An Answer.
So the real question to these short PDFs and the like, is are they making money?
Yes. I have 18 products, and when all is said and done I net a tidy sum per month, and will continue to do so even if I do not release any products for the rest of the year. It is enough to pay for my monthly internet connection, monthly World of Warcraft subscription, and my Magic the Gathering habit. I am very happy with my business at it stands. I won't be quitting my day job anytime soon, nor do I want to.
Does it pay a reasonable amount?
To me yes, to others no. It depends on what you define as "success" and "reasonable". Are you going to pay rent with it? probably not, no. At least not in the short run. Are you going to be happy with a $10 profit on a book or $100 profit? It really depends on you. What is reasonable? That is really up to you. Just don't expect to quit your day job.
Phil's got a plan. It seems to work out. he's paying the rent.
I notice that Phil's name is brought into EVERY pdf conversation here. Phil is an exception to the rule, in my opinion. He has the luxury of doing this as a full time business, and he reaps the rewards for that dedication, as any sole proprietor should.
A lot of publishers out there 'dis him and his practices because it seems he flood the market, but the fact is that most publishers wish they were as successful as him. A lot of publishers use him as the golden child for a successful pdf business, but the fact is that his successful business model will probably be a failure for you.
He isn't a god, so you all really have to stop treating him like one.
As successful as he is, he has had plenty of flops and unsuccessful ideas too -- which is all part of the business. The fact is that he is human like the rest of us. Phil, in my opinion, is a creative, and smart businessman. Most of us don't really have what it takes to put the same time and energy into the pdf business (most, not all)
You cannot be successful emulating other people and their exact business practices, so I wish you all would stop trying to. The fact is that once you enter the pdf market, Phil will be your competitor for $ales, and so will I, and so will the hundreds of other publishers. There is room for all of us and none of us.
What you really should be doing is looking at the different business plans and the different marketing strategies, and try them out. You want to try the $2.00 pdf market? Fine, but I will tell you right now that it probably isn't worth it. You want to offer a $7.00 200-page book? Fine, but I tell you right now that you won't get a lot of sales. But for some, this may actually work. That is the paradox of business.
Take a step back and look at the global picture. Don't just zoom in one person or strategy. To be successful, you have to be open minded and willing to evolve.
Some might get squeamish talking about money. Some might suggest the point isn't to get rich.
I am happy to just break out even on my books, so I am now even more happy to find a profit. A lot of other publishers can be greedy and do not see this as a success point. No offense to other publishers out there, but I have seen many forums where people ask "what is considered a successful pdf book", and publishers almost always answer "100 books sold". That is bull. "Success" is what YOU make it. I have books that are still taking a loss, but I am very happy with them because they got great reviews. Some books have made $1 profit, and I am still happy with them.
I recommend that you, or anyone else, try the business out for yourself. Release 1 product and see how it goes. If you have fun doing it, then that is all that really matters in my opinion.
~Le, aka The Le Games.
