Getting out there and having conversations

[Isaac Odongo]

This has reached a stage where it needs a thread of its own. I will maintain this thread. I know I left some threads unserviced. But this will be maintained. Whenever there is anything to put up.

This will have everything I do going forward. Whatever happens in future, I don't know. When it happens, I will know. And then I will act accordingly.

In the thread For those who haven't made a sale.

I started talking about publishing a textbook of English language for secondary school students and teachers to use and quicken their process of mastering the language.

The principle behind it is: language mastery needs extensive practice. This means work and work. But learners and their teachers may need some incentives to learn. So the material needs to be user friendly.

What happened?​

• The book is written.
• The title is English Made Easy.
• It is filled with practice exercises.
• People have been engaged using samples. Conversations are going on.

I talked to printers. Some didn't know what I was talking about. I kept talking. Some are unreliable. They don't keep promises. They don't talk clearly or directly. If they can't be clear from the beginning, if they can't keep promises, they aren't fit to be worked with.

I found one on Friday. He seems to know what he is talking about. I now have a cover page. I have agreat idea about printing. He gave me a good lesson on printing. He uses email to talk and that's fine. He promised to do something today and delivered. I know he is also setting his business foundation.

Work with the right people. Take time to get them and listen to them. Talk to them. The wrong people can make a process move in circles.

The right people can move fast and fine. Get out there and talk to them. You'll find them.

Avoid action faking. Reading this. Reading that. Researching this. Researching that. Learning this. Learning that. That's action faking. You already know enough. Just get out and do something. Engage people. The faster the better. At least ask users whether they want your solution.

A yes is just the beginning. Don't go and make a million of your product just because of dozens of yesses. Do a sample. Check the market with it. And see, listen. Are they telling you to shut up by giving you money? Then act accordingly.

I now need to get out and cold call people. I now need to talk to the market with the product.

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

That's the cover page. I believe it can work.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

 

[Isaac Odongo]

View attachment 48792

There's an image.

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

Someone is asking how he can get it. But the book is not yet printed.

I wonder what to tell him.

 

[Private Witt]

Someone is asking how he can get it. But the book is not yet printed.

I wonder what to tell him.

Tell him he will be getting one of the first ones of the 1st edition. This will build excitement and share with his friends.

Target English teachers in your cold colds with the sample cover. Once you have the real copy it will be so easy. They will love it. I taught English in China for a year with zero resources, something like this would of been amazing to have. But to honest all the exercise pages would of been photocopied for students to use so that may be something u are up against.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

to honest all the exercise pages would of been photocopied for students to use so that may be something u are up against.

Doing so would be more expensive than buying the book. If not equal to the price of the book.

Target English teachers in your cold colds with the sample cover. Once you have the real copy it will be so easy.

Sure. It is what I am doing. Also targeting students. Another person has asked for the price. Told my partner to first share with her the benefits. Then give her the price.

Tell him he will be getting one of the first ones of the 1st edition. This will build excitement and share with his friends.

I did this in response to your suggestion.

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

Someone is asking how much it costs. This one here.

Another person has asked for the price.

She was given the benefits. She said it is OK and asked for a copy. We did not know the price. We are wondering.

We still haven't got printing prices. We are afraid of determining our final price before we know exactly what the printing will cost per copy.

Though someone who published earlier says it is just below 2$. Prices of things have risen. Fear it might be 3$ to print a copy.

Will find out printing price tomorrow.

Wondering whether to tell prospects who demand to know about 5$ or 7.5$.

Wanted to call the lower one a promotion price for early buyers but the higher one as the real price.

 

[Private Witt]

Doing so would be more expensive than buying the book. If not equal to the price of the book.

I've worked in six schools in 5 counties. I was at international schools and when did English only at a Chinese university. Every one had a copy machine teachers could use for free. So while maybe not issue in your country due to economics and schools don't have machines, if you blow this up with this edition and other books it could be a problem.

