Do you think original content is dead? Me, not so much, but I’ve been called a dreamer.

I hear lots of people complaining about it – how the Internet is just a recycled, regurgitated mess with everyone parasitically aggregating a minuscule amount of “real news”. This usually comes from someone lamenting the death of traditional publishing or relaying the demise of true journalism. They typically either have relied on and have deeply desired someone else to tell them what to think or have made money off of a tightly controlled, elite vetting process.

Just as often, people are distressed at how our society has changed and are exhausted by the rapid crumbling of many social structures, traditional media being one example. Sadly, I have to say it – that is not going away. The world is different today than when Walter Cronkite was on TV. I wish I could be more gentle, but there it is. You can argue the merit, but it’s hard to argue the case against the fact that things have changed, and in many cases, are not going back to the way they were.

The “real ideas are dead” view, in my opinion, has little to do with the actual newsworthiness (or not) of traditional media, nor does it realistically recognize all the cool info out there on the Internet, much of which is more interesting and relevant than the Big 3 has ever provided us. Yeah, the aggregating sites that do regurgitate are out there, and I don’t much like them either. Frankly, I don’t see the Associated Press as much different. It’s now just a problem of scale – way too much scale.

In all fairness, perhaps you know someone (are someone?) who rightfully has noticed that, on the web, everyone has become a news source, and are, well, maybe just not comfortable with that. That sentiment I get, especially if you favor good grammar and spelling. Just because you blog doesn’t mean you are interesting. Just because you can say it doesn’t mean you should. Even allowing for style and freedom of speech, some people are pretty much crazy and having a podium to encourage their rants seems counterproductive to society at large. All that is a true enough observation.

I take the proactive ground on this debate. I say, if you think no one on the web is making original content, then get thee to your word processor! Become the original source! Do quality research, put a voice to what people do care about, and give us your good stuff. I don’t care if it’s investigative or editorial, just make a commitment to being quotable. Embrace the burgeoning landscape of citizen journalism and be the 21st century version of Walter C, or maybe the next best selling author, or maybe a Poet Laureate. The field is wide open and the fruit is there to be picked. (OK, I haven’t had breakfast yet….I’ll work on my metaphors…)

Here’s my challenge to you and the one I am taking up this week: I am going to go for one full week without referencing anyone else’s material. If I use a picture, it’s because I took it, drew it, or am in it (I know the peacock has nothing to do with the story, but hey, I took it, it’s beautiful – I’ll work on creating more relevant stuff). If I write about ideas, it’s ones I’ve had. If I do video or audio, I helped create it. This is an experiment to see if I can do it. It’s a chance to see if my ideas even have enough merit to be on this page. It’s a chance for us all to put up or shut up.

So, I’m asking you – are you in? Wanna play along?

Everyone knows that it’s important for people to know who you are, to see your website, to understand what you do. But, how do you get more eyes on your business? How do you attract interest in what you do? And, how do you make sure that the eyes you’re attracting are the ones that will likely be interested in what you offer and likely to want to continue with a longer term relationship with you and your business?

One way is offering bonuses for book launches.

Let’s start the explanation from the publishing author’s point of view. Basically, in the newer approaches to book publishing, authors are creating launch websites and generating “buzz” around their book releases with bonus packages. They solicit free bonuses and offers from other like-minded people, individuals who provide products and services that would be of interest to their target audience. The idea is that when you purchase the book, you also get all this free bounty as a thank you gift, as a bonus to your purchase. It’s an inducement to buy, as you often get hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of stuff if you lay down $15 for a book. Sweet deal, right?

Here’s an example of Joe Vitale’s The Attractor Factor launch, active now:
Joe Vitale’s Attractor Factor Book Launch Bonus Page

If you were a spiritual topic author, like Joe Vitale in the above example, you would want to include bonuses from people who offer spiritual focused products – meditation, life purpose, coaching, etc. You’ll notice when you look at the listing of people he has and the description of what’s offered, that they are in alignment, congruent with his message. This is important to consider. You will have more success, both as a publishing author, and as a bonus provider, if the bonuses are attractive to the book’s target audience.

Here’s another example, this time of Eldon Taylor’s Choices and Illusions release, active now:
Eldon Taylor’s Choices and Illusions Book Launch Bonus and Charity Event

Same idea on congruence with Eldon’s choices. You wouldn’t necessarily add something about, say, automobile repair for this crowd, right? Well, maybe the Zen of Motorcycle Repair, but you get the point.

To find people who do book launches, look to publishing houses, publicists, agents, authors, and the promotional houses that run the book launch campaigns you see. It’s easy to google to get a list once you start looking. Asking and offering is the key. (I’ll make a to-do note to myself to list the ones I know of here at SmartWoman Guides, ok?)

Now you might be asking at this point, “How do I make money giving my products and services away?”. You do this by developing a list of people, via email, who are interested in what you do and what you have to offer. Like going to Sam’s Club and sample tasting some of their treats, these potential clients get an opportunity to experience you, to get to know you, to decide if they’d like to go forward in learning more about you. Once you have this list, you can promote yourself to them on what’s termed the “back end”, presenting compelling offers that you believe are of interest to your audience.

Some words of caution here: Don’t hold back on your free offering. This is your first impression chance to seduce your customer. Don’t give away something that’s worthless, or not a good reflection on you. Free doesn’t mean low quality. You want to give high quality as a good faith offering to a future relationship. Give with an open spirit, a generous mindset and make it something juicy, something you’re proud of selling, let alone giving.

Also, don’t innundate your new prospect with pitchy, pushy sales follow up after they’ve signed on. Treat this new relationship just like you would a new friendship, because that’s what it is. Everybody knows what happens to psycho stalkers – people call the police on them, not buy stuff from them. Be gentle, be consistent, and continue to build value and trust. Soon, you’ll have a solid base of loyal fans who love what you do and recommend you to their friends. That’s when the money starts rolling in!

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

follow me on Twitter: @Smartwoman

Okay,  I am SO excited! Recently in LA I attended an event where Mark Victor Hansen spoke (of Chicken Soup for the Soul) and he announced a new publishing venture he was about to launch. Besides committing his considerable energy and wealth toward abolishing poverty, he is also working to change the face of publishing. Great guy and great idea. Here’s the deal:

It’s free to get started. You can publish your stuff (all types of files) and either give it away or charge whatever you want and split the proceeds with the site. If you don’t like it, you stop doing it and all the copyrights remain with you. You keep control.

Most publishers charge 80-90% (yes, that is not a typo) to publish you and they do little to no promotion or marketing. They also traditionally retain certain rights (like the right to make audio recordings of your book, or develop training materials from them as an example). Not much of a deal, right?

This site is a 50/50 split and knowing Mark, it’s going to take off like a rocket. You can also earn an affiliate commission for referring others, so if you know the next Stephen King, sign up and send them an invitation.

The site went live TODAY, so sign up for your account and start loading up your files. E-books, audios, whatever, just get yourself out there. Don’t be afraid or intimidated, just get involved. I have! I want all of you to email me once you post stuff so I can go check it out, ok?

Here’s how to get there: You Publish

Go there and check it out and watch for SmartWoman offerings in the future. And for your own sake, get your own stuff up there too. Everyone’s got a book in them–it’s time to let it out!

Together, we are stronger!

Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman