I hope you enjoy this short issue. To tell you the truth, not much has happened lately that has been very exciting. I've been concentrating on Amazon on one hand, while trying some new things on the other, which you will hear about soon...

Oh and by the way - for the record, in real life I do not look as red as I do in the video below...although I really am that bald. Also, I am proud that I was able to work my favorite gin into the scene.

On to the newsletter...

In This Issue

1. Video Tip: Add the Shine Back to Your Book Covers
2. 20 Ways to Make Money Now on the Internet
   
3. The End of the "Wild West" Days for Online Sellers
   

1. Video Tip: Add the Shine Back to Your Book Covers

If you are a seller of used books, you may be able to relate to this: You find a book in very nice condition. It seems no one has ever read it. It has just sat around, possibly piled up with other books and the once-pristine shine of the cover has become dull and scuffed. It's a shame to rate a book as only "Good" when it's still practically "Like New." What can you do?

When I wrote, Amazon-The Quick & Dirty Guide, I mentioned a few ways to spruce up your books so they would be more appealing to your buyers. There was one thing that I hadn't figured out at the time though, and that was how to get that shine back on a cover to pull a little higher price from a good used book. I have figured out something that works for me, and I've created a quick video to show you what it is:

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2. 20 Ways to Make Money Now on the Internet

When I wrote my first ebook, Jim Cockrum contacted me and we began what has turned out to be a good business relationship, as well as a friendship. I've never told anyone this, but at first I was always waiting for the "other shoe to drop" as Jim helped me get started. I kept expecting that there would be some "catch" or "strings attached" to what he told me. There wasn't. I eventually found out that really is Jim a very nice, and honest guy.

Last week when he sent me an email announcing a new ebook titled: 20 Ways to Make Money Now on the Internet, I had to take a look at it right away. He may have sent me a free copy as a friend, if I'd asked - but he's busy, so I just bought it myself. I'm glad I did.

Jim has put together a collection of ideas that anyone can make money with. There are 20 strong, proven methods here, along with a unique rating scale to help you see how difficult they are, as well as how quickly you can expect to see a return on your efforts. (Disclaimer: When it comes to selling on Amazon, Jim discusses Selling on 'the River,' an unsolicited endorsement which I appreciate.)

Even though I'd heard of many of these ideas before, I wound up with a list of projects I plan on tackling this year alone after reading it. Just seeing these methods described in someone else's words helped me think in some new directions.

Each idea is discussed in a basic manner, along with that rating system I mentioned. Then for more in-depth information, Jim points you to resources that really dig into the details. Even without venturing into those resources, I have a platefull already to deal with. I recommend 20 Ways to Make Money Now on the Internet for anyone looking to get their creative income juices flowing.

UPDATE: I was already happy with the ebook, but I just received an email with even more resources from Jim. You'll also get the entire book in audio format, so you can listen to it while you work. I also got access to a free copy of his newest version of The Silent Sales Machine.

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3. The End of the "Wild West" Days for Online Sellers

As this economy stumbles along, the governments are working hard to make sure anyone who generates income gives them a cut. For many years, some online sellers have considered themselves immune to the taxman. Business on the internet has been compared to the free-for-all days of the "wild west" in the western United States.

Much as barbed-wire tamed the west, in the United States, the Internal Revenue Service has announced that online payment companies, such as PayPal, Google Payments, and Amazon, will be required to issue Form 1099-K beginning next year. That form will report the "earnings" from online sales to the IRS and taxpayers will not be able to fly "under the radar" as before.

There are a bunch of questions that need to be answered, of course. For example, how will sellers report losses against the reported amounts? PayPal doesn't know how much I paid for my item, my shipping supplies, and my office. But the bottom line for those sellers who haven't been reporting their income properly is - you'd better get your accounting act together.  For years, we've been hearing that we should treat our online selling as a bona fide business, with Tax ID number, separate business finances, proper licenses, etc. Now those who followed that advice will sleep well at night, and those who didn't may be reading Bookkeeping for Dummies.

Bookkeeping For Dummies List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $8.88 Used From: $7.99 Average Rating:

Ina Steiner has an excellent article on this new form and what it will mean for online retailers at: http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abu/y210/m03/abu0258/s03

I have finally found some time to write a few things for you. Sales are still going strong on Amazon, and I'm working hard at building up my inventory. So this issue focuses primarily on Amazon selling.

There have been a few book sales in my area lately, and I've seen a few other booksellers with scanners. They can be a bit pushy, even downright rude - so I've come up with an idea for an invention: A book scanner / taser combo! If anyone gets pushy or rude - Zapp!

On to the newsletter...

In This Issue

1. Amazon FBA - Now I Know...
2. What Sells on Amazon? Amazon Pre-Order Reports
   
3. A Call for Non-Media Amazon Sellers
4. Recently Found...
   

1. Amazon FBA - Now I know...

When I started using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) several months ago, I had a bunch of questions. However, I did not wait for all of the answers before getting started. I figured they would come in time, and they have. Besides that, I've just learned more about the program as I've gone along. Here are a few things I wondered about.

• What happens if my shipment is damaged on the way to Amazon's warehouse?

This has happened to me once. I shipped a box of books (some valued at over $100) to Amazon FBA. They were damaged in transit according to UPS's tracking information, and some of the contents were "discarded."

This caused me some concern, but I was patient and waited to see what would happen. I did take the step of politely inquiring about the shipment through Amazon's Contact Us form and got a response within a day. Even so, it was a "wait and see" situation.

My package (or what was left of it) was sent to Amazon in Washington state for inspection. To make a long story short, they automatically credited me for what was lost, and shipped the rest to the warehouse where it is now in stock. The credit was very fair. Since the shipment was inventoried, they could tell what was missing. They gave me the fair market selling value of the items on Amazon, less Amazon fees. I was completely happy with the outcome. The books that were damaged would not have sold quickly. But with the settlement it was as if they sold right away.

TIP: Amazon guarantees your shipment to their warehouse. You must pack your items properly, according to the specifications in the FBA manual, to avoid damage. Most importantly though - you must use Amazon's Partnered Carrier - UPS. If you don't - you're on your own.

• Do I have to put labels on each item I send to Amazon?

The short answer is "yes." The vast majority of us will be required to put a scannable label on each item. Creating those labels is part of the Shipment Creation process and you can print them on your own printer. You should buy Avery #58160 white, repositionable labels so they can be easily removed later.

There are some circumstances where labeling every item is not necessary. If you're shipping a case of identical, new books for example, you may label the case.

• Do you have to package your products for shipping before sending them to Amazon's warehouse?

A general rule is, if you're selling media items (books, CDs, cassettes, or DVDs) you may combine them all together, and ship them to Amazon. They will pull, pack, and ship the item for you in boxes they provide. (An important exception to this rule is with regard to multiple volume set book publications. They must be packed for Amazon just as you would pack them to ship yourself. The set forms a unit.)

