74.1. VIRAL PDF E-BOOKS

One example of a common strategy is to release a PDF e-book that you sell for a low price or simply give away. You give your customers the rights to sell or give away a version of the e-book that has been branded with their web site address.

At first glance, it seems like this would be a terrible idea! However, for you, the e-book is serving as a sales brochure. It contains some good, solid information, and it has value to the reader by itself—while also promoting your main product.

Now, what would induce your customers to distribute this e-book? Typically, it's one or more of the following:

  • The e-book is branded with their web site address, so they can promote it as a way to draw visitors to their site.

  • If you offer high-quality information, they may distribute it just for the goodwill it generates toward them and their business.

  • If you have their affiliate link for your main product in the e-book, then they will receive a commission for any sales generated by the distributed e-book.

For creating this kind of branded PDF e-book, check out the following sites:

http://viralpdf.com/

http://www.ontheflypdf.com/

http://viraldocumenttoolkits.com/

http://www.affiliate-pdf-brander.com/

The viral e-book idea is old (as the Internet goes), but still effective if done right. At the very least, consider providing your affiliates with branded e-books they can use for lead generation.

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