This is the book that pretty much launched my career. I’ve yet to release a product but I’ve made thousands of dollars thanks to the information. This book is that good that I had a review of it on Problogger within a week of purchasing. It is, by far, the best resource on successfully writing and launching an ebook.

In this review, I’ll be discussing some of my favourite quotes about each of the five modules. If you already know you want to buy, go here to launch the **** out of your ebook.

Module 1: Analyzing the market for your ebook

“I don’t want to search and click and read and try to filter what’s good as opposed to what’s total crap. I want someone who has done this stuff before to organize it and lay it out so I can just get to the good stuff and run with it. I want convenience.”

It took me a long time to change my mindset regarding this. I’m now at the stage where I’ll just buy something from a select group of product creators.

I prefer to target this market. Its very hard to convince broke bloggers to part with their money, especially when they don’t see the ROI potential. I like targeting those who are already willing to spend money on quality products as I just have to figure out how to best target them.

There isn’t much I can really talk about regarding this unit without giving all the content away. I didn’t get that much out of it but I’m in the (incorrect) mindset of just releasing a product and seeing what happens. I’m here to learn, not profit.

Module 2: Finding and wooing ebook buyers

Finding specific, individual buyers should happen far in advance of your product going on sale.

The main strategy they recommended was creating a blog and this is something I totally agree with. My blog has led to so many opportunities – some of which have been high profile and/or paid. I would recommend consulting with someone regarding setting up your blog if you are unfamiliar with certain concepts as this will decrease the amount of time needed to learn the unspoken rules.

My favourite section was about driving new, targeted readers to your existing blog. My two favourite tips were:

• Guest posting – but also do it on topics one step away from your niche
• Comment prior to making a pitch – this way both the author and the audience will see you as someone with authority

I also enjoy using twitter to make a connection prior to asking for help. I use private methods of communication to show my knowledge to certain people. I thought this unit was also practical for those seeking traffic for their other online projects.

Module 3: Setting up your mailing list

 Ok – I’m not going to analyse this. Dave’s advice is dependent on you taking all the steps listed in this chapter and I would have trouble writing about it without giving the whole lot away. I will say this.

I found the idea of email marketing daunting before I discovered this ebook. Now, I know exactly how I can use it to launch a product, even if I don’t use email marketing for anything else. I’ve been told that Dave will go going into email marketing more in future products but this is a really solid, actionable primer.

Module 4: Writing your ebook

Keep your outline nearby at all times to write notes on.

I now do outlines of all my work – guest posts, interviews and my own blog posts. I keep it open beside me. I’ve gotten so many ideas from this and it has allowed me to brainstrom further ideas. This can give me ideas for future posts or products as well as promotional material.

Write more casually

Write like you’re talking, and just let it all come out. Just start a conversation with your readers. Your words will flow more naturally and you’ll be a lot happier with your progress. Your readers will, too.

This was one of my main problems with my early blog posts. It also appears when I try to write ebooks. I call it ’stick-up-the-arse’ syndrome where the message is lost due to the excessive formality.

This is something you will naturally have to work on. You’ll get there with lots of practice. You have to avoid the other end of the extreme where you are so casual that you alienate readers.

Module 5: Launching it

Getting attention from the blogging superstars 

Work your way up through their friends.

If you feel like it’s just too difficult to get a particular person to give you the time of day, find out who their online friends are and focus some attention on building them up. As you do this, you leave the door open to the possibility that person will give you a warm, fuzzy introduction to the reviewer you’re really after.

This may sound sleazy but its totally not. I recognized that to a degree, Dave was doing this with me but I was fine with it because

• I’d endorse anything he developed because its crazy awesome quality for a reasonable price
• He put a lot of effort into the relationship and we’ve since become good friends.

 It didn’t really take much effort on his behalf. He would give me review copies of his products. Occasionally DM me words of support on twitter or provide advice on situations. Now I’ll do anything for him, which includes connecting him with prominent bloggers and other rising stars. Its a win win situation and helps both of our profiles.

Interview them.

This is another tip that has gotten a lot of attention for me – it has also worked to build my profile in the meantime. It means I now have a small, loyal group of friends ready to promote for me should I ask.

I will be writing about interview tips in future blog posts. If you want any tips in the meantime, feel free to contact me via twitter or the contact form.

Getting people to take the time to review your book.

Recognize their heavy schedule.

Something most people dont know on the internet right now is that I’m really busy. Its nothing we can control – offline, there is a lot of family stuff to deal with and if its not consuming my free time, its consuming my thinking space. As such – my online stuff has suffered. I haven’t been able to meet commitments. I’m well behind on product reviews.

One of the people that is on the top of my list is Barbara Ling. She has sent gentle reminders, words of support and well wishes. She has made sure I stayed in her mind and by no means has she pressured me. I’ll be willing to work with her in the future due to the respect she has earned in the past month.

Go after the up‐and‐comers.

Getting a review from a blogger with 10,000 subscribers may be tough – but the ones with 500‐1000 may be easier (and may actually have a more responsive audience). Consider targeting a number of up‐and‐comers who are kind of a big deal, but not too big to give you some TLC.

 Many people are recognizing me as an up-and-comer. They know that I have a lot of sway in several niches. The benefit of targeting people like me is that I’m able to devote more time into reviewing products and supporting people because I don’t have the huge time constraints. I’ll give a lot of TLC to those who take the initiative. I also continue to support Dave as my blog expands. 

Have a considerable discount during pre launch sales

I accidentally stumbled across this product. Someone tweeted an article on The Launch Coach and I was that impressed, I checked out his sales page. I had no intention of buying it at $97 but I clicked on the buy button to see if he offered an affiliate program.

It was there that I saw the price was $47. I later found out that this was due to a promotion he was running with Naomi from Ittybiz, but I didn’t know who either person was at the time. I assumed it was a mistake and wanted to make a decision as soon as possible.

The day that I bought it I was staying at my mums. I’d phoned up the night before, severely depressed, and was staying for a break. I’d just earned a decent affiliate commision. I couldn’t sleep as I was tormenting myself over the decision to buy. I woke up at, bought it, and haven’t looked back since. I’ve earned Dave thousands of dollars and its all because of one prelaunch sale.

So – who is this for?

If you intend to release an ebook, free or paid, you should check out this ebook. Its THAT good. It will give you the skills needed to spread the ideas a lot further than you could do by yourself.

I particularly recommend this to businesses looking at creating promotional ebooks. This is something that many people have spoken to me about and they really appreciated the resources shared in this book.

Advanced bloggers may not get as much out of it but Navarro has a product line that allows you to make a lot of money regardless of your status.