Selling Non-Fiction eBooks: How to Compete

Now that it is easier than ever to create your own non-fiction e-book and sell it online, there is also more competition than ever. Even if you write a book about a niche topic like training Labradors, as opposed to a book about training dogs in general (idea found here), you still might find a good amount of competition out there. Do a search on Google and you’ll see what I mean.

So how can you compete?

One way is to tap markets that are not being pursued. Using the Labrador training book as an example, you could join forums like Just Labradors. I haven’t investigated their particular posting rules since this is just an example, but most forums and blogs allow links in participants’ signature lines. So after leaving a thoughtful post regarding how to train labradors, you would sign it with something like this:

John (or Jane) Doe, Author of “Training Labradors the Easy Way” (with a link to your Amazon page or another site where you are selling your book).

Of course the key is that your comment must be one that adds value to the site you are visiting. If you just try to advertise your book, that’s not going to work and it might even get you banned from using the site.

This method does not generate oodles of traffic, but at least it is targeted traffic. Those who click on your link are practically guaranteed to be labrador-owners who are interested in training their dogs.

Print it!

Another way is to turn your ebook into a print book. Yes, I know that sounds like something you don’t want to get your hands into, but there are POD (print on demand) printers out there who only charge for each book that you print. Take a small box of those printed books and go to veterinary offices and ask if you can leave them a complimentary copy for their waiting room. Include sheets of paper with your website on it where readers can order their own copy for home.

Next, try attending a meetup like the Long Island Golden Retriever and Labrador Meetup, or a simliar group nearby you. Don’t just go to sell your book, though. That’s tacky! Instead, bring your own Lab (I expect you have one otherwise it would be strange that you wrote a book about how to train them), associate with other Labrador owners, get to know the people and the dogs. When should you bring up your book? You’ll know. Some dog-owners with rather desobedient dogs will express their frustation, at which point you could say “You know…” 🙂

Now all of that might seem like a lot of work, and it is. But it also gives you more writing material for your blog. Try a post like “My Experience at the Long Island Golden Retriever and Labrador Meetup”. (Please tell me you do have a blog. If not, start one!) And it helps you to learn about other concerns and needs labrador owners have. It also expands your network of Lab-owners which could lead to book sales further down the line as you continue networking.

It’s not just about the book

Your first tendency might be to concentrate just on how many dollars of profit you make off each book. But there are other ways to create income off of your book besides the sales of the book itself. For example, if you are so into Labs that you wrote a book about how to train them, I bet you could give some classes on the topic, too. Or maybe you have the space and yard layout to board labradors while people are away. Why would a Lab-owner chose a generic dog-sitter when you have expertise handling the specific type of dog that they own? The idea is to find numerous alternative ways to create income off of your non-fiction book.

Obviously, these aren’t things that the big publishing houses are going to do. And they’re not things that most authors will do, either. So get out there! Meet people on the Web and in person who share your interests! And have fun selling your book and related services!