Q & A — Dealing With All Those Resale Rights Ebooks
If you're overwhelmed with all the resale rights ebooks accumulating on your PC, or if you don't know HOW to start reselling those ebooks, then today's Q & A might be just what you need.
If you have any questions about this — or anything else — leave a coment using the form below. Don't forget, you can include your URL so you also get a free link back to your site!
Here's a question I received this week…
Q. I have tons of ebooks on my computer. On a separate area to keep track of all of them. My problem is: How do you manage all these zip files within the zip files!! When you put them on a website, you have to host the picture, type your description and manage all these files on the website as well as your PC!! I end up with so many folders that it turns into confusion central! How on earth do you keep all of this organized?
A. I'm not 100% sure from your question if your difficulty is with keeping track of all the ebooks files you've downloaded on your PC or whether it has to do with handling ZIP files or whether it has to do with getting these files uploaded to your website.
I'm going to assume it's a bit of all three.
Firstly, keeping track of all those downloads on your PC…
I wrote a message to Ebook Times subscribers a few months ago that touched on this subject. There was a free marketing giveaway going on with a lot of stuff available to download. Here's an extract from that message:
—QUOTE—
The first thing I would say is, don't download everything you come across just because you CAN.It's important to remain focused in your business. It's very difficult at times, with all the distraction online, but it's very important.
One way to stay focused is in terms of the ebooks, software etc. that you download.
If you have no intention of selling products on Ebay, then there's no point in downloading an ebook on the subject.
Similarly, if you're thinking about downloading an ebook on, say, building a list, think before you click. Haven't you ALREADY downloaded 17 ebooks about building a list — and never even looked at them… Don't do it! Don't click the download link, you don't need it.
The only exception in the two cases above would be if the product came with resale rights or private label rights – if you're into that type of thing.
But, again, there's no need to download every resale rights product you see. Ask yourself if you're going to put it to use. If you're inclining towards 'no' then move on. There's plenty more where that came from. Plenty which are better or more relevant to your business.
We're being bombarded with more and more free products to download so it's important to remain in control by developing a filtering system. If not, we risk spending countless hours just downloading with little time left to actually DO anything.
Even by staying focused, there will still be no shortage of stuff that you'll want to download so it's important to develop an effecient way of storing it all on your PC.
For a long time I had the habit of calling folders things like "new-stuff-from-free-viral-giveaway-site" and then downloading everything in there. Pretty soon all I had was heaps of stuff in heaps of folders and no idea what's what.
A far more effecient system (in my opinion) is to store your downloads based on theme or topic. So, you create, for example, a "Downloads" folder in your "My Documents" folder and, inside that "Downloads" folder you create a number of sub-folders each covering a topic.
So, you might have a folder called "ezine publishing" and a folder called "copy writing" and a folder called "traffic" and so on. Now, when you download an ebook that deals with the topic, you place it in the corresponding folder.
That way, when it comes to the moment that you want to work on that area of your business, you'll be able to go directly to that folder and have a wealth of information and resources already sitting in one place.
Also, if a product includes resale rights, then here's a simple trick to make that fact stand out… place something like this at the start of the ZIP filename: "_RR_"
So, for example, let's say you download a product plus sales website and the ZIP file is called: productname.zip Change this to read: _RR_productname.zip
The underscore at the start will make sure that all these products are listed together at the top.
You can do the same thing for other traits, such as "_PLR_" for Private Label Rights and so on.
Another good idea, if you BUY ebooks from time to time, is to put a "bought" folder inside your topic folders.
That way you'll see that you've actually spent money on something related to this topic, so let's see if you can get a return on your investment. I can't remember buying it but, if I bought it, it must be because I though it was worth it at the time. Let's check it out.
It's also important that you delete the junk. If you've just wasted 10 minutes on something that turns out to be a bit of a dud, then get rid of it. Don't leave it on your PC ready to waste another 10 minutes of your time again in the future. Just say "Go away useless junk!" and hit the Delete button.
—END QUOTE—
One tool that you might find useful is Ebook Librarian. It will help you categorize and keep track of all your ebooks. You can download it here:
http://www.bizzydays.com/free/ebooklibsetup.zip
Now, when it comes to dealing with resale rights products in ZIP files, it's not as complicated as it might first appear.