Just about everything besides the media products mentioned above needs to be sent to Amazon labeled, and ready to ship. They won't assemble or combine items for you at their warehouse. For example: you can't send a case of tea cups and a case of tea pots and and expect them to fulfill the combined order for a tea set.

• Doesn't shipping to Amazon's warehouse eat into the profits?

When creating your shipment, you'll see the option to use Amazon's Partnered Carrier (UPS) or your own carrier. If you use Amazon's Partnered Carrier, the shipping label is created on their account, with their (really low) rates. It's the cheapest way to ship to Amazon. Once the shipment arrives at their warehouse, your Amazon Payments account will be debited for the shipping amount.

I'm sure I'll cover more things in the future. A few months ago I talked about an ebook by Nathan Holmquist called Selling on Amazon's FBA Program. This ebook is what got me to try FBA. The original version was pretty short, and I even mentioned that to Nathan that I could use some more details.

He recently revised and expanded Selling on Amazon's FBA Program, and it's for sale now. (If you purchased the earlier version, you should have received an email from him offering the new version at no additional charge.) If you were holding back for some reason, and you want to quickly get up to speed on FBA, and especially how to make money on books, grab this ebook!

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2. What Sells on Amazon? Check the Pre-Orders

Amazon doesn't share their recent sales like eBay does. But they do provide some helpful reports on what people want to buy. Every so often, I receive an Amazon.com Top Out-Of-Stock Products Report.  The products listed are the top 50 products in the Books category that customers were interested in during the last month, but are currently unable to purchase because there was no available inventory from any sellers as of January 18, 2010. You may receive that report yourself for the category you sell in the most.

There is another report that gives you much more information, as well as the amount people are actually willing to pay for an out of stock item.

Amazon Pre-Order Reports used to be known as the Buyers Waiting Report. These reports list products that are out of stock, with buyers waiting to buy. It's a good tool to let you know what is in demand, and if you happen to find the actual products listed and list them, you may have a sweet sale.

Here is a good selling tip: Many of the products in demand, are not available in all countries. For example, you may skip over the non-English books in your local shops, but some of them will bring hundreds of dollars. I remember a seller years ago that sold Pampers baby diapers from the US to several countries in Europe for hefty profits.

Here are links to Pre-Order lists in various countries:

Canada: https://secure.amazon.ca/exec/panama/seller-admin/download/preorder-report/

France: https://secure.amazon.fr/exec/panama/seller-admin/download/preorder-report/

Germany: https://secure.amazon.de/exec/panama/seller-admin/download/preorder-report/

United Kingdom: https://secure.amazon.co.uk/exec/panama/seller-admin/download/preorder-report/

United States: https://secure.amazon.com/exec/panama/seller-admin/download/preorder-report/

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3. Do you sell NON-media items on Amazon?

Selling on 'the River' explained many of the basics of selling on Amazon.com. Since then, lots of things have changed, including Amazon. I am currently working on an advanced version of Selling on 'the River.' I'm looking for a few successful non-media sellers to interview and make part of the new book. I'm interested in what challenges you face, and how you've overcome them.

It's a chance for some promotion and maybe some increased business. (No offense to the media sellers, but I'm well-covered in that area already.)

If your Amazon sales are a large percentage of your business, and you'd like to talk, please contact me via email at: steve (at) multichannelsurfer.com.

I'll try to respond to everyone, but please understand, I work alone, and it can take a little time. I look forward to hearing from you!

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4. Recent Finds...

Before I go, I thought I'd share a few of the items I've found poking around my town thrift shops and garage sales.

In one store, I had a pretty dry run and I went to stand in the checkout line. While there, I was looking around the store for anything I'd missed. I noticed a set of books in a slipcase and went to take a look. It was an extremely nice set of 13 Lemony Snicket books called: A Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events). I got them for $30 and I'll list the set soon for just under $100.

On the same visit, I found another boxed set of three books by Shel Silverstein. He wrote, what I believe may be, my wife's favorite childhood book, Where the Sidewalk Ends. That book is included along with two others by Mr. Silverstein in: The Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein Box Set (Where the Sidewalk Ends / A Light in the Attic / Falling Up).

I picked up the set for $12 and it's in pristine condition. It should go for between $80 - $100 once listed.

The lesson for me is, don't get stuck looking in the same old places. Look in places other people may have missed, and you may find some real treasures.

The last "find" came from an garage sale near my home. I went hoping to find a bunch of used books, but found none worth taking home. Before I left though, I decided to take one walk through the sale. There was a box with a bunch of old magazines which I avoided. I have a weakness for stacks of magazines, thinking I will sell them one at time for huge profits. There are literally stacks of them in my garage still waiting to be sold.

In this box at the sale were 98 Down Beat magazines from 1944-1948. The price was $.10 per issue.

Being a music lover, I couldn't resist all the articles on jazz, be-bop, and WWII. I asked how much they'd take for the whole box and I was pretty surprised when the guy said, "How 'bout $5 ?" I gladly paid up.

They are in great condition too. I'll list them on eBay in lots, simply because I know I'll never list them individually. I've found some similar that have sold for $5 and up - per issue! So I'm pretty sure I will make a profit on my $5 investment.

Thanks again for reading!  Keep selling!

Steve

When I was a kid, for some reason I've now forgotten I sold candy bars. Once I'd sold enough that I had a little profit, I bought one for myself and promptly ate it. That's where I learned the term "eating the profits." Now that I'm selling books on Amazon, I keep buying books to sell, only to start reading them when I get home. I'm reading two books simultaneously right now. Eating the profits again.
Maybe I'd be better off selling things I wouldn't use - like hair-care products, or exercise equipment.

On to the newsletter...

In This Issue

1. Make More Money - Lose the Fuzzy Slippers
2. Reader Spotlight: Meet Andrea, a Real-Life Etsy.com Seller!
   
3. Just Added: Two New eBooks for Under $10
4. Recently Found...
   

1. Lose the fuzzy slippers.

A lot of readers write to me and say how they dream of working from home. They want to get rid of their "real job" and work in their fuzzy slippers all day. The fuzzy slippers are almost a symbol of working from home. No boss. No office politics. No commute. Pure heaven right?

The fact is, even when working from home, if you fail to treat it seriously you will fail. You will be as successful as you picture yourself. If every day is "casual Friday," there is a good chance your business is casual through and through.

I have personally noticed that my attitude toward my work is affected by my dress and grooming. There were days when I would grab a cup of coffee and sit at my desk while still in my pajamas. Other days, I dressed in khakis and a dressy-casual shirt, plus shoes (and socks). Guess what? My attitude was totally different and I was much more productive on the days where I dressed for work. It matters. You must think your work is important.

