For Free or Not For Free

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by Tyler Schultz

For free, or not for free? That is the question. The question you need to ask yourself when you embark on your quest in ebook creation.

If it seems too daunting a task, or you're not comfortable with selling, you might want to create one to give away for free. However, if you'd like to spring for the real thing, you'll want to charge a few pesos for your electronic masterpiece.

You can make money with either breed or a combination of both, that's up to you. Let's go through some strengths and weaknesses of each, then you can decide on whatever your little e-heart desires, shall we?

o Free eBooks - Uses

» Lead Generators

Everyone loves a freebie. Especially if it's extremely targeted and informative. Tell the world about your new free ebook in all your ads and discussion postings.

Fill it with links back to your site. This method is recommended if you have pages of content at your site and are already selling a product or service successfully. Tell your readers they are free to give it away to a friend. It's a great credibility builder too. Before you know it, everybody and their neighbor's dog will have your ebook.

(That's a good thing.)

» Affiliate Programs Don't have a product? Need to give your affiliate earnings a boost? No problem. Create an ebook to give away free.

Fill it with your affiliate links. You can also scatter banner ads throughout your ebook, but I'd recommend sticking with text links for the most part. Some people see banner ads as an eye sore.

» Trial Versions

You can also take an ebook you charge money for, cut it down in size and give it away free. This will show prospects that you're a good writer and you give value.

o Free eBooks - Advantages

» You just give it away

What could be easier than simply giving something away? The net is full of freebie seekers and believe me, if you're giving it away they will take it.

It's easy to feed the freebie seeker need. It's like they're hooked on freebies. If you're dealing the good freebies, you'll have plenty of freebie junkies on your corner.

» You still make money... without selling anything.

You can make money with your free ebook by packing it chock full o'links. Affiliate links that is.

When you create your free ebook, fill it with helpful information. This will show that you give away value and you'll be building yourself a good cybereputation. Also, fill it with lots of affiliate links, this is how you make money.

You don't even need a web site to make money with free ebooks, but it is recommended. You could put it on a free site or set up an autoresponder to send it by email attachment.

» You don't have to worry about the sales process

When you build it for the purpose of promoting your affiliate programs, you make money without having to worry about selling anything. You just give away your ebook, then when people click the links inside they go to a web site that's designed for selling.

The person who runs the affiliate program takes care of product delivery and taking credit cards. You just give your book away and get checks in the mail.

o Not-for-free ebooks

The obvious use of an ebook that you charge money for is... You got it! To make money. To draw people into your marketing operation, now and for the future.

The advantages are quite obvious as well. To create a strong business image for yourself. To begin building a real source of solid cash flow that will go on for years.

If you haven't created your own product or service yet, maybe you should be asking the more common question... To be, or not to be?

That is the question. The question you should be asking about your future with an internet business if you have not created a product or service of your own yet.

What better time is there than right now?