[GET] SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT LOW-CONTENT PUBLISHING ANSWERED

[layna61524]

SOME QUESTIONS
ABOUT LOW-CONTENT PUBLISHING
ANSWERED

PLUS Layna's Links to Get Answers From the Pros

I'm in no way an expert --- at anything.

Yet today, I got a PM from two BBHF members asking a few questions about low-content publishing.

Since I never ignore anyone's questions, I'll take a stab at answering them. I decided to post them publicly in case anyone else can benefit from my feedback (plus, there is nothing personal about any of it; otherwise, I would have just kept it in a PM).

For more valid and time-tested opinions, I will link you to experts for more reliable responses at the close of the post.

Q1: Is low-content publishing saturated or not? Is the competition high or low?

A1: That's actually 2 questions and there are 2 ways to answer, depending on who you ask. Generally, any market where it is "easier" to create and sell a product, such as low-content publishing, is saturated. So, that's a yes.

No one looks forward to creating a product that takes a lot of time and effort. No-/low-content is the "new" buzzword and everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon but this niche has been around a long, long time.

The benefit of low-content is that you can easily "test" the market for a product without a lot of upfront time or money invested in getting it out there. If it takes off, you stand to make good money. If not, it didn't take forever to create and it didn't cost you much.

If given the choice to create a series of calendars, trackers or other products that have little to no content versus an e-book or course modules, low-content wins, hands down. But not all low-content is created equally. That is why I was so stoked about Amy Harrop's Easy Learning Printables course. It focuses on education and learning printables; there's a huge market for that year-round and with the pandemic affecting in-class learning, more parents and guardians than ever before are having to home-school (or at least participate in the home learning process).

So yes, low-content is saturated but you may need to put on your thinking cap and find new ways to re-purpose existing products. Or you can find (or create) an unsaturated niche market, get in on the ground floor with a new target market before other sellers climb on board.

An untapped market and smart marketing is the best way to approach low-content.

There's no way to sugar-coat it: the competition for low-content publishing is extremely high and that's to be expected. But if you are a marketer worth your salt, competition doesn't scare you in the least. In fact, it challenges you to come out with a better product or to find new and exciting ways to present your product (copywriting and marketing) to an existing market or to find a new niche within a niche.

Good copywriting, product design and outside-the-box thinking can make all the difference when you enter a highly competitive niche. Also, where possible, it could be worth the effort to protect your products so that others can't easily come along and sell similar items. Protection can be anything from including the copyright designation on your products to coding your website's download area or using a membership script, or time-limiting a customer's download links (by using something like DLGuard) to having a payment processor handle orders and electronic delivery.


Q2: Is low-content publishing profitable throughout the year or just at certain periods of time like Easter or end of the year, for example?

A2: Again, this question can be answered in 2 ways. First, it depends on the niche or the product content.

Generally speaking, products with content around holiday themes like the New Year, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas will have their peak sales (and profits) during certain times of the year --- just prior to those holiday observances. In fact, if your product is attractive, functional and marketed even reasonably well, you can expect to get sales during the most popularly observed holidays.

Products on general-topic content like education/learning, health, hobby, travel/vacation, etc. sell all year long.

Any product's profitability depends on the market (are there buyers for this?), the product (is it useful, attractive and can you get it just anywhere?) and the marketer (is the product description/copywriting good, are SEO keywords used effectively, etc.).

You can have a good product but ineffective marketing can hurt sales. On the other hand, a good marketer can make pretty good money selling an ordinary (nondescript) printable.

Success is a combination of the market + product + salesmanship. You've got to think of the benefits of using the end product then write copy to persuade your prospects that they're better off with it than without it.


Q3: Since these are low-content products, do I need to put page titles on the interiors of products like notebooks, planners or journals?

A3: You should do whatever makes your product more usable to the customer. And that means making it easy.

Low-content refers to the amount of content (actual words, images, charts, etc.) is required on the product creator's part to produce the product. In no way does low-content mean you skimp on information that detracts from the product's usability and attractiveness.

Don't confuse low-content with low-quality. Your products should live up to standards and, in fact, exceed them ... regardless of how much actual content they contain.

I recommend you use OPP (other people's printables) to help guide you on how to create your own. It's easier to look to existing products for inspiration rather than sprain your brain trying to come up with ideas on your own.

I have written several posts on BBHF with dozens of links to sites with printables, journals, notebooks, trackers and other downloads you can use as idea-starters in creating your own. I will post some of those links at the end of this post if you have not seen them.

You should NOT use these downloads "as is" because they are not PLR or unless they clearly say so, none of them come with any type of resell rights. You will use them to think of ways to make your own products better or to find new uses for existing printables and hopefully, start a new (previously untapped) market to exploit.

If other similar products to the one(s) you are creating include page titles on the interiors, then yours should, as well.

Journals and planners often cover various sections and it is important to keep your end user satisfied. Without titles in the interior sections, what happens when the journal user leaves a section on tracking their time and enters the section on tracking their activities. This is just an impromptu example, of course, but it is very helpful to the end user (your customer) if you include everything necessary to let them know where they are. Using titles, section names, page numbers, or other prompts will make for easier and more productive use of the products.