If our attitude is too casual while working from home we will not be as productive and we won't make as much money. The way we think about what we do can move us forward, or keep us stuck in a rut. In the book The Magic of Thinking Big, David Schwartz tells this old story:

There's an old story often told about the job attitudes of three brick layers. When asked, "What are you doing?" the first bricklayer replied, "Laying brick." The second answered, "Making $20.50 an hour." And the third said, "Me? Why, I'm building the world's greatest cathedral."

What do you think happened to those bricklayers? The first two lacked vision. They also lacked job respect. They likely remained bricklayers. The third bricklayer though, probably moved upward and onward. He may have become a foreman, or even begun his own company. The way he thought about his work and his job mattered.

I think it's interesting to watch my Facebook friends' comments as the week draws to a close. Comments declaring "TGIF!!!" and "Only one more day till the weekend!!" are common. - But that's how I feel about Mondays! If you are counting the days till each weekend - you're probably miserable. Either change what you're doing or change how you think about what you're doing. The bricklayers all had the same job, but one worked with purpose and moved on.

Recently my doctor asked me, "Do you feel depressed in the mornings, having to face another day?"
I told her I absolutely did not, "I wake up feeling like each day is a blank slate, full of possibilities." (Of course the attention deficit disorder helped me forget about a lot of the things that would have otherwise made me depressed - but that's beside the point.)

Even when I've had jobs I hated, I found ways to be like that third bricklayer in the example above. That's how I eventually felt like I could work from home. Am I wealthy beyond my wildest dreams? Of course not. But am I moving forward with a purpose - improving my business?
Absolutely.

The way you think about your job matters, especially if you work for yourself. Just buying and selling things will not make you successful. That's just a job. How you think about your work will move you forward. Have job respect for your work-at-home job. The right attitude will change the way you work, the way you feel about your work, and the quality of your work...and the profits will follow.

Then you can break out the fuzzy slippers (and I will nominate you for "What Not to Wear.")

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2. Reader Spotlight: Meet a Real-Life Etsy.com Seller!

You've read a lot about selling on Amazon on this site, and we've also covered selling on eBay and places such as Bonanzle. Each has it's strong points, but if you want to sell handmade products, you may want to try Etsy.com. I recently spoke with Andrea Harrington, a very creative young lady who sells her artwork on Etsy.

Could you tell my readers a little about yourself and your artwork?

Andrea: "I'm 18 years old. I'm a web designer, graphic artist, and all-around dabbler in various arts and crafts. I've always loved drawing, and about two and a half years ago I drew a picture I really liked and I called it Drunken Ballerina. She really stuck with me, so I kept drawing tall, slender girls in stark black and white, usually in mysterious or compromising situations. I definitely have an affection for the maudlin. But I also like to think there's some grace and dignity that shows through in my art."

Where do you get inspiration for your art?

Andrea: "I get my inspiration from old school fairy tale illustrations, especially those of Kay Nielsen. I'm also inspired by flapper girls, Tim Burton, Edgar Allen Poe, art nouveau girls, and even pin-ups. A lot of my art comes from my own childhood and life experiences, but I think the only one who could see the symbolism in my art is me."

Do you sell your own creations exclusively?

Andrea: "I started my Etsy shop to sell things my little sisters and I created. At the time we were making little felt toys. After some encouragement from friends and family I decided to put prints of my artwork up. I mostly sell my art now, but I still have some items up that my sisters made and I also post "guest artist" items from people I know."

How did you choose Etsy? Did you try any of the other marketplaces?

Andrea: "I found Etsy through a woman I babysat for. I had looked into selling on Ebay, but found the process a bit overwhelming. When I looked at Etsy, I really was drawn to the simple setup and straightforward fees, which were extremely reasonable. I also liked that it was a site specifically for handmade and vintage items."

Have you found pros and cons with Etsy?

Andrea: "Etsy has been a great experience. The best part is how easy it is to use. I had no experience selling art or using online marketplaces and lacked the confidence to put up an item for auction. Etsy continues to be the easiest way to make money I've every experienced. It's affordable and flexible. I set my own prices, I can create custom orders, communicate with my customers through Etsy conversations, and create shipping profiles. There are very few rules or regulations to limit you on Etsy. I honestly can't think of any cons. It's a great place to dive into online selling."

Do you have any advice for others who are in a position to create their own products?

Andrea: "I've had a lot of success selling my art on Etsy. I've sold to people as far as Australia and Denmark. I had no idea I'd have this many fans of my art, and it's so encouraging. The extra money I bring in is a great little bonus as well. If anyone has a skill they think they can profit from, don't be intimidated. There's no age or experience requirement. It's quick and easy to sell online, especially through Etsy, and the benefits are almost immediate. What do you have to lose?"

Visit Andrea's Etsy Shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/godigo

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3. Just Added: Two New eBooks for Under $10

There are a few sites available to online sellers that cost nothing to use, and can make a big difference in your bottom line.

If you've wanted to try selling products as an affiliate, there are some proven strategies using Squidoo and Craigslist. Take a look at The Craigslist Cash Cow and Squidoo Basics and learn how to turn them into revenue streams for yourself.

(For members of the Multichannel Surf Club - both of these titles will be available to you for free later this week!)

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4. Recently Found

While scouting this week I found a few good books and CDs - but as usual, some stand out more than others. My favorites this week were picked up within 50 miles from my home, one at a library for $5 and the other at a thrift store for $2.

Julius Shulman: Architecture and its Photography List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $299.95 Used From: $194.00 Average Rating:

Handbook of Ground Water Development List Price: $235.00 Sale Price: $194.90 Used From: $80.00

Steve Share

I write this issue with a slight feeling of guilt over the fact that many of my friends and loved ones are freezing back east.  But I will get over that. A big 'thank you' to everyone that bought the Quick & Dirty Guide so far. I was happy to hear that some of you are already putting it to good use to start the new year. This issue discusses a couple of questions I find interesting, and also a couple of recent Amazon gems.

On to the newsletter...

In This Issue

1. What is a customer?
2. Setting Goals for 2010
   
3. Recent Sales and Finds...

1. What is a customer?

I'll bet most of us have been shopping when nature called. One morning recently, I was scouting for books in a nearby town and I needed to use a restroom. Most of the thrift stores I visit do not have public facilities, so I went out to the sidewalk to see if I could spot a place that I could make a "pitstop." (And yes, I went before I left the house.)

I found a pretty nice little coffee /pastry shop and it was nearly empty. They had case with a great looking pastries - and I thought I'd grab one on the way out. (After washing my hands of course.) I saw a men's room in the back, and I discreetly walked toward it. About then, a lady popped in from the kitchen and asked, "May I  help you?" I told her I needed to use the restroom and she said, "I'm sorry, it's just for customers."

Okay, I still had to go - so no stopping for a pastry, and certainly no coffee at that point. To keep this story short - the same thing happened again at the next place - and it got me thinking.

The first place would have had a sale, and lost it. In my mind, I was a customer, but I had more urgent business to attend to. I suppose I could have tried to plead my case, but that's a little demeaning.

