Do you have any questions for a Best Selling Author?

[GordonJ]

Next week I'll be conducting an in-depth interview with an amazing author. His books are not sold in bookstores and you probably have never heard of him. His books have been translated into several languages and his best-seller is about to be offered in Chinese.

He has sales of over 1.8 million books (not dollars, BOOKS) for his top seller. If we have any budding, blooming or even fading writers who would like to pick the brain of a guy whose books have over 1.8+ million copies in print, ask your questions here and I'll post his answers next week. OK?

Gordon Jay Alexander

Greetings Gordon and Sowpub readers!

I have three questions I'd like to ask. Please select one item or summarize the entire three questions for your noted Author and friend. Here goes:

1. What are the hottest topics/content that sell during a recession? Any way to research this?

2. What are the best ways to reach your market today? Use internet only or combination of mailorder, voicemail, email marketing and internet?

3. How do you establish your price and what is the highest amount you could charge today?

I know that a lot of testing is indicated from my questions. But am asking this specifically for producing biz opp and how-to information for people wanting to start a home business in tough economic times. Thank You!

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by GordonJ

Next week I'll be conducting an in-depth interview with an amazing author. His books are not sold in bookstores and you probably have never heard of him. His books have been translated into several languages and his best-seller is about to be offered in Chinese.

He has sales of over 1.8 million books (not dollars, BOOKS) for his top seller. If we have any budding, blooming or even fading writers who would like to pick the brain of a guy whose books have over 1.8+ million copies in print, ask your questions here and I'll post his answers next week. OK?

Hi Gordon,

Thanks again for this opportunity to ask some questions! (And get them answered...!)

One question, which is similar to Donsonic's question, is how do you choose a "hot" topic to write a book about?

Another question I have is, what is his specific method of planning and writing a book. (I'm presuming these are nonfiction books.) For example, some people write a highly detailed outline first, while others don't and use a more "spontaneous" approach. Some people determine the length the book will be first and write it to fill that size, while others just write more than needed, then edit it down.

Another question is... What environment do you like to write your books in? (E.g. do you lock yourself alone in a room, do you write at a cafe, etc.)

What do you use to write, specifically? (E.g. Do you use a computer and word processor, do you write "long hand" with a pen, do you dictate your books then get it transcribed, etc.)

How do you make yourself focus when it is time to write, and not be distracted?

Do you try to put yourself in a particular "mood" when you write? A related question... Do you listen to music when you write?

What methods do you use to sell your books? (This is also similar to one of Donsonic's questions...)

How long does it take you to write a book (including research, planning, etc.)?

There are some questions off the top of my head...

Best wishes,

Dien

Hi Gordon,

His books are not sold in bookstores and you probably have never heard of him.

My question is...Why write the books?

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

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[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by LindaC

Hi Gordon,

His books are not sold in bookstores and you probably have never heard of him.

My question is...Why write the books?

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

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In this case, he was asked to. He is a computer guy, a geek, an expert on how to make computers user friendly. He was one of those guys you call into your house to help set things up. The guy who called him asked him to write a HOW TO book for his company. And once he did one, then it became easier to write the second and third and so on.

The NON fiction How To type books have a specific target or niche and there are ways of getting a sales message to them. So the reason for writing the books is to provide specialized information to those people who would want to buy it.

I think now, after my initial talk with him, he writes because he enjoys it and it makes him a lot of MONEY...he calls it the best "job" he's ever had. Quite a ways from getting 20 bux and hour for setting up people's computers to having a royalty income on almost 2 million books.

Gordon Jay Alexander

I have a question more related to the DM side...

Obviously you've learned how to sell via DM in order to make this work, or you know someone who has... my question is, where did you learn the DM and is there a specific course you can recommend if you had to choose one?

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by rezbi

I have a question more related to the DM side...

Obviously you've learned how to sell via DM in order to make this work, or you know someone who has... my question is, where did you learn the DM and is there a specific course you can recommend if you had to choose one?

I'm sitting down at 10 AM this morning (EST) and starting my interview with the author and I'll post his answers to all of your questions later this evening or first thing in the morning.

Regarding DM. I've been involved for decades, so I understand it. As for the publisher who sold the 1.6 million copies of one book, it is Green Tree Press, Inc. in Erie, PA.

I'm in Erie now and I've been given a pass to the basement archives and have seen the little classified ads that started the business in 1974 all the way up to the 200,000+ dollar ad most recently run, a full page ad in a magazine. Green Tree Press, founded by Ernest P. "Bud" Weckesser, PhD. is one of the most successful DM book publishers in American History.

To answer your question about learning DM. I always suggest people start with 7 Steps to Freedom II by Benjamin D. Suarez (available at Amazon for a few bux) BECAUSE...

it is very detailed, even DRY business reading in some places, but it covers the DM industry not only from an A to Z manner, but the history of Ben's company, and how it started as a one man band in his basement, is pretty much a template that can be followed by anyone today.

Of course Ben moved out of his basement and today his company, Suarez Corporation Industries (SCI) employs over 500 people and does a quarter of a Billion dollars of business a year. And Ben would be the first to tell you that TODAY, DM is still a viable business for anyone to start.

I'm trying to persuade Pete Zesinger, the owner and CEO of Green Tree Press, Inc. to bring out a step by step, A-Z, nuts to bolts "course" on how to start a direct marketing company TODAY, from your kitchen table and to be able to sell your own products as successfully as he has. Pete has been the President of GTP for the last 20 years and is about to expand his company with a Globabl Digital division and an ON DEMAND publishing division which will change the game completely.

What questions would you want answered IMMEDIATELY, and I'll ask Pete today, and see if we can extract some good stuff from him.

I'm like a kid in a FREE candy store...I'm seeing ads that haven't been seen in 35 years and I'm getting to see all the TESTS that took place, for example, Dr. Weckesser ran about 10 different headline tests for one book, it is amazing what ONE word change can do for your sales.

This kind of real life, actual tested and proven results are nearly impossible to find...I'm a lucky guy...and you all are lucky forum members, cause I'm going to be sharing my findings with you.

OK, I've got to go and talk to the guy who has sold 1.6 million copies of one book and has 6 titles that he has had published...and I'll find out what he is working on NOW.

Stay tuned.

Gordon Jay Alexander

Over at www.infomarketingblog.com, a recent post entitled "Storytelling Power in Ad Copy" contained information about GTP and Bud Weckesser. There is also one of Weckesser's ads, which begins with this paragraph:

"Did you ever notice that when you're fat, men don't look you in the eye? They look across your shoulder. There's no eye contact. My name is Leslie McClennahan. I'm a real person. I live near Goose Creek, South Carolina. Up until two years ago, I was never looked in the eye. By anyone."

Enjoy,
W