Anyone who reads me knows I share my journey in real time; as it unfolds, I hit the blog to teach and share the trials, tribulations and tips so you don’t need to experience what I do.
I recall when all the new social media channels were launching — Pinterest, Google+ and Empire Avenue to name a few. I waited for peeps the likes of , and to test the waters first before I jumped in. No sense being the earliest adopter when the kinks were truly NOT worked out (especially with Google+).
That’s another good reason why I still have not downloaded iOS 7 on my phone or iPad. Did you know they’re already at iOS7.3 since it launched? Waiting for some more bug fixes to take effect; then I’ll jump over.
I digress.
I’m publishing a book. Its called, “Message Mapping: How to Sizzle External Communications with a #RockHot Tool for Leaders.” This book, my second, will reside on a website (that was the first plan) and be sold through PayPal so I can get rich quick (just kidding).
Testing E-Commerce
I’m testing e-commerce but I didn’t know that; it kind of fell into my lap that way. Let me share:
1. The book will be a pdf for download after someone pays via PayPal and a “Buy Now” button on my site in the sidebar. I called PayPal and they said so.
2. I consulted with HubSpot about how I could capture my leads and get folks to subscribe to my newsletter, Soulati Smart Stuff (see the call to action just above). However, HubSpot and PayPal do not speak or integrate. There is a fix on Zapier.com to solve that, but it’s for tech geeks, and I have no time to deal.
3. I was still going to be manually sending my book to someone after they paid for it; what if I was not near my desktop when a purchase arrived? What if I had irate buyers not getting their product quickly, and what if I got 30 sales in one day and I couldn’t process the orders? OMGosh.
4. I called my colleague who said use Yahoo shopping cart to set up a domain, a payment tool and whatever else right there on my site (or something). OK, that was one solution; however, I’m not sold on Yahoo products and services much at all.
5. Finally, after trying to DIY this thing (as usual) I asked for help sooner than I ever have before (I’m so proud of this). I spoke with who is a man of many hats and someone’s authority I trust. He said…
6. Set up the domain name I own relating to my message mapping e-book, as a landing page only. For that landing page get PayPal Pro and a tool that integrates with WordPress. Host the domain on my reseller account with HostGator.
7. I need to write the landing page with a really convincing approach to why people need to buy my book.
Easy, right?
Let’s talk about the other factors also happening at the same time:
1. I’m still writing my deck for my content track keynote at ConvergeSouth next Friday.
2. The book cover, yet to be designed, and url must be added to the deck so I can debut my book at a conference; the second book to be debuted at two conferences.
3. The book is in design right now; the designer needs to come up with a template, dump my PowerPoint content into another PowerPoint, add art, graphics, and I have to proof the first draft.
4. All of the writing, hosting, design, set up, testing, proofing, approvals, and practice have to be done prior to my departure in eight days.
Piece of cake.
Brava Jayme…
I applaud your fortitude, and am taking notes on your learning experiences!
With appreciation, and gratitude — thank you for sharing… Rae xo
Wow, Jayme — that’s a LOT of workaround! I take it you’re not going the Amazon/etc. route in order to have more control and capture more revenue (and long-term subscribers/customers)? I’m going through this now (in the cover design and interior copyediting phase) but am going the more “traditional” route. Good luck—that’s a busy 8 days!
Dr_Rae Thanks, Rae. I’m totally zapped as the brain will not shut down at night to get me some needed Zsss. I see a cat nap in the offing today! Watch this space for more news as it comes! How are you?
RobBiesenbach Hi, Rob. I did the traditional route for the first book, and actually published a soft cover. It was extremely experiential and enabled me to push to test this method. I see now that to capture leads, I’ll likely do an abbreviated ebook free but without the bells and whistles. Not sure if those leads would be less effective, or not, but it’s all a test as far as I’m concerned!! Thanks for coming by, and good luck with your book…what’s it on?
Soulati | Hybrid PR I’ll be interested to watch and see how it goes! Mine is on presentation skills, something I’ve found even a lot of marketers and PR people lack. It’s called 11 Deadly Presentation Sins: A Path to Redemption for Public Speakers. Learning a lot about self publishing — the first book was a lot less work, leaving the production in others’ hands!
RobBiesenbach Soulati | Hybrid PRYou might like this post then, Rob!
https://soulati.com/7-speaking-tips-you-never-heard-before/
I had just come off a gig, and loved it. Had a total blast, but there is always a confidence issue if you aren’t certain about your topic and the content you’ve created. It’s a life-long journey to master public speaking. Those TedX people are really good; most of them anyway!
I am well Jayme, thank you for asking…
Eating a handful of dried red cherries (melatonin).works for me when I need my “brain” to “…shut down…” to sleep!
Let me know how this works for you… ~Rae xo
Soulati | Hybrid PR Those are great tips, especially for advanced speakers. Thanks for that! I just started scheduling tweets during my presentations, though I’ve found general audiences just don’t do the Twitter like people in our business do, so I’m looking forward to the next time I’m in front of marketing/PR people.
Dr_Rae OK! I love those, too. Will cranberries work, too?
Sorry Jayme, I’m not sure how much melatonin is in cranberries vs dried cherries…
Suggest you google this, and please let me know ~Rae xo .
Aw…shucks Jayme! Thanks for the kind words.
Man, when are you going to get serious with your work?
You da man, Scott! I know who’ll I’ll call when I’m ready to do that stuff!
It’s great to watch you work, Jayme… Fat chance we’ll ever see you sleeping anytime soon 😮
Cheers, miss!
Hey, all of your share button worked the first time! 😮
Mark_Harai You have no idea how close I am to throwing in the towel, but they have been hugely responsive yet progress has been terribly slow. How’s that for customer loyalty?
Scott Quillin | Web – Video – Original Music! Scott, you know how hard it is for me to ask for help. I’m so glad I did sooner than customary b/c, uhmm, if we accomplish all of this by deadline (including book design and proof, too!)…I will fly to Rhode Island and kiss you.
Mark_Harai LOL…I’ve found a new way to shut down my brain at night. Even reading has become cumbersome…I’m watching Amazon Prime TV shows — currently in Season 2 of Battlestar Gallactica. !
Jayme, I know Scott loves serving you. You’re one of his favorite clients.
And as for me? Your journey and trials and successes give me goosebumps! Like Scott (and maybe this is one of the reason he loves working with you?), you live fearlessly and boldly, and take risks so you GROW in business and personally. Thank-you for inspiring me, and so many others…especially those of us (like me) who live so cautiously. ~Michelle
New England Multimedia Thanks, Michelle. I now consider all these painful experiences as opportunities. But, only AFTER the fact! Heh.
It’s a daily challenge with amazements. I only hope I can keep the pace; it’s certainly what I love. Thanks for being along for the ride — both of you!
So much of this is trial and error. We’ve gone through the same things (though I haven’t written about it) and I commend you for finding the right answer. At least until something new pop ups. 🙂
ginidietrich Yep, but it sounds good, right? Heh. I’m right behind you; trying all these doodahs you’ve already experimented with. My deal is to just share the trials and tribs (with the sometimes successes, too) so everyone knows it’s no picnic up here!
I have an idea for a new online business; do I dare attempt it? Think I need some capital for IT; ahem, I know you know about that! Heh2.