And why should I have to beg? I was dressed neatly, clean-shaved, and wasn't going to leave the restroom a mess. I was also pretty sure the lady I spoke to was the owner, not just some kid afraid of breaking the rules.

So here is the question. At what point do you consider a person a "customer?" Do they have to make a purchase? Do they just have to walk in the door (or visit your website)? What if they make a purchase - and don't use the restroom - are they still a "customer" when they return the next time? Or must they make another purchase to reset their status as a customer?

When people look at our listings on eBay, Bonanzle, Etsy, Amazon or wherever - do we welcome them as customers? Even if they haven't made a purchase yet? If they do not feel welcomed, how do we make them feel? Do we brush off some requests with "that's not our policy" or "we don't do that sort of thing."

If visitors come to our store (real or virtual) and ask for something, we should consider them a potential customer and try to help. Even if they don't make a purchase this time, they will remember how we made them feel. In the future many will choose us over our competition.

A lot of the readers of this newsletter have purchased products from me. Some just read, and ask an occasional question. Can you imagine me turning someone away because they've never made a purchase from me? It's just silly.

The lady who refused the use of her restroom did so at a very crucial time for me. I agree it wasn't her problem. She actually didn't do anything wrong. But she also didn't do anything right for a new "customer." Now, when I have a choice to make when buying a pastry in that neighborhood - where do you think I'll go?

If your business isn't doing so well - consider how you respond to people who walk through your door or visit your website. Consider every single person a customer and treat them accordingly - even if they don't buy anything on that visit. That sort of mindset will earn you a lot over time. (I can eat a LOT of pastries.)

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2. Setting Goals for 2010

With my new found focus in life, I've set a couple of simple goals for the next year. Actually, it boils down to one goal for myself. "Do what you're good at."

eCommerce newbies try to learn everything about everything. I know because I used to do that too. Sometimes desperation drives people to just suck in all the information they can in the hopes that something will stick and begin to make money for them. Unfortunately, it just results in a tremendous amount of noise in their heads.

Recently people have asked me to do work that I know I'm just not good at. Could I do it? Yes. Would I be sorry I ever took the job. Yes. So I've learned to say no. That has kept me happier and focused on the things that I am good at - jobs I can quickly turn into dollars.

I've finally realized I am not an internet marketing wizard, or an expert at search engine optimization. I almost always lose money with Adwords, and I'm not a joint venture guru.

But I'm good at selling on Amazon, and eBay. I'm focusing on that.
I'm also good at writing ebooks in plain English that help other people begin earning money online. So I'm focusing on that.

That isn't much is it? But all you need to do is master a few things and you can put a nice little business model together. Will I be wildly rich? It's doubtful. But I can have a legitimate, sustainable business that lets me spend time with my family. Meanwhile, I can poke around with some of the other things I mentioned in my spare time. But it's fun because I don't have to make everything work.

Figure out what you're good at, then do it. People will pay you for your experience. Don't discount it and assume you have to start from scratch. Be creative.

Will I know if I've reached that goal at the end of the year? I suppose if my family and I are happy, and my bank balance is in the black (further in the black than now) I will consider my goal met.

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3. Recent Sales and Finds

In case you need some inspiration for your book sales - I have a couple to share from the past week. First, I sold one book that I've had on the shelf for over a year. I found a hand-numbered facsimile copy of The Links in a thrift store for $4 in absolutely perfect condition. It sold this week for $125 to a happy buyer. More recently I was at the Goodwill Outlet on a rainy day and found Dungeons and Dragons Rules Cyclopedia. It was in a huge bin that was about to go out to the dump. I bought a big box of books that day and figured I paid about $.35 for it. Oh - it sold for $99.97.
I always worry that those books won't pop up anymore. But yesterday I went to the very smallest thrift store in my area and for $1 I bought Introduction to Animal Behavior. The lowest current price on Amazon is $95, and my copy is in Like New condition - so $100+ isn't out of the question.

At another thrift store I was about to leave because they raised the price of their hardcover books to $2. Then I saw a two-volume set in a slipcover that looked interesting. It's called The Gentleman's Companion and I got it for $2. I paid that exorbitant price because I'd looked it up on my cell phone at www.bookfinder.com and found it listed all over the place for near $200. In fact, the current low price for the exact copy I have is $199.

This is the kind of thing I talked about in Amazon - The Quick & Dirty Guide. You just have to know where to look and don't give up. I find new things sometimes at places I've visited just the day before! I found a copy of the Hungarian version of KARDOK by Lugosi Jozsef yesterday. It's so rare I can't even find a price for it. If you can help out with that one, I'd be much obliged.

Thanks for reading - Keep in touch!

Steve

(Can you tell when I started taking my ADD medication?) This chart is a day or so behind by the way.

After my sales recently skyrocketed, lots of folks wanted to know the formula. They asked how I find, choose and list, and price books on Amazon. A lot of people asked...

Besides that, with the economy in the shape it is, a lot of people are really scrambling to find extra income. The problem is they can't build a website, don't have time to grow a blog or an email list, and not much to invest in schemes.

Well, I definitely have figured a few things out over the last few years. The "formula" doesn't just apply to books though, it applies to most anything you sell on Amazon. Even so, books and other media products seem to be the favorites - they certainly are for me.

You can see from the screenshot above that I was really neglecting my Amazon sales up until about two months ago. I was building websites for other people, consulting, and a variety of other things to get along. Since last Spring, I have been only selling about 3 items a month on Amazon.

Then as I got more focused, I nailed down what it takes to make it on Amazon and kicked things into gear. Over the past month, instead of 3 sales, I've sold over 257 items! All this was accomplished in a window of less than 90 days - and I'm PUMPED about it!

Besides that, I'm only spending about a day and a half on Amazon-related work per week - and most of it is shopping, which I happen to love.

Anyway, let me cut to the chase - after I got all the questions about selling on Amazon I decided to sit down and bang out an ebook that explained just what I did to go from (practically) $0 - $2000 per month in Amazon sales.

It's called Amazon - The Quick & Dirty Guide. The Scoop on Finding, Listing, and Selling Books (and other stuff)

Order Now!   Only $17

I basically pictured you, sitting here in my office with me talking about what it takes to get this thing off the ground. Then I just wrote everything down.

This ebook is nearly 40 pages and explains:

• Where you can find LOTS of profitable books, CDs, and DVDs consistently
• How to find thrift stores wherever you go
• How to choose what to buy and what to leave on the shelf
• How to use Amazon's Sales Rank to determine the likelihood of a sale
• What to do if you find products with no barcodes or ISBNs
• How to improve your chances of a sale
• Why you should charge a little more than your competition - and still beat them to the sale
• How to clean and repair books, CDs, and DVDs to pull higher prices

There's a bunch more. I say it's "quick and dirty" because I didn't spend a bunch of time on a website or fancy graphics. It's pretty much just "meaty" stuff that will help you make money.