I think the idea to sell for 5 as introductory period once you have your costs understanding is good idea. Make it clear when the rate goes up and you will move some books to get the word out.

Congrats on this book, very exciting. I printed 1500 books on a travel guide in Colombia at $3 per book with 8 color pages at front with pics/maps and turned into a disaster. I did end up selling many of them at 20 in the country in stores and hostels but there was a major printing error on an early page that seared my soul. For sure love Amazon now as can print a few test copies to see how goes and way less stress. I turned it into a Kindle without the color pages a few years later and it did really well.

Good luck!!

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Many thanks indeed @Private Witt . For sharing your experience here. Helps me not to be totally novice.

So while maybe not issue in your country due to economics and schools don't have machines, if you blow this up with this edition and other books it could be a problem.

Photocopying in many parts of my country is quite costly. Though in some places it is cheap. Price is capable of blowing it up. We will get there. Copyright may help curtail this. But for now we won't go for it.

I think the idea to sell for 5 as introductory period once you have your costs understanding is good idea.

A certain important client has insisted on 5. He wants to make it compulsory for his students. These are in hundreds. But at 5. We seem to gravitate to 5 as well.

I turned it into a Kindle without the color pages a few years later and it did really well.

Sometimes colour is unnecessary. We are printing black and white except cover page. By end today we shall have moved in further in the direction of printing.

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

@Awakened2022 . It's been long. You've been silent as far as I can tell.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Just wondering what's happening with this guy I am working with to do printing. The guy is shut up for over 30 hours now. Dunno what's the problem.

Been busy with school for the whole two days. Yesterday and today. I expected an email. We agreed on email. I am generally impatient. But I have waited for him and I am getting urgitated.

Will seek him out tomorrow.

The other printer I talked to before this one woke up yesterday and WhatsApped me asking for something we agreed on a week and some days ago. Should have done it a couple of days ago. He delayed. I don't know what to tell him. I don't feel we can work with him as yet. I searched for another person who started well but is also now delaying.

 

[Awakened2022]

@Awakened2022 . It's been long. You've been silent as far as I can tell.

I am still around. I even started a progress thread. This is the harvesting season, so I am busy picking coffee.

Otherwise, I am following your thread keenly and waiting for when you will get published so that I can buy a copy.

 

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[Awakened2022]

Just wondering what's happening with this guy I am working with to do printing. The guy is shut up for over 30 hours now. Dunno what's the problem.

Been busy with school for the whole two days. Yesterday and today. I expected an email. We agreed on email. I am generally impatient. But I have waited for him and I am getting urgitated.

Will seek him out tomorrow.

The other printer I talked to before this one woke up yesterday and WhatsApped me asking for something we agreed on a week and some days ago. Should have done it a couple of days ago. He delayed. I don't know what to tell him. I don't feel we can work with him as yet. I searched for another person who started well but is also now delaying.

There is a guy on N

Just wondering what's happening with this guy I am working with to do printing. The guy is shut up for over 30 hours now. Dunno what's the problem.

Been busy with school for the whole two days. Yesterday and today. I expected an email. We agreed on email. I am generally impatient. But I have waited for him and I am getting urgitated.

Will seek him out tomorrow.

The other printer I talked to before this one woke up yesterday and WhatsApped me asking for something we agreed on a week and some days ago. Should have done it a couple of days ago. He delayed. I don't know what to tell him. I don't feel we can work with him as yet. I searched for another person who started well but is also now delaying.

If they keep disappointing you, there is a guy I have been working with on school magazine projects and he is reliable and efficient. I have never met him and all our transactions have been virtual. He is in Kampala.

Give me your email address and I will send you his telephone contacts.

By the way, the guy who has failed to send you an email, can't you give him a phone call?

I wish you well.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

By the way, the guy who has failed to send you an email, can't you give him a phone call?

I have met him. He made another promise. To send something today. Says he was doing some formatting.

Give me your email address and I will send you his telephone contacts.

