for you to start making money?

If you knew about either of those two things, you could have answered those questions in less time than you have spent arguing...

(Most forums I have visited, people love to have long conversations about various topics. It is the beauty of conversing with people online. And my questions above are pretty tame...)

 

[fisicx]

This isn’t most forums. This is UKBF and members post to ask a question or provide answers. It’s not clear why you are posting. Is it to find out if you book will make money or to generate material to put in your book? If it’s the former then you don’t need to know what we sell. If it’s the latter then there is no benefit to use providing the information you seek.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

It is not so much the book or whatever you are trying to sell online it is the advertising and marketing of the product which gets sales

People need to find your site and then find enough to interest them in buying the item you are selling

It all makes no difference if you are selling the Queen Mary, a gold mine in Australia or a humble book of poetry, they all need to be marketed professionally to get a sale

 

[TexasLarry]

This isn’t most forums. This is UKBF and members post to ask a question or provide answers. It’s not clear why you are posting. Is it to find out if you book will make money or to generate material to put in your book? If it’s the former then you don’t need to know what we sell. If it’s the latter then there is no benefit to use providing the information you seek.

In my opinion, I have solid content and am filling a gap where no one else has delved.

Unfortunately, it seems like I am moving at a snail's pace. (Creating excellent content takes time, and lots of it!)

I was feeling frustrated and antsy yesterday that it is taking me so long to finish a couple of books. And because they are not yet finished, and I don't have them up on my website, I have no feedback on the chances of my success (or failure).

So I stumbled across this website, and figured I would join and see if there are others who are already online selling content (books, articles, subscriptions, podcasts, webinars) and try to see what did and did not work for others. And to try to get some "metrics"... For example, "I wrote my first eBook, and a month after I went live with my book/website, I made $200!"

Does that make sense?

And, NO, I definitely don't need ideas on my business or my content, because what I am creating does not exist anywhere in the world. (Whether or not it will sell remains to be seen!)

My hope coming here is that I'd get lots of exposure to people who are already succeeding doing what I aspire to do, and that I could learn from them.

(If you wanted to become a successful plumber, you'd likely find people who run their own businesses as plumbers and try to learn as much as you could to increase your chances of success, right?)

HTH.

 

[TexasLarry]

It is not so much the book or whatever you are trying to sell online it is the advertising and marketing of the product which gets sales

People need to find your site and then find enough to interest them in buying the item you are selling

It all makes no difference if you are selling the Queen Mary, a gold mine in Australia or a humble book of poetry, they all need to be marketed professionally to get a sale

You make a good point - I see people selling crap wrapped in gold foil and making a killing!

I suppose another reason for this thread is to do a "sense check" on how viable (or not) my business plan is.

For example, 10-15 years ago, a person could make a very good living doing web development. But then came along things like SquareSpace and "Get a website made in a 3rd world country for $5" and there went that profession!

Not having any metrics yet, I worry that even though I am writing a great book, and will have a great website and marketing, that *maybe* nobody gives a flying fajita about books anymore in the modern world...

That is why I am trying to find people who are already doing something similar to what I am doing, and seeing if they are able to succeed, or it this is akin to web development, where even with the best skills, it is a notch above working at Walmart!

HTH

 

[ethical PR]

Y

I suppose another reason for this thread is to do a "sense check" on how viable (or not) my business plan is.


HTH

But you don't have a business plan do you, or not one that you have shared on here?

You are writing IT books, because no-one else has written one on the same topic (quite likely because its a topic no-one or few are interested in.

To successfully sell a book online

1. Market research with target audience to identify whether there is a market
2. Well written, well structured, with target audience in mind
3. Have a decent marketing budget and marketing plan in place to sell the book via Amazon, Apple etc
4. What other people made and how many sales they made is irrelevant as they are not selling the same product and will have had a different marketing approach.

 

[TexasLarry]

But you don't have a business plan do you, or not one that you have shared on here?

I have one, just didn't share it here...

You are writing IT books, because no-one else has written one on the same topic (quite likely because its a topic no-one or few are interested in.

Wrong. I am starting this business because enough strangers have told me I have good ideas and content and that I should sell my ides, so I finally am taking their advice.

There is an enormous market for what I am doing, but that doesn't necessarily I am a good enough person to succeed. But the demand is there. Every week I can find people who support that.

4. What other people made and how many sales they made is irrelevant as they are not selling the same product and will have had a different marketing approach.

I disagree, as the example I provided above with web development.

In fairness, obviously people still buy books. But I come back to wanting to hear from other people who have already tried selling content online and hearing about their successes and failures.

