Killer Marketing with Ebooks
© 2000 by Dorian Greer


The linguistic trap that an ebook is an "electronic book" is both
limiting and incorrect. Let's dispose of that notion right now.
An ebook is actually a portable web site! And depending on the
creator software used, an ebook can maintain the "functional"
characteristics of a web site as well.

Where server side functionality is required, such as the
processing of CGI scripts, the user need only go on line. Presto!
With this more accurate definition in mind, let's take a closer
look at how ebooks can be used as a solution to several marketing
problems.


1. As a Viral Marketing Tool

Ebooks can pass from one person to another without degradation
and without cost. Each affiliate ebook can be individualized
[coded] so the integrity of source business generated can be
clearly maintained.

In addition, each ebook can notify the appropriate affiliate
every time a subscription or sale is procured through that
affiliate's ebook, regardless of the number of copies floating
around.


2. As a Teaser for Generating Desire

Many ebooks are offered on a "try the first few chapters" basis.
But what if you're not in the ebook-selling business? What if
you're offering a paid sex site, or a subscription, or a secret
"pay first" site?

The ebook can serve as a teaser, an invitation, a game card, a
feedback device, a portal to similar sites, or a complete site
where the balance of the site (the remaining content) must be
paid-for to be unlocked. This keeps out the under aged, for
example, where the content is audience sensitive. The entire
work can be password-protected if necessary.


3. As a Brokering Device

Business on the Internet is highly competitive. Partnering and
alliance-building can be highly effective for small budget
businesses. The problem, however, is leveling the fairness in
customer based targeting.

The ebook is uniquely suited to free-lance deal-makers by
creating a platform, such as a catalog, where competitors can
offer their wares to the same shared customer base. And let's not
forget, advertising can be sold in ebooks too, thus bridging the
gap for all levels of participation.


There are countless uses for ebooks as a marketing tool. The few
above are just a tiny sample to show completely different
situations with the ebook as a solution.

Plus, you'll notice that none of the above constitutes sitting
down and writing a book! Of course, if your name is Stephen King
you can sit down and write a short story and sell over 500,000
copies for $2.50 in less than a week. Another story altogether.

The point is simple. If you're in the business of marketing on
the web, the ebook can be your personal, customizable killer
marketing machine, without ever having to write one single book.

If gaining exposure is your problem, the ebook offers a
tremendous array of solutions. You do not need to be a
professional writer to take advantage of the "functional" value
of ebooks. And it could certainly be worth your while to take a
closer look at this wonderful interactive application that you
can design for yourself "or" for your paying clients.


>>> ABOUT THE AUTHOR <<<
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Dorian Greer is founder and President of METATROPOLIS, Inc., and
has specialized in selling ebooks on the WWW since 1997, and has
authored such ebooks as The Web Marketer's Target Market
Finder(tm), The Business of Creating and Selling Ebooks for
Profit(tm), and others. Copyright 2000 Dorian Greer
http://www.ebooks-ibooks.com/
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