News Flash! You Are NOT Your Customer!

Does it seem impossible to you that anyone would want to buy thousands of copies of your booklet and pay you a large sum of money for them?  For many booklet authors this is the case, until they discover that they are not their customer.

Your Perspective Is Small

As individuals, we tend to have a narrow view of things.  We see things from our own, small perspective.  And, we tend to think everyone else is just like we are, whether they are another individual or a large corporation.

We think this way without giving it any effort at all.  It’s just the way we’re wired.  We’ve had a certain set of life experiences which has led us to conclude certain things about others.  It’s natural for us to think this way.

The problem is that others are not like us. Even twins have their differences.  You must train yourself to focus outside the narrow box you live in or you’ll never see the truth and you’ll never believe that your booklet or your business will do very well.

How Big Do You Want Your Paycheck To Be?

Your customer is a living, breathing human being who is NOT like you.  If your customer is a quantity buyer, he has far more money to make a purchase than you can imagine.  He may get a large personal paycheck, or a small one, but when he’s using the company’s money it doesn’t matter how big or small his own paycheck is. All that matters is how big your paycheck will be from the deal you create with him.

Your customer’s preferences will be different from yours, but that’s ok.  You can accommodate him and give him what he wants.  If he wants the cover to be orange instead of blue, no problem.  If he wants photos inside, great!  It may not be what you would have chosen, but remember – you are not your customer.

Be Flexible In Your Thinking

You need to be flexible in your thinking when it comes to making assumptions about your customer, or your market.  Markets change constantly – affected by the economy, trends, and other influences that are outside of your control.

Your own economy might be tight, and the overall economy might affect your customer, but if he’s paying with someone else’s money he’ll still have the funds to give you a big, fat payday.  He’s got more money to play with than you do.

You can’t judge your customers by your own lifestyle, income or preferences. Widen your perspective.  Look outside the box you’ve been living in and you’ll find that there is a whole other world out there that you never knew existed. And you’ll find that yes, there really are quantity buyers out there who will purchase thousands of copies of your booklet and pay you a large sum of money for them!

To your riches!

Kim

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Why Booklets Are The Best Choice For Businesses Looking To Market Their Products And Services

It is said that the average consumer sees between 4,000 and 5,000 different marketing messages every day.  These come in many different forms, from advertising on billboards and buses to television and movies to printed materials.  Marketing and advertising are everywhere.  You can’t escape it.

With all this “noise” going on around us, you would think most consumers would simply tune it out.  And for the most part they do.  But, they will read or listen to some of it when it interests them.  And that’s where your booklet comes in!

Catalogs Are Out – Magalogs Are In

The days of sending catalogs to consumers is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  Consumers today are more interested in information, which is why more companies are sending magalogs (magazine + catalog = magalog).  These publications don’t just showcase the company’s products – they also give the consumer valued information.

Your booklet may not be a magalog, but it serves a similar purpose for your large quantity buyer.  It gives information to the consumer – information that is in some way related to your quantity buyer’s product or company.

Newsflash!  Consumers Don’t Like Reading Ads

Recently, a Custom Publishing Council poll proved that 74% of consumers would rather get information from an interesting article than from an advertisement (did they really need to do a poll to figure that one out?  Who likes to read ads?).

As obvious as this result is, that statistic can be helpful to you when you’re talking with quantity buyers. Your booklet is an information product – one that their customer base will be interested in.

Your quantity buyer can offer that booklet to their customers in a variety of ways, and their customers will gladly accept the booklet and even share it with their family and friends.   The booklet may be customized inside and out for your buyer, further enticing them to make the purchase.

Printed Publications Trump Electronic Versions

Another statistic that may not be so obvious, is that 59% of consumers prefer to read printed publications, as opposed to only 36% who will read electronic publications.

These statistics clearly communicate that consumers are more likely to read information that is interesting to them, and that is printed.

