I am wondering about something. I participate in a number of technical writing groups and finding clients is a common topic. To most of the members of these lists, technical writing is the Internet, computers, software and hardware. They forget hat technical writing covers bowling alley pin setters, table saws, bicycle pumps, clock radios, tractor engines, sewing machines, pill making equipment, thermoforming machinery, hammers, nail clippers, and on and on.
It seems to me that since we all love E-Books, we should not limit our efforts to just selling popular books in E-Form. Do any of you seek out customers that might have never thought how the technology could be used to their benefit? Why not consider providing services to people you might not have thought of.
Rather than look at the process of creating a great book for sale to some buyer who finds you on some web site somewhere, do any of you actively seek out corporations who could benefit from having their documentation converted to an E-Book?
I ask this because most writers I know never think of writing for corporations who are not actively seeking a freelance writer. Most of my jobs come from seeking out customers and introducing myself as a writer who specializes in technical documentation. Quite often, they start thinking that they need a writer when someone like me (or you) contacts them.
There are tens of thousands of manufacturers out there who are potential clients and the money can be good. Perhaps they want to make plans, catalogs, articles, technical documents, catalogs and brochures readily available to a customer.
Any thoughts or comments?
Bob
Posted on: 8:05 am on February 27, 2003
Big Al
Great idea.
Maybe this is a sort of reiventing the wheel. Just great!
Posted on: 3:41 am on March 13, 2003
theideaman
Catering to corporations or companies in general is a good idea, other publishers or authors for that matter may also want to consider publishing free e-books and selling advertising space in them. For example, if you write a book about dog grooming you may want to target companies that sell dogfood and approach them about the idea. Email them and leave a download link to the book in your email so they can read it and decide for themselves. A good way to get leads is by advertising through ezines. I'm sure some don't feel comfortable "asking" because of fear of rejection, but all they can do is say no thanks. That's my 2 cents worth
Posted on: 5:48 am on June 9, 2003
TSEROOGY
All excellent ideas and thoughts.
Let's not forget the potential that eBooks offer with audio and video integration.
What's more powerful than the live "$testi-money$" of a rag-to-riches, overcome-all-odds, victim-to-victor speaker in a motivational manual?
And nothing can replace the step-by-step video of completing a project for a "Do-It-Yourself" manual!
As old-hat as motivational and Do-It-Yourself approaches may be, eBooks allow the special attraction of integrated audio and video! You can't get that out of paper!
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