Secrets You Need to Know Before You Write and Sell Your Book

If there's one question that I consistently get from friends and online acquaintances, it is one for advice on writing a book. It seems that everyone wants to write a book. People write books for different reasons. I think I was born wanting to write a book, I majored in English Literature for that reason. For other reasons, I ended up in marketing, but the need to write a book - to help people - never went away. The most common reasons I hear from people are:

• Establish themselves as an expert in their field (does that really work?)
• Get more speaking engagements
• Satisfy a heartfelt need
• Fulfill their ego to be a "published" author

Writing and selling my books is my main job (along with constantly researching my topics), it comes before everything else, even social media and speaking. I have been writing books since 1998 and sold a million by 2007. I don't count the numbers anymore, what counts to me is hearing from my readers. I am lucky to have been writing long enough to see the impact my books have made on my reader's lives.

Wanting to write a book and actually finishing the project are two vastly different things - just ask anyone who has written one. You also need to know, writing books are not for everyone. "Long form" content takes on a completely new meaning when you're expected to write not just 1,500 words - but over 300 pages on a topic.

Online Market World 2008 Selling Secrets

I gave a keynote talk at this year's conference. I figure that I'm pretty lucky, because it gave me the chance to meet a lot of very sharp people. If you're curious as to what I had to say, below is a link to the program text (it's amazing what a month's worth of bad economy in the US can do to one's net worth - but that's not what this post is about). Click the words "this session" to hear my talk.

"Best-selling eBay author Marsha Collier will explain why there has never been a better time to sell online - on eBay, other emarketplaces, and through other channels. This self-made millionaire, radio show host, and long-time eBay instructor will reveal important secrets of successful online selling and give you actionable tips you can start using immediately. If you're serious about increasing sales this holiday season and beyond, don't miss this session."

eBay Lowering Fixed-Price Sellers' Fees

ebayAccording to a Reuters news story today (August 20) eBay will be lowering listing fees for fixed price sales on the site. See eBay's promo page.

Effective September 19, sellers will be able to list fixed priced listings of the same items in multiple quantities for a 30 day listing instead of the standard seven. This will make things a lot easier on sellers, saving them from constantly having to relist multiple items once a sale is made. Also, it's reported that there is a lowering of fixed price fees in the media categories - down to $.15.

Other changes reported by Reuters include a maximum shipping price for sellers in its media category, with incentives to offer free shipping, and requiring sellers to include at least one electronic payment method.

It seems that eBay has also made changes in the final value fees for the fixed price arena. Check eBay's Community Announcements for more info.