How to Write & Sell Simple Information for Fun and Profit: Your Guide to Writing and Publishing Books, E-Books, Articles, Special Reports, Audio Programs, DVDs, and Other How-To Content

This is a great book for anyone who wants to break into the "how to" writing business. The author goes into a number of different methods and mediums to accomplish these goals, all of which are helpful. After an overview of the "how to" process, the author tackles different formats and how to market them.Some of the best tips include:Titling your workSteps to publish a bookE-zine tipsMarketing tips for authorsResearch a bookMindmapping outlinesOrganizing materialsThe one complaint I have about this book is the organization of the nuts and bolts information. Some of the really good advice is tucked away in chapters that some people may skip (like the dvd chapter). Would have preferred to have each chapter on different mediums narrower in focus. That way, you could skip the parts that you really did not have an interest in. As it is, you really need to read each chapter to glean all the great information contained within.

Robert Bly is a highly successful writer, copywriter and marketer. He has put together a very valuable resource for anyone aspiring to make money from their writings.This book is about how to profit from selling information in many different formats. If you are new to selling information, this book will open your eyes to the many different markets and venues within these markets which are available to you. Even for those who have been in the business for some time, you will learn some new ways to profit from your knowledge and experience.In my mind, the most important thing about this book is that it is the collective knowledge and wisdom of someone who has made an outstanding living in this trade. Bob Bly is sharing what he knows. And what he shares is not theory, it is from actual experience. So while some of the information might seem counterintuitive, do not dismiss it. It would be a huge mistake to think that you know better.This book really covers all aspects of information marketing - from picking the market to writing for magazines, doing your own book - either through a publisher or through self-publishing. He also gives some great insights on doing live workshops, online training and coaching/consulting.The book offers plenty of additional resource information in the appendix. Mr. Bly also has an e-newsletter which is available for free.The book is full of excellent information about how to capitalize on your knowledge and experience. It is well organized and very easy to read. He gives plenty of examples from the real world of his own experience.Since the book is well organized you can skip any chapter that does not appeal to you. For example if you have no interest in writing for magazines, then you would not really miss anything if you skipped that chapter.My suggestion is to read the book cover to cover to get an idea of all that is possible. Then keep it handy and refer to it for specific advice when you are doing a specific project.If you are selling information, this should certainly be a standard part of your reference material.

The guide is concise and cover quite a lot of ground but in a synthetic way. It is suggested for people who are at the very early stages of their writing career, to get a comprehensive idea of what can be done and how.The book is centered around the US market, how is easily understandable, so non-US readers like me might find some portions non applicable (not to mention frustrating, considering how well thing are structured over there, if compared with local realities...).In short, it is a well written and concise guide for the motivated beginners; more experienced writers, in my opinion, might find it overly simplistic or not advanced enough for their needs.

I have a Bob Bly library in my home, 10 books in all (with "How to Sell Simple Information" as my latest purchase), and the reason I have been a faithful reader and admirer of his marketing and copywriting books is that he practices what he preaches. Additionally, I have purchased a number of his e-books (which I paid even more than the cost of a print book because they contained specialized information) and I definitely got my money's worth.Bob has a proven track record in copywriting and marketing, and his books are based on real-world experience (too many authors talk in theory, not Bob). He's "been there, done that" and his books give you a clear roadmap to follow, whether it is copywriting, direct mail, public relations or, in the case of this book, how to create and produce high-value information products for your business.Like the previous books of his that I have written, he instructs the reader in a realistic, practical way. Everything that he covers in the book he has done in his own business. I wish more business authors would be that authentic.Whether you are an entrepreneur or work for a company, if you want to be successful, you need to be able to position yourself/your company as a thought leader with content that showcases your expertise. A great way to prepare for the new "content economy" is to read Bob's book. I highly recommend it.

Have been reading through this book for the past few days and am getting so much from it already. Really helpful and useful structure allows the reader to see the ways to create, set-up and write how-to information products. Robert W Bly has produced another great book, content rich and very easy to work through. As a writer myself it is always refreshing to find guides that are well written and crafted to give you - the reader - good and practical content that can be absorbed quickly and which helps your own output as a writer.Nick is the author of "Live Your Best Life".

Fantastic book if you are serious about writing to make money. Easy to read, packed full of very helpful info. Each chapter is very well written and in easy to understand stages. 100% recommended.

An excellent book that I refer to often. Bob packs a lifetime's experience into these pages.

I found this book easy to read and very practical. I have already marked several ways that I can improve my own business using some of the methods in this book.

Bought this on recommendation when I was looking for ways to improve the way I make presentation material at work. I picked up some useful tips, but the book is really aimed at people who want to create a How-to business and therefore had limited relevance to me.