Back in 2010, someone had contacted me and offered to take my articles and make them into collections and compilations using a special format so they could be distributed as e-books. The concept made sense to me because I have an abundance of online articles that I have previously written on various topics. Each of these topics of course could indeed be an e-book with let's say 50 or more articles.
Indeed, I had considered the offer, until the individual told me some of the tricky marketing tactics to make sure the books sold, for instance he would put up positive reviews under a fake name. But in reality the lack of integrity of such a marketing tactic is destroying what could be a very lucrative market for a good number of e-book authors who are in specific niches but cannot find publishers, especially at a time when the publishing industry has about had it.
Over the last several months, I have been rewriting and editing previous articles and putting them into e-books. It is quite time consuming and takes a lot of energy and effort. Indeed, I do feel is worth it, as it is another avenue to get my information out to the world. Sales have been pretty good, which is nice, although that is not my sole objective, rather I want to get my information out to as many people as possible. One thing I have noted is every once in a while I see the e-books have been returned.
I find this rather problematic because someone could read an e-book in one night, and return it within 24 hours. In which case the authors are not paid, and it almost looks as a strike against them if they're e-books are being returned. When this happened to me, I was rather miffed, and therefore I traced down the purchasers to see what they were doing, and more specifically why.
Once I found out, I decided to discuss this with other e-book authors. Therefore, I asked a group of eBook authors and book sellers; if anyone had noted other authors who buy an eBook from you so that they can be listed in the "those who bought this book also bought" to get their book listed at the bottom of yours, then return your eBook after they've gotten it listed in that space? It seems rather unfortunate this is happening, worse, I don't like the idea that someone returns a book, which makes me look bad.
Well, at least they didn't write a negative comment or review, however it seems that folks need to get a little more integrity rather than try to game the system. Indeed, this is of course, my opinion, and I suppose those who are using this tactic have a different one. So the question I have is this; why is it that humans are so dishonest, disreputable, and lack integrity. It seems as if every time someone starts making money, or doing anything, then a bunch of lazy people come along, and they wreck it for everyone.
Now then, I know it is human nature to do as little as possible and get the most for it. However, the lack of integrity in our society, and specifically on the Internet with all the fraud and dishonesty is really destroying the Internet, which is undoubtedly the greatest communication device ever created in the history of mankind.
Well, it is humans after all who are using it, and the humans are the problem. That is my assessment of the issue. Too many lazy people out there who don't want to work, and they are willing to cheat to get ahead. Maybe they are still waiting for their stimulus package too? Please consider all this and think on it.
Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Many Topics. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/
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