Green Muse Testing - 3 Questions

[Jonah]

I am currently testing an information-based muse -- an ebook on how to go green and save money, with a monthly e-newsletter (subscription included in purchase) containing various related updates. Greaqt suggestions so far from friends here.

As the testing plays out I'd like your reactions from to these three questions:

1) How can you sell an ebook (as opposed to just a PDF)? Is it just a download?

2) Are there other "green" interests out there than just saving money?

3) Is this site too text-heavy? Not sales oreinted enough? : www.gogreenguide.org

[blackhatontherocks]

ebooks are pdf's essentially. Nothing else there. What determines the name is usually the size and the fact that it contains book-like attributes like full-text (as opposed to just powerpoint-esque slides and stuff), table of contents, is divided into different chapters and may even include an index and a glossary.

A little more widespace wouldn't hurt your site, other than that, I'd lay down some more features of the guide and also the newsletter.

[Jonah]

Thanks for the suggestions. The website is now reformatted with more white space and clearer information -- I think -- about what you get in the eBook and e-Newsletter.

Would welcome any one else's thoughts, too.

[Spyder]

I like the colour scheme and the layout. It all ties together very nicely. I like the idea of the newsletter but I don't think I would buy the guide. We are given this advice for free from many different sources every week.

I noticed thier instead of their on the FAQ page.

What if you advertised the newsletter for sale, then mention that they could get it for free by purchasing the guide. That way they are saving money and it also establishes a value of the free gift people receive when they buy the guide.

Also, if you identified the experts and their backgrounds I think it would make it easier for the buyer to trust and be willing to pay for the information.

Just my 2 cents worth. Good Luck!:)

[Jonah]

Spyder -- Great suggestions. How's this sound:

Order the G3 Monthly Magazine and receive the "G3 Top Ten Tips" e-zine for free.

I re-worked the site (http://www.gogreenguide.org)to this effect and added a bit about me in the FAQ (for what its worth).

Would love to get your reactions to this iteration.

[Spyder]

I like it but I just remembered that Tim said never give anything away for free. :( Oops!

The blurb about yourself and the writers gives it more credibility.

The whole thing looks really professional and I think the testimonials are perfect - not too much in your face, just little interesting messages here and there.

I hope it does well for you.

[steubens]

I dont have one or know much about it but the Amazon Kindle is extremely popular. You might do some research on what it would take to be compatible with that device. good luck. :D
-Scott

[overseasplease]

Just a few suggestions.

1. Instead of mentioning the extra ezine for free, offer one report on sign up, "Top 10 Tips To Go Green". Why send 2 different ezines?

2. Make it into an annual ezine and charge $29.95 every year.

3. Put your price on the first page.

[badhank]

2) Are there other "green" interests out there than just saving money?


I believe there is a large "i do this so i can rub it in peoples face" demographic with this whole "green" thing. Maybe a few tips on how to properly stick it to ppl is not a bad idea

[officer_dibble]

2) Are there other "green" interests out there than just saving money?


The greens I have come across fall into the following:

Convenient - will be green if it doesn't cost more/take more time. Sometimes worried about green taxes. Might be interested in green time saving devices. Often most interested in local issues (eg litter) rather than global ones (rainforest destruction). Often interested in other related activities like walking, wilderness, health, food, wine, surfing etc.

Frugals - Being green justifies their need to save money (either because there are naturally thrifty or don't have much money)

Deep green - activists, very committed. Everything about their lifestyle must be green. Almost puritan in their outlook. Take a world view. Sometimes they will trade off - eg travel a long way to get to an event. Looking for ways to offset this - and probably will pay to feel better.

Fashionable green - It's trendy and I want to be part of it. Respond well to celeb endorsements and quirky designer stuff. May have limited knowledge - and not particularly looking to expand it. Make it easy to choose.

[Jonah]

Dibble -- Great market segmentation. My research seem sto indicate the same kind of customer categories.

I'm currently changing the value prop for the whole site and testing drop shipping and associate marketing to the same niche. Will keep everyone updated on how things go.

Jonah

[Marcie]

Perhaps "deeper green" - a hybrid of all of the above:

...believes we are in a dire situation if we don't go green in all facets mentioned. Let me quote a favorite book of mine :)

"Human life has long been focused on the exclusion of the environment and the rest of the food chain, hence our current race to imminent extinction. Serves us right. The world does not exist solely for the betterment and multiplication of mankind." (p.273, 4HWW.)

However, I think the first one:

"Convenient - will be green if it doesn't cost more/take more time. Sometimes worried about green taxes. Might be interested in green time saving devices. Often most interested in local issues (eg litter) rather than global ones (rainforest destruction). Often interested in other related activities like walking, wilderness, health, food, wine, surfing etc."

...encompasses the mass of the market. Humans don't like to be told what to do, they determine based on their own experience.

Tough call, market-wise. Good luck!

[officer_dibble]

Marcie's right. Convenient is by far the largest segment (and there are plenty of niches within - Surfers against Sewage, anyone?).

Lecturing doesn't work with this group - cheeky humour and encouraging them to feel good about themselves sometimes does.