Oh and in case you're thinking my sales went up just because of Christmas - they took a dip for about three days over the holiday. Now though, they're back as strong as ever. Every day getting better.

I'm not charging an arm and a leg for this new ebook. You can only get it here and the price is $17. I may offer it through ClickBank at some point, and I'll charge more, but for now that's the price.

As usual, if you're not happy with it, let me know and I'll refund your payment. But I think you're really going to like it. Of course I've known a lot of this for some time, but I wasn't all the parts together to make the sales hum.

So get the new year started right. Read this ebook and find out the formula for some additional income.

It's been a month since the last full newsletter - so this one is a little long. I've been super busy with Amazon - I'll explain more below. Also, I am introducing a new section called "Reader Spotlight" where I will feature one reader and their business. Hopefully it will be encouraging to everyone. Also - You will get an email from me this week with a special invitation. Please watch for it Tuesday morning.

On to the newsletter...

In This Issue

1. Amazon FBA - 30 Days Later...
2. Profiting from Resale Rights products
   
3. READER SPOTLIGHT: Bags with a Purpose
4. Selling on 'the River' Now Available in Hard Copy

1. Amazon FBA - 30 Days Later...

Recently, I told you how my Amazon sales had taken off thanks to Amazon's FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) program. I'm going to be a little more candid this time, because I'm really excited about this. Hopefully, you grabbed Nathan Holmquist's ebook, Selling on Amazon's FBA Program last month when I told you about it - because the "free" window is now closed. Nathan has updated it, and he's charging for it again - but I have to tell you - it's worth it's weight in gold.

Even though I wrote Selling on 'the River', I have to admit, I was not really setting the world on fire with my Amazon sales. I was so busy with other things, I didn't relish the thought of packing and shipping books all week long. So, with 187 books in my garage, I quietly began to ignore the fact that I was selling less than five items a month on Amazon. Less than five per month - there, I said it. Embarrassing.

Then I read Nathan's book. (Oh, I also got on medication to help me with my Adult A.D.D.) Within a week I packed and shipped all the books to Amazon, they started selling. The first week I sold about five or six books. Then, I bought more books and shipped them to Amazon. I sold even more.

Then, I decided to try one of those "scanners." I ordered the AsellerTool scanner. Now, I've been going for a solid month, and I want to share the results.

Over the past 30 days, I have gone from five books per month, to 125 books sold. I could have done better, but I was busy building up inventory. I started pretty low. I now have over 600 books on Amazon, instead of 187. I try to spend less than a dollar per book, but that varies. So you have a rough idea of what my inventory costs.

Using the exact methods Nathan lays out in his ebook, my take from the 125 sales is $1128.37. That is after deductions for shipping my books to Amazon's warehouse. I use their UPS account, then they deduct it from my pay.

That was done in 30 days, totally part-time, with books from local thrift stores and one library sale. The scanner cost me only $60 for the month. AsellerTool has a rental program and I wanted to try it for a month before I committed. Believe me - I'm convinced.

If you didn't get Nathan's book before, and you want to sell anything on Amazon - I'm not just recommending it - I'm telling you - get his book.

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2. Profiting from Resale Rights Products

Recently I began offering a bunch of information products on this site for $10 or less. As you may know, I didn't create these products, but I have purchased the resale rights to be able to sell them.

Not only are these products valuable because of the information they contain, when you have the resale rights, you can also turn them around and make money with them yourself.

Not all ebooks come with the same rights. Some come with just simple resale rights, some come with master resale rights and then there are those that come with private label rights. Is there a big difference? Definitely!

Ebooks with master resale rights are a little more flexible as far as what you can do with them. Most ebooks with master resale rights allow you to put them up on your own sales page and set your own price. For each sale, instead of having to share a percentage with the person who created the ebook, you get the entire price of the ebook when it's sold. Also, you can set the price at whatever you want unless the master resale rights come with a provision that you can't set the price below a certain amount.

Finally, there are private label rights, which are the most flexible rights you can get. With private label rights, you can not only charge whatever you want for the ebook, but you can also make changes to it as you will be getting the source files with the ebook when you buy it. Most source files come in the form of either Word Docs or text files. With private label rights, the product virtually becomes yours. You can even turn it into a new product if you want. The choices are limited only by your imagination.

Generally, these products will come in a zipped file, inside you'll find

• the product
• an entire website that will be ready to go with a little tweaking
• a text file or PDF with the resale rights listed

Ebooks with just regular resale rights are basically just affiliate ebooks. You can't really do anything with them other than sell them. You can't change the price of the them or do anything with then really other than just put your affiliate link out there and hope you rack up a few sales. You are totally at the mercy of the person who created the ebook. They can change the price, change the content or just plain discontinue selling it and there's nothing you can do about it. So before you get too attached to these regular resale rights ebooks, keep these things in mind.

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3. READER SPOTLIGHT: Bags with a Purpose

I regularly communicate with readers on various topics. Recently, I had an email conversation with Dolores Lechlitner, who runs a fascinating business called Bags with a Purpose. I thought her story and bags she sells are pretty fascinating. I used to live in the same general area as Dolores, and the recreational vehicle industry is big there. Notice how she took advantage of her local connections.

How did you get the idea for your business?

I was looking for a niche product to sell on eBay and a website.  My sister-in-law mentioned she was in a group of business owners looking for a way to find more jobs for out hard hit economy.  We live in an area that has a lot of RV and motor home factories, and a lot of these closed due to the poor economy.  She also mentioned that they were thinking of using fabric from a factory that made RV products to make bags.  That would keep the fabric out of the landfill and keep people working.

When she mentioned this venture to me I was very excited as it sounded just like what I was looking for.  She also told me they were interested in someone selling them online.  I quickly told her I was that person.  I have always loved bags and purses, as many women do.  This sounded like the niche I was looking for.

This company started making bags, but I was not impressed with their quality, and they had decided to not sell any online. I gave up on them, but also had heard that the original company that made the bags was selling the rights to someone else.  I started searching online and finally found the website of the new company.

Great job! - once you tracked them down, what did you do next?

I sent them an email right away to see if I would be able to sell the bags online.  I got a quick reply and they were willing to talk to me about this opportunity.  So I made an appointment, jotted down some notes and went to see them.  They were very open to my ideas and gave me permission to sell their bags online.  I was very excited to say the least!

They bought the original companies machines and excess materials and supplies and hired some of the same workers. They also own the rights to the designs and name “The Original di Bag.”   The amazing thing is they have set up their business up in the small town where I live.  And I can stop in any time to talk to them or buy more bags.

The bags have been selling in local stores and they have been trying to expand to other areas.  They would like to continue to grow and be available in stores across the country and make a name for themselves.

I put the different styles of bags on eBay and Bonanzle until I could get a website up and running.  It took me a while before I finally got it finished.  I am now at  http://bagswithpurpose.com and hope to start growing my business.  I have a lot of ideas on how I want to expand this business into other areas.