Low-content doesn't mean you get to skimp on value. It means that the product user supplies most of the information that goes inside the product. Your prompts serve to guide your customer to the area they need when using your products.

Q4: Can I keep the same contents and change only the cover if i want to make many books such notebooks?

A4: I don't advise this --- at all. Here's why...

Imagine going to Amazon, Etsy or some other online store to browse journals and seeing one you recently purchased. Imagine you enjoyed using the one you have and, look! there's another journal by the same seller ... so you decide to buy that one. The one with the different cover.

Then, to your surprise, when you get the journal, it's exactly the same inside as the one you already have.

Now, imagine that customer's frustration! They may feel cheated because the cover change (to them and most rational people) meant this was a new and different product.

The last thing you want is a disgruntled customer. They can write a bad review that could affect sales. And while you can't control who writes what, you can try to avoid mishaps before they occur.

The worst thing you can do is use different covers on the same content and consider it a new product. In fact, I can't imagine a reason why you would do that, except that you mention making many such notebooks.

Perhaps you could elaborate more if I have not addressed your concern. There is nothing to stop you from creating many different notebooks but they should actually be different --- beyond their covers. A customer may feel deceived if you make different covers but have identical content in all of your products. It's like serving the same meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner but using a different colored plate to serve it on. There is no substantial difference in the item being consumed.

You could name them different titles and have them focus on different niches or topics. For example, you could have basically the same content for your journals, planners or notebooks but in addition to a different cover, do any or all of the following:

- Use different graphics on the cover and some of the interior pages
- Change up the template: Place lines, boxes, calendars and other organizational elements in different positions in all of your notebooks, journals, etc.
- Use different color combinations so the products won't all look the same (unless strong product branding is your goal); but even then, you can use the similar words and coloring for your brand on the outside of the cover and use a boxed-off section in the middle to show how one product is different from the others.


Q5: Is low-content the same as publishing on Amazon KDP?

A5: Low-content publishing IS self-publishing. It's self-publishing products you create that are low on actual content, such as notebooks, calendars, journals, planners and such ... products that consist mostly of "blank" pages (lines where the customer write notes, track their activities, record journal items like their weight loss or diet intake, or list their daily memos).


Again, they're just my opinions --- for what it's worth.

But if you want to hear from those actually "in the trenches" about low-content publishing, here are some links that may help:

Q6: What is low-content publishing? Is it legit?

A6: Nat at RagstoNiches.com has the answer:

WHAT IS LOW-CONTENT PUBLISHING
AND IS IT LEGIT?

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https://ragstoniches.com/what-is-low-content-publishing-is-it-legit
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Q7: How do you market low-content books?

A7: I'll let Amy Harrop take this one:

MARKETING LOW CONTENT BOOKS

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https://amyharrop.com/effective-marketing-methods-for-low-content-books/
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Q8: Can I make money --- realistically --- with low-content publishing?

A8: Here's Nat (RagstoNiches.com) again.

MAKING MONEY WITH LOW-CONTENT

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https://ragstoniches.com/low-content-publishing
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And Rachel Harrison-Sund has her say here:

HOW TO MAKE 6 FIGURES SELF-PUBLISHING
LOW CONTENT BOOKS

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https://www.rachelharrisonsund.com/2019/02/10/6-figures-self-publishing-low-content-books/
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Rachel has a lot to say (and beginners will want to take notice) in her video series here:

WHAT I EARNED MY FIRST YEAR
OF LOW-CONTENT PUBLISHING (YouTube)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIGfMhh5Qko
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NOTE: Check the videos along the right side of the screen for more!)
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If $2,000 a month passive income would improve your lifestyle, then let Jenn (MasterHerMoney.com) tell you how she does it with low-content publishing:

HOW TO MAKE MONEY: $2,000/MONTH
WITH LOW CONTENT PUBLISHING

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https://www.masterhermoney.com/low-content-publishing/
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LAYNA'S NOTE: Personally, I find it hard to answer "How much can I make doing (X)?" without knowing someone's capabilities, skills and gumption. No two people are alike and at the end of the day, it's usually the person with the moxie and the right mindset who gets the moolah. Just creating no/low content products is only part of the puzzle. Marketing is as important as product creation. It's definitely not get-rich-quick but you can earn a decent-to-sizeable side income.

Q9: Are there any mistakes one should beware of when publishing low-content?

A9: Rachel Harrison-Sund covers 5 of them in a video I'll direct you to below.

5 MISTAKES TO AVOID IN LOW-CONTENT PUBLISHING

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https://www.rachelharrisonsund.com/2019/06/11/top-5-low-content-publishing-mistakes/
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Jane Friedman lists 13 mistakes self-publishers (in general) should avoid. You'll find the blog post below; just "think" low-content as you read to see how her helpful advice applies:

THE 13 MOST COMMON SELF-PUBLISHING
MISTAKES TO AVOID

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https://www.janefriedman.com/13-most-common-self-publishing-mistakes-to-avoid/
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Q10: Is there something one can do to ensure success when publishing low-content?