Firstly, I'm going to assume you're working with WinZip to zip and unzip your files. If you don't already have it, you can download the free trial version here:
http://www.winzip.com/downwz.htm
Now, here's an sample file you can download so that we can study a precise situation. It's "The Gold Collection Software Package" and it includes resale and give-away rights. Click here to download it:
http://www.ebooktimes.net/alt-tr-downloads/SGC-package.zip
When it's finished downloading, go to the folder you just saved it to. Right-click SGC-package.zip. On the menu, select "WinZip" and on the sub-menu select "Extract to folder C:\….." This will extract the contents of the ZIP file to a new folder with the same name (in this case, SGC-package).
Double-click into the new folder. You'll see it contains the main products — the software tools themselves — as well as a 'readme' text file. It also contains a ZIP file called mini-sites.
Now, the first thing you'll want to do with any set of files like this is check out the main product or, in this case, products. Whether you're interested in it for your own use or whether you just want to determine if it's good enough quality to resell, it's best to do it right away and be done with it.
If it's up to scratch, fine. If not, back out, delete the zip file and the newly-created folder and move on.
If you decide you want to resell (or give away) the product, you'll need the accompanying website.
Right-click on the "mini-sites" ZIP file and, like above, select "WinZip" and on the sub-menu select "Extract to folder C:\….." Now you have a new folder called "mini-sites". In this case it contains a page to resell the products and a page to give the products away. The images that accompany the pages are in the same folder as the pages themselves. (That means that, when you upload them to your website, the images need to be uploaded to the same folder as the pages in order to display properly.)
Now, using your web editing software, you open and edit whatever sales page and/or download page that is included. In most cases, adding your own contact details and payment link are the basic areas you need to edit.
—SIDENOTE—
For a tutorial on setting up payment and delivery of your ebooks, click here
For information on setting up your ebooks for download on your website, click here.
– END SIDENOTE—
If a download page isn't included, here's a quick way to create one: open the sales page in your web-editing software and then save to it the same folder under a new name (something less obvious that download-page.htm). Now, delete all the content on the page and replace it with your 'thank you page' information and download link. Here's a generic thank you page you can use as a model:
http://www.ebooktimes.com/generic-thanks.htm
Now, once you're finished editing the pages, you just need to upload them, together with the original zip file, to your website. You'll need FTP software to do this. If you're not familiar with
FTP, this ebook might help:
http://www.bizzydays.com/free/usingftp.zip
The easiest way to keep control of all the different products you upload to your site for resale, is to create a new folder for each one. You can do this using your FTP software. Give the folder a name related to the product. Now, upload the pages and the images to this folder. (If the images are in a subfolder relative to the pages, just upload the subfolder as it is).
Your new sales page will now reside at: http://www.your-site-name/subfolder-name or something to that effect.
If you want the sales page to be picked up by the search engines, put a link to it from somewhere on your website that's already being indexed. After that, promote it as best you can.
Back on your PC, there's a final step you could take that might help keep more order.
Create a folder called, for example, "Products I Resell". Make a copy of the original ZIP file and place it in here. This will keep everything together and easy to find should you need it.
Okay, I think that about covers it. Like I said, if you have a questions, please leave a comment below.
All the best,
Michael
March 24th, 2007 at 1:23 am
I put all the books I download into my ebook biz file in my documents. Then as I open each file, if I am going to list it on my site for sale, I make a folder for each one under the name of the book. Then I move the zip file there too. Then it’s very easy for me to locate.
For my images, I have a folder in MY Pictures called ebooks and they go in there.
I have no problems finding anything. I delete anything that is hard to work with, or what I call nonsense books that I don’t want to sell.
March 24th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Micheal, as always you have over-delivered with your information! Anyone wanting to get started the “right” way, should definitely consider your products and services. Great post and keep up the good work.
March 24th, 2007 at 1:34 am
Very good post. I must bookmark this so I can blog about it when I resume blogging. I’m on a blogging vacation!
March 24th, 2007 at 1:48 am
I also categorize my ebooks and software, but I go one step further: I create folders called “Resale Rights”, “Private Label Rights”, and “Freebies”.