How do you find buyers? What's your marketing plan?

I need to start advertising and spreading the word.  I am very excited and will keep working at it.  I am learning this as I go so it is taking me longer than I would like, but I will keep working at it.   I have had this dream of finding a product that I believe in and love for a long time.  It feels to good to finally have one!

What tips can you offer others who are struggling to turn their dream into reality?

It has been a struggle to get to this point with all of the other things I have going on.  But it is a dream I have had and now I have to put in the hard work to get it growing.  I believe once you find a product you believe in and like, the challenge is worthwhile.  I need to reach out to others and ask for help in the areas I am still learning.

I have read several ebooks on building your own website and finding a niche.  But I am a “hands on” learner so I will be learning a lot as I grow my website.  I appreciate the help that Steve has already given me.  And this opportunity to share my store with you.

Thanks again!
dee

Visit Bags with Purpose!

I would like to add this section to each newsletter, there are thousands of readers of this newsletter who are trying to get their online businesses up and running, just like you. If you'd like to be featured here in an upcoming newsletter, please let me know and maybe I can include you and your business!

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4. Selling on 'the River' Now Available in Hard Copy

Recently I mentioned that I was using CreateSpace to turn Selling on 'the River' into a real "ink and paper" book. It's finally done and available on Amazon.com.

CreateSpace does a beautiful job. The book is printed in color, and it's 74 pages. A lot of people asked about getting a hard copy. You can also get it through my CreateSpace eStore.

Thanks for reading!

Remember - Watch for my special announcement on Tuesday morning!

Steve

Even in this free call you can get enough to get started. But the workshop Jim is doing gives you over three hours (plus a lot more) of real-life examples, and great tips and techniques for making it work. Plus, Jim has added one full year subscription to My Silent Team member site - which includes a forum that is priceless for business ideas and help.

Listeners loved it. I got a bunch of emails right after the call asking if it would be recorded and made available. Yes - and it's ready for you to listen to right now. Listen Now - Steve and Jim's Call

In the call we refer to more information here: www.MultiChannelSurfer.com/ebaycourse.php and here: www.MySilentTeam.com/steve

I want to start off this issue with heartfelt thanks for all the very kind emails and comments you sent regarding my relative who is battling cancer. I shared them with my wife and we both appreciate your thoughtfulness more than you can imagine.

Business is good on the Amazon front. I decided to make this issue (almost) all about Amazon-related selling. My new ADHD medication is working so well I've accomplished a ton of work-related things I've been putting off for months. For example, the new tab (above) with a bunch of ebooks, software, audios and videos for under $10 each. The other thing is in item #1 below. Come to think of it - #4 falls in that category as well!

On to the newsletter...

In This Issue

1. CreateSpace: My New Favorite Thing
2. Shipping Amazon Orders Made Easier
   
3. Join me by phone - Wednesday, November 11!
4. How I increased my Amazon orders x 10 - I'm not kidding.

1. CreateSpace: My New Favorite Thing

About a year and a half ago, a friend of mine introduced me to one of his colleagues who worked for a company called "CreateSpace." It was some "print on-demand" thing that sounded neat - but not my cup of tea. When I finally looked into it, I noticed that Amazon had purchased the company. That piqued my interest, and I started thinking about turning my ebook, Selling on 'the River' into a real, bona fide ink and paper book. I've received many requests for a hard-copy and this seemed like a good solution.

CreateSpace enables authors, artists, filmmakers, and musicians to self-publish their own material. You just submit your work according to their guidelines, and they produce a very professional hard copy book, CD, or DVD. There is no need for you to purchase 1,000 copies of your work - just like Jack-in-the-Box - they only make one when it's ordered. Print-on-demand is what it's called or "POD."

There is a proofing process that can be a little tedious to go through, but it's necessary. In order to turn my ebook into a hard copy I had to reformat it to a standard book size, in my case 8" x 10". That pushed copy and images around, so even though I thought it was ready to go - once I received my proof copy I found errors. I have fixed those and I expect to give them the go ahead in a few days.

Once you've approved your book, CD, or DVD and it's available for sale - it will appear on Amazon as a regular item. They even include the "Look inside" feature for books after it's available for awhile. You get to set your own price. The cost of the book comes out of that price, along with Amazon's commission. You will wind up with around 50% of the sale price as a rough average. That may not sound good to some - but it's not much different than selling a product through ClickBank. (You get to keep more of each sale, if you upgrade to their Pro Plan for a one-time fee of $39.) Plus, think about what you get:

• A high-quality tangible product that never goes out of stock
• ISBN and bar code are included for your product
• Promotion on Amazon.com
• A CreateSpace e-Store to sell your products (Here's mine: http://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=3385628)
• Purchase your own products to sell on your own

I finally got around to submitting Selling on 'the River' to CreateSpace back in the Spring of this year. I had some adjustments to make on the file before CreateSpace would accept it. That's where the ADHD comes in...

One of my worst traits has been procrastination. Once I got distracted from that project, it sat there collecting dust at CreateSpace until last week. I finally got focused and got to work to get it done. I submitted the files on October 29 and got my proof copy last Saturday. The proof cost me about $11 plus shipping, but I'll tell you what, when I got that proof in the mail the other day - I couldn't quit looking at it! I was so proud.

Within the week, it should be live on the site, and I'll keep you updated on how sales are going. I've got a million ideas on how to go forward from here, so stay tuned.

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2. Shipping Amazon Orders Made Easier

Many years ago, when selling on eBay meant typing shipping labels by hand and standing in line at the Post Office - I found Stamps.com. I was thrilled that I could print postage at home. Back then I was selling posters like crazy - and I lived way out in the country. I'd leave a note on my mailbox, and the mail carrier would pull up to the house and take my boxes of shipping tubes. Then eBay began offering shipping features through PayPal along with Selling Manager and I dropped Stamps.com.

Now that I'm selling more on Amazon these days, I'm back to manually handling shipping. I've heard from many readers that they'd like a solution to the clumsy PayPal single label system they're using now. I have taken another look at Stamps.com and they have really stepped up since I last used them years ago.

The newest version of their software (version 8.5) will import your Amazon orders, and print the postage. And get this - it goes back to your Amazon account and confirms the shipment, and notifies the buyer by email that their package is on the way. Besides handling your Amazon orders, they will also import orders from eBay, Yahoo!, and Google Checkout.

They are running a promo where you can get a good amount of free postage and a postal scale. I still use the scale I got from them years ago. Check out their free 4-week trial. Stamps.com: Print Postage on Your PC!

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3. Join me by phone - Wednesday, November 11!

Last month I sent out an email to my readers about an opportunity that can make you some real money. Some folks thought I came across way too heavy in my language. I understand that, since I'm a pretty low-key guy. Besides that - I can't stand high-pressure salespeople. So my apologies of I offended anyone.

