Help: The Ethics of Fluff

[TheDillon__]

Hey all!

Currently in the process of writing an ebook - and it seems to be coming out a lot shorter than I had envisioned. How could this be?

In order to provide contrast to where I am today - I begin by telling the reader a bit about my unattractive, socially awkward personal history. However, I feel like this got pretty well encompassed in a matter of paragraphs!

I find it unethical to waste the time of my customers. They are going to buy my eBook with the intent of learning something.

How do I build and expand throughout my book without adding in too much "fluff"?

 

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[Waspy]

Now this is just guessing, but I bet you have given the reader the facts without any story or adventure, or like jazz hands.

MJ could have told us he was a chubby kid who liked cars but didn't have much luck in business for ages.

But he didn't. He told us the story. People love stories. It helps the reader connect, and naturally people see the lessons within stories, usually without even needing them pointing out.

That ain't fluff, it's just good writing.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Not a fan of "fluff" which implies embellishment -- but I am a fan of telling your story so your readers can identify with you, and your objective.

 

[ZF Lee]

Your personal unique story can serve as a barrier to entry.
Most books suck because they are boiler room pitch crap, sounding safe and sound, but just filled with stuff that doesn't change my life or even open my eyes wider due to amazing relevance to my needs and interests.
If your story is not only relevant, but different and special, something I have never heard before, I'm a game customer.
It works the same for business too. 'Me too' businesses make 'me too' incomes. Businesses that copy every Tom, Dick and Harry or Jones will go to crap because there is nothing new, nothing original, nothing different or outstanding about them.

Look at these stories:
Robert Kiyosaki: Rich dad and poor dad story
Richard Branson's Losing my Virginity: Being a virgin in business
MJ's TMF : Love for fast cars and speed linked with gaining wealth fast. Lots of fast car diatribes all over TMF .
Mark Cuban's Winning at the sport of business: He uses a lot of phrases like 'work hard as if someone will take everything from you' or 'you only need to win once' are synonymous with actual games. He made his life like a game to win. He did sales, made businesses from scratch and lived like a spartan to prepare to fight in his game.

Furthermore, most people would rather READ processes than DO processes, because reading is easier than doing, obviously. And generally people do not like their past processes of life...that is why they will read books with better journeys of success and fulfillment that are not theirs. It's like watching drama television...watching lives that aren't ours.

You might have struck a goldmine here.

 

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[TheDillon__]

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback! I'll be keeping this in mind!