The information contained in your booklet will be interesting to your target market – the same target market your quantity buyer wants to reach.  And if your booklet is sent to that target market in printed form, they will most likely read it.  All that’s left to be done is whatever customization your buyer needs from you, and they might even take care of that on their own if they are with a large company and have in house printing available to them.

Your booklet is exactly what businesses are looking for – they just don’t know it yet.  It’s got interesting information, it’s printable and can be customized to suit any company’s needs, and best of all it’s far less expensive to produce than a large publication such as a magalog.  Why not do those businesses a favor and offer them your booklet?

To your riches!

Kim

PS: Don’t forget to click on of the links at the top right of this page to subscribe so you never miss a single, important post.  Remember, it only takes one idea to start the riches flowing to you!  Also, if you like this post please share it on del.ic.ious, StumbleUpon or the social website of your choice.  Thanks!

What You Need To Know About Dealing With Quantity Prospects

Are you currently trying to negotiate a deal with a potential quantity buyer for your booklet?  Or, maybe you’re not quite there yet but you’re wondering how it will all work out in the end.  Whether you’ve reached this stage in your booklet adventure or you’re still dreaming about it, there are a few basics you need to know to help you navigate these unpredictable waters.

No Two Deals Are Ever The Same

The first thing you must understand is that no two quantity deals are ever the same.  If you know someone who sold half a million copies of their booklet to xyz company, and you’re dealing with the same company, your deal will be different for many reasons – such as the company may have a completely different use for your booklet in mind they they did the other authors, or they may have few funds left to spend on another purchase.  Every company you deal with will have their own agenda for using your booklet, and their own budget.

Speak Up

All businesses and corporations have their own best interests at heart.  If they are interested in your booklet, you can bet it isn’t because they recognize that you’re a good writer and they want to reward you handsomely for your efforts.  The truth is, no matter which company you’re dealing with, chances are they won’t even factor you into the equation.  It’s all about them.

For this reason, you must stay on top of the negotiations.  If something seems unfair, speak up.  Ask for what you need and what you want.  Explain your reasons.  Chances are good your demands will be met at least partially.

It’s A Process

When you’re negotiating a deal with a quantity buyer, it’s a process.  The process begins when they take an interest in your booklet, and it ends when you have a check in your hand.  Anything can happen in between these two events, and be ready because it probably will.  Sometimes the company will have ideas for using your booklet on a grand scale, but then they’ll begin to pare it down to essentials, until the deal no longer resembles what was originally discussed.

Other times, however, the opposite will happen.  A company may start out very conservative and then decide to add to it.  Once again, the final deal will not resemble anything close to the original.  However, since in this case you’ll have a much larger check, that’s perfectly alright!

To your riches!

Kim

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Selling Booklets To Resellers Presents Unlimited Quanity Sales Opportunities

When you create a booklet, it’s like opening the door to opportunity.  Once the door is opened and you step through it, a series of wonderful things are set in motion that will unfold as time progresses.  It’s like sitting down to watch a movie.  In the beginning you have all this expectation, but you don’t know where the story will take you.  You just know it’s going to be good.

Today one of those wonderful things happened for me and I want to share it with you because it will help widen your own scope of what’s really possible for you as a booklet author.

I received an email from a gentleman which simply read, “I am interested in your booklets.  Please call me.”  And he gave his name and number.  Now, this could mean any number of things.  Was he interested in a quantity purchase?  Did he need a custom booklet?  Was he looking for something to offer his website visitors in the way of content?

I called the man and discovered that he owns a business in a very wealthy community.  He is interested in my booklets for resale to the medical community – for doctors to give to their patients.  Wow!  We’re not talking about one sale here.  We’re talking about an unlimited number of large quantity sales to many different doctors, and all from one business owner!  And, these sales would be ongoing because as his own clients run out of stock, they will need to order more.  Can you see the potential here?

What this is really about is thinking outside the box.   So often we think about selling to the individual.   Perhaps from reading this blog you’ve discovered the potential for large quantity sales to corporations and big business.  Now, I am presenting  an even better opportunity for you – for making large quantity sales to resellers.