That being said, I wanted to invite you to my first, free LIVE conference call while I interview Jim Cockrum, on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. I'm going to squeeze a bunch of free information out of Jim on Wednesday so you'll have a better idea of the details. In fact, just the information you'll get during the call will be really valuable by itself. I have limited space on the call, so don't be late!

It's FREE - and here are the details:

Free Conference Call with Steve Lindhorst and Jim Cockrum
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern / 12:30 Noon Pacific
Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 432-0111
Participant Access Code: 1076991#

I guess I was so excited because it really is an opportunity to earn some serious money, I know people who are doing it. In fact, I went out to try it myself and it really does seem too easy.  This is one of those niches that is growing instead of getting over-crowded. It's worth a listen - believe me. You should at least hear the details before you decide whether you want to pass this up or try it.

The call should answer all of your questions, without the hype. I look forward to having you on the line! Check out some of the details and send me your questions by email me before the call. I'll try to get them in.

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4. How I increased my Amazon orders x 10 this month - I'm not kidding.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Nathan Holmquist. Nathan wrote a short ebook titled: Selling on Amazon's FBA Program. He asked me if I'd promote his ebook to my readers. Here's how I handle that: I ask for a copy, read it, then give it a quick try. If I get results that are proportionate to the effort I put forth - I'll recommend it.

Nathan's ebook is about the Fulfillment by Amazon (AmazonFBA) program. He explains in under 40 pages a bit about using the program, but more importantly - he explains how to get very good ranking on Amazon's search results.

By following what I learned from his book Selling on Amazon's FBA Program, I have sold 10 times more books this month than any of the previous six!

So how much is his book? Nathan emailed me last week and said he's offering it FREE for the month of November. This is not a trick. You can go download a free copy at: www.BookToTheFuture.com.

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

Steve

As this economy keeps sputtering along, we're all looking for ways to keep groceries on the table - myself included. I've been distracted lately by several things, including news that a close (and young) member of my wife's family has inoperable cancer, and my own diagnosis of Adult ADHD. Despite things like these, we have to keep working, and keep trying to make things work. It's times like these that I feel like punching a clock would be easier than keeping my own things going. On the other hand, thanks to working for myself, I can spend more time with my sick relative.

You may think you're just a  name on my big email list. Trust me, my list is not that big and I want you to know I really appreciate my readers. I don't want to get too personal about my relative, out of respect for her. But hearing the news this weekend has shaken us a bit. I know our family is about to embark on a journey - and I hope you'll bear with me as we go forward.

On to the newsletter...

In This Issue

1. The One Thing That Always Works
2. Improve Your Online Sales with this Free eBook
   
3. Advanced Selling on 'the River'? (Please VOTE in the Poll)
   

That title probably got your attention. We're all looking for a sure thing.  The fact is, you've probably been told what it is already.

My newest ebook, Wanted! Frustrated Readers is all about that one thing.  It's not  just another ebook about writing ebooks. It's talking about giving people what they want.

People want clear information. They will pay for it. Amazon's help system was so difficult for prospective sellers to understand, I wrote Selling on 'the River.' eBay was so confusing to new sellers, Marsha Collier has written several eBay for Dummies books. These books sell quite well, and since I own my product - it's profitable.

So what is that thing that always works? Give people what they want. If you give them what they want, they will be happy. Provide step-by-step instructions for people to use a website, navigate a bureaucratic maze, or solve a thorny problem. Any time you find people who are frustrated, you already know what they want - relief.

My new ebook teaches you how to find people who are frustrated due to poor communication, or poor instructions. How do you help them? Find the answer to what's frustrating them and write down what you find. Create an ebook. Then let people know about your ebook.

I'm telling you, I am proof-positive that creating a couple of ebooks can turn you around. If you think you can't because you're a simple person - you should think again. Simple people, with plain-spoken language is what buyers want.

Take a look at the following technical terms - and their interpretations.

1. A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES ARE BEING TRIED = We are still clueless.

2. EXTENSIVE REPORT IS BEING PREPARED ON A FRESH APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM = We just hired three kids fresh out of college.

3. CLOSE PROJECT COORDINATION = We know who to blame.

4. MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH = It works only so so, but looks very hi-tech.

5. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS DELIVERED ASSURED = We are so far behind schedule the customer is happy just to get it delivered.

6. PRELIMINARY OPERATIONAL TESTS WERE INCONCLUSIVE = The darn thing blew up when we threw the switch.

7. TEST RESULTS WERE EXTREMELY GRATIFYING = We are surprised that the stupid thing works.

8. THE ENTIRE CONCEPT WILL HAVE TO BE ABANDONED = The only person who understood the thing quit.

9. IT IS IN THE PROCESS = It is so wrapped up in red tape that the situation is about hopeless.

10. WE WILL LOOK INTO IT = Forget it! We have enough problems for now.

11. PLEASE NOTE AND INITIAL = Let's spread the responsibility for the mistake.

12. GIVE US THE BENEFIT OF YOUR THINKING = We'll listen to what you have to say as long as it doesn't interfere with what we've already done.

13. GIVE US YOUR INTERPRETATION = I can't wait to hear this nonsense!

14. SEE ME or LET'S DISCUSS = Come into my office, I'm lonely.

15. ALL NEW = Parts not interchangeable with the previous design.

16. RUGGED = Too heavy to lift!

17. LIGHTWEIGHT = Lighter than RUGGED.

18. YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT = One finally worked.

19. ENERGY SAVING = Achieved when the power switch is off.

20. LOW MAINTENANCE = Impossible to fix if broken.

You could be the person supplying the interpretations. If you can see the humor in the above examples, you have all you need to pick a topic, learn more about it, and write an ebook. Think of some possibilities and check out my new book at: www.FrustratedReaders.com

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2. Improve Your Online Selling

No matter if you have your own website, or if you just write an occasional product description, you will need sales copy. To help you, I want to give you an ebook that I found to be helpful. I don't follow every single word in this book, but there are a lot of good principles to follow.

The author talks about fonts, wording, and colors among other things. Rather than rambling on about it - you can see for yourself here: Sales Letters for Newbies.

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3. Advanced Selling on 'the River'?

You know where I said all that stuff about giving people what they want? Well, I've begun putting together an advanced version of Selling on 'the River'. It's just in outline stages right now, but I'm pretty excited about it. It will include a lot more things about growing your business on Amazon and using the more advanced features they provide. I have lined up a few really big sellers to share their wisdom as well as some really good tips.

My question though is this: Am I the only one that thinks this would be helpful? Would you like to see an advanced version of Selling on 'the River'?

Also, if you would like to see specific things included. Shoot me a short email, and I'll keep those suggestions in a safe place and see if I can work them into the finished product.

Thanks for reading!

Steve

Personally delivered to you by Steve Lindhorst, author of
"Selling on 'the River' and "The Niche Book"

It's been over a month since the last newsletter. Whew! I've been busy though. I'm working on a couple of new projects, and I've been going to the doctor to figure out this whole adult ADD thing. Thanks to those of you who shared your own stories via email.
On to the newsletter...

