Hello again. This is Jimmy Krug with the October edition of "The Jimmy Krug Report." It's a slight miracle this issue made it out on time. That's because I've been leaning back in my easy chair playing video games all month. I treated myself to a Sony Playstation 2 this month and before I knew it. I had entered my second childhood! Anyway, such is life. I'm back in the saddle again and motivated to get back to business. DUPLEXING MORE AFFORDABLE THAN EVER BEFORE As a self-publisher, duplexing capabilities allow you to print on both sides of a piece without removing and reloading it into the printer. This saves LOADS of time. Also, you can avoid the blunder of reloading the paper the WRONG WAY and ruining dozens (if not all) of your previous copies. Recently, Panasonic released what has to be the cheapest laser printer with standard duplexing capabilities on the market. The printer is called - The KX-P7100 Laser Printer. Speed: 15 ppm 600 dpi 4k toner yield (average type written page) 20k drum yield The current price (including instant rebate) is only $279.99! You can purchase the printer from a variety of sources including TIGER DIRECT. For more info, call them at 1-800-888-4437. Be sure to get prices on toner cartridges and replacement items (such as the drum). SELLING BOOKLETS VIA THE WEB Yesterday, I entered my local post office to check my P.O. Box. If you live in the United States, you can't help but think about Anthrax while milling about the local postal facilities. Even if it's not something DIRECTLY on your mind, it's not too far behind. The pure facts are, people are tossing envelopes in record numbers. Opening the mail isn't the joy it used to be. Especially if you're not sure who the sender is. The solution? Be creative and give POSTCARDS a try. You can create your booklet catalog (if you sell multiple titles) or market your booklet directly from a simple web site. Use the postcard to direct your prospective clients to your web site. On your site, craft a simple sales letter highlighting the benefits of using your booklet as a tool for your client to sell their products and/or services. I sell most of my booklets to non-profit organizations. If I were starting my business TODAY. and had very limited resources (and had a third eye growing out of my forehead - right beneath my hairline). my marketing options would be somewhat limited. I wouldn't want to sell in person. And with extremely limited resources, a mass mailing would be out of the question too. What would I do? I'd create a postcard with a good headline. Maybe something like - "HOW TO INCREASE DONATIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION" - A low cost method of doubling your contributions in the next 30 days. Then, I'd include the web site address. Simple. At the web site, I'd pitch the idea of using booklets to raise money for projects, sell services, etc. For more info on that, check out previous issues of "The Jimmy Krug Report." BUSINESS CARDS CAN WORK, TOO Business cards can be used like a postcard, too. Not the usual "calling-card" business card. I'm talking about a double-sided sales pitch. Brief, to the point. and directing them back to your web site. Remember, the idea of your booklet site is to promote the idea of your client purchasing your title(s) in bulk and using them as marketing tools for their own business and/or organization. Be sure to include the price breakdown at your web site. For example; 1-50 $ .. 50-100 $ .. 100-200 $ .. Do you get the idea? Business cards are cheap. Shop around for the best prices in your area. A POSTCARD IDEA If you have a decent laser printer, you can even save more money by printing your own postcards. Fancy graphics aren't necessary. A good headline and sub heading are. Give your prospective clients a reason to check out your online booklet catalog. Buy a nice 80 lb. card stock from an office supply store. Black text works just fine (especially on pale yellow). You can print four postcards on each sheet of paper. With a cutter, you can trim them with ease - down to their final size. I'm not telling you NOT TO get your postcards printed. If you find a reasonable price, that's great. Depending upon where you live, however, you may find it a little difficult in some areas to get a decent price. Especially when you DON'T NEED thousands of them. First, you have to test. You can also create a few variations of the same postcard and see if one pulls better than the others. Also, keep in mind; you may have to send your message to your prospective clients 5 or 6 times over a period of months before they respond to your message. Figure that into your budget, too. It's been said that a person (on average) needs to be exposed to a message 7 times before the message finally "takes root." Today, with literally millions of messages broadcast through the world in a variety of mediums. that number may actually be increasing! A FEW RANDOM THOUGHTS. 1. Pay autoresponders: I'm not overly impressed with the idea. First, if I'm reselling an autoresponder service, that's one thing. You can make a few bucks and offset your monthly costs. Otherwise, I'd rather own my own software outright. Do the math. Also, there are loads of free services you can use. Do you really want to pay $20 to $60 more a month if you don't have to? 2. Ebook designs and artwork: Is it me, or does it look like the same person is designing just about all the ebook "covers" on the Net? 3. Flash openings on web sites: Nah. Unless you're marketing flash animations. 4. Posting the same message on 20 discussion boards: Don't look desperate to be heard. 5. Visiting 20 discussion boards a day: Has it come to that? 6. The future of paper publications: Red hot! Learn how to produce them cost effectively and you can make a bundle. Learn how to package them with CD's, tapes, videos, etc. and you'll make even more. Sell them to businesses and you won't have to wonder where your retirement money will be coming from. SUMMING IT UP That's about all for now. Be sure to visit the Simple Publications Discussion Board at; http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/76969 You'll find loads of great information there to help you in just about every aspect of your publishing business. Scroll through the threads or do a search for a specific subject or keyword. So, until the next time. this is Jimmy Krug wishing you much success is your publishing adventures! ***************************** 1 MILLION BOOKLET SALES! THE "SIMPLE PUBLICATIONS" SITE http://www.simplepublications.com ***************************** THE "HOW-TO" BOOKLETS DISCUSSION BOARD http://network54.com/Hide/Forum/76969 Copyright © 2001 Gulf Coast Design Services 3312 60th Ave West, Bradenton, FL 34207-4334 jkrug@simplepublications.com All Rights Reserved.