next »

[RunAmokFarm]

Not sure if this should be posted here, or in Technorati? 

Anyway, because I do pet nutrition consultations as well as posting on various forums regarding species-appropriate foods for pets (and on general pet care) I frequently have people asking if I have written a book(s) on these subjects...  Truth is, I have enough articles already written to produce two fairly good-sized books... all stored neatly in my pc. 

Last year, before I had my surgery/got pregnant, I was considering publishing a softback book -- but had to put this idea on the back burner, so to speak.  Now, with the new baby (and various medical bills) our finances are pretty tight... so am considering the possibility producing an eBook from home.  Here are some thoughts, questions...

1. EXPERIENCE(s)
Does any one have any experience with writing/producing/marketing an eBook?  Most of my clients would just be word-of-mouth (I think), but with my consulting, it might take off!?

2. COPYRIGHT PROTECTION?
Obviously, I would need to have some form of copyright protection...  I know my pdf maker (I use open office) protects against edits and/or cutting/pasting my text -- but folks could still easily send the document (book) on to anyone (everyone! ha) via email - how can I prevent this from happening -- or should I even worry about it?   

3. HOME-PRODUCED or GO THROUGH A COMPANY?
Would it be better to go through a company, versus producing and marketing this personally from my website?  If I should consider a company, any ideas which one?

4. SHOULD I WAIT??
Is this even a good idea vs waiting and trying to come up with a budget "sometime" in the next couple years for a paperback book??

5. DOES ANYONE EVEN BUY EBOOKS??
As in: If YOU were looking for pet information, would YOU consider purchasing an eBook, or would you prefer to get a paperback book instead?

6. MARKETING QUESTION
Marketing perspective...  I personally think, in most cases, a paperback would be a better idea, if I could afford it... however... Many of my potential purchasers are folks who I have done personal consultations for via phone or email.  Would knowing/trusting someone on a more personal level like this cause YOU to be more likely to purchase an eBook from them - even if you wouldn't normally purchase one otherwise?  In other words, if the potential buyers "know" me, would this maybe make a difference, as in make the eBook feel more "friendly" or "comfortable" for them to purchase?

7. IF AN EBOOK DOES WELL...
Is there any reason a person would not be able to then produce it in paperback form later??

8. PRICING??
What should someone charge for an eBook?  There are only 7-8 books I know of on the subject of "species-appropriate foods" or "natural-rearing", so not a lot of "competition"...  Possibly making a eBook on this topic/these topics more appealing?  Is $4.00 appropriate, or should it be less/more?

Thank you for reading this...  Any comments or help greatly appreciated!
Jaque

[seekingtruth]

I can give some input for some of your questions-

 Yes, you will want to have copyright protection.  I believe this is a relatively easy thing to do.  With an ebook- you just have to rely on people's honesty.  I am sure there are some that will not honor it, but hopefully most will.

I would do it myself instead of going through a company.  It seems like an easy business to run- and don't you have older children that can help if necessary.

I have personally purchased a number of ebooks.  And it seems like a good topic that would lend itself well to such a format.  Not a classic that you would necessarily want in hardback, but an easy and affordable way for people to learn from your experience.

I say go for it.  I don't see any reason to wait- especially if you are in need of cash.  There are a number of places that offer books in ebook or paper form.  So I don't see why you couldn't offer it in book form later on.  There are affordable self publishing options available.  I just got a spiral binding machine for a good price here- http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Coil-Pro-Spiral-Binding-Machine-Free-Crimpers-/120608597730?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

And I believe those that you know would be a good starting market base.  And I am sure there are books (and ebooks) on how to advertise on the web- how to use the right search words for search engines, etc.  And you could find places to advertise.  Any place that attracts natural health minded people would be a good place to advertise.

And I think $4.00 is too low of a price!  I think your knowledge is worth more than that.    You could start at $14.95 and offer "special offers" and other promotions.  This motivates many to go ahead and "buy now" so to speak.  I am sure there are good books on this...but I don't know of any to recommend.

I think it is a great idea! 

[amy3js]

I don't have answers to your questions, but I will be honest for a minute. There is a book published by someone that I REALLY want to read, but it only comes as an e-book and for that reason I have yet to buy it. I prefer to read my books as hard copies. However, I am thinking of buying it anyway as it seems she isn't going to publish as a "real" book any time soon. But the price is 19.95! and even though I value what this woman has to say, it just seems a bit high to me.

I think some people are more into e-books than I am, so I'm not saying no one will want to buy it. But, for me at least, I pause before I pay much money for an e-book. 4.99 is probably too low, but, IMO, 19.95 is too much.

Have you looked into lulu?

[grateful]

Speaking to the question of pricing, I can't tell what's appropriate, but I can offer you a slice of our own buying experience. Even with content that we really love and want, we rarely pay more than 7 or 8 dollars for an ebook, simply because our use of it is limited to reading it at the one computer (which can be used for one thing at a time) or printing it off with paper and ink that we pay for. We definitely like having hardcover and paperback books, and will pay more for them if we need the info. For a comprehensive, well-organized, indexed ebook we'd pay probably 8 dollars, and for the same in paperback maybe 12. This is just us, though. Don't know about trends right now. Sounds like a worthy venture!

[RunAmokFarm]

Thank you for the comments!! 

I have also been, tentatively, looking into Amazon's "Kindle" books.  I would be able to write/format an eBook for their Kindle book section... and then they would market/sell it for (what looks like) 30% of the book price.  Most of the eBooks are running around $9 - $15 in this category -- but like most of you, I think that is quite a bit for a digital book, but guess it really depends upon the content.

Had another email suggestion, recommending I just write/format the book myself and then sell from my website - that way I get it done soon, and don't lose any of the profit.  I do lose some of the security features of selling from a place like Amazon, as well as some of the "credibility", likely... but, on the other hand, I could also offer sales, and regulate my pricing, etc.

Any other ideas, thoughts, experiences?
J

[seekingtruth]

Thank you for the comments!! 

I have also been, tentatively, looking into Amazon's "Kindle" books.  I would be able to write/format an eBook for their Kindle book section... and then they would market/sell it for (what looks like) 30% of the book price.  Most of the eBooks are running around $9 - $15 in this category -- but like most of you, I think that is quite a bit for a digital book, but guess it really depends upon the content.

Had another email suggestion, recommending I just write/format the book myself and then sell from my website - that way I get it done soon, and don't lose any of the profit.  I do lose some of the security features of selling from a place like Amazon, as well as some of the "credibility", likely... but, on the other hand, I could also offer sales, and regulate my pricing, etc.

Any other ideas, thoughts, experiences?
J

If you do decide to market it through a company- I think the kindle idea is a good one.  We are actually looking at getting one since they have come down in price.  There are a lot of public domain books we like to use for school and it would be much easier than reading on the computer or printing them out.

If you do start a website and find it not being productive enough- you could always do the kindle thing then, correct?  You would be able to charge a better price, offer sales, and have a better profit margin if you do it yourself.  Although I am not sure how much advertising would cost you?

Do you have the book written?  Or in process?  If I remember correctly  there are some people on here that like to edit? 

[grateful]

Also, RunAmokFarm, and I apologize if I missed this already being said, but if you market it yourself, it will turn up on search engines by you having a listing on ebay, wouldn't it? Do they let you do ebooks on ebay? Of course you could network with pet blogs, vet blogs, nature blogs, placing ads on their pages, but I don't know how much that costs. Maybe they have something you want. Like a trade.

[RunAmokFarm]

Again, thank you all for the responses!!

Both marketing for myself and the Amazon Kindle book plans have strong pros and some slight cons... so still not sure which way I should go with this.  At this point (unless I just completely "wow" everyone with myincredibly fantastic writing skills (not!), I think the pricing should definitely be under $10, as I can't imagine myself spending more than that on an eBook...

QUESTION:
Does anyone know if the eBook format (for Kindle or other e-readers) allows for photos??  (I have some GREAT photos I want to include, but ??)

With my husband's blessing, I am going to finish putting it all together - then fine-tune it!  At some point, I may need a volunteer (or two) for editing "idears".   

Any more thoughts, ideas?  Prayers??   
Jaque

[~esposita~]

Something I've been thinking about (regarding the cost of your e-book) is WHO is your audience?  Are they (excuse the stereotyping) rich doggie-lovers that go to all costs for their pups?  Are they hippy-ish people that have dogs that they want to 'raise' naturally and 'down to earth-y'?  Are they middle of the run type ?  What kind of category do most of you clientele fit into?  That could help you determine the cost. 

If most of your clients are on the wealthier side of the population, $4 may make it seem that the content is 'not worth it.'  On the other hand, $9 may seem like there are treasures worth buying!

If most of your clients are on the not-so-wealthy side, $9 may be too much to sell any!  $4-5 may make it more reasonable.

On the other hand... DH just said that you should price it for $15-20 and give coupons to cool people like us.    That you should set an 'idiot' price and then make periodic deals.  People should feel they are getting a deal - people that pay the big bucks would feel like they are getting their money's worth; people that wait for a coupon or a deal would feel like they are getting, well, a deal!!

[seekingtruth]

Kindle does allow photos, but it is in black and white- not color.  At least that is my understanding.  And if you do it yourself- I would think you would just make it a pdf file that is downloaded.  They do allow for color photos.

Esposita stated much more eloquently what I was trying to say about the price.  Make the regular price higher and then offer specials.

Advanced search

• 1 Timothy 3:16 GOD was manifest in the flesh, or the Vatican versions "he"?: Translation Questions and Discussion byandiclare (3)
• Revelation 18:20 - Bible critics and "ye holy apostles and prophets": Translation Questions and Discussion bybrandplucked (0)
• What About the 2011 NIV Old Testament?: Translation Questions and Discussion bybrandplucked (0)
• 1 Samuel 6:19 Is your Bible the 100% historical truth of God? 50,070 or 70 slain: Translation Questions and Discussion bybrandplucked (3)
• What About the new NIV 2011?: Translation Questions and Discussion bybrandplucked (2)
• Answering the Typical Anti-KJB Only sites: Translation Questions and Discussion bybrandplucked (0)
• We are Gods?: Bible Discussion bySoffi (0)
• Every Man For Himself Bible Versions: Translation Questions and Discussion bybrandplucked (0)
• Answering James White's Question - Which KJV?: Translation Questions and Discussion byAndysDad (6)

• Japanese/English Bible?: Translation & Publishing—Resources, Questions & Interaction byGarlicMomma (5)
• Beka....?: Announcements & Updates byandiclare (0)
• HELP? Hubby can't sleep (I tried to search this): Healthcare @ Home byandiclare (1)
• Where is everyone?: Nothing Deep byGarlicMomma (5)
• Introduce Yourself!: Nothing Deep bypiperjameson (325)
• The scoop on Soap: House and Home byCherika Four Seasons (1)
• Ideas: Children serving each other: Parenting byjenibee (0)
• My husband needs help with something I think is wrong: Relationships byjackiee (4)
• like minded moms?: Parenting byHomeschool_Newbie (2)
• "Courtship" discussions/questions: Relationships byHomeschool_Newbie (15)
• Announcing....: Announcements & Updates byBJ_BOBBI_JO (5)
• 80 days dream: Announcements & Updates bybasething (16)
• strabismus: Healthcare @ Home byFree Woman (10)
• Prayer Requests -- Health Related: Healthcare @ Home byBJ_BOBBI_JO (640)
• Translations in Guatemala...: Translation & Publishing—Resources, Questions & Interaction byAndysDad (5)
• Boring christian life: Sarah's Daughters byBJ_BOBBI_JO (6)
• Is this site for real?: Relationships byandiclare (2)
• Emergency food: canned or powder?: Nothing Deep byGarlicMomma (9)
• A heart issue for my children?: Parenting byandiclare (9)
• Keeping Warm, Heating Tips & Tricks: House and Home byherbalmom (60)

[Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.Did you miss your activation email?]

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

February 08, 2012, 03:38:42 PM

1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

Members

• Total Members: 6896
• Latest: ESTel987

Stats

• Total Posts: 243886
• Total Topics: 21906
• Online Today: 37
• Online Ever: 437
• (April 01, 2008, 03:09:36 PM)

Users Online

• Users: 0
• Guests: 28
• Total: 28