In This Issue

1. Wanted! Frustrated Readers
2. The Myth of Autopilot Riches
3. A Quiet Little Promotion
   
4. If you are an eBay affiliate, read this...

1. Wanted! Frustrated Readers

Many readers have written to me asking if there is a way to make money with little investment. Some are on fixed income, or unemployed. Others are barely making ends meet, and need "extra" money to take some of the pressure off.

The fact is, there is no simple "money button" you can push to make that happen. Making money is the result of some kind of investment, usually involving cash and/or energy.

Quite a while back, I realized that people will pay you for what you know. I figured if I knew more, especially about things other people wanted to know about, I could write it down in plain English, and they would buy it. I certainly didn't think of myself as a writer, and you may feel the same. I was having trouble with my first ebook, the words just didn't sound right. But then during a conversation with Jim Cockrum he told me, "Just pretend you're writing a letter to a buddy." Once I got that mindset, writing was super easy.

The Big Idea

Here is the basic idea behind Wanted! Frustrated Readers: Big companies and organizations may be good at making their products. But they are usually bad at teaching people how to use their products.

For example: eBay’s product is the eBay marketplace. But why do you think there are so many books teaching people how to use eBay? Why do you think those eBay University classes were packed with hundreds of people in every city we visited?

Almost from the very beginning, eBay has had a “Help” section. They also had discussion boards that discussed common questions and provided real answers from real sellers. Why then, did so many “How to Sell on eBay” books get written? Why did eBay University even exist? It was because while eBay was a good marketplace, it was hard for new sellers to navigate all the choices involved with selling.

Because people trying to use the site were frustrated!

Why didn’t eBay explain how to use their product in clear, plain-English terms?

Many companies write their own “Help” pages internally. The folks that write these pages may know the company inside and out. So they often use terminology that they understand but then they confuse, and ultimately frustrate their readers. They can’t remember what it’s like to know absolutely nothing about their product. They have a hard time putting themselves in your shoes. That is a big reason why most “Help” sections do not help very much.

Writing Selling on ‘the River’ helped me discover that by translating a company’s own “Help” pages into plain English, along with gathering valuable information from a bunch of other (free) sources on the internet, I could make good money. You can too.

Help Sections on websites are not the same as tutorials. They are not designed to teach you step by step how to accomplish a task. Using Help to learn to sell is like using a dictionary to learn to read.

So people get frustrated.

Similarly, when dealing with big companies, government agencies, and organizations, we find red tape, a maze of phone menus, legal jargon, contradictions, and outdated information.

That is also extremely frustrating.

Learning to make money is frustrating. That’s why so many people buy information products that will give them a step by step way, or at least a shortcut to do it.

Frustrated people will pay for information to make the frustration go away. Those are your customers. They will read what you write, and they’ll pay you for it.

Remember, people will buy things that:

• Make them more money
• Save them time
• Allow them to avoid the frustration of doing stuff they don’t like
• Help them avoid losing money – now or in the future
• Help them feel better about themselves

Each one of those points involves an element of frustration. You can help them get relief. And just think, if you can write a letter to a buddy, you can do this - no big investment! Stay tuned!

In my new ebook, Wanted! Frustrated Readers I will explain how to:

• Choose a topic that will sell
• Learn all about that topic (for free)
• Arrange the parts in a logical order
• Write it all down (in plain English)
• Sell it!

I hope to have it completed in the next couple of weeks. Watch for an email announcement. My readers will get the first chance to grab it.

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2. The Myth of Autopilot Riches

Finding a worthwhile product to promote is not always easy. Lately I have noticed a lot of "autopilot" programs that promise to let you "set it and forget it." I would like you to focus on the "forget it" part.

Building a simple website and letting it chug away, making loads of money while you sleep. That is a great dream isn't it? Unfortunately, that's about all it is. There are a number of reasons why autopilot riches is just a myth.

• If it seems to good to be true - it probably is. - We've all heard that. Why do we try so hard to ignore it then? To make money takes work. Even if you inherit money - someone along the way had to work for it. Don't fall for the scammers that tell you all you have to do is slap a website up in cyberspace and people will come running. It will not happen.
• When rules change, you're out of business. - Most autopilot programs depend on an intricate system of connections to function. Big companies like Twitter, eBay and Google hate automatic websites and traffic schemes. For example, Google will de-index (remove) sites from their search results if those sites don't meet basic quality standards. Think about it, Google makes money by sending you to real, relevant sites that address your query. If they send you to junk sites, you'll eventually try another search engine.So if you set up an autopilot program that builds dozens of blogs automatically, Google will figure that out and dump your sites after about a month. When you buy an autopilot program, it has a sort of "footprint." The code for the site contains some common characteristic. When Google figures out what that is, it can just say to it's robots: "When you see this footprint, ignore this site." Boom - your dozens of blogs or sites or whatever - are dust.If your autopilot program depends on a bunch of pieces all hooked together, it's only a matter of time before it all falls down. It only takes one missing or changed piece - and boom.
• Everyone is doing it. - One of the reasons I like the idea of creating information products is: everyone is a little different. If my neighbor can buy the same autopilot program as me - it makes it harder, not easier for me to make money. But if my neighbor has to create something on his own, from his own mind, it will not be the same as mine. I want to be unique, unique sells.
• Some internet marketers lie. - I know you're shocked and disappointed by that. But not everyone is out for your best interests. There are just a few people I actually know and trust in this business. Everyone else is not necessarily lying, deception is a better term. But they build up this idea that they've discovered a "secret formula" that exploits some loophole and lets them make tones of money. It could very well work, but there is always one element of the formula that is nearly impossible for an average person to accomplish. Unfortunately, you usually discover that in the last chapter of their information.

Save your money. Don't fall for the scams. You will not make money without any work. If you're going to spend money on a product, get something that gives you ideas. Don't buy "autopilot" programs.

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3. A Quiet Little Promotion

Every so often, I like to throw a little personal party with a special offer of my ebooks. If you haven't picked up Selling on the River or The Niche Book yet - I'm offering a no-frills deal here. Half price on both books for a limited time. (I'm just feeling generous tonight. Grab them now before I get my A.D.D. medication and come to my senses.)

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4. If you are an eBay affiliate, read this...

Many readers of this newsletter have built sites around the eBay Partner Network (ePN). Recently eBay announced they would be changing how they calculate commissions earned through ePN. They've introduced a new model called Quality Click Pricing (QCP) which takes into account visitor's intent when they click on an affiliate link. (Yes, it's true, eBay can now read minds and determine visitor's reasons for clicking.)

There has already been a lot written on this topic. This situation illustrates what I was talking about in point #2 above. The more links there are to your "income chain" - the more likely one will eventually break. There is a good synopsis of the latest QCP news here.