(I could Google this topic and get lots of results, but I'd be skeptical because a lot of it would be people trying to sell me their "formula" for success.)

If anyone out there has written a book or a guide or some kind of content that teaches people how to do things, and if they would be willing to share their successes and failures, I would love to hear how your endeavors have went.

Things like...

- How long did it take to get your first sale?

- Did things start off super slow and build gradually?

- Or did you start getting lots of traffic and business right away?

- After 3-6 months, were you making beer money, or serious income? (Or did things peter out and you gave up?)

- What couple of things made you all the more successful?

- What couple of things turned out to be really bad ideas?

Thanks for your time!

 

[Chris Ashdown]

What you are asking is a waste of time unless they sold the same book as you and used the same advertising and Marketing

You have your own customers and your own book there is nothing in common to tell you that is of any use to you, Some books may sell one a hour others one a day

 

[TexasLarry]

What you are asking is a waste of time unless they sold the same book as you and used the same advertising and Marketing

You have your own customers and your own book there is nothing in common to tell you that is of any use to you, Some books may sell one a hour others one a day

Really?

That would be like telling someone who wanted to start a restaurant not to talk with other restaurant owners because "They don't have the same menu and customers as you!"

Or like discouraging someone who wanted to be a mechanic to not speak with other mechanics because "They work on different kinds of cars and live in a different neighborhood than you!"

I bet if you spoke with 50 professionals/business owners in an area that you wanted to go into, you would probably find that they all share similar experiences including sales.

For instance, in the U.S. if you wanted to be a truck driver than expect to make between US$50,000-$60,000 per year. (If you needed to make $250,000/year to feed your 15 children, then I would not advise you become a tuck driver!)

So why is it that some of you think it is voodoo magic to ask others to share their experiences selling books and content online?

Not exactly rocket-science...

 

[fisicx]

You don’t want advice, you are asking for details about my business. If you offered to pay $50 for an interview then I might be interested.

 

[TexasLarry]

You don’t want advice, you are asking for details about my business. If you offered to pay $50 for an interview then I might be interested.

Isn't that why online forums exist? To share experiences and ideas?

Why are you so secretive?

It's not like I'm asking for your name, address, and business plan!

(I could care less how much you did or didn't make, or how successful or not your business is. Just curious to learn about how things are going and trying to gauge that against what I'm doing which is clearly different in some aspects!)

In my day job, I made US$140,000 last year. And I made US$0 from my startup, because it isn't live yet. There.

That wasn't so hard.

BTW, I think I can make A LOT more money running my own business, although that certainly isn't based on anything you shared with me so far....

 

[Noah]

So why is it that some of you think it is voodoo magic to ask others to share their experiences selling books and content online?

you should consider the value of this, both to yourself and the people who might respond.

if you wanted to be a truck driver

...would you post on a professional drivers' forum "looking for advice on the best routes, and how many jobs I will get in the first year"?

I'm hoping you'll have an epiphany, but I suspect you will just keep telling us why we are all obliged to teach you for free everything we know about "selling content online", and nothing about realistic expectations nor forum etiquette.

 

[TexasLarry]

...would you post on a professional drivers' forum "looking for advice on the best routes, and how many jobs I will get in the first year"?

I'm hoping you'll have an epiphany, but I suspect you will just keep telling us why we are all obliged to teach you for free everything we know about "selling content online", and nothing about realistic expectations nor forum etiquette.

I never asked anyone to "teach" me anything!!

I asked if anyone is running a similar business to mine and how business is going.

What is so hard to understand about that?

You're twisting my words into things I have not said.

Most entrepreneurs I know LOVE to tell you about their businesses much as moms love to tell people all about their kids.

Maybe if you'd promote your business more your sales would grow?

 

[fisicx]

Maybe that’s how it works in ‘murica, it’s not how the British do things. And mothers talking about their children is the worst thing ever.

 

[TexasLarry]

Maybe that’s how it works in ‘murica, it’s not how the British do things. And mothers talking about their children is the worst thing ever.

No, I don't believe people in the UK are nearly as bitter as you are.

Most Brits I've met are very friendly.

And to think that I am asking for and giving free advice to people on 4 other forums right now proves to me that the Internet is indeed a great place to learn and teach.

(This morning I've gotten advice on music and movies and gave someone really good advice on finances and IT programming, so I know sharing on forums works!)

Come out from under your gloomy clouds Noah, and join the rest of us in the sunlight...

 

[fisicx]

I’m not bitter. I just don’t want to share details of my business on a public forum where there is no benefit to me.

But how about this. Why don’t you tell us all about your business first. Answer the question you have set for us.