Of course, you should continue to sell your booklets to everyone, from the individual to the big business to the reseller.  Every opportunity for a sale presents opportunities for further sales.  You don’t know who your customers know.  If they like your booklet, it is very likely they will refer other people to you.  So, you should always make the sale even if it’s only for one booklet.  But, always be thinking big because as your own booklet journey unfolds you’ll find amazingly wonderful things will happen for you too – big things!

Are you ready to open the door to opportunity and step through it?  Not sure where to start?  Need a little help?  I would be thrilled to answer all your questions and help you get started on the right track.  I’ve helped many booklet authors in various stages of the process and saved them both time and money.  I can do the same for you.  What’s more, I guarantee that our time together will be productive for you and your questions will be answered.  If you’re not completely satisfied at the end of our time together, I will refund 100% of every cent you paid right back to you.  My fee for a 30 minute consultation by phone is a measly $149.00, but this price will go up soon.  So, if you are interested in a consult with me personally, I wouldn’t wait.  You can contact me by leaving a comment on the blog, and I will get in touch with you to make an appointment.  It’s that easy!

To your riches,

Kim

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What To Consider When Making Large Quantity Booklet Deals

After your booklet is completed and you put it on the market, you’ll find yourself talking with a number of people and considering a variety of “deals.”  This may sound very exciting to you, and it is, but you need to look at every deal with a bit of skepticism and not get caught up in the excitement too much.  If you do, it could cost you big.

Look Out For #1

The first thing you need to realize is that a deal is only good when it is beneficial to you as well as to the company you are dealing with.   Most companies are quite good at making sure that a deal is good for them.  But, it’s not their job to make sure the deal is good for you.  That is your job.  You have to be the one to look out for your interests in every deal you enter into, because if you don’t, nobody else will do it for you.

What To Consider When Making A Deal

When you’re in the process of making a deal your first thought should be about the company you’re dealing with.  Why?  Because it’s easier to persuade them to sign on the dotted line when you are able to remind them of what they stand to gain.  If they aren’t going to be helped in some way by making a deal with you, why would they want to?  So, make sure you’re clear on the benefits the company will receive from the deal.

Next, consider the benefits you will receive.  Naturally, the main benefit will be money in your bank account, but there are other benefits to consider as well.  For example, will you receive any kind of publicity from the deal – such as being mentioned in the company’s newsletter?  Does the company have more than one location that would be interested in making a deal with you?  Will your booklets be going to employees or customers?  If they’re going to customers your booklets will be reaching a much larger market than if they’re going to employees.  These things are all considerations for you to take into account.

You need to be sure to make a profit, but sometimes a company will need you to come down on your price.  If you have the room to do it, and you stand to gain other benefits such as publicity or a wider market which receives your booklet and therefore discovers you, it just might be worth it.

If The Deal Isn’t Good For You Change It Or Walk Away

When you are in the midst of making a deal, nothing is set in stone until the paperwork is signed.  Many negotiations will be made back and forth until both sides are in agreement.  If the deal is not a good one for you, suggest something better.  Most of the time, the company will agree to your suggestion.  If they don’t, they’ll come back with a suggestion of their own, and then you have the opportunity to agree or make another suggestion.

If a company refuses to listen to your suggestions and won’t negotiate, thank them for their time and walk away – unless the deal is good for you as is.  If you don’t do this you’ll kick yourself later because it can cost you big in the way of money, and even the rights to your own work.

Look out for yourself and your interests, make sure your deals are fair to both sides, and you’ll make some very good money.

To your riches,

Kim

PS:  like this post?  Please share it on del.icio.us or StumbleUpon.  And don’t forget to click on one of the links at the top right of this page to subscribe so you never miss a single, important post!  Remember, it only takes one idea to start the riches flowing to you!

