I’m sitting here working on a compiled public domain CD product and kicking myself a little bit. I keep saying to myself “Why does this feel like such hard work?”.
The products I’m creating are public domain CD products to sell on eBay. My goal for the year is to have 100 of this type of product for sale on eBay by November 30, 2012. This is a huge goal and it takes time… time is something I don’t have an endless supply of.
Compiled CD’s take a lot of time!
I chose a niche topic that I knew nothing about. Nothing. It was an idea that my hubby threw out a few months ago… and I’ve finally got around to “doing it”.
I had to do the “research”… I never create products without doing the research first!
- Are people searching for something about this niche? (Google Keywords Tool)
- Can I find lot’s of public domain content that will give my customers the material they need?
- Where can I find a variety of great public domain books, images or video? (Does loc.gov – archive.org and other archives have anything related?)
- Have I looked for “everything” I can think of to include in this product? (Start with Wikipedia)
Again… I keep asking myself “Why does this fell like such hard work?”.
It is hard work… that’s why it feels that way!
Note: You do have to know when to stop. I have a hard time “stopping” the research and get going on finishing the product. If I can find “just one more thing” to add – I’ll hunt it down. I like to have a lot of “stuff” in my compiled products, but this takes time! Know when to stop.
Plus… if you get toooo much “stuff” – it won’t all fit on one CD. Then you must decide if you want to use a DVD or multiple CD’s for your product.
After I’ve found a “bunch” – I then need to go through each “piece” and edit. Yes… I edit each part of my compiled products. I will often skim through the contents and look for ideas for more content to add to this compilation.
Which means more “work”. (and time)
After I’ve found “enough stuff” (and told myself to stop for the 24th time) – I then must put all the content into files that will make it easy to create the “auto-run” CD. Plus… adding in the Auto-run and creating the .html files. Once I’m finished with the “files” – I then “Burn” a CD and make sure it all “works” perfectly.
More Time.
Next… I need graphics for my product. I need to have a few screen captures for my eBay listing and I also need graphics for the actual CD label, the DVD box cover and the DVD box insert. I do have this process somewhat systematized and yet it still will take time.
Yep – More Time.
Now I have all the product “bits” done. I will then head over to Kunaki.com and upload all the “bits” of my product and have one physical copy sent to me. (I usually have a copy sent to me so I can “see” what the customer sees. Plus.. I usually take an actual photograph of the DVD case and CD to upload to my eBay listing.
Not a lot of extra time as I can work on other things during the “upload” process.
What’s next? Create an eBay listing. After finally getting most of my eBay template worked out… it’s a fairly simple process to do “most” of the listing. It does take time to insert all the images and write a complete description of this new product. When it’s all done, I now have a new product for sale.
Time… time… time….
Wait – I’m not done! Now I need to “market” my new product. I use social media and a blog to market (I’ve been lax on this part and it shows in my sales).
More time… time… time…
How Much Time?
Over a 3 Day period – I’ve spent about 21 hours on this new product!
When I create a “single book” product – it takes MUCH less time.
The Difference Between Compiled and Single Products
Compiled products are all created with “free public domain content” that I search out online and download. All of it!
Single products are created from the Golden 40 (years 1923 – 1963) that is not available online. I must find the book, scan it and create the product.
Some of the “parts” for creating these products are the same – and some are hugely different.
The time spent on a Single product is about 2-3 hours. This includes the time to find the book online and buy it, tear the book apart, scan it, format it, create product graphics and ebay listing images, burn the CD and upload to Kunaki, create the eBay listing and market it. (it might stretch to 4 hours depending on the graphics and the marketing – I might want to do more or less)
A Single Product takes money! I have to actually BUY the book! I’ve found great books for less than $10 (including shipping) and others cost me upwards of $70!
The Dilemma
Which is better? Single (takes less time but costs money) or Compilations (takes more time)?
This is not a trick question… the answer is Both OR “It Depends”.
It Depends: If you don’t have the cash to buy books- then you will stick with compilations. These are books that you have researched and found their is a “need” for these books in your niche.
I like doing BOTH!
The beauty of these products (like any product you create) – you only have to create it ONCE!
The other beautiful thing about creating CD products that will sell for “good money” on eBay (and other selling platforms) is this (good money means I’m selling products that will make a nice income over time) :
Most of the sellers on eBay will never put in the “effort” I have for my products.
nuff said…
p.s. We are talking about creating this type of product and all kinds of other products using public domain content in the forum!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
That is a lot of work to put in for the compilation, but like you said, it works. I myself would go for the compilation because of money restraints. I have been looking out for books in the golden 40′s though. Only time will tell. LOL
Keep up the good work and plug on….you will make it.
Hugs
G-Ma
Marilyn aka G-Ma´s last [type] ..Anyone For Bingo?
I think you actually gave a very good answer (between the lines) to your question.
It’s going to depend on your resources….got time and no money, vice versa, or enough of both.
The sweet spot would be enough of both. You get to pick which one you prefer doing.
My experience has been you only discover what you’ll really hate doing by doing a lot of it.
Here’s another thought on the will-it-fly research angle.
Mailing lists
These are people who actually bought something related.
Here’s where:
http://lists.nextmark.com/
And a warning. if you’re thinking about direct mail then getting scammed buying a list is how most get their first ugly lesson. a whole other kind of research is required there.
Debra, In reading your post today, you talked about the following:
I then must put all the content into files that will make it easy to create the “auto-run” CD. Plus… adding in the Auto-run and creating the .html files. Once I’m finished with the “files” – I then “Burn” a CD and make sure it all “works” perfectly.
I am a bit confused as to how your burning your info onto a CD. I have never done this so is there a book or info I can read on how to burn your files onto a CD?
Billie… Burn to CD just means putting all the files onto a CD. You probably have some software on your computer or you can download CDBurnerXP. It’s not anything you need a book to learn. Google it… really!