Will DM you right away.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

I am still around. I even started a progress thread. This is the harvesting season, so I am busy picking coffee.

Well done.

I have never seen a mature coffee plant.

How can I get to the thread?

 

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[Awakened2022]

Wonders will never cease! I thought everybody knew coffee plants physically. You just reminded me of my friend from the city who visited me during our university days and almost drooled at the sight of a crested crane.

My thread is :$240 Can No Longer Hold Me Hostage.

If I learn how to attach pictures from my gallery, I will drop some.

Good day.

Well done.

I have never seen a mature coffee plant.

How can I get to the thread?

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Wonders will never cease! I thought everybody knew coffee plants physically.

Hahaha
Only ever seen seedlings once. We grew rice, sugar cane and vegetables to pay tuition.

If I learn how to attach pictures from my gallery, I will drop some.

Takes time to get around. When I realised I wont break anything by tinkering here and there, I began to poke around and the features are all there.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

My headteacher gave me motivation today. He welcomed me to the world of entrepreneurship. Said if I solve people's problems I will become rich.

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

When someone doesn’t keep a promise, they are unreliable. However, when they come out in advance to say they aren't able to do it as planned, they are better. They may in some cases still qualify to be viewed as unreliable, but they probably are better.

When they don't come out in advance and you have to seek them out over a promise they made of their own volition, then they are unreliable. They may be forgetful. But forgetfulness is largely sporadic, not consistent and well arranged. If the latter, then it is a habit. They have a habit of being unreliable. As result, they most likely are unnecessarily dishonest.

Fire them. Don’t work with them. They may rip you off.

Large portions of populations are like this. No wonder disproportionately large chunks are average.

I will begin talking to another printer today. The previous seems unprepared. I may work with him later.

I might need to begin to be clear about such decisions to them.

 

[Private Witt]

When someone doesn’t keep a promise, they are unreliable. However, when they come out in advance to say they aren't able to do it as planned, they are better. They may in some cases still qualify to be viewed as unreliable, but they probably are better.

When they don't come out in advance and you have to seek them out over a promise they made of their own volition, then they are unreliable. They may be forgetful. But forgetfulness is largely sporadic, not consistent and well arranged. If the latter, then it is a habit. They have a habit of being unreliable. As result, they most likely are unnecessarily dishonest.

Fire them. Don’t work with them. They may rip you off.

Large portions of populations are like this. No wonder disproportionately large chunks are average.

I will begin talking to another printer today. The previous seems unprepared. I may work with him later.

I might need to begin to be clear about such decisions to them.

It's amazing how hard it is to give money to people to do what they supposedly do. I understand the patience part, it can be maddening. I print a newspaper for my industry and had to go through a few companies. I even had to threaten small claims and scam exposure to a printing drop shipper that posed as a real print house recently that sent 2500 incredibly sloppy printed papers. They refunded my money very quickly. I found a local company two hours away that allows me to come sit and check the papers as they came off the press and can adjust on the fly. While I prefer local in my town I'll stick with them as they have bent over backwards for me in every way from communication to allowing me to enter their facility during print.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

I understand the patience part, it can be maddening.

Thanks for sharing. It makes me feel lost. Confused. Stuck. Time passes and something seems beyond my control. I begin to think about having my own publishing house in the long run.

I found a local company two hours away that allows me to come sit and check the papers as they came off the press and can adjust on the fly.

Local companies here are stupid expensive. They don't understand book printing isn’t the same as printing a letter.

Let me stop crying.

Updates
My partner has been promoted to head of department at his school. Promises better opportunity for sales there. Seems the schools we each teach in desire to use this opportunity of us publishing to grow their reputation.