Why I rejoiced Over This Rejection Letter

I received a letter in the mail a couple weeks ago from a non-profit corporation I’ve been negotiating with for several months.  They were interested in purchasing anywhere from 500 – 7,000 copies of my “Simple Tips & Recipes For Feeding The Gluten Free/Dairy Free Child” booklet.

The letter was typical of what I would have expected from any company rejecting my offer, though since this is a company I am personally involved with as member, I was surprised that I didn’t at least receive a phone call.  Still, that’s the way it is with any company, especially when it comes to rejecting your offer.  Nobody wants to tell you personally.  It’s easier to make it impersonal and do it in a letter or email.

What these people couldn’t have known, however, and what you might find shocking, is that I actually rejoiced over receiving this letter.  Why?  Because it meant I could cross this company off my list.  It meant I would no longer be wasting my time with them.  After talking with them for months, and one person having to ask another who had to ask their superior who had to take it to the board members for approval, I was glad to finally have some closure one way or the other.  And while I always prefer to make the sale, the fact is it won’t happen every time.  So, when I do get a no, I’m happy to know that my journey with that company has ended and I can spend more of my time with other companies who are interested or that I’m still courting.

In this case, this organization was not a good candidate for my booklet so I really wasn’t all that surprised that they decided not to make the purchase.  In fact, I WAS surprised when they contacted me wanting more information in the first place.

So, what’s the lesson in all of this?  Stick to your market.  If someone from outside your market approaches you for information, give it, but don’t count on a sale there.  It can happen.  You never know, so you should always take the chance.  But, don’t rely on it.

As for me, I’ve wasted no tears over the fact that this sale didn’t happen.  I’ve got too many other companies I’m dealing with to even care.  Once you get the money rolling in and you’re dealing with alot of customers, whether large companies or individuals, you won’t care about those who don’t want your product because you’ll have so many who do.

To your riches!

Kim

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How I Turned A No Deal Into A New Deal

One of the great things about writing booklets is that there are so many ways they can be used.  This means that when opportunity stops knocking on the door, you can open a window of opportunity.  This is illustrated by my conversation today with my contact at the food manufacturing company that told me they wanted to order 600,000 copies of my booklet.

I knew from the start that this deal might not go through.  My contact wasn’t sure it was a feasible idea.  After speaking with him today I’m fairly certain this particular deal will never see the light of day.  The problem lies with their method of production.  They hand stuff their packages, and in order to add the booklets they would have to slow down the assembly line considerably.  Even then, it is quite likely that not every package would get a booklet inside.   Many would be missed.  My contact had even briefly considered adding the booklet to only every fourth box, but he quickly realized this was not a good idea.  I agreed.

I was neither sad nor disheartened at his words.  He had already paid me the highest compliment by telling me he wanted to order so many copies of my booklet.  He had told me that he felt it was extremely well written, put together and designed.  I knew he liked my product.  He just wasn’t able to use it in the way we had planned.

My contact told me he would speak with the plant manager again just to be sure, but I’m already looking at other ways this company can use the booklet.  I know they attend industry conventions and trade shows, and I know they send sample kits to certain stores.  I know they like my booklet and they still want to use it.  In fact, my contact even told me at one point that maybe they would order some just to keep on hand in their warehouse to use whenever they wanted to.

While I feel the door is closed on the 600,000 copy deal, there are several windows of opportunity open here, which I mentioned to my contact.  Thus, my no deal is now a new deal.  The best part is that this won’t be a one time deal.  I mentioned to my contact that I’m working on two spin-offs, and he’s interested.  He indicated that he wants to be kept in the know about my new products.

When I started talking with my contact at this company, and I knew he liked my booklet, I thought it would be a one time sale.  But now, that doesn’t seem to be the case.  It appears I’m going to have the luxury of having a long time client in this company.  While the 600,000 booklet deal would have been nice, I’d much rather have a client for life than a one time customer.

I’m elated about what transpired today.  I’ll be talking with my contact again at the end of August and we’re finally going to be able to talk about money and volume, not for the original deal, but for a new one.  Today was not the end.  It was a new beginning.

Kim