Then within those folders, I create new sub-folders with topics like, “webmaster tools”, “S.E.O.” (Search Engine Optimization), “Adsense”, etc. Then within those subfolders I create two final folders, one for “ebooks”, and one for “software” and if need be, I create a folder called “Branded”, for anything that can be branded with my links.
I did not think to put the files I upload to my website into a different folder though. This is a good idea incase my server crashes, then I can quickly find and re-upload those files.
Thanks!
March 24th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Your advice about avoiding every download that is availble is timely and appropriate. It’s necessary for marketers to focus on their prime business. To try to download every “good deal” that comes along will take time and resources away from their prime objective and they will end-up spinnig their wheels. Marketers must decide before they download a product whether it is something that will enhance their project, be able to be easily incorporated into their product and will not be so complicated that it will sidetrack them. If they don’t, chances are slim that they will ever look at it and it will just take up space.
March 24th, 2007 at 2:10 am
Here is a trick I learned to make a text list of all your zip files:
Open a DOS command window. (yes the old DOS
navigate to your folder of zips (command is CD) and Type:
DIR /b/s/w/o/p *.zip > my-list-of-zips.txt
The switch /b means bareform and /s include subdirectories
The text file will reside in the root of your hard drive unless you supply a path for it.
March 24th, 2007 at 2:49 am
Thanks Michael , have been trying trying to sort out this very problem (overload ) when just I opened your blog . Over the years I have downloaded just about every eBook PDF and file that ever was and your timely advice has changed some habits and thinking .
Quality stuff !!
March 24th, 2007 at 4:52 am
Wow! Thanks Michael!
Another tip is that Windows XP has its own unzip/zip function. Just open the zipped file and drag the contents out onto youre desktop. Viola! Unzipped!
March 24th, 2007 at 5:28 am
Thanks for the info.
March 24th, 2007 at 7:33 am
Hi Michael
Loads of useful infomation which will take some time to digest. I agree that with downloads there is always the temptaion to grab everything:-)
I used to teach beginners IT and one the the first things I used to try and get across to my students was the importance of organising folders, using a standard filing cabinet as an example. You wouldn’t have a filing cabinet with no dividers/ sections and just throw everything in. Not if you wanted to find it later.
Just a quick comment regarding Winzip. I use a completely free program with no time restrictions which will open any type of archive file.
7zip
It can be downloaded from the homepage which is:
http://www.7-zip.org/
Thanks for your tips.
Keep up the good work
Alan
March 24th, 2007 at 8:10 am
Hi Michael
What you described is eventually the solution I arrived at! The only things I would add would be that there are a couple of products that are available for free which will help, namely promobuddy and PLR dashboard.
I would also add that before I edit the details in a sales page for a master resell rights product, I make a copy of the original because I will be passing on the webpages to my customer, and often I am changing more than just the name and details.
For example, I might want to change some of the text in the letter, or add information (where allowed) so having a copy of the original is handy.
March 24th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Thanks for a great article and suggestions. I, like many others, have downloaded many ebooks to look at later and completely forgot about them. Now with your tips, these ebooks can easily be found.
March 24th, 2007 at 9:50 am
I agree with the idea of not downloading everything. After all, our visitors come to our sites because they are looking for something we have to offer. To offer them a choice of downloads/books etc. that are not relevant would only confuse them.
As to ‘housekeeping’ I have a folder labelled ‘My Web Site’ and then sub-folders within that for web site graphics, web site text, etc. (A bit like the Windows XP setup.) It makes finding things so much easier. And I usually have each graphic saved in .cdr (Coreldraw!) for editing, then a .jpeg and .gif version too, so that wherever you need one or the other, they are to hand. It’s useful to mark your files ‘whatever jpg.jpg’ ‘whatever gif.gif’ etc. though. That way you can instantly see what a file type is, if the system you’re using doesn’t tell you. The key to the whole thing (I think) is organisation. Happy uploading everybody!
March 24th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Yep …. we’ve downloaded LOTS and haven’t a clue now what half of it is !
We’ve bookmarked this to come back to as it’s got some useful hints which we can use … one we will use right now is NOT to download any more just yet unless we really, really need it ?
Best wishes,
Gary & Val
March 24th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I like this site as its given me lots of new tips already, im already using many of the ebooks on offer..
March 24th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Organization is the secret! I even have a physical cabinet with cardboard folders to keep track of things in alphabetical order.