My Goals this week.
1. Get through with getting a printer. Will make more focused, effective phone calls. And ask questions and call actions.
2. Know the price of printing. Will ask questions. Move ahead of where I have been since two weeks.
3. Determine the source of funds for printing. This needs to happen. Tired of loitering on this one thing.
4. Do more pushups and squats. Someone was discouraging me from doing more 100 pushups in a day. Don't know how this is true.
5. Make notes of the books I teach. And print them for learners. ChatGPT will help me.
6. Read at least 30 minutes everyday. I do this every morning with the Bible. Need to step up with other books.

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

More people asking about the price of the book. I don't whether this means they want to buy. Whether it means they will buy. They're going to buy.

I usually don't immediately tell them. I give them the benefits. And how it is used. Then I ask how fast they want it.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Some people are crazy. How do you tell me printing a black and white A5 textbook of 200 pages is over 10 USD?

Some people don't know what on God's earth they saying.

The waiting is getting into me. The inability to make headway is getting into my head in a not too decent way.

Just me ranting........

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Just me ranting........

But it is real. I am failing to get a printer. I am moving slowly. Some people are telling me shit. Kids have begun to report to school. The book should be there them. But it isn't. They are asking for it. We haven't yet printed.

 

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[Awakened2022]

But it is real. I am failing to get a printer. I am moving slowly. Some people are telling me shit. Kids have begun to report to school. The book should be there. But it isn't. They are asking for it. We haven't yet printed it.

Isaac, being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. You must be ready to solve problems all the time.

While I empathize with your situation, I believe a delay in printing is not the worst that could happen in your situation.

What if for instance;
The data about the book vanished somewhere somehow?

What if you got a printer and he disappeared on you after you give him some advance money for printing?

What if the book came out full of glaring errors?

What if after printing 500 copies you manage to sell only 200?

What if...?

I bring all this up to show you that the road is just beginning to heat up for you. Instead of ranting, kindly get in touch with people who have had books printed and compare the rates you are being offered with what they paid.

But, bear in mind your number of pages and paper quality.
Just so you can estimate, in November, I produced a 12-page newsletter for my school. We had 800 copies printed at 4000shs per copy.

Just brace yourself for more challenges.

Hope you get a reasonable printer, and as Iago would say in Shakespeare's "Othello"
PUT MONEY IN THY POCKETS because most printers want their money paid to zero balance before they can deliver.

 

[WJK]

I wrote and illustrated a series of activity books for my mom's students. I printed them, 2 sided, on my copy machine and bound them with my personal binding machine that uses plastic combs. My parents taught native kids in remote Alaskan villages out on the tundra. English was a second language for the students. Their biggest challenge in English was the words that are said similar or the same, but spelled differently with different meanings. The other problem was reading and understanding word math problems. I can tell you that you can test your book without committing to an expensive print job. There are ways to economically self-publish to test your market.

 

[Isaac Odongo]

Thank you for reading on and supporting.

I thought it would be lightning fast, but it isn't.

Have I made progress? Yes!

One serious printer has quoted for me almost 2.44 USD per copy to print 100 copies. Some sanity finally beginning to appear.

I just had a conversation with a big editor friend. He is going to contact a printer for his publisher house.

Waiting for their quotations.

Trying to find ways of reducing the cost above from 2.44 maybe to 2 or less.

Otherwise we will just print at that price.

Making headway at least.

 

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[Isaac Odongo]

If we order 300 to 500, he will charge 1.72 USD. This allows us to sell and realise more than twice printing costs.

But the large number of copies is scary. 300 is not very large. Still my mind is locked to 100. Seems easier to sell 100 than 300 or 500. I have to decide whether we can sell them all with relative ease.

I wanted 100 to allow us sell with relative ease and gradually increase the number printed. But printing cost reduce as the number of copies printed increase.

Somebody with experience on book selling can say something. I have never done something like this before.

Something is getting scared in me.

 

[adnanazmi]

View attachment 48792

I think you should copy successful book covers and how they make them. I did graphics designing before my current job. I think your cover can be improved significantly. Colors can be better. The contrasts do not make sense. Texts can be better aligned. How many fonts have you used? Use 3 maximum.