 

[TexasLarry]

I’m not bitter. I just don’t want to share details of my business on a public forum where there is no benefit to me.

But how about this. Why don’t you tell us all about your business first. Answer the question you have set for us.

You supposedly own a business and you don't want anyone in the public to know about it??

Are you on the black market?

Sure, I could share more about my business, but you're so combative, what good would that do at this point?

Frankly, I came here because it is a UK site and I figured people would be much more laid back and social than on many U.S. sites I visit.

My experience on other forums I frequent is that the Brits and Aussies and usually the most open and friendly.

Not sure what is in people's craw here, but it's rather disheartening.

I know it's not me, because I have 8-10 other threads going on other sites from topics ranging from football to music to IT to business and no one is being so pissy.

Whatever.

 

[The Byre]

Listen Larry - I'll give you a tip!

Just write the f**king thing!

Don't write it because it'll make money. Don't write it because you want adoration or admiration! Write it because writing a book is a fun and creative thing to do.

And if you have eight or ten threads going on elsewhere, stop doing that and write your great opus instead. Even if you don't sell a single copy and you just give away copies to friends and colleagues, it will still be worth the effort. It's like making a great movie or writing and recording a great piece of music. If you do these things just for money, you will fail. If you do these things because it is a creative and fun thing to do, the end product will be reward enough! Trust me on this!

Now do it!

 

[TexasLarry]

Listen Larry - I'll give you a tip!

Just write the f**king thing!

Don't write it because it'll make money. Don't write it because you want adoration or admiration! Write it because writing a book is a fun and creative thing to do.

And if you have eight or ten threads going on elsewhere, stop doing that and write your great opus instead. Even if you don't sell a single copy and you just give away copies to friends and colleagues, it will still be worth the effort. It's like making a great movie or writing and recording a great piece of music. If you do these things just for money, you will fail. If you do these things because it is a creative and fun thing to do, the end product will be reward enough! Trust me on this!

Now do it!

Um, I already finished my first book. 25 chapters and about 1,000 pages.

Would like to have at least 3-4 books before I try and sell them, as an online store with one book seems silly to me.

And, yes, the motivation for my business is my love of solving a problem for which I have answers.

While it is definitely not about money, if I can monetize it, then I can quit my day job and do it full-time which would be great.

If I never sold a single book, I suppose I would still keep doing this because of my passion for the topic. Yet at the same time, I'd like to try and be a good business person and find that 'sweet spot" where what I write can earn me a new living.

Was just curious if there are any writers out there who have modest operations (e.g. couple of books or guides) that are actually able to get some leverage and make some decent money.

I suppose if you solve other people's problems, there's gotta be a way to make money off that, yet not having done this before some days - like when I joined yesterday - I feel unsure of this whole endeavor sometimes.

It would be a whole lot easier to know that someone else has succeeded at what I am venturing...

 

[fisicx]

You supposedly own a business and you don't want anyone in the public to know about it??.

Loads of people know about my business. I just don't want tell all to a complete stranger.

 

[TexasLarry]

Loads of people know about my business. I just don't want tell all to a complete stranger.

Why not, Graham?

 

[fisicx]

Because my primary online enterprise is quite niche and very lucrative. Telling the world all about it will mean they can copy what I have done and spoil my fun. It's got nothing to do with the stuff in my signature (although one of the three earns me $$$ everyday).

 

[TexasLarry]

Because my primary online enterprise is quite niche and very lucrative. Telling the world all about it will mean they can copy what I have done and spoil my fun. It's got nothing to do with the stuff in my signature (although one of the three earns me $$$ everyday).

But I never asked you deluge any trade secrets, did I? (And I follow your sentiments about protecting "intellectual privacy"...)

I merely asked if anyone sells content online (e.g. books or guides) and how was business.

You could have said...

"I make $100/week and it good fun money and that hardly gives away your business."

or

"It started off slow, but after a year it really took off!"

or

"It hasn't worked out as well as I hoped."

Not so tough...

 

[The Byre]

But I never asked you deluge any trade secrets

I could care less how much you did or didn't make,

where no one else has delved.

My hope coming here is that I'd get lots of exposure to people who are already succeeding doing what I aspire to do, and that I could learn from them.

Make sure you get a good editor and a sub-editor to go through your copy before you commit to print!

 

[Colin Forrest]

It doesn't matter what you are selling online, content, shoes, boats - if you can't promote it then you aren't going to make any money. I wouldn't focus primarily on the fact that you are trying to sell a certain type of content and would look more to actually who it is that would be interested in getting it and then market it - PPC and the like...