It gets quite intimidating so many files hanging scattered around. I had to learn the hard way.
I have had to organize myself since I don’t have much time to be at my computer and spend time looking for files.
This is a part-time job: BUILDING MY ONLINE BUSINESS.
I deal with English and Spanish subjects, doubling the tasks.
A 4Gb pen drive is helpful, too.
Best Web Sites (WS)
Luis Antonio
March 24th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Hi thank you for the infos, I have downloaded many ebooks with resale right and i want to work with affiliates how can i do it and how can i start i never do it before
thank you
March 24th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
The whole biz is about sorting the wheat from the chaff. There are thousands of experts. 20,000 free ebooks at the gutenberg project. I think one answer is to build your own pro-file. Maybe ten experts to help you grow your business. Get to know them and stick to working with them. Include people in the real world as well. You are invited to build your pro-file on my site http://www.my-pro-file.com.
Bob Polan.
March 24th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Michael,
Thanks for the great information. My desktop is full of ebooks and other downloads. I have to go through them ever so often to see what they are.
It’s hard to find time to put them to use and keep adding content to several websites.
Thanks,
Charles Oxford
March 24th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
I have developed a way to not only organize all my e-books and software, and anything else, I have designed it so I can let anyone I want to have access to all of these resources for one low price.
I am willing to demonstrate the concept and show the techniques I use to the first 100 people who respond to this offer.
There is a way to put everything you have in one “Control Panel” and insert it into an e-book that will work even online, on your hard drive and even in an e-mail message!
If you want to learn how I do this for FREE, read more at the link i’ve included.
Regards.
Jason
March 24th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Very good article and some good advice as I am one who thought that I had to get every download from every JV event on every subject. Originally I had no real plan on how to keep them grouped but when I found myself searching on my FULL 160 Gig hard drive (all 160 gigs completely filled with nothing but RR, MRR, PLR, Giveaway Only and Personal Use products and ebooks) with folders that took almost a minute for them to open and then trying to remember the name of the various products, I knew that I had to do something. First was to get focused next was “House cleaning”.
As I prepare to launch my reseller site, this will be a TOP subject for all of my future customers. Focus, Group and DO!
March 27th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Thanks for the Article , You are right my Hard disk has over 7 gig of downloads that i have started to sort out
all my Ebooks, Software and evan started an started a trial affiliate site but have not made any sales or even got visitors, I have been promoting on safelists, but they don’t seem to be working, I even tried advertising some on E-bay But only made a couple of sales and that hardly covered the Fees my affiliate site pays 50% commission but that didn’t even encourage people to sign up. I even started a blogg for people to visit but that has had no visitors either. My reseller site is online but i have only added a few of these downloads so far.
I do plan to add more products in the future but are a bit concerned that I am doing all this work for nothing
One thing I would suggest to people is that if you have a web server upload your reseller site to a backup server and maybe use web redirection as this is the second time i have had to set up my site due my server going down at home, I am now using a backup Server while i am waiting to get the money to buy a new computer for my server.
Another thing i could suggest to people is if you have access to 2 computers set up a home network and build your site on your personal computer and the upload to your server, which is what i am currrently doing now, at least i can do regular backups to DVD now and save my data
All the Best
Mark
March 27th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Ahh yes, I’m afraid that I too have trouble not grabbing every free thing that is offered. This article contains some really great advice for dealing with freebie and PLR overload.
March 29th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
This is the best of the best. I had to have someone come and help me straighten out my computer and when he got done he said I have 2,3,&4 of somethings and I needed to clean up and organize. I have been trying but now I REALLY will be able to do it right.
Thanks for all the info and free help and especially all the people that have added to the ideas.
March 29th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Hi Michael:
I had all of mine neatly organized in a folder &
sub-folders — then believe it or not, I decided I no longer needed any of that stuff… I cannot spare my hours or minutes for all that time consuming reading. Life is way too precious & too short & we need to stop & smell the roses once in awhile. I never found what I was looking for in any ebooks. I researched & set out to build my network of websites, which is the only internet business that works & brings the money in for us.
All The Best!
October 13th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Hi hi guys, long time browser first time poster here
glad to be a member, and I look forward to start getting more active here
For now visit my site http://seowritingservices.geekspace.us/?p=6