A10: I'll turn to Rachel again for this one. She has another video that will answer this question...

5 STEPS TO LOW-CONTENT PUBLISHING SUCCESS

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https://www.rachelharrisonsund.com/2021/02/22/5-steps-to-low-content-publishing-success-in-2021/
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And lastly, Rachel has the last word on low-content success.

5 PROFITABLE LOW-CONTENT BOOK
NICHES TO TRY

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https://www.rachelharrisonsund.com/2019/07/23/5-profitable-low-content-book-niches-to-try/
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And that's it, folks. I hope this helps a bit.

But before I go, here are some links to my most recent BBHF posts about printables (just in case you missed any of them)...

MY PRINTABLE-RELATED POSTS: Please use the slider arm in the opened window below to see all the links.

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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-LOW-CONTENT-CREATION-MACHINE
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-FREE-DOWNLOAD-SITES-FOR-TEMPLATE-PRINTABLES
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-HOW-TO-GET-IDEAS--452403
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-EDITABLE-BOOK-RECIPE-CARD-TEMPLATES-SITE
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-HOW-TO-CREATE-AN-ART-PRINTABLE-ETSY-SHOP
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-FREE-COURSE-BUILD-YOUR-LOW-CONTENT-BOOK-EMPIRE
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-CUTE-HALLOWEEN-PRINTABLE-CRAFTS-FOR-YOUR-HOLIDAY-EVENT
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-HOW-TO-DO-LOW-CONTENT-AMAZON-ADS
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-REQ-EZ-Pub-Profits-Subscription-KDP-Success
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-THE-ULTIMATE-GUIDE-TO-JUST-ABOUT-EVERYTHING-ETSY-AND-MORE
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-GET-Quick-and-Easy-Printables-Business
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http://bestblackhatforum.com/Thread-REQ-Your-Printable-Profits-Empire
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If you're seeing this post anywhere other than bestblackhatforum.com or
being shared by anyone other than Layna61524, then that's where/who
THEY TOOK IT FROM!

Enjoy!


for reading!
Layna61524

[osmanal2]

Thank you very much for this Low Content FAQ. Good reference for this selection as well, thank you. Reputation given.

[cotros]

Excellent info Layna61524!
Much thanks and reps!

[batman1101]

Thanks for this great info, Layna! The advice offered by all these low content providers is excellent and really useful. Another low content publisher who I follow is Rebecca Holman - she also gives some great tips and info on how to make and market low content books (you can also see her tutorials on Youtube).

[banjo]

Layna you must be very happy with your life as don't stop giving:)

[bbshores]

Thank you Layna for sharing this great info and resources with all of us.

[hichamito36]

thank you Layna very useful infos you are making big efforts for us i am really grateful

[layna61524]

@All: I'm glad you found this helpful.


Layna61524

[12days]

An extremely informative post MS Layna!

As you mentioned, I also am no expert on this subject so I try to find those that are and pick their brains.

For free when available or pay if I absolutely must.

In my endeavors in creating low content material, one of the best sources that I have found with free material is YouTube, hands down.

But again, there is so much to choose from that in just a few minutes of searching you can find yourself doing something that was not your original intention!

Therefore if I may, I would like to offer what I have found to be one of the T O P free sources of low content material on Youtube and that is PAUL MARLES!

Here are just a few of the F R E E videos that he posts, and if you just follow along with what he is attempting to show and teach you, you have the beginning of a completed product ready for sale that cost you nothing!

SOME OF THE BEST

1) $100k a Month Publishing Low Content Books? - Amazing KDP Niche Research
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hkoScwvzDk

2) How to Make No Content Books FAST With FREE Software - Start Your KDP Publishing Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAIDXxUAgNw

3) How to Create an Amazon KDP Coloring Book Interior FAST from Photographs and Images in Illustrator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQUHI2SiUnE

4) Why This $15000 a month Amazon KDP Niche is Pure GOLD!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2H673lbr7Q

5) KDP Keyword Research Guide for No Content and Low Content Books - Keyword Search Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMYHVI0mVjI

6) Super KDP Sudoku Activity Puzzle Books - Profitable Niche to Make Money at Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVTgJoyMXZs

7)Profitable KDP Puzzle Book Niche - Nonograms - Low Competition Opportunity for Online Profits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwr0rVff360

8)How To Upload Low Content KDP Books to Amazon and Start Your KDP Publishing Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QF52jLYkNo

9)KDP Activity Book Niche - WORD SEARCH Low Content Books to Make Money with Publishing on Amazon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgLQ1AUKo1Y

10) Make a $9k KDP Scissor Skills Coloring Book Interior to Self Publish on Amazon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qr5abNdINg

If you are really interested, here are 29 MORE KDP VIDEOS from Paul!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...sr8nIOQjLK

I hope that this list will help a lot of people get started with their own KDP Low Content business.

12days says and reps to you Layna!

[layna61524]

@12days: Thank you for posting and for all the remarkable added value to the thread. Max reps coming your way!

Enjoy the share ... and your weekend.

Signing off...

Layna61524