If you are discouraged because traditional methods of book or product distribution haven’t brought you the profits you wanted, think Internet distribution. This Online promotion method is good for the long haul and costs you little time or money. With Online distribution the self-published author or Web business site gets to keep all the money.
Whether you have a Print on Demand (POD) book, traditionally printed book, or an eBook, you can become your own distributor these ways:
1. Distribute through two-step email promotion campaigns.
You don’t need a Web site to sell products. Benefit from the easy and preferred way to buy by three trillion in 2002.
First Step: Send a freebie to your different email lists. Think of your email groups–customers, clients, ezine subscribers, ePublishers, teleclass groups, and networkers. Offer to give them a free answer to one question. Offer a free “Special Report,” or an excerpt from your book. These give your relationship a good start, because increased sales come from trust developed during relationship marketing more than anything else.
Second Step: Follow up with your book sales letter. Each sales message includes: headline to capture attention, background of problem, where the potential buyer wants to be, benefits and features of how to get there. Add testimonials and be sure they are credible and sincere.
Be sure to ask for the sale and include several easy ways to buy: toll free number, fax or mail by an order form placed at the end of the sales letter, or if you have a Web site, a link to where they can buy with a secure provider.
2. Distribute through your own ezine.
Write your own ezine if you want to attract more credibility, trust, and sales. Because your potential clients and customers expect a lot of free information, include a lot of useful content such as a feature article, editor’s note, resources and tips. You’ll get to be well known as the “expert.” In each ezine, add your sales messages for your products or service. Keep your ezine regular-once every two weeks or once a month to start. Keep it short–a real challenge to many of us.
3. Distribute by submitting how-to free articles to top opt-in ezines.
Online readers love free information. They subscribe to ezines you can submit your well-written article to. After learning acceptable article formats from a book coach, start subscribing and submitting them. Collect 5-10 edited articles before you send. Thousands, even 500,000-targeted potential buyers will see your article with your signature file on it every time you submit it.
Be sure your product is up on a Web site. Many Web publishers will take your e or print book, sell it, and distribute it or you for a commission of 60% or so. This is great for people who do not have their own site.
4. Distribute through your signature file on every email you send.
At the bottom of each email is a signature file. It should have your name and title, your top benefit, a free